Background
Alan Bradley was born on June 13, 1957, in Rochester, New York, United States. Son of Richard Arnold and Roberta May (Ketchell) VanAuken.
2014
Brand Aid, second edition.
Alan Bradley was born on June 13, 1957, in Rochester, New York, United States. Son of Richard Arnold and Roberta May (Ketchell) VanAuken.
Bachelor of Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1979;
Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1984.
Co-founder, partner, Nadler Associates, Troy, New York, 1978-1979;
Staff consultant, Arthur Andersen & Company, New York, New York, 1979-1980;
Senior staff consultant, Arthur Andersen & Company, New York, New York, 1981-1982;
Assistant product manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1984-1986;
Project manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1986-1987;
Product development manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1987-1988;
Senior new business strategist, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1988-1990;
Business marketing manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1990-1992;
Marketing manager, food team, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1992-1995;
Adjunct professor, Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri, 1995-1997;
Director-brand management and marketing, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1995-1998;
Vice-president of marketing, Element K, Rochester, New York, 2000-2002;
Chief brand strategist, Brand | Cool, Rochester, New York, 2004-2006;
Partner, chief brand strategist, The Blake Project, Los Angeles, California, 2004-2016;
Adjunct professor, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, 2013-2016;
Founder & President, Brand Forward Inc., 1999-present.
(A catchy business name and a smart logo may get you a few...)
2014(The vast majority of even solid, dependable brands toil a...)
2006(The Brand Management Checklist: Proven Tools and Techniqu...)
2002(A guide that provides solutions for some of the most pres...)
2003Rensselaer Alumni Association: Board of Trustees: 1991-1999; Vice President, 1994-1998; Alumni Admissions Committee Chairman: national, 1998-1999, 1992-1994; Kansas City, 1984-2000; New York City, 1980-1982; Class Gift Chair, 1993-1994; Alumni Key Award, 1994; Alumni Admissions Recognition of Excellence Award, 1994; and Director’s Award, 1989. Boy Scouts of America: Area Marketing Committee Chairman, 2018; Council Advisory Board, 2011-present; Council Executive Board, 2005-2011, 1997-2000; Council Membership Chairman, 1996-1999; Assistant District Chairman, 1999-2000; District Finance Chairman, 1999-2000; District Activities Chairman, 1995-1996; Scout Roundtable Commissioner, 1997-2000, 1980-1982; District Chairman, Annual Fundraising Campaign, 1980-1981; Council Marketing Committee, 1998-2011, 2016-present; Chairman, 2007-2011; District Award of Merit, 1996; James E. West Fellowship Award, 1994. EZaccessMD: Advisory Board, 2018. Keller Graduate School of Management: Advisory Council, 1988-1996. Kansas City Chapter of Young Audiences, Inc.: Executive Committee, Board of Directors, 1987-1991. Writers & Books: Board of Directors, 2006-present; Vice President, 2006-2007; President, 2008-2009; Marketing Committee Chairman, 2006-present; Big Pencil Award, 2012. George Eastman Museum: Communications and Engagement Committee, 2002-present. World Affairs Council of Rochester, 2017-present. International Relations Council, 1985-1990. World Future Society, 1988-1994. The World Center for Global Community: Advisory Board, 1999-2000. American Marketing Association: Edison Best Products Awards Judges Panel, 1993-1997. The Advertising Council of Rochester: Board of Directors, 2000-2008; Executive Committee, 2004; Lantern Award, 2004. Harvard Business School: Fundraising Volunteer, 2004-present. Harvard Business School Club of Rochester: Board of Directors, 2003-present; Vice President, 2004-2006; President, 2006-2008. Genesee RiverWatch: Board of Directors, 2016-present; Development Committee Chairman, 2016-present; Marketing Committee, 2016-present. Cities in a Park: Founder and Chairman of the Board, 2000. Kansas City Consensus: Metropolitan Funding Task Force, 1985. United Way: Chairman’s Club, 1992-1998. Kansas City Cares: 1994-2000. Rochester Area Community Foundation: Communications Committee, 2009-present. Latinos in Agriculture: Board of Directors, 2013. Renaissance Weekend, 1987-present.
Quotes from others about the person
"Thanks again for the excellent session you facilitated on Tuesday. I continue to get positive feedback from all who were present. I met with our president today, and he reiterated what a great job he thought you did and how the day exceeded his expectations. Your clear commitment to the Conservancy's mission was very much appreciated by the group, and your experience in brand building and skill in facilitating made a long day in a windowless meeting room actually fun!"
Angie Sosdian
Director, Marketing Strategy Project
The Nature Conservancy
"Read Brad's book Brand Aid and you will see the depth of knowledge and experience he has gathered over his career. Recently, Brad provided consultation to my organization that has helped draw together system leadership and create alignment behind our brand position. He delivered a brand equity study that produced profound insights and support for a brand building initiative. His facilitation skills truly helped the team challenge previous assumptions and perceptions and look forward to shifting customer needs. Give Brad a call when faced with your next strategic branding challenge."
Jim Matheson
VP, Marketing & Communications
ThedaCare
"Brad’s book, Brand Aid, inspired me to change the way our division approached brand strategy. Brad’s unique talent for storytelling draws readers, as well as workshop participants, deeply into the ideation process with fantastic results. I was very fortunate to have Brad facilitate a series of global workshops to further refine our brand strategy. He helped us define and align on a differentiated approach that quickly vaulted our global brand to the top of the market."
Michael Saso
Group Manager, U.S. Coronary Product Marketing
Abbott Vascular
"Brad VanAuken is one of the most insightful brand strategists I have had the pleasure of working with. Brad brings a rigorous passion for brand strategy and brand education to global brands and start-ups alike. His book Brand-Aid is a must-read for any marketer interested in mastering the first principles of successful branding. He is an awesome strategic brand workshop leader and facilitator, helping marketers to unlock and discover their best opportunities for brand success. I highly recommend you have Brad on your team when you're in the planning stages of a strategic brand initiative."
Thomson Dawson
Business Transformation Consultant
PULL Brand Innovation
"Brad is a master facilitator. He facilitated three different brand strategy workshops for us. He was able to achieve agreement between co-CEOs from different cultures with divergent points of view. I would highly recommend him to help you achieve consensus on your business and brand strategy."
André Bernheim
Co-CEO
Luminox
"I had the pleasure of listening to Brad VanAuken at an event promoted through our small business owner group. His presentation on Branding and Marketing is definitely a Do Not Miss! The two hours allotted to Brad was simply not enough for him to even begin to share his knowledge. Whether it be Brand Strategy or Marketing Essentials, every person in the group came away with valuable insights. A large volume of information is shared in a lively and engaging manner. A presentation by Brad VanAuken is definitely a must attend!"
Al Knataitis
Owner
Photographic Services
"I had the pleasure to hire Brad to conduct a Branding Workshop and it has been great to work with him. Brad is an easy going person which myself and the clients could not agree more. Clients who attended his training appreciate his energetic & fun personality, as well as his insightful teaching. His strong knowledge in brand management and consumer insight justify his nickname as The Branding Guy. I can assure that you can expect Brad to provide a fun, engaging and beneficial delivery. I highly recommend you to work with Brad and thank you again, Brad."
Michael Wan
Senior Conference Producer
UNI Strategic
"I highly recommend reading the next edition of Brand Aid. Brad has a tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge of marketing in general, and brand equity in particular. Most importantly, he has the ability to apply brand equity principles to industries and brands to impact strategy and decision making in a real way."
Dan Vandenberg
Owner
Consumer Vision
"Brad VanAuken is one of the most talented focus group moderators with whom I have had the pleasure of working. He puts the participants at ease and uses a wide variety of techniques to draw out deep insights, including projective techniques and guided imagery. I have worked with hundreds of brands and many moderators over the years, including some of the top global brands. Among moderators, Brad is a shining star."
Aaron Thomas
Marketing Research Analyst
Illuminate
"I worked with Brad in my role as Director of Brand Marketing for good2grow. Our team hired Brad and his colleagues to complete a robust segmentation study for our business. Early on in the project, Brad impressed us with his adept insights, strategic thinking and passion for the work. Even more impressive than his acumen in this subject area was Brad's ability to connect with our team on personal level. These traits led to a very successful segmentation project which will serve as a foundation for our brand strategy going forward. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Brad and looking forward to my next opportunity to do so. "
Edzra Gibson
Director of Brand Marketing
good2grow
"I worked with Brad when I was Board Chair of BOA Editions Limited. He facilitated development and fundraising sessions with our board members. Brad was a dynamic and engaging facilitator, inspiring and challenging board members to think differently about fundraising and their other duties as members of the BOA board. I highly recommend him. He will energize your non-profit!"
Bernadette Catalana
Attorney
Lavin, O'Neil, Cedrone & DiSipio
“Brad expertly led our organization in its rebranding efforts. This started with brand equity research and proceeded through an adroitly facilitated brand positioning workshop and then cogent presentations to key stakeholder groups. His group facilitation skills are exemplary. Our museum is deeply grateful to Brad for his outstanding work in helping us clarify our brand identity and how we will succeed in the marketplace, both locally and more broadly.”
Bruce Barnes, Ph.D.
Ron and Donna Fielding Director
George Eastman Museum
"Brad VanAuken is a genius. A real one. A one-of-a-kind guru who has managed to connect his considerable expertise in modeling and probabilities with his extensive training and experience in business management and marketing strategy to help over a hundred organizations and brands that you would recognize.
Brad astutely leads his clients through a robust business and brand assessment, as well as a series of interactive learning experiences that, together, culminating in a clear brand strategy as well as palpable ownership and buy-in by all members of the business team.
Brad’s curiosity, big thinking, integrity, work ethic, and results have been independently noted and awarded. If you relied solely on awards, you might miss how difficult it would be to find a more sincere and approachable person than Brad. If you want to know more about branding or Brad’s skills and character, you could either check in with his clients or colleagues or with those he contributes to as a volunteer – or you could simply meet him for yourself, which I highly recommend."
Debora Beverly
President & CEO
Better Execution