Ben Classen
San Clemente,CA
Summary
Seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years of experience driving brand growth and cultural equity. 2023 Webby Award winner for Best Social Video Campaign as well as multiple award nominations with a proven track record of team leadership, nuanced brand strategy, and focused organizational and execution skills.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Brand & Creative Strategy
Super Legit Company
01.2022 - Current
- Leading new and sub-$10M businesses as brand strategist and creative marketing lead. Bringing 0 to 1 with every new launch.
- Directed brand strategy as Fractional VP of Marketing for a health and wellness startup and a micro-mobility EV startup, achieving planning benchmarks, market entry, and early revenue targets in 12 months.
- Oversaw multi-channel marketing operations for clients in health, wellness, and sports, driving strategic positioning and growth.
- Crafted Go-to-Market (GTM) strategies and funding proposals for two European venture capital firms, securing multimillion-dollar investments.
- Launched a premium dining brand in Maui, partnering with global culinary leaders to capture high-net-worth markets.
Director of Digital Services
Hype Club
01.2020 - 02.2024
- Led digital marketing strategy, earning 2023 Webby Award for Best Social Video Campaign with 400M+ views across platforms.
- Grew Tech Deck social audience from 150K to 2.6M within two years, driving brand equity and revenue.
- Directed digital launches for 4 Puma Golf product lines, integrating analytics to optimize performance and ROI.
- Executed a $5K campaign yielding 380M+ views and 750K+ followers, enhancing market share in 120 countries.
Co-Founder / Board Member
Coast Film Festival
01.2018 - 06.2023
- Co-Founded & Successfully Hosted a six-year-running live festival, leading marketing, content processes, and audience engagement strategy.
- Transitioned all ticketing to a fully digital system, eliminating inefficiencies, reducing staff workload, and saving the festival $100K+ in operational costs.
- Assisted in festival programming and logistics, ensuring seamless operations and an outstanding experience for 3,500+ attendees annually.
Co-Founder / Agency Director
Skeleton Key Agency
02.2016 - 01.2020
- Grew agency from $0 to $2M in revenue within two years, leading strategy for 12+ brands.
- Spearheaded a $1M+ revenue outdoor product line launch, targeting urban markets with integrated campaigns.
Senior Editor
Nobleman Magazine
04.2017 - 07.2018
- Managed and led the production of a quarterly editorial calendar, overseeing interviews with feature guests, product spotlights, and strategic brand placements to align with audience engagement goals.
Global Digital Marketing Manager & ECOM US/CA Sales Manager
VonZipper Eyewear
08.2015 - 01.2017
- Executed global digital marketing and e-commerce sales, driving revenue growth across US and CA markets.
- Led 25+ product launches with brand ambassadors, optimizing content and engagement strategies.
- Directed cross-functional teams across five continents, ensuring cohesive brand execution and market penetration.
- Managed all MAP enforcement and third-party sales performance online.
- Solely managed all channel marketing including email, social media, paid advertising, product placement with PR, athlete integration, and website content.
Integrated Marketing Manager
The Enthusiast Network
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Developed and led integrated marketing strategies for outdoor and automotive brands, securing 12+ high-value partnerships.
- Earned 2015 Webby Award nomination for Reality Video Series, elevating brand visibility.
- Led Brand Marketing & Advertising Strategy in collaboration with 64 media titles, ensuring cohesive brand positioning and multi-channel visibility.
Digital Marketing Manager
FIAT Chrysler Automobiles
06.2012 - 08.2013
- Directed digital advertising and social media strategy for the Western Division, increasing dealer digital traffic by an average of 14%.
- Created SEMA custom show vehicle with special events team.
- Developed Western Division commercial assets for TV and OOH advertising along with agency partners.
Digital Marketing Manager
Skullcandy Inc.
02.2011 - 02.2012
- Developed and executed all digital marketing strategies for Skullcandy's music division, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.
- Served as an Assistant Producer for two major music tours, leading content production efforts focused on musical acts and product collaborations.
- Successfully launched five brand product collaborations, integrating music, lifestyle, and Skullcandy's brand identity.
Digital Marketing Consultant
Stance Socks
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Assisted in the strategy and execution of a new, innovative accessory brand launch, supporting marketing initiatives, digital presence, and content partnerships.
- Collaborated with the VP of Marketing to develop and execute the brand's go-to-market strategy, ensuring a successful launch.
Education
BA - Philosophy
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO01.2008
Skills
- Brand Strategy Leadership
- Campaign Strategy
- Creative Production
- Go-to-Market (GTM) Planning
- P&L Management
- Project Management
- Revenue Growth
- Social Media Platforms
- Team Leadership
- Web Analytics
Certification
Master's Certificate - Advanced Web Analytics, University of San Francisco
Timeline
Head of Brand & Creative Strategy
Super Legit Company
01.2022 - Current
Director of Digital Services
Hype Club
01.2020 - 02.2024
Co-Founder / Board Member
Coast Film Festival
01.2018 - 06.2023
Senior Editor
Nobleman Magazine
04.2017 - 07.2018
Co-Founder / Agency Director
Skeleton Key Agency
02.2016 - 01.2020
Global Digital Marketing Manager & ECOM US/CA Sales Manager
VonZipper Eyewear
08.2015 - 01.2017
Integrated Marketing Manager
The Enthusiast Network
08.2013 - 08.2015
Digital Marketing Manager
FIAT Chrysler Automobiles
06.2012 - 08.2013
Digital Marketing Manager
Skullcandy Inc.
02.2011 - 02.2012
Digital Marketing Consultant
Stance Socks
01.2010 - 01.2012
BA - Philosophy
University of Colorado
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2023 Webby Award Winner, Best Social Video Campaign, 2024 Webby Award Nominee, Best Viral Marketing Video, 2015 Webby Award Nominee, Reality Video Series, 2014 Digiday Award Finalist, Best Video Series