Thanks for taking the time to read my story!
First off - thanks for taking the time to read this! I like to provide context to who I am and what I've done wherever possible. I try to be succinct, promise. Hope this gives you an idea of who I am, the work I've done, and the rooms I've been in!
I began my professional career at a start-up in Las Vegas, NV in 2010, right after graduating from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Political Science. Shifting from higher education to a fast-growing e-commerce start-up, I quickly learned to embody the value of 'doing more with less'. As social media shifted from requiring a .edu email to allowing businesses to create accounts my degree started to pay for itself immediealty. It's wild to think there was a time in the History of Social Media that we didn't want or allow brands to participate, I was an early adapter and proponent of brands developing their own voices on social media knowing the value it would have in sourcing free, direct feedback and acting quickly.
I dove headfirst into learning how to grow and expand the reach of a business through organic and paid social media focused campaigns. Fun fact, during this tech boom most social media companies would throw a regular "Vegas party" to celebrate a new partner or a new funding-rounds. I learned first hand from some of the very best over a drink or cigar. Each opinion or piece of advice would help me to mold my own voice to what it is today.
These experiences then led me to joining the inaugural social media team at 6pm.com, the closeout website and subsidiary of Zappos.com. I later joined and worked on expanding the social presence of its parent company. At Zappos I helped to pitch and develop the Social Media Customer Loyalty Team and worked to create award-winning social media campaigns and experiential events focused on expanding what we called the brand's aura and direct customer engagement.
After a decade in Las Vegas, I found an opportunity in my home state of Michigan to work as a marketing consultant directing brand and social strategy for four of the internet's largest webcomic artists: the Awkward Yeti, Fowl Language, Sarah's Scribbles, and Shen Comix. Here I would combine my marketing, public relations, e-commerce, and experiential knowledge to lead e-commerce, branding, growth strategies and event appearances at conventions worldwide. I also learned that hosting panels in front of huge crowds is a personal love of mine!
I then moved to Chicago to take a turn at working on the agency side of branding at the firm 'the Designory', owned and operated by Omnicom. Here I worked as a social strategist for the client Intel Corporation where I focused on creating social media content for C-Level executives and marketing material for "new to market" products.
During my time in Chicago, I had also begun to contract for tabletop phenomenon Exploding Kittens as an experiential events consultant leading the creation of Burning Cat, a tabletop-focused convention in Portland, OR. My title while there was Dark Lord of Fun. Scheduled to burn in May 2020 in Portland, OR, Burning Cat, unfortunately, succumb to covid. However, I was still hooked on working with Exploding Kittens.
After leaving the Designory, I moved to West Hollywood in Los Angeles and transitioned to working for Exploding Kittens full-time. In this role, I was responsible for Marketing & Communications strategies for puzzles, physical and digital game launches, events, and partnership projects, such as the development and release of Exploding Minions with NBC Universal and Illumination.
I was also again responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on marketing campaigns for DTC and big-box retail partnerships. My time working with Amazon through Zappos, as they were acquired, played a huge role in understanding our place and strategy in the marketplace. Quick lingo dump, but I really enjoyed owning the full funnel marketing strategy, from noodling on strategies through implementing campaigns for social media, email/CRM management, influencer partnerships, and public relations. I was also responsible for all marketing related agency partnerships.
During my time at Exploding Kittens, I worked on various aspects of developing, launching, and marketing for: Kitty Letter (digital, app), Exploding Kittens (digital, app, Netflix game) Throw Throw Burrito [Tabletop Game of the Year Nominee], On A Scale of One to T-Rex (tabletop), Barking Kittens (tabletop), Poetry for Neanderthals (tabletop), A Game of Cat & Mouth [Tabletop Game of the Year Winner], Tacocat Spelled Backwards (tabletop), A Little Wordy (tabletop), Throw Throw Avocado (tabletop), Exploding Kittens Puzzles, Happy Salmon (tabletop), Exploding Kittens: Cat Burglar (tabletop), and Mantis (tabletop).
During the development and subsequent release of each game, I acted as the marketing lens and strategist for the project and project managed each of the resulting launch campaigns. Working cross-functionally with team members in various disciples has been the key to my successes and most impactful campaigns.
I've gotten to build some wild stuff. (Like a 20-foot tall Burning Cat Statue with laser nipples.)
[we gave out games and plushes via the butthole]
After Exploding Kittens merged with Asmodee I spent time contracting for a variety of projects. Getting to set my own schedule was the freeing break I needed. When I was ready to get back to full-time I was happy to come across Ad Leverage, a full funnell local service focused ad agency.
At Ad Leverage, I served as the senior brand and social media manager for a diverse portfolio of clients, including the iconic Los Angeles personal injury firm CallJacob.com, as well as the agency's proprietary projects, CxC.ai and datacube.ai.
For CallJacob.com, a brand deeply woven into Los Angeles culture, my mission was to expand its presence beyond traditional advertising. Collaborating closely with the client's leadership and partners such as the LA Lakers, LA Rams, and LAFC, I developed integrated marketing campaigns that spanned social media, radio, television, out-of-home, and digital platforms.
Additionally, I spearheaded the marketing strategy for datacube.ai, a cutting-edge business analytics and data visualization software. Recognizing the challenges businesses face in interpreting complex data, we positioned datacube.ai as an intuitive platform that converts raw numbers into meaningful insights. Through targeted content marketing, strategic partnerships, and engaging demonstrations, we showcased how datacube.ai empowers businesses to monitor KPIs in real-time, facilitating informed decision-making and operational efficiency using artificial intelligence.
In parallel, I led the brand development and go-to-market strategy for CxC.ai, an innovative AI-powered call management platform tailored for home service businesses. I oversaw the creation of the brand identity, messaging framework, and marketing collateral. Our efforts positioned CxC.ai as a transformative solution in the home services sector, offering features like in-home recordings, real-time transcripts, and seamless integration with platforms like ServiceTitan.
Balancing these diverse projects honed my ability to navigate distinct industry landscapes, tailor strategies to varied audiences, and manage cross-functional teams effectively. Whether revitalizing a well-established local brand or launching innovative tech solutions, my tenure at Ad Leverage was marked by a commitment to delivering impactful marketing strategies that drive growth and resonate with target audiences.
Now I’m ready for my next opportunity to help brands grow through strategic social media, creative storytelling, and immersive experiences. If you're looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas and seasoned execution—I'm your person. Let’s connect!
People have said some nice things about me over the years. Or at least they approved these ghost written quotes.
Enjoy!
"HE'S LIKE A GOLDEN RETRIEVER THAT GOT HIS LICENSE AND ALSO HAS A BACKGROUND IN MARKETING AND BUILDING THINGS. PLUS, HE'S AGGRESSIVELY OPTIMISTIC."
Eisner-award winning cartoonist, Matthew Inman, The Oatmeal
"Exactly what you would expect if Robert Downey, Jr. and Jack Black had a millennial Son."
Caitlin Burt, Host, Professional Actor, Sketch Comedian
"He seems to be powered by Dioynisus and good ideas. Also, somehow he knows everybody or at least treats them like long lost friends."
Ryan Brunty, Creator of Depressed Monsters
"He's hard-pressed to get upset by failure and seems to thrive on learning from went wrong."
Derek Flores, Lead Adaptive Buyer, Zappos.com an Amazon Co.
"HEY, I'M PATRICK. I LIKE YOUR SHIRT. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PEARL JAM?"
Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, The Tick, Bee Movie)
Contact Me
I can be reached at any of my social media channels or by clicking this button here!
