Russell Quinan

About Russell Quinan

Great brand positioning doesn’t start with a tagline—it starts with truth, insight, and the ability to see opportunity before others do. That’s the space I operate in. I’m a brand and marketing executive with deep expertise across tech, automotive, and consumer categories, known for transforming complex products into powerful, emotionally resonant brands that win markets.My strength is connecting dots others miss: blending data, category instincts, behavioral insight, and bold creativity to shape brands that perform across every channel. I build clear, differentiated product identities; architect multi-channel campaigns; and lead high-velocity creative teams with a bias for breakthrough thinking and measurable results. I’m equally fluent in strategy, storytelling, sales enablement, and growth—ensuring brands don’t just look good, but sell smarter.As Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of TheorySF, I help brands accelerate growth by identifying high-impact opportunities, assembling elite cross-disciplinary teams, and driving work that’s as strategically grounded as it is creatively unignorable.Highlighted Achievements• AVAST cybersecurity leadership: Reinvented Avast’s brand positioning to own “world leader” status in cybersecurity. Delivered a breakthrough campaign achieving a 99% video completion rate across sales channels, boosted US brand recognition by 50% in three months, and outperformed the entire internet category sevenfold through the funnel.• Microsoft Xbox global leadership: As Senior VP and Client Partner at Universal McCann, led the worldwide Xbox business. Oversaw the launch of Kinect—the industry’s first hands-free gaming experience—and orchestrated integrated global campaigns across platform, games, and hardware that redefined the category.• Alibaba.com US market entry: As EVP at Traction, guided Alibaba.com’s successful US launch by architecting its initial brand and marketing strategy. Secured marquee coverage in The Wall Street Journal, aligned the brand with Shark Tank, and significantly elevated a boutique design agency into a contender within a fiercely competitive landscape.If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or compare notes on brand strategy, feel free to reach out: r••••••@quinan.netAREAS OF EXPERTISE Brand PositioningCreative DirectionStrategic PlanningBrand DevelopmentIntegrated MarketingStrategic PartnershipsClient Relationship ManagementCross-functional Team LeadershipMarket Research & Competitive AnalysisCampaign Creation, Management, & Strategy

Experience

1. Partner, Chief Strategy Officer

   Theory Sf

   Jan 2015 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   Established and lead boutique creative marketing agency’s continued growth. Forge strong connections with clients and employ robust storytelling techniques that align messaging with key trends within marketplace. • Crafted distinct agency vision and pursued organic growth through strategic marketing efforts, building innovative brand offering unique perspective and founded on establishing human connections. • Leveraged deep understanding of customer requirements, market dynamics, and digital technology to identify client needs, pinpoint differentiators, recognize trends within competitive market landscape, and design optimized and effective branding and marketing strategies for clients.Brand Experience-Sage Software | Riverbed | Airbase | Avast | Visit Mendocino | SFMOMA

Education

• University of the Pacific - Eberhardt School of Business

  BS Business Administration & Marketing, Marketing, Business administration, Finance

Skills

• Creative Strategy
• Marketing Communications
• Web Analytics
• Research
• Online Advertising
• Web Design
• Integrated Marketing
• Digital Media
• Entrepreneurship
• Start-Ups
• Creative Direction
• Lead Generation
• Interactive Advertising
• Brand Development
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Mobile Marketing
• B2b
• Direct Marketing
• Direct Mail
• Media Planning
• Online Marketing
• Business Development
• Digital Marketing
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Interactive Marketing
• Branding & Identity
• Sales
• Email Marketing
• Digital Strategy
• Analytics
• Public Relations
• New Business Development
• Mobile Devices
• Social Media
• Positioning
• Team Building
• Management
• Social Media Marketing