Curiosity is
my default.
I think the best strategy starts with a better question, and the best work gets made with people who care enough to ask it.
Hi, I’m John.
I’m a Chicago-area brand strategist and marketing leader. I’ve spent my career helping organizations connect business ambition with what people actually care about. I’ve led strategy at Razorfish and Digitas, served as CMO of Formidium, and helped shape work for brands including McDonald’s, Miller Lite, Nike, Jeep, State Farm, and Alfa Romeo.
Today, as Co-Founder and Managing Director of Kraken Strategic Partners, I help leadership teams sharpen their positioning, connect the dots across marketing, and turn promising businesses into brands people believe in.
Big-agency experience without the big-agency ego.
I believe the best work comes from curiosity, collaboration, and the willingness to roll up your sleeves. Good strategy should make things clearer, bring people together, and move the business forward.
Let's connect ↗Great strategy gets people somewhere.
Focus, insight, imagination, leadership, and the resolve to execute are how promising ideas become better businesses.
The important stuff.
I’m a husband and dad to three great kids. I’m also a former youth lacrosse coach and board member of the Lake Forest Lacrosse Association. Some of the kids I coached went on to win back-to-back state titles. Those championships are theirs, not mine. I’m just incredibly proud of them, and grateful to have been a small part of their journey.
Better together.
John Manley is the thoughtful, smart, collaborative strategic partner that clients dream of. He has the strategic horsepower and brand-building experience to back up his opinions and recommendations.
John Manley has the eye of a strategist, the heart of a creative, the instincts of an entrepreneur, and the ravenous curiosity of a toddler.
John has the resume of a misfit — and I say that with jealousy. He’s dabbled in media, digital, creative, and planning, and that’s just the kind of person I look to hire.
John is one of the best I have ever worked with in thinking through the entire brand experience from a customer’s point of view.
Some nice hardware.
Jay Chiat Award / Silver
Media: McDonald’s
Effie / Silver
Single Impact Engagement – McDonald’s
Cannes Lions / Bronze
Use of Social Platform – McDonald’s
Cannes Lions / Bronze
Use of Social Platforms – McDonald’s
London International Awards / Silver
Digital Use of Social Media – McDonald’s
Clio Sports / Gold
Digital / Social – McDonald’s
International Bill Bernbach Award / Best Digital Idea
McDonald’s
Cannes Lions / Shortlist
Best Use of Film – Mentos
Cannes Lions / Shortlist
Best Use of Ambient Media – Secret