Biography

A graduate of the University of San Diego and Thunderbird. In 1993, Brian founded an agency, Catalyst Marketing, emphasizing strategic marketing, advertising, branding, sales and special event planning. He has lived and worked in Italy, France, and Denmark, and he speaks 6 languages. Brian’s agency managed clients in Mexico, South Africa and Europe including; AT&T, Kellogg’s, Kimberly Clark, BMW, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Monsanto, True Value Hardware, American Red Cross, Reuben H Fleet Science Center, City of San Diego, and California State Parks.

With more than 20 years professional experience in marketing, advertising, market research, retail marketing, public relations and promotions in the US, Europe and Africa, Brian has worked with retailers, product manufacturers, service providers, governmental and non-governmental agencies and media organizations. A serial entrepreneur, in 2013, he joined two partners in creating StyleSeek™ (www.styleseek.com), a style-based algorithm capable of connecting consumers with brands and retailers in a highly accurate manner, that company has since been acquired by Raise. In 2014, he crowdfunded PreFAB Space (www.prefabsd.com), a combination co-working, special event, pop-up retail space for start-up entrepreneurs in the lifestyle industry. In just one year, he successfully incubated 10 start-ups.

Brian has been teaching marketing, advertising, creative copy writing, cause marketing, trend spotting, and global business courses since 1999 at UCSD. In 2009, he joined the faculty of California International Business University, where he is today Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Special Programs.