“The well-constructed process… the mind-expanding exercises to open the mental pores… adding value beyond just excellent facilitation.”
Jeff Pendleton, Director Internet Services
Hewlett-Packard
“At Mandalay Bay we continue to benefit from Michael’s original strategic thinking, brand development and research skills that led us to our marketing campaign. His outstanding work covered not just our customer-facing efforts (B2C) but also the conventions side of our business (B2B).”
Randy Boynton, VP Marketing
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
“… successful in distilling many thoughts and opinions down into a single customer promise that we believe is distinctive, ownable, and most of all, actionable.”
Heather Gray, VP Marketing
Visa
“I have worked with countless branding professionals all over the country and have never had the pleasure of working with anyone as sharp and buttoned-down as Michael. In just one day, he got a group of 16 boisterous clients on the same page regarding what they wanted their brand to stand for. It was amazing to watch him control, motivate and empower the group with his consensus-building techniques and extensive brand-building experience. Michael is fast: In that one day he achieved what others take weeks or even months to get client agreement on.”
Alexandra Watkins, Chief Innovation Officer
Eat My Words
“Extraordinary progress in just a few hours – an excellent process!”
Keith Rodger, Managing Director
DTP, Ltd. U.K.
“Kudos to you!”
Accenture
“Michael’s powerful strategic vision and penetrating research skills are simply awesome. Our project was to find a compelling message that would appeal to systems integrators, marketing VP’s, and senior IT folks in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Michael set up the research, executed it, wrote the strategy and helped sell it to the client. I can honestly recommend Michael confidently as I haven’t come across anyone who matches his work in B2B planning strategy – or B2C for that matter.”
Mark Durein, Account Director
Winkler Advertising
“It’s an empowering feeling!”
Sutton Trout, Creative Director
Eidos Interactive
“It was most helpful moving us towards consensus – with academics, that’s like herding cats.”
Father Joseph Daoust, President
Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
“The customer research and recommendations Michael made helped us make the decision to build a beautiful online platform to showcase all the great wineries that make wine from Stagecoach Vineyards. Michael’s methodologies, experience, and creativity were highly appreciated in figuring out how to take branding, messaging, and presentation to the next level.”
Marcus Krupp, VP Marketing
Stagecoach Vineyards
“The elevator pitch for Red Bricks Media that resulted from working with you is spectacular and continues to lead our business growth.”
Julian Aldridge, Chief Strategy Officer
Red Bricks Media
“Michael was integral to winning new business and developing strategically sound, creatively-driven campaigns for clients like Mandalay Bay and SoyJoy. He is an insightful thinker with a broad range of experience that enables him to smartly address a variety of marketing challenges.”
David Berne, Director of Strategic Planning
Rubin Postaer Associates
“In a highly competitive wine market, Michael helped us understand how to differentiate our boutique offerings by nailing the essence of the wines: ‘Rugged elegance.’ Michael brought clarity and professionalism and got the most out of the team in a very dynamic but structured 2-day session. We highly recommend Michael because he is as dedicated as he is talented.”
Marcus Krupp, VP Marketing
Krupp Brothers Winery
“I have depended on Michael for many of my creative, high profile and demanding clients to develop powerful brand solutions in high-pressure, fast-turnaround situations. Both as a strategist and, more importantly for me, as a writer, Michael’s talent and concentrated wisdom are simply awesome.”
Jo Kumery, National Director of Merchandising and Standards
Guckenheimer
“I have retained Michael to conduct two brand workshops for two different companies. Both times Michael was able to organize a diverse and opinionated group of executives, take them through a very well thought out process and leave the meeting with consensus on Brand identity and language; a task quite frankly I did not think possible in the time allocated.”
Ian Gillis, President
Urban Community Partners
“It highlights the importance and theory of a properly defined brand – you have a great tool and process.”
First Franklin Financial
“Michael brought exceptional strategic planning and research skills to RPA and was pivotal in helping us win the Mandalay Bay and Pentax accounts. Plus, his brand workshops are extraordinary in achieving game-changing insights and enthusiastic consensus on strategy in just a few hours.”
Tom Kirk, EVP, Management Account Director
Rubin Postaer Associates
“It really made us think at a bigger level and at a deeper level about who we are, what we’re about, and who we’re going to be in the future.”
Cephren