experience.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER (FRACTIONAL)
Lowell Farms, Salinas, CA

February 2021 – May 2022 

Engaged by the new ownership to revive and polish the pioneering and immensely popular California cannabis brand, Lowell Farms.

Developed new comprehensive brand mission, vision and values and codified it with an updated lifestyle-based brand positioning.

Evaluated existing talent and proposed new marketing team structure and assisted recruitment.

Developed strategy and execution for brand, media, social/influencer, trade marketing, experiential marketing and promotions.

Launched innovations including the Farmer’s Eighth, BIG BUDS, Hash Wrap, Lowell 35s and the Lowell ZIPPO, in addition to supporting expansion across 4 new states.

In just one year, Lowell became a leading cannabis brand, becoming the #1 seller of flower and pre-rolls in the state.

ADVISOR/INVESTOR/CONSULTANT
Damashek Consulting, Greenwich, CT

November 2015 – Present

Investor, advisor, consultant for multiple emerging, innovative brands and products in beverage, alcohol and cannabis.

Advise and consult on marketing/brand/product strategy, business strategy, operations, innovation, fundraising, operations, eCommerce, partnerships and exit strategy.

Chief marketing officer
Acreage Holdings 

November 2017 – December 2019

Led Marcom function for one of the largest multi-state operators in the U.S., with “seed-to-sale” operations in 20 states, including corporate communications and brand marketing, media, social, retail design, experiential, packaging design (CPG), consumer research.

Oversaw a marketing team of 20 nationally, responding to rapidly growing needs while choreographing all agencies and vendors.

Played an instrumental role in the company’s initial public offering, after only 12 months, raising $500MM.

Developed brand portfolio strategy for medical and recreational markets and built out the resulting brand and product portfolios based on a consumer segmentation of the cannabis space — the first and largest of its kind — in partnership with VICE Media.

Spearheaded several marketing campaigns that generated over 5 billion media impressions, establishing Acreage as the leader in U.S. cannabis. The campaigns began with the announcement that Fmr. Speaker of the House John Boehner and other luminaries were joining the board of directors and culminated in a groundbreaking (rejected) Super Bowl spot that started a national conversation about the importance of equal access to medical cannabis.

Actively participated in M&A, led all marketing and brand partnerships and acquisition integrations.

Global Brand + Creative Director
ZX Ventures (An AB-INBEV COMPANY) 

May 2015 – October 2017

Managed and led global Craft & Specialty brand and creative marketing strategy, leading local team execution.

Led brand strategy, repositioning, design, marketing, and global rollout for Hoegaarden, which led to 25% increase in sales and contributed $15MM in revenues. Named #1 Brand in category in Korea within six months of launch.

Created consumer-insight-driven product, brand and marketing innovations, launching new technologies, brands, formulations, and variants in beer and adjacent product categories.

Led first forays into eCommerce including brand, product, operations, user experience and creative strategy, launching four pilots in five countries in six months (online stores and apps).

Led concept development for global Goose Island Brewhouses launched in five global markets.

Identified and led investments for venture investments and advised incubated start-ups on brand and creative strategy and insights.

Sourced and managed global agency and creative partner relationships.

Founder + CEO
Underground eats

November 2011 – May 2015

Conceived, created and funded NYC membership-based community and e-commerce start-up for experiential dining events.

Developed and cultivated active community of over 30,000 active members, successfully producing and marketing almost 500 events in just over two years working with top consumer brands and world-class chefs.

Collaborated with and produced events for partners such as Vanity Fair, Ralph Lauren, Chivas, ABSOLUT, Anheuser-Busch, Moet-Hennessy, Patron Spirits Company, William Grant & Sons, Reidel and Nestle Water.

Featured in New York Times, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Huffington Post, among many others.

Oversaw acquisition, retention and cultivated social media marketing, and content strategy and development.

Developed and produced pilots for two food-based reality TV shows for Food Network and other media properties.

Founder + CEO
Damashek consulting

November 2002 – November 2012

Founded award-winning agency focused on integrated creative, strategy, tech and creative brand marketing with over $10 MM in annual revenues.

Created one of first virtualized, on-demand agency structures, with over 50 employees and specialists located all over the world.

Clients include Accenture, Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Martini & Rossi, HBO, Chevrolet, Daily Candy, Club Monaco, Buddy Media, EMC, global agencies, and start-ups.

Oversaw operations, strategy, development and creative direction, business development and account direction.

Accolades: Top 10 Brooklyn Interactive Agencies by Ad Week, 2 FWA Site of the Day honors and HOW Award.

Sr. account director/ business development
critical mass

1999 – 2002

Opened and managed NYC office of top-10 global digital agency and managed client service and business development.

Led account direction, strategy, creative development, acquisition, retention and CRM programs, managing teams supporting accounts including Mercedes-Benz USA, EMC2 Corporation, Dell, Cantor Fitzgerald and Nike.