JAMES CONNELL
I love to build businesses and turn challenges into opportunities.
A highly entrepreneurial and creative Senior Consumer Business Leader who has helped businesses navigate AI and omni-channel successfully for decades while building global branded consumer experiences, that create consumer love and revenue. Co-author, Keynote speaker and former Canadian Marketer of the Year.
I LIKE SOLVING BIG PROBLEMS, CREATING BRAND ADVOCATES OUT OF CUSTOMERS, AND DEVELOPING NEW REVENUE STREAMS USING A PEOPLE-FIRST METHODOLOGY.
Technology is a tool that needs to be understood, adopted, and accepted in business to make a benefit. Since my first 'Speak & Spell', then onto mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and drones, I have always been fascinated with technology and understand how to create efficiency and excitement, build revenue and maximize potential.
Digital transformation is only part of the path to modernization and growth. How people in the physical world connect with technology, whether it be a mission-critical omnichannel ecommerce solution, a social media campaign or an order management system, ease of use, accuracy and security are crucial to employee and customer adoption. By doing so, you can find helpful innovation and efficiencies that quickly add to the bottom line.
PROJECTS THAT GET NOTICED, A CASE STUDY
Roots Holiday Northern Light Event
With a limited budget, instead of printing a physical gift guide we created an immersive fashion show with a 182 foot video screen with virtual and real models. We also embedded sound beacons into the audio track to allow people in the room shop what was on stage from a dedicated app. The video was live streamed and then repackaged for use as holiday marketing, with targeting done based on the live stream metrics. It all led to record setting holiday season for Roots and numerous industry awards and recognitions.
AWARD WINNING
Retail Council of Canada, Canadian Marketing Association and Canadian Special Events Magazine are just a few of organizations that awarded us accolades.
DROVE RESULTS
It contributed to a record breaking sales increase during the holiday sales season that year.
IMPACTFUL
The event reached consumers in 65+ countries with 12 million+ impressions and that is just the start...
VIEW THE VIDEO CASE STUDY
Watch the short video that fully outlines this innovative event by clicking the link below.
PROFICIENCIES
DIGITAL MARKETING
Consumers discover new brands online more than ever before and more time is being spent on mobile than any other media. I have used digital media to support traditional tactics for over 20 years to engage consumers.
BRANDED EXPERIENCE
As humans we seek to feel something; love, desire, fright. Delivering a brand right experience that is convenient, innovative, rewarding or a combination all of the above is the pinnacle of marketing, creating affinity and loyalty. I have led numerous projects and events that brought the consumer closer to brands.
INNOVATION
The world doesn't stand still, nor should your business. I have been recognized as a leader in innovation for marketing and retail for many years. I was instrumental in the launch of eCommerce at Roots in 1999 and have led various projects that were 'firsts' since. As a result Roots was one of the first online retailers in North America to embrace omni-channel commerce in 2011.
Professional Affiliations
Retail Council of Canada • DX3 Content Advisory Board • eTail Canada Content Advisory Board • Adweek Branded Digital Commerce Advisory Board Member • American Marketing Association • Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce