John spent over 30 years working in advertising and corporate market research at Publicis, American Express, and Bayer Consumer Health. John led the Market Research and Consumer Relations teams for 15 years at Bayer Consumer Health’s U.S. organization. At Bayer, John leveraged deep consumer understanding to increase sales.  Between 2006 and 2014, John and his team provided consumer-centric strategic guidance that helped Bayer’s U.S. sales grow by +68%. John also conducted foundational research for Bayer’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and supported that effort by bringing in expert speakers (Deborah Tannen, Dan Heath) to train the organization in effective communication between the genders and on change management.

Prior to Bayer, John led B2B market research teams at American Express. John cut his teeth in market research when he joined Publicis (DMB&B) after pivoting from his graduate studies in English Literature at Rutgers University. In addition to his studies at Rutgers, John taught courses in Composition, Scientific and Technical Writing, British Literature, Modern Fiction, and Detective Fiction.

John is the publicity chair for the Oratorio Society of New Jersey (a concert choir) and a frequent volunteer at WBGO jazz radio. He has served on the board of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris counties and consults with the Family Service League of Essex County. He enjoys ballroom dancing with his wife, playing basketball, and going to jazz clubs. His son and Dutch daughter-in-law live in Brooklyn.

John has an MA in Literature from Rutgers University and a BA with Distinction in Literature from the University of Virginia.