OWEN'S BIO

Just wrote meself a new bio. Here it is: Owen Mack is co-founder/strategic chief of coBRANDiT, a social media and marketing consultancy specializing in web video for online communities and opt-in environments. The coBRANDiT story includes brand hi-jacking, market research, viral video, and the launching of the world's first open-source ad agency. Recent projects include video production for Treehugger, fashion.psfk, ihaveanidea, and WOMMA, as well as production and consulting work for PUMA Running. Owen's marketing interest originated with his involvement (starting at age 11) in the family retail business. This formative experience taught him early on the value of customer-centric thinking and the importance of presenting information honestly and authentically. Studies at Washington University in St. Louis fused his interest in vernacular design and marketing. His annoyance with conventional advertising led in 2002 to an epiphany: advertising ought to be about real people in real places discussing real product. He teamed up with partner Jesse Buckley and got to work producing unauthorized documentary "ads" for Schlitz beer and PUMA which received national attention. Most recently Owen has been applying his knowledge of the web video space to new delivery systems including YouTube brand channels, Google video AdSense programs, post-roll content, videoblogs and other opt-in formats as well as consulting on video sharing tools in brand communities. He has been featured in various publications including Inc. magazine and Dentsu-ho (the Japanese AdAge), spoken at the New Communications Forum and PodCamp Boston, and been recognized as a Social Media Innovator at the BlogOn 2005 conference. Owen lives in Boston, Mass. with his wife and two daughters. In his free time (ha!) he can be found riding bicycles made of spare parts and building plywood sculptures painted aqua blue.