Chris Cunningham

About Chris Cunningham

I build brands that move people and move the needle. For the past 20 years I\'ve operated at the intersection of brand strategy, high-stakes partnerships, and large-scale marketing transformation. Most recently,I\'ve been leading a $10M+ portfolio within Mazda North America\'s marketing operation on the agency side at Managing Director level; overseeing brand, media, creative, partnerships, and analytics across one of the most ambitious brand transformations in the brand\'s North American history. I have led 100+ person teams, partner agencies, C-suite relationships, and delivered a full brand transformation that delivered 424K in vehicle sales and 16.8% year-over-year growth. But my story isn\'t just automotive. I\'ve led national launch campaigns for Samsung\'s Galaxy lineup, built their first-ever loyalty program from scratch, managed a major brand partnership with AEG across live entertainment and retail, and directed franchise marketing for Disney, Marvel, and ABC; developing the audience segmentation and campaign architecture behind some of their biggest theatrical and broadcast releases. What I actually do well: I take complicated, high-visibility marketing challenges and make them simple, executable, and measurable. I build teams that outlast the campaign. I negotiate partnerships that create real business value. And I find the story inside a brand that makes people care. I\'m currently exploring Managing Director, VP, and SVP-level opportunities in automotive, entertainment, consumer electronics, sports, and lifestyle; anywhere or anyone that wants a senior leader who can run the business, not just the account. Let\'s talk: U••••••••@gmail.com

Experience

1. Managing Director (Group Director) Mazda North America

   VML

   Nov 2016 — Present · Costa Mesa, CA, US

   Mazda North America Operations - Leading the Mazda brand team responsible for all campaigns, vehicle launches and brand partnerships working directly with C-Suite Mazda leadership.Spearheaded Mazda USA’s full rebranding, a multi-year, multi-channel effort with global implications—managing 100+ team members, agency partners, and vendors. The campaign drove 424K in sales and increased market share, marking a historic milestone for Mazda.Leverage first-and third-party KPI data to refine campaign strategies, optimize channel performance, and adapt creative execution in response to market and competitive shifts.Oversee multicultural agency partnerships and global teams to localize and adapt Mazda’s brand strategy across diverse markets.Crafted compelling product and brand narratives for the launch of the CX-90 and CX-70 SUVs, leveraging social media creators, influencers, and brand ambassadors—exceeding sales volume goals by 18%.Manage high-profile brand partnerships, collaborating with top media and entertainment entities (Disney, American Red Cross, Tribeca Film Festival, Good Morning America, Jennifer Hudson Show, etc.), including RFP reviews, contract negotiations, and licensing.Oversee a multi-million-dollar national advertising, activation, and production budget, ensuring seamless execution across campaigns, events, and brand initiatives.Former National Retail Marketing Director, leading national sales events, dealer brand conferences, NADAC meetings, and owner activations—driving a 40.5% increase in new car market share and 30% in CPO market share in 2022.

Education

• Universidad de Salamanca

  Spanish

• University of Michigan

  BA

Skills

• Business Development
• Digital Marketing
• Relationship Marketing
• Diversity Marketing
• Management
• Sales
• Online Advertising
• Social Media
• E-Commerce
• Advertising
• Marketing Segmentation
• Integrated Marketing
• Automotive
• Marketing
• Search Engine Marketing (Sem)
• Youth Marketing
• Display Advertising
• Interactive Marketing
• Online Community Management
• Interactive Advertising
• Sem
• Brand Awareness
• Digital Strategy
• Social Media Marketing
• Online Marketing
• Search Engine Marketing
• Outdoor Advertising
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Creative Strategy
• Leadership
• Ecommerce
• Brand Development
• International Marketing