Marketer. Writer. Podcaster.
MARKETER
Helping brands grow using strategic, creative and digital leadership
I help clients in three ways:
Build modern brands that earn trust
Use digital to unlock growth
Create content and experiences that build relationships and drive action
At Prophet, in addition to leading client work as a Senior Partner, I’m serving as the firm’s Chief Marketing Officer to practice what I preach. I previously co-led the firm’s global marketing + sales practice, which includes go-to-market strategy, digital marketing, communications, content, channels, and org design. My prior leadership positions have been at creative, digital agencies, and startups, including as chief creative officer, executive creative director, and head of comms and marketing .
My career began as a copywriter in advertising at FCB, diving early into interactive (1996!), and ever since, have been working across digital, social, content, public relations, and direct. I didn't have to learn to be innovative or integrated. I've always loved and believed in it all. Some recent highlights:
Marketing & Sales Excellence global practice leader - 5 years
Digital Discipline global domain leader - 5 years
Launched new capabilities: Verbal (2018), Content Strategy (2018), Brand & Marketing Campaign Studio (2021)
Created original IP in Brand & Demand Marketing, Marketing Maturity, Digital Marketing Strategy, Marketing Organization, Content Strategy, Strategic Communications, Scenario Planning, and Launching Products
Leadership: Consistently top scores and wide following across talent levels and client satisfaction
Expertise deep: Go-to leader for marketing strategy, digital marketing, content, advertising, communications, channels & writing
Proficiency broad: Brand strategy, brand communications, customer experience, media, PR, sales enablement, social media, marketing org design
Awards: Addy, Cannes Lions, Caples, Clio, MarCom, Muse, New York Festivals, RAD, Shorty, Stevies, Transform, WebAward, WPP Atticus, and recently The Consulting Report’s 2024 Top Marketing & Sales Consultants (#2!)
Mentorship every day
Formal coaching. Internal mentoring.
Shaped by the example of those who have helped me, I’ve built a career of strong working relationships across talent at all levels and across disciplines. In 2014, I was even Coach of the Year.
”Mat gave me room to grow and develop. He trusted me and empowered me to go grow the client relationship—and helped me do that successfully.” — Associate Partner
“Mat’s been an exceptional role model and mentor supporting my career development - something unique about him is how he looks at his mentees as a whole person and helps them pursue the right path” — Sr Engagement Manager, Digital
WRITER
Research. Analysis. Opinion. Memoir.
Starting as an English major, trained as a copywriter, Mat is a long-time writer of smart, silly and serious. A few highlights:
Author of Bronze Seeks Silver: Lessons from a Creative Career in Marketing. Stories, gossip and wisdom from advertising in 1990s-2010s.
Author/co-author of marketing industry reports, including Brand and Demand Marketing: A Love Story, Altimeter’s Building a Unified Content Strategy and unique About Us research.
Contributor via op-eds in industry trades, including AdAge, Campaign, The Content Strategist, CMI, eContent, Forbes.com CMO Network, others.
Presenter and panelist on digital marketing and creativity, including AMA Brand Smart (2017, 2020), AMA Richmond (2021), B2BMX (2018), EmergeAmericas (2019), Influencer Fraudnomics (2020)
Writing portfolio here at Clippings.me
PODCASTER
Early voice, shaper, and producer in audio and podcasting
Cidiot® Podcast: Executive Producer and Host of award-winning podcast about learning to live and love life in the Hudson Valley. Launched in July 2018, and now with more than 100 episodes, Cidiot explores what it means to acclimate to somewhere new and acts as a cheerleader and welcome wagon for those who make the move. The show has been featured in The Albany Times-Union, Chronogram, Country Living, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Poughkeepsie Journal, NBC's Today.com, The Daily Yonder and more. Awards include:
Winner - First Place, Regional Podcast, 2021 Chronogrammies Readers Choice
Winner - Silver, Podcast - Best Use of Original Music / Sound Design, 2022 W3 Awards
Winner - Award of Excellence - Individual Episodes, Society & Culture, 27th Communicator Awards
Winner - Silver, Lifestyle category, 2022 Signal Awards
Rising Podcast: Co-host of marketing careers podcast, interviewing more than 40 up-and-coming marketing clients and BD prospects (Sony, GEHC, TD Bank, NYSE, Trane, Bic) produced with Josh Boaz and sponsored by Direct Agents and Prophet.
Consulting: Client-produced podcasts have included Acuvue’s Download with Heather & Janelle and CIT’s 5-Minute Capital and advisor to other shows through podcast workshops and 1:1 advisory.
“True partnership; trusted confidants [Mat & team], help me think through the bigger problems that I need to solve for; very strong relationship”
—VP, Integrated Marketing, Financial Sciences Company
“Mat Z: Outstanding – really very strong… Sr. guy expect him to be as good as he is.”
—Global CMO, Healthcare Company
“I was a big [Competitor] fan, however have been converted”
—Global CMO, Professional Services Firm
“Mat has been integral; understands our business”
— CTO, Entertainment Company
“Mat wanted the firm to show its hands in areas where not seen strong -creative storytelling… the latest work is good”
— VP, Fmr. Digital Marketing, Global Financial Services Company
A few things I value
Curiosity
What I. have loved about growing up in—and with—digital has been the fuel that possibility gives you. There’s always something around the corner or a chance to be first at something. I want to unpack puzzles, I want to try new things.
Courage
You can’t be a creative director—or a writer or strategist—without a bit of guts. Sometimes my work was among the earliest in a category or the loudest in the room, but I’ve never had bad luck from trying to be bold. Plus, it’s a rush.
Craft
Talent can give you a head start, but execution through words, design, recording or development separates the good from the gold. It takes extra sweat and I find joy in building and honing skills.