Marcus Collins

A leading expert on marketing, advertising and branding, Marcus Collins is on a mission to bridge the gap between academics and practitioners for marketers. Throughout his career, Marcus has worked in several marketing positions and has also shared his wisdom as a lecturer and professor at some of the most prestigious educational establishments in America. With such knowledge and expertise to his name, Marcus is now often booked as a speaker for corporate events. When booked as a speaker, Marcus covers topics such as consumer meaning-making, brand consecration, social media, cultural contagion and more.

Forging a respectable reputation in the world of advertising and marketing, Marcus is famed for being the former Head of Digital Strategy for Beyoncé in his role as the Director of Digital Strategy and New Media at Music World Entertainment. In this role, Marcus was a key player in the launching of Beyoncé’s track Why Don’t You Love Me? and also was a key figure in the marketing campaign surrounding her ‘I AM WORLD TOUR’ DVD. He is currently also a Lecturer of Marketing at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and an Adweek Academic Council Member. He recently made headlines after he was inducted into the American Advertising Association’s Advertising Hall of Achievement in 2020.

Before forging his successful marketing career, Marcus completed studies and graduated with an MBA in Strategic Brand Marketing and a Doctor of Business Administration and Marketing. Embarking into the world of business in 2002, Marcus became the Co-Founder and Director of Product Development for Muse Recordings LLC. In this role, Marcus immediately began working with top-tier clients including the likes of McDonald's and Sprite, enhancing his understanding of the consumer market. He later went on to work in a variety of marketing roles, such as iTunes Partner Marketing Manager, Director of Digital Strategy and New Media for Music World Entertainment, Executive Director of Social Engagement for Translation LLC and SVP Executive Director of Social Engagement for Doner.

Other prominent roles of Marcus’ include being the Chief Consumer Connections Officer for Doner, an Account Director for Big Fuel Communications and a Marketing Consultant for Harris Interactive. Marcus has also worked in several other educational roles, including being an Instructor & Course Designer for Miami Ad School, an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at New York University, a Lecturer of Marketing at University Michigan College of Engineering and an Instructor at Harvard Extension School. His hard work and commitment have earned him several awards, such as the Award for Excellence in Research from the Fox School of Business, the 2019 Cornerstone Award, the Executive Education Teaching Impact Award and nomination for the Golden Apple Award. Marcus has also been recognised in both the Crain’s Detroit 40 Under 40 and Ad Age 40 Under 40 lists.

With a distinguished career as a marketer behind him, Marcus now follows opportunities as a keynote and corporate event speaker. Having spearheaded marketing for the likes of Beyoncé and shaped future generations in the lecture halls of several top universities, Marcus is an authority on consumer behaviours and trends that will shape the future of marketing. When booked as a speaker, Marcus covers topics such as consumer meaning-making, deciding what’s ‘in and what’s ‘out’, social media and more. When looking for an expert on all things marketing, branding and advertising, look no further than Marcus Collins.