Brand Approved aligns leading brand marketers with best of breed technology and new media partners.

Advertisers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startup brands rely on Brand Approved to recommend leading solution providers that can offer sustainable innovation while driving meaningful ROI. Brand Approved’s exclusive advisory board includes some of the most highly regarded and progressive client side marketers in the industry. These buy side change agents are responsible for identifying, testing and recommending each service provider within our portfolio.

Hence, certifying each of them as Brand Approved. Since Brand Approved is financially supported by its portfolio partners, the services we provide to brand marketers are complimentary. We’re constantly adding brand side marketers to our advisory board. Please contact us if you’re interested in joining.

Once a service provider is vetted by our advisory board and becomes part of the Brand Approved portfolio, they immediately experience the benefits of having direct access and communication with brand side executives. Fortune 500 companies and other leading advertisers are constantly seeking Brand Approved’s recommendations of vendors that can innovate their business while driving meaningful ROI.

Brand Approved facilitates the process of introducing its portfolio partners to our expansive network of brand marketers that spans all business categories (automotive, CPG, financial services, retail, et al). Beyond the facilitation of introductions, Brand Approved accelerates the RFP and implementation process. Ultimately, helping its portfolio companies build more brand direct business that elevates their status from vendor to proven partner.

Brand Approved produces focus groups consisting of leading brand side marketers. Through one session or a series, service providers have the rare opportunity to present their capabilities and marketing materials to an audience of client side executives from Fortune 500 Companies. Focus group participants represent the profile of the presenting company’s ultimate buyer and they are committed to providing their unfiltered feedback. The candid responses and constructive recommendations prove invaluable to the service providers.

Brand Approved facilitates Brand Marketer Focus Groups across the US but primarily in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. We have the ability to recruit key influencers and decision makers ranging from Brand Managers, heads of digital, heads of media to CMOs from all industry sectors. These sessions are kept completely confidential. Brand Approved compensates brand marketers for their time in these focus groups. Please contact us if you’re interested in participating.

Advertisers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startup brands rely on Brand Approved to recommend leading solution providers that can offer sustainable innovation while driving meaningful ROI. Brand Approved’s exclusive advisory board includes some of the most highly regarded and progressive client side marketers in the industry. These buy side change agents are responsible for identifying, testing and recommending each service provider within our portfolio.

Hence, certifying each of them as Brand Approved. Since Brand Approved is financially supported by its portfolio partners, the services we provide to brand marketers are complimentary. We’re constantly adding brand side marketers to our advisory board. Please contact us if you’re interested in joining.

Once a service provider is vetted by our advisory board and becomes part of the Brand Approved portfolio, they immediately experience the benefits of having direct access and communication with brand side executives. Fortune 500 companies and other leading advertisers are constantly seeking Brand Approved’s recommendations of vendors that can innovate their business while driving meaningful ROI.

Brand Approved facilitates the process of introducing its portfolio partners to our expansive network of brand marketers that spans all business categories (automotive, CPG, financial services, retail, et al). Beyond the facilitation of introductions, Brand Approved accelerates the RFP and implementation process. Ultimately, helping its portfolio companies build more brand direct business that elevates their status from vendor to proven partner.

Brand Approved produces focus groups consisting of leading brand side marketers. Through one session or a series, service providers have the rare opportunity to present their capabilities and marketing materials to an audience of client side executives from Fortune 500 Companies. Focus group participants represent the profile of the presenting company’s ultimate buyer and they are committed to providing their unfiltered feedback. The candid responses and constructive recommendations prove invaluable to the service providers.

Brand Approved facilitates Brand Marketer Focus Groups across the US but primarily in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. We have the ability to recruit key influencers and decision makers ranging from Brand Managers, heads of digital, heads of media to CMOs from all industry sectors. These sessions are kept completely confidential. Brand Approved compensates brand marketers for their time in these focus groups. Please contact us if you’re interested in participating.




WHO ARE WE





Brandon Gutman

Brandon Gutman is an expert connector and proven business builder. As Managing Partner of Brand Approved, he’s led the advisory to become the premiere filtering system for brand marketers seeking best of breed technology providers. As Co-Founder of Brand Innovators, Brandon is responsible for developing premium content which means tapping marketers from the world's most successful brands to share how they're utilizing emerging technology and new media vehicles to build their brands and drive meaningful ROI. A prolific writer, Brandon has interviewed over 100 CMOs for his column in Forbes. Prior to launching Brand Approved in 2010, Brandon held marketing and business development positions in the executive search sector where he forged relationships with some of the most influential brand marketers, technology developers and venture capitalists in our industry.


Marc Fonzetti

Marc is the Director of Media at Verizon Wireless, overseeing all media strategy, planning, buying, investment & ROI, as well as innovation for VzW. He manages a roster of media and digital agencies to accomplish the goals of his $1B+ measured media budget. Prior to his leadership role at VzW, Marc was the first US Media Director for Reckitt Benckiser, CPG manufacturer of Lysol®, Air Wick®, Mucinex®, French’s® et al. Marc managed RB’s ~$500MM measured media investment across all media channels. In 2009, Marc received credit as the key brand-side pioneer proving Digital Video to be a viable complement to TV, winning an AdAge Media Maven Award in the process. Before RB, Marc exercised his entrepreneurial spirit in the digital start-up world for 3 years, and held various media roles at BOOKSPAN (a Bertelsmann & Time Warner partnership), i-traffic/Agency.com and MediaVest (on P&G and Norelco) earlier in his career.


Ian Gomar

Ian is President of Shaquille O’Neal Enterprises and a partner in Pheasant Hill Consulting, which focuses on helping accelerate the growth of digital marketing start-ups. Formerly a CMO at Sears Holdings, Ian has a steeped retail background having been President of Steve Madden Retail and E-commerce, President of Athletes World/Bata In Canada, CEO of Olsen Europe Fashion, and has had CMO roles at Footlocker, Inc., Wolverine Worldwide and Starter apparel. Ian began his career working in advertising on P&G before moving to the client side as Brand Manager at the Coca-Cola Co. He then went on to be Group Brand Manager at Bacardi introducing many products such as Bacardi Black rum, Tropical Fruit Mixers and Bacardi Breezers.




ADVISORS





Dave Knox

Dave Knox is Chief Marketing Officer for Rockfish, one of the fastest growing digital agencies in the country. Prior to Rockfish, Knox was a seven year veteran of Procter & Gamble, where he was instrumental in the digital turnaround that led to P&G being named to AdAge’s Digital A-List. Dave is active in the entrepreneurial community, serving as a Board Observer / Advisor to multiple venture-backed companies. He is a Managing Partner in the VC firm Brand Ventures, serves on the Board of VCU Brandcenter in Richmond, VA, and is the co-founder of The Brandery – one of the top 10 startup accelerators in the country.


Jason John

Jason joined Gilt Groupe in 2010 and has been leading their online, social, and mobile marketing efforts. Prior to Gilt, he was the VP of eCommerce of Redcats USA, a billion dollar retailer based in France, leading all US eCommerce efforts across its various titles. Jason also has an extensive background in CRM, as he lead Database Marketing for J.Crew, and implemented new CRM systems & programs for Martha Stewart Living post their IPO.




PORTFOLIO COMPANIES




WHAT OUR CLIENTS OUR SAYING


Brand Innovators

Brand Approved is closely aligned with Brand Innovators – the largest community of brand side marketers in the US. Our network of client side executives actively attends and speaks at their premium level events that take place every month all over the country. Link to schedule of events.

VISIT BRAND INNOVATORS

Brand Approved on Forbes

Our Q&A’s with CMOs and other leading brand marketers are published weekly on Forbes

VISIT FORBES



Brand Approved - Copyright 2015 Info@brandapproved.com