Biography
Demystify marketing to design more social brands
Blair’s superhero strengths enable him to make this happen. As a fierce INTP, his characteristics are found in only 3% of the population. Blair is called “an ingenious problem solver”, “the innovation architect” and “the secret weapon”. His work involves an uncommon mashup that draws from core principles of design, innovation, learning and marketing.
Blair’s professional moral compass is guided by unwavering belief in these words:
“Everything starts with design” - Paul Rand
“Business has only two functions: marketing and innovation” - Peter Drucker
“Content marketing is the only marketing left” - Seth Godin
As a Professor of Marketing and Digital Media at George Brown College in the post-graduate Digital Media Marketing program, Blair cuts through the buzzwords, clickbait and jargon to demystify marketing. He designs and facilitates adult learning experiences that encourage curiosity; that build strategic thinking and practical doing; that enable his learners to be more confident marketers.
Blair has a broad range of marketing experience across industries with organizations such as General Mills, Evergreen Canada, PEAK Adventure Travel, Merit Travel Group, Startup Canada and various Government of Canada departments. Over the course of his career, Blair has won awards for mentoring, marketing innovation and content marketing.
Academic Credentials
M.B.A. (Marketing), Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, 2007
B.A.Hons. (Mass Communication), Carleton University, 2000
Areas of Specialization
Marketing Strategy and Planning
Content Marketing
Digital Marketing
Social Media
Mobile and Location-Based Marketing
Career Planning
Areas of Expertise
Personal Branding
Social Brands
Learning Experience Design
Marketing Strategy and Planning
Content Marketing
Social Media
Learning Experience Design
Workshop Facilitation
Speaking
Marketing Coaching
Career Planning
Career Highlights
2015-Present – Professor, George Brown College, Centre for Business
2014-2016 – Marketing Manager, Evergreen Canada
2012-2013 – Marketing Manager, PEAK Adventure Travel Group
2011-2012 – Senior Marketing Manager, Merit Travel Group
2007-2010 – Associate Marketing Manager, General Mills
2005-2006 – Account Executive, Acart Communications
Other Activities
Speaker and workshop facilitator – NewCo Festival, Region of Peel
Volunteer program facilitator – Junior Achievement of Canada
Awards
Marketing Excellence Awards for Leading Innovation and Marketing Mentoring, General Mills, 2009
Award of Merit, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, 2007
Academic All-Canadian, Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union, 1999-2000