I help businesses turn complex technology into clear value for their customers, and today that means AI. I lead the Marketing Studio at Taazaa, and I write, speak, and teach.
Three decades of work for
Experience
For nearly 30 years I’ve led brand, product design, and marketing for startups through Fortune 500 companies. Now I pair hands-on AI experimentation with design and business strategy to help teams decide where and how to use it.
I lead Taazaa’s Marketing Studio, bringing together brand strategy, creative, digital experience, and growth marketing. My focus is building an AI-first creative organization that combines human insight, strategic thinking, and emerging technology to deliver better work, faster.
An award-winning digital marketing agency in Westport, CT, acquired by Lapine Inc. in 2017. I grew the team to 14 art directors, copywriters, and developers, grew the business 15% year over year, and led Crown Royal’s online presence as agency of record for seven years.
Two-time founder. That gives me an owner’s view: the work has to earn customer trust, support revenue, and justify the investment behind it.
Speaking
I speak to conference audiences, leadership teams, and classrooms about how AI is changing the way brands are built and creative work gets made. My talks are practical, honest, and usually funnier than people expect. Each one is tailored to the room.
Signature talks
Why taste, judgment, and craft matter more, not less, when everyone has the same AI tools.
What changes in the team, the workflow, and the client relationship when AI is in every step.
Teaching AI to sound like your brand, and the guardrails that keep it from sounding like everyone else.
How the creative director’s role is shifting from making every asset to directing human and AI collaborators.
Past stages
“Thank you! You were funny, relevant, and made me feel much better about some of the pickles I’ve gotten myself into with clients over the years.”
Teaching
Helping people understand complex ideas, question assumptions, and develop their own judgment.
“Brian has provided me with tools that I don’t feel my other classes have provided me with, and I feel more prepared for my career because of him.”
Books
Above the Fold reached #1 on Amazon’s Web Design list and is widely used as a university textbook. Principles of Web Design carries it forward, with a deeper focus on UX, accessibility, and responsive design.
Selected work
Brand, UX, and digital work for global brands, financial firms, and founders.
Speaking, AI strategy for marketing and creative teams, or just comparing notes. I’d like to hear from you.