Paul June: Turning Great Ideas Into Market-Winning Realities

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“More Creativity, More Ideas, More Fun.”

Paul June is a transformational marketing and business development executive whose career has been defined by growth, innovation, and the ability to turn ideas into sustainable, scalable results. With more than 30 years of experience across consumer products, consumer electronics, gaming, sports, and active lifestyle markets, he has consistently built brands, teams, and systems that drive measurable performance. As Founder and CEO of Barrel O’ Monkeyz and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Mobile Edge and CORE Gaming, Paul has demonstrated a rare blend of entrepreneurial grit and executive discipline, expertly balancing creative storytelling with data-driven strategy.

From his early days in public relations and promotions at The Gable Group, Paul learned that every successful brand begins with a compelling story and a clear understanding of its audience. Working with clients in media and marketing, he honed his skills in account service, messaging, and campaign execution. These formative years laid the groundwork for his later leadership roles, giving him an appreciation for both the front-line work of marketing and the strategic thinking required to shape brands that endure.

Paul’s transition into product management at JANEX International and later Applause Gifts & Apparel marked the next evolution of his career. At JANEX, he managed children’s toys from concept through product life cycle, learning to align design, sourcing, licensing, and retail execution. At Applause, he directed the creative development of more than 500 licensed and non-licensed products, working with iconic properties such as Disney, Sesame Street, the Muppets, and Peanuts. These roles sharpened his ability to merge creative direction with commercial outcomes, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in sales and a deep understanding of how brands live on shelves, in stores, and in the minds of consumers.

His impact grew further at Targus, a global laptop case and tech company, where he created and led the company’s first Product Management Department. As Director of Product Management, Paul oversaw the development of more than 200 branded products per year, including lines such as Targus, CD Projects, Glacier Gear, and Glacier Baby. By implementing structured processes that reduced product costs and increased gross margins, he helped drive revenues from $17 million to $60 million in just two years as part of an elite executive team. This period highlighted his ability to scale operations, streamline execution, and align cross-functional teams around aggressive growth targets.

Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Vizion Products, an automotive storage and accessories company that quickly gained traction with major retailers. Within just a few years, he had created, scaled, and successfully sold the company, securing distribution into national chains such as Wal-Mart, Target, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Canadian Tire, and more. Under his leadership, Vizion generated over $1 million per year in organizer sales and secured high-profile licenses with Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Orange County Choppers, Monster Garage, and Harley-Davidson. This venture showcased Paul’s ability to identify market gaps, build brands from the ground up, and execute complex retail and licensing strategies.

At Ultra PRO International, the world’s largest manufacturer of sports and gaming storage products, Paul joined the executive team during a critical period of transition and growth. As Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, and later overseeing Courage Brands, he helped guide the organization from $35 million to over $60 million in revenue. He led departmental reorganization, created efficient overseas sourcing and product development structures, and drove new licensing programs with globally recognized brands including Disney, Lucasfilm, DreamWorks, and Major League Baseball. His work not only elevated product innovation but also strengthened Ultra PRO’s position in a rapidly evolving consumer landscape.

In 2009, Paul founded Barrel O’ Monkeyz, a full-service strategic marketing agency designed as a nimble, high-impact alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar firms. As “King Monkey,” he built a team that blends brand strategy, digital marketing, lead generation, content development, social media, and website design into cohesive solutions for B2B and B2C clients. Barrel O’ Monkeyz has supported brands across sports, media, legal, finance, lifestyle, and more, including KUSC Radio, Torrey Pines Golf Course, Tour of California, Holland’s Custom Cabinets, Enact Partners, Ameri Tax Services, Mobile Edge, CORE Gaming, and Ludwig IP Law. Paul’s approach is rooted in asking the right questions: Who is your audience? What do you have to offer them? What are you trying to say? How can you tell your story most effectively, and where?

In 2018, Paul took on the role of Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Mobile Edge, a laptop carrying case and tech accessories company, while simultaneously leading the launch and growth of CORE Gaming as a division and brand. At Mobile Edge, he built and led the marketing department, putting in place scalable systems, frameworks, and performance metrics that aligned with broader business objectives. He drove strategic planning, digital and traditional campaign execution, affiliate and influencer programs, and e-commerce optimization. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its digital presence, improved conversion rates, and expanded into new channels and partnerships, all while maintaining a strong brand identity.

As VP of Marketing for CORE Gaming, Paul transformed a concept into an award-winning brand. He led the successful Kickstarter campaign that introduced CORE Gaming to the market, created positioning and messaging that resonated with gamers and tech enthusiasts, and overseen the development of an integrated digital ecosystem that included SEO, paid media, web development, and social strategies. He cultivated influencer relationships, trade show visibility, and strategic alliances that helped CORE Gaming stand out in a crowded, fast-moving category. His ability to move seamlessly from high-level brand architecture to the tactical details of campaign execution has been a hallmark of his leadership.

Beyond his corporate and entrepreneurial achievements, Paul is deeply committed to mentorship, community, and the sports and active lifestyle ecosystem that has long inspired his work. As a Lead Advisor and Mentor with San Diego Sports Innovators (SDSI), he has helped emerging companies refine their models, secure funding, and accelerate their growth. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (San Diego Chapter) and contributed to various charitable and industry organizations. His personal interests in soccer, beach volleyball, hiking, and outdoor adventure mirror the active lifestyle brands he has often supported and developed.

Paul’s professional journey has also been global. With a decade of APAC experience, including time working with partners and manufacturing resources in China, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, he brings a seasoned understanding of international supply chains, product sourcing, and market entry strategies. He is comfortable operating at the intersection of cultures, time zones, and regulatory environments, using his broad exposure to support companies seeking to expand or optimize their global footprint. Whether overseeing a new overseas office or managing cross-border product launches, he combines strategic foresight with hands-on execution.

Today, Paul is increasingly focused on opportunities where his experience as a transformational marketing and growth leader can be applied at the board and advisory level. With full P&L experience, extensive background in brand development, product lifecycle management, digital transformation, and global go-to-market strategy, he is well positioned to support organizations—particularly those under $50 million in annual revenue—in consumer products, consumer electronics, sports, and active lifestyle sectors. He thrives in environments where creativity, strategy, and execution intersect, and where a fractional CMO or strategic board presence can unlock new levels of performance.

At the core of Paul’s career is a belief in the power of story, culture, and connection. He is known for fostering collaboration, building accountability-driven teams, and aligning people around clear, measurable objectives. Whether leading a startup, guiding an established brand through transformation, or advising founders on their next stage of growth, he brings energy, insight, and a relentless focus on results. His personal motto—“More creativity, more ideas, more fun”—is more than a tagline; it’s a reflection of how he leads, how he builds brands, and how he engages with the people and companies he serves.

Character:
Paul demonstrates integrity, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility in every phase of his career, from founding startups to serving on nonprofit boards. He leads with a collaborative spirit, fostering cultures of accountability and respect while maintaining high expectations for performance. His long-standing commitment to mentorship, philanthropy, and community involvement reflects a character grounded in service and long-term relationships.

Knowledge:
With more than three decades of experience spanning product development, marketing, licensing, digital strategy, and international operations, Paul brings a deep and well-rounded understanding of how businesses grow. He has worked across multiple industries, channels, and geographies, allowing him to quickly assess complex situations and identify practical, high-impact solutions. His expertise in both B2B and B2C environments equips him to guide organizations through changing market dynamics and evolving customer expectations.

Strategic:
A true strategic thinker who connects dots across markets, channels, and customer segments to build clear, actionable growth roadmaps. He aligns brand storytelling, product innovation, and performance marketing under unified strategies that serve both short-term objectives and long-term value creation. His experience with startups, turnarounds, and established brands allows him to design strategies that are ambitious yet grounded in operational realities.

Communication:
Paul is an articulate and engaging communicator who excels at translating complex ideas into clear narratives that resonate with executives, teams, partners, and customers. He is equally comfortable on a stage, in a boardroom, or in a creative workshop, always focused on clarity of vision and alignment of stakeholders. His ability to tell compelling brand stories and foster open dialogue has been central to his success in leadership, client relationships, and team development.

https://barrelomonkeyz.com

https://pauljune.com/

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Kacey Card
Kacey Cardhttps://boardsi.com
Kacey Card is an accomplished editor at Leadafi, bringing a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling to the team. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Kacey has honed his skills in content creation, editing, and digital media, ensuring that every piece of content meets the highest standards of quality and engagement. At Leadafi, he is dedicated to crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers and drive the publication's mission forward. His commitment to excellence and innovative approach to editing make him an invaluable asset to the team.