JONATHAN

HARROP

Marketing, Communication & Branding Leader

Marketing & Comms Veteran & Leader

Hello! My name is Jonathan Harrop, and I bring over 15 years of marketing and communications experience and a decade-plus of driving successful marketing strategies and building high-performing teams. I have managed numerous successful marketing campaigns, including brand launches, content creation, and website development and management. I am known as a versatile contributor with experience across all critical business functions, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to make difficult decisions.

My track record of delivering results in B2B and B2C environments across various industries speaks for itself. I am a visionary marketing leader passionate about innovation, creativity, and collaboration. My unique combination of strategic thinking and hands-on execution has increased brand awareness, market share, and customer loyalty in every role I've taken on. I thrive by helping my team grow by fostering a culture of collaboration, communication, and continuous learning. I lead with integrity and empathy by creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential. 

I bring with me a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a deep commitment to excellence.

SKILLS & DISCIPLINES

CAREER HISTORY

VP, Marketing & Communications, Wholesale Lending Tech PMO

2023 to Present

Led all facets of innovative marketing and communication strategies within the Information Services Group's Program Management Organization, building a single strong central brand unifying a myriad of internal products and tools for Citi's modernization of its wholesale lending compliance operations. Deployed state-of-the-art technologies and best practices to optimize operations.

  • Directed Appian deployment across the PMO, improving visibility and decision-making while eliminating thousands of manual Excel hours per month.

  • Achieved 90 percent adoption of the modern tool set three months early through targeted email awareness campaigns.

  • Developed and nurtured strong relationships across global regions to facilitate cross-functional synergy.

  • Steered the creation of data-informed presentations to enhance decision-making processes.

  • Headed end-to-end dynamic events to engage stakeholders and foster collaboration.

  • Up-leveled brand and communication standards amongst the PMO group to better align with federal agency reporting standards and increase the professional look and feel to match the rest of the firm.

  • Managed executive communications and town hall meetings within the group

Consulted with multiple adtech and gaming companies on various product launches, press releases, strategic planning, and budget management.

  • Defined and ran US launch activities for a programmatic DSP with a strong European presence, leading to strong initial PR and awareness wins, leading to early sales team successes.

  • Consulted with AA gaming publisher on its go-to-market plans for mobile games, a first for the company. Educated executives about the performance marketing layers for user-acquisition campaigns, and how it differs from their PC and console history.

  • Developed and delivered 30/60/90 go-to-market marketing and communications plan for CTV programmatic company’s new product leveraging existing app-install knowledge for brand campaigns.

Orchestrated and executed communications, content, PR, brand, events, and marketing operations at Digital Turbine, while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory compliance. Successfully designed and implemented a comprehensive rebranding initiative to unify three distinct acquired brands under the single brand of a $1B company. Improved the performance of 14 direct reports, managed external agency and marketing operations, and propelled content strategy with a keen focus on monetizing mobile game developers. 

  • Managed a substantial global marketing budget of $6MM through budgetary management techniques, while overseeing the consolidation and expansion of the marketing tech stack at Digital Turbine, reducing ongoing marketing operating costs by 20% and saving $750,000 annually through agency consolidation and vendor renegotiations.

  • Unified three marketing organizations into one, leading content, events, and operations during a major brand transition, ensuring stable leads and sales support. Drove more than 50 million dollars in marketing-sourced pipeline via demand gen and content programs.

  • Integrated legacy Digital Turbine, AdColony, and Fyber brands into a cohesive, unified brand.

  • Streamlined operations, pushed for early AI tools adoption, enhanced brand visibility, and a more seamless experience for both internal stakeholders and external customers. 

Directed all global marketing and communications at AdColony, driving brand growth, public relations, content, and event strategy across international markets. Rebuilt and reformed the marketing team from the ground up with clearly defined roles aligned to company objectives, leading a 25-person organization with 12 direct reports. Generated more than $50M in annual pipeline through large-scale event programs and VIP client engagements, while elevating the company’s public presence as the voice of AdColony in outlets such as AdAge, Adweek, and other leading trade publications. Positioned marketing as a core growth engine and critical contributor to the company’s success and acquisition.

  • Created and executed the market messaging and positioning for AdColony parent Otello Corp for the 2021 acquisition of AdColony by Digital Turbine for $400 million.

  • Budget planning and KPI management for a $5MM global marketing budget that included advertising, industry partnerships, events, etc., and secured more than 200 industry awards, including Campaign, Ad Age, MMA SMARTIES, Drum, and Adweek’s Best Mobile Ad Network (2019, 2021).

  • Directly managed relationships with industry groups, including the MMA, IAB, and 4A. 

  • High-level campaign strategy for selling the AdColony product and platform to clients across the brand advertising and agency space, as well as programmatic buyers. 

  • Strategized an international event strategy from broad-stroke brand mixers to six-figure bespoke client retreats.

  • Reinvigorated social and display advertising to drive lead-gen campaigns and supported my team as they built out more advanced drip campaigns, providing context and strategy.

Global Head of Marketing & Communications / CMO

2019 to 2021

  • Doubled website lead generation through Google Analytics analysis and CRM form adjustment.

  • Increased Google AdWord CTR over 10x through creative and audience testing and adjustment.

  • Led social media management, CRM, and translation marketing technology RFP, integration, and management processes.

  • Planned, managed, and executed multiple trade shows resulting in consistent business development opportunities and wins.

  • Led brand creative direction in a major rebranding effort, including website design and content.

  • Managed global social media rebrand and consolidation, establishing best practices, reference documentation, and scheduling processes.

  • Spearheaded development, product improvement, and GTM activities of AdColony Ad Showroom demo app.

  • Acted as Marketing Manager from August 2015 to March 2018.

Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications

2015 to 2019

Joined Yvolver as the first non-founder employee and directed all marketing and communications to establish the company’s identity and market presence. Developed the startup brand from scratch, including logo, color scheme, visual design, website, and written content, ensuring a cohesive and differentiated position in the gaming ecosystem.

  • Launched programs supporting 5 beta clients and helped secure additional funding rounds.   

  • Increased community engagement by 120 percent through targeted campaigns.   

  • Built an SMU Guildhall internship pipeline that yielded 8 hires at zero cost.   

  • Closed more than 2 million dollars in projected revenue from consecutive GDC deals.

Director of Marketing

2014 to 2015

Directed all media, marketing, and public relations operations, including major construction updates to Dallas and other local city councils, as well as the driver education initiatives (including a blog, traffic signs, billboards, and coordination with TxDOT and NTTA) and s erved as the spokesperson to the media.

Public Relations Manager

2013

Directed marketing initiatives at GameStop to accelerate the company’s transition toward a stronger digital presence and expanded service offerings. Led community marketing programs that deepened player loyalty and brand relevance, while driving measurable gains in digital adoption. Positioned GameStop as a more competitive player in the digital space during a pivotal shift in the gaming industry

  • Researched and drove a ground-up revamp of the GameStop App to replace legacy in-store technology, including full design RFP, and development planning.

  • Initiated and curated successful business partnerships with mobile publishers new to GameStop.

  • Managed alpha and beta feedback of GameStop’s new digital product initiatives resulting in significant shifts in product development strategies at the executive level.

New Technology Product Marketing Manager

2012 to 2013

  • Increased GameStop PC Downloads promotion email CTR by 120% and purchase rate by 22% through email testing and redesign.

  • Grew GameStop Digital’s online social presence by 341% through organic growth and the creation of exclusive flash sales, an initiative involving sales, product & tech, and QA to verify the system would function as intended.

  • Negotiated deals with major publishers including SquareEnix, Microsoft, 2K Games, Activision, and others.

Community Marketing Manager

2011 to 2012

  • Helped secure multiple high profile accounts through rigorous negotiation and client research for eld sales teams.

  • Personally identified multiple six-figure fraudulent accounts, saving the company millions long term.

AOS Named Accounts Representative

2008 to 2011

Global Vice President of Marketing & Communications

2021 to 2023

Freelance Marketing Consultant

2023

Earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, serving as a beat reporter for The Arkansas Traveler and contributing as a technology columnist from Fall 2006 to Spring 2008, blending news reporting with early expertise in tech and media.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Journalism

2005 - 2008

EDUCATION

Adjunct Faculty, University of Texas at Dallas – Taught Social Media Marketing (MKT 4334), developing curriculum and lecturing on best practices, trends, and strategies to next-generation marketers, full-time from 2017-2019, before transitioning to guest lecturer.

Advisor & Consultant – Guided adtech and gaming startups on product launches, GTM plans, PR, and communications strategy, including CTV DSP and mobile gaming publishers.

Industry Engagement –  Established as a recognized thought leader with frequent speaking and panel roles at The Drum’s NY Brand Summit and other premier conferences, including Adweek and Business Insider Summits.

Community Leadership – Created internship programs with SMU Guildhall to pipeline talent into gaming and adtech.

BOARD, ADVISORY & INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP

CONTACT ME

You’ve made it this far, so I guess I’ve caught your attention.

Why not reach out? I cover the bases across communications, marketing, branding, and leadership of all of those groups together. I’ve succeeded across startups, and Fortune 250 companies, and everything in between. I’ve been a critical part in two successful (and successive!) acquisitions, presented to shareholders and run panels at industry events. Airtable and Monday are close to my heart for organization, and I love nothing more than when my team succeeds.

I’ve developed drip campaigns from scratch, negotiated contracts with vendors, run a $6MM budget with aplomb, and developed an [probably unhealthy] connection to my Slack and email accounts.

I’d love to talk about how I can bring my magic to your company.