Neal brought his extensive experience to Brand Team Partners in 2018 following an impressive career in research, creative planning and brand strategy with a number of world class advertising and PR agencies. Prior to BTP, he held senior roles at Leo Burnett, FCB, Element 79 Partners, Edelman and Burson Marstellar. From foods and pharma to hair care, hospitals and hospitality, Neal has helped a diverse group of brands and service clients better define and effectively communicate their stories and connect with their audiences.
Neal brings a range of skills used to: develop branding tools and models; execute and synthesize research; lead brand positioning and narrative workshops; forge creative briefs and briefings; facilitate ideation and team building sessions, and hone communications content. Neal excels at identifying the “sweet spot” that marries the best of what consumers are saying and what clients need.
Former B2C clients include Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Dairy Management Inc, Universal Beauty (Beard Guys), Northwestern Mutual, Kimberly Clark, Astellas, Abbvie, Hilton, Amway, Supercuts, Red Bull, PepsiCo, Kellogg’s, Conagra, and Quaker Oats. Institutional and B2B clients included Early Warning (Zelle), Navistar, Millikin, Habitat for Humanity, Chicago History Museum, University of Chicago and more--identifying ways to meaningfully elevate and promote the brand.
Neal also developed presentations and marketing professional development curricula for SC Johnson, Quaker Oats and Central DuPage Hospital.
A few career highlights and awards include:
- Strategy behind Gatorade’s long-running “Is it in you?” campaign (Gold Effie)
- Quaker Chewy Granola Bars “Chewy Stops the Chatter” (Bronze Effie)
- Facilitating a board meeting of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (the “doomsday clock” people!)
Neal holds an MBA from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Tufts University. When not thinking about brands and marketing, he is an avid guitarist, ceramicist and unrepentant doodler.
