David L.

A human insights specialist with a broad skill set that includes brand building, communications development, and customized market research. Following full-time strategist roles with leading agencies in NYC and LA, established a consulting practice with a roster of ongoing clients and project-based roles, often with smaller, specialized agencies. Extensive experience across business categories and consumer segments with recent emphasis on multicultural audiences. Eclectic career path provides unique perspective on how to best identify and unravel key attitudes and behaviors and meaningfully translate these insights to inform clients, inspire colleagues, and develop innovative business decisions and communications that authentically connect and motivate. Skilled at facilitating idea sharing and co-creative sessions and thrive in an in-person, collaborative environment. Committed to making a positive difference in my local community through regular volunteer service activities and project leadership roles. Core Capabilities • Client partnership: Collaborate closely with clients to align on key business goals, brand priorities, and marketplace opportunities; manage day-to-day communications and nurture long-term relationships • Insight identification: Decipher target audience motivations, behaviors, and societal influences to formulate a core insight, often uniquely interpreted for multicultural segments • Communications development: Guide creative campaign execution and channel strategy planning to ensure intended impact and synergy across touch points • Research implementation: Deliver tailored qualitative and/or quantitative research from initial design through final presentation including focus group moderating, workshop facilitation, and survey design, programming, and analysis • Cohesive storytelling: Utilize superior writing and presentation skills to craft and deliver clear, insight-driven creative briefs, research reports, and new business pitch dec BRAND STRATEGY & MARKET RESEARCH CONSULTANT GRADCOMM, Oceanside, CA Research Director (project-based), 2021-Present Agency specializes in community college branding and marketing with clients throughout CA and OR. Design and deliver all research initiatives with current students, alumni, college leadership, and area residents. Topics include enrollment motivations, completion barriers, media habits, and assessing the college experience or impressions. Create and oversee proprietary online surveys on the QuestionPro platform, moderate focus groups, and develop detailed reports of findings to guide collegiate brand positioning, messaging, and marketing efforts. STRAUSBERG GROUP, Venice, CA Strategy Director (project-based), 2005-Present Agency specializes in premium travel and hospitality. Provide ongoing strategic leadership with brand architecture development, marketing programs, research activities, and new business pitches. Clients include Auberge Resorts, City of Burbank, La Quinta Resort, Tommy Bahama Resorts, and Viceroy Hotels. ACENTO, Los Angeles, CA Senior Associate (permalance), 2006-2020 A full-service agency specializing in both multicultural and total market communications. Key roles included: • Strategic lead for all Wells Fargo Hispanic marketing including brand, product, sponsorship, and Millennial-focused campaigns. Hispanic customer and product sales growth consistently outperformed all other audiences. • Lead strategist for all SoCalGas residential and small business marketing including energy efficiency, safety, solar, and financial assistance. Annual improvements in customer awareness, interest, and program participation. • Strategic co-lead for all Hispanic marketing initiatives for State of CA Tobacco Control Program. Increased awareness and recognition of the health, societal, and environmental consequences of cigarettes and vaping. • ORCI, Los Angeles, CA. (specialty: multicultural) Provided strategic guidance and recommendations during successful agency pitch for Northgate Gonzalez Market. Served as interim Strategy Director during onboarding process including oversight of branding and tactical marketing campaigns and brand tracking research. • Heal the Bay, Santa Monica, CA. (environmental non-profit) Designed and developed an online tracking survey for residents near the City of LA’s Hyperion Water Treatment plant. Established benchmarks and measured changes in the plant’s overall performance, operational enhancements, and community outreach activities. Other notable clients: Alola Design (Kohler); CA Ocean Protection Council; Evans, Hardy & Young (CA Walnuts Council); Gallegos United (Cacique); Hamon & Associates (Hyundai, Logitech); madeXus (AT&T, Boldyn Networks, Hyundai); Pereira O’Dell (SimpliSafe); Quantasy (Honda); Siegel & Gale (Adobe, Mammoth Mountain, SMUD); Signature Creative (Ericsson); 160over90 (Ombre, Pizza Hut).