Mike Lanzi is a highly skilled marketing change agent with over 25 years of experience in brand marketing strategy, communications planning, and marketing operations. His career spans consultancies, agency holding companies, and independent agencies, where he has built a reputation for driving growth, fostering talent, and implementing transformational strategies. Mike’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between strategic vision and tactical execution, ensuring that brands resonate with consumers and deliver consistent business outcomes. He is particularly adept at integrating design, technology, and storytelling to create cohesive brand experiences across both digital and physical touchpoints.

As a Strategic Account Manager at FATFREE, Mike collaborates with a network of experienced specialists to address complex marketing challenges, combining design, technology, content, and creative storytelling to build impactful brand experiences. His digital-first orientation, combined with his skill in creating memorable physical brand moments, ensures a seamless brand journey for his clients. Prior to this, he served as the Head of New Business at Cronin, where he defined a strategic direction for business development and collaborated with the leadership team to sharpen the agency’s value proposition and identify growth opportunities.

Mike’s tenure as a Marketing Consultant at BrandActive further highlights his expertise in financial analysis, rebranding strategy, and marketing logistics. His data-driven approach enabled clients to maximize brand value, streamline operations, and achieve cost efficiencies. By leveraging proven methodologies, proprietary tools, and deep analytics, Mike delivered tailored solutions that aligned with clients’ business objectives and drove positive outcomes.

At KPMG US, Mike served as Director of Marketing Consulting, where he led teams to optimize marketing investments through MarTech strategies, agency management processes, and strategic operating models. He worked with top marketers to design customized solutions that unlock value, address capability gaps, and inform sourcing decisions, particularly in entertainment, specialty retail, and non-CPG brands. His practitioner’s perspective, grounded in industry best practices, has made him a trusted advisor for maximizing marketing impact.

During his time with Flock Associates, Mike collaborated with leaders in large-scale organizations across financial services, automotive, and cloud software industries to deliver marketing transformation through process design, talent assessment, and agency ecosystem optimization. His ability to provide objective, data-driven advice has been instrumental in helping organizations achieve operational excellence and strategic clarity.

As a Client Partner at sparks & honey, Mike developed cultural insights for clients such as Humana, McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson, and P&G, using cultural intelligence to shape brand positioning and communication strategies. His work included establishing processes to embed cultural understanding within agency teams, enabling brands to navigate cultural shifts effectively.

Mike’s previous experience also includes serving as the Global Managing Director for Hershey at Arnold Worldwide, where he led a $25 million business unit dedicated to delivering global communications. His leadership expanded the brand’s footprint across 14 international markets, driving sustained growth in both U.S. and global sales. His expertise in scaling operations, managing large teams, and overseeing global brand initiatives contributed to the continued success of Hershey’s portfolio.

Earlier in his career, Mike held pivotal roles with StrawberryFrog, Omnicom Group, and Interpublic Group, where he steered business development, optimized financial performance, and implemented innovative marketing strategies for major clients. His Six Sigma Green Belt certification further underscores his commitment to operational efficiency and process improvement, enhancing workflow and relationship health across his engagements.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mike is passionate about home renovation, cooking southern Italian dishes, and playing jazz piano. His dedication to continuous learning and improvement is reflected in both his professional and personal pursuits. With a keen eye for detail and a natural affinity for leadership, Mike brings energy and expertise to every project he undertakes.

Character:

Mike is a committed and adaptable leader who consistently fosters growth, collaboration, and positive team culture. His dedication to excellence is evident in his ability to inspire teams and lead with integrity across various complex projects.

Knowledge:

With extensive expertise in brand strategy, marketing operations, and process optimization, Mike has a deep understanding of what it takes to drive brand growth and efficiency. His knowledge spans multiple industries, allowing him to craft solutions that meet unique business needs.

Strategic:

A visionary leader, Mike excels at transforming high-level strategy into actionable plans that deliver measurable outcomes for his clients. He strategically aligns business goals with operational execution to maximize value and sustainable growth.

Communication:

Mike’s expertise in cultural and brand storytelling allows him to convey complex ideas with clarity and impact. His strong communication skills ensure alignment and engagement among teams, clients, and stakeholders, fostering a unified approach to achieving objectives.