About.

INSPIRED BY DIFFERENCE.

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.

Charismatic leader, executive, and innovator with over 20 years of experience driving 360-degree marketing campaigns and creating impactful talent initiatives that maximize brand awareness, engagement, and revenue. Widely hailed for unparalleled expertise in talent/brand development, management, ability to recognize and leverage consumer trends, and history of delivering and exceeding revenue growth targets through robust talent and IP development, broadcast, partnerships, and cutting-edge experiential marketing across multiple industries, including luxury goods.

Career Highlights

  • As Senior VP of Marketing drove $30M+ in revenue growth while growing brand awareness through strategic, multi-channel marketing initiatives, business development, and successful talent relations for E!, Style Network, and G4.
  • Achieved #1 ratings for Keeping Up with the Kardashians through inventive marketing campaigns that resonated strongly with viewers.
  • Held P&L responsibility for annual marketing budget of $60M+as Group Director of Lexus Account at Saatchi & Saatchi/Team One.
  • Facilitated $10M+ annually during tenure at William Morris by creating new business opportunities, endorsements, licensing, retail and commerce opportunities, and consistently securing new corporate clients and talent.
  • Drove $50M+ in revenue and fueled top ratings for a number of TV shows as Senior Vice President at Sony Pictures Television.
  • Spearheaded WMA highly praised creative rebrand, including the development of comprehensive global branding portfolio.

Work.

RECENT PROJECTS.

Experience.

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.
01. ASHTON MANNING, INC. | 2010–PRESENT

MANAGING DIRECTOR + FOUNDER/OWNER

Identified strategic opportunities and 360-degree marketing programs for number of A-list talent, brands, and businesses to maximize revenue, brand awareness, licensing initiatives, promotions, endorsements, and sponsorships. Identified TV projects across reality and scripted shows, and led acquisitions, endorsements, and development processes for film, TV, and digital content.

02. TEAM ONE – SAATCHI & SAATCHI | 2006–2008

GROUP DIRECTOR + EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Drove experiential, event, and entertainment marketing and strategic alliances that pushed Lexus’s image in a more youthful direction, while reinvigorating loyalty programs to retain existing ownership. Targeted loyalists and conquests through innovative and proprietary marketing verticals and new media strategies, including CRM, SEO, and SEM to successfully expand Lexus’s customer base.

03. WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, LLC. | 2003–2006

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT + DEPARTMENT HEAD, CORPORATE, LICENSING, ENDORSEMENTS & CROSSOVER

Worked directly with CEO to oversee corporate consulting, celebrity endorsements, talent development, marketing, licensing, and crossover strategy. Served as senior strategic and implementation expert for Fortune 500 clients, while strategizing and creating production and development opportunities in talent, literary, production, reality, and non-traditional arenas. Devised marketing and crossover strategies to maximize revenue for corporate clients and talent across multiple industries.

04. SONY PICTURES TV | 1998–2003

VICE PRESIDENT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT TV – MARKETING & PROMOTIONS

Developed and oversaw marketing strategy, media relations, digital initiatives, secured national and global endorsements and licensing/merchandise with Fortune 500 companies for animation and family entertainment and subsequently first run syndication, off network broadcast and talent relations. Created groundbreaking advertising and marketing initiatives, media strategies, nation promotions and tie-ins, driving revenue by $50M+.

Skills.

RESULTS DRIVEN.

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.
MARKETING 98%
RETAIL 90%
LUXURY BRANDS 95%
TALENT IP & DEVELOPMENT 93%
PARTNERSHIPS 95%
STRATEGY 97%

Reviews.

WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAY.

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.

“David is a preeminent marketing and brand executive. He has wonderful, out-of-the-box creative instincts are highly strategic. He has the capabilities, creativity and the skilled ability to move projects forward.”

William Marks – TV / Digital / Film Executive – Ovation Television | Former Vice-President at E! Entertainment

“David’s enthusiasm and passion for creating an immersive and memorable experience for his customer, and his calm solution-focused approach under pressure made working with him a pleasure.”

“David is extremely creative and insightful and a sheer pleasure to have on one’s team. He is always upbeat and has good instincts about marketing and consumer/public perceptions about brands. In addition to his work with high profile talent, he was also responsible for the creative re-branding of The William Morris Agency”

David Kekst – General Counsel at Yamaha Guitar Group | Former General Counsel – The William Morris Agency

“David is the guy you want on your side doing a deal. Savvy, incredibly shrewd and skillful— he ‘gets’ how to make things happen’ and then
goes the distance to complete the task at hand and overdeliver on goals and expectations.”

Alyse Kobin – CEO/President at Kobin Integrated Marketing

“David is a great marketing and licensing executive…He takes the time to immerse himself in a business to find marketing and sales solutions that help grow the business and expand revenue.”

Aaron Walton – Former Senior Vice President/General Manager International Licensing at TBS

Extras.

INVOLVEMENT

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

AdAge
AdWeek
BrandWeek
Daily
Variety
Hollywood Reporter
LA Business Journal
Promax

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Walt Disney Company
MGM
Turner Broadcasting
Film Roman

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

Advertising & Marketing
Animation
Automotive
Beauty & Cosmetics
Consumer Packaged Goods
Digital & Social Media
Family Entertainment
Financial Services
Food & Beverage
Hotel & Hospitality
Luxury Goods
Media Merchandise & Commerce
Licensing
Motion Picture Studios
Networks, Broadcast & Production Companies
Real Estate
Retail, Ecommerce & Direct Response
Strategic Marketing
Talent Management
Travel & Tourism

EDUCATION

USC
Bachelor of Science
CAAS/Journalism

HONORS + ACTIVITIES

Skull & Dagger
Blue Key
Order of Omega
Interfraternity Council
Trojan Knights
SAM Fraternity
SongFest

ORGANIZATIONS

LACMA
Far Eastern Art
Acquisition Committee
Foster Care Project
Angel Food

Contact.

LET’S TALK.

Senior Marketing Executive With Strategy, Experiential, Media, Licensing, Merchandise, & Talent Expertise Who Boasts A Proven Track Record Of Creating Groundbreaking Experiences That Spur Long-lasting Revenue Growth And Brand Awareness.