I'm the son of an advertising executive,
but I majored in astrophysics.

 

If you wanted to breed a master race of strategists, that would be a good plan.

The thing is, I was really bad at astrophysics. But once I graduated, I was able to use the analytic and creative skills I did have to realize that I could be unemployed anywhere. So I left Ithaca, tires squealing, and moved to San Francisco.

I got my first job as a market research assistant for the venerable Landor Associates, since they figured I could at least handle the math involved in market research data analysis. They were right.

Little did I know that I would fall in love with the design business. I continued in the market research lane for 10 years, in the service of everything from corporate identity, packaging, retail design, print and broadcast advertising, and public relations, before coming back to the design business, where I have been ever since. 

I made the transition from research to account management and strategic work when I joined the digital agency pioneer CKS Partners, serving as their Director of Account Strategy. During the dotcom boom of the late 90's, I was a co-founder of the integrated marketing firm Addwater.

Since then, I have alternated between my freelance work for creative agencies, and full-time assignments at Landor and Interbrand. Most recently, I served as Principal of Insights & Brand Strategy for Method's SF office, working primarily in support of digital UX design.

I still love space, and I still love ideas and creativity. I just have them in the proper order now. 


 

It's never the same thing once.

 

Even after years of experience across more than 200 project engagements, I'm still learning new ways to see the world as a client or customer does. 

Either working directly with clients or as part of an agency team, I bring a pragmatic and open mind to strategy and creative projects regardless of category. 
 

Click & mouse-over the icons to see the activities for each project.

 

"I have known and worked with Paul for over two decades — he is the ideal intersection of strategic and creative thinking.

Regardless of the category, Paul continually mines and finds new ways to engage with branded offers for clients as diverse as QVC and AstraZeneca to tech startups. I highly recommend him."
 

John Ravitch

Partner, IDEO San Francisco

"Through a combination of surveys and interviews, Paul helped us expand our understanding of existing and potential customers. The insights from these efforts fed directly into product features and marketing messaging.

Paul's methodology and feedback throughout the process has enabled us to be more successful with our ongoing research."

Charlie Hughes

Growth & Analytics, Shyp

"Paul is the left brain that works in complete harmony with right brain thinkers.

His passion for brand thinking, his aptitude at qualitative and quantitive research and his deep understanding of technology position him perfectly to understand the needs of modern business." 

 

Marc Shillum
Chief Experience Officer, Matternet