Marketing Leadership | Brand Management | Purpose Marketing | Community Building | Storytelling | Outdoor & Sports Marketing | Packaging Strategy

Growing up in the kitchen of our family Italian restaurant I learned early in life the value of telling honest brand stories and building loyal communities.

Family restaurant brand building prepared me well for a career that has included managing a 360º marketing campaign for The North Face footwear launch, driving TNF brand awareness through a documentary film series for NBC Sports; creating digital content for Levi’s that played out across digital platforms, packaging, and retail; working as digital lead at Old Navy managing communications targeting a skeptical, young male shopper; and, helping to launch the Saturn car company with a history making integrated marketing program.

My most recent position as head of marketing at GU Energy Labs I managed a talented team of storytellers and community activators to bring company values, brand purpose, and product stories to life across an ever changing media landscape. I led integrated marketing efforts across digital, PR, event marketing, and ambassador teams. In this role also I collaborated with innovation team on product development, packaging design, and go-to-market strategies.

When not doing all of that during "office hours" I'm out running trails or making Neapolitan pizza for friends, or a bit of both.

Partnered with the founders to develop a strategic platform to introduce their celebrated small batch, European based running magazine to the US market and around the world. Like the Wind magazine is sustainably printed and published quarterly with beautifully written and illustrated stories about "why" we run. Not tips and tricks, but inspirational tales in support of the mission to help make running accessible to all humans.

Advisor

As part of the leadership team, I helped drive corporate strategy while managing a team of talented storytellers and community activators to ensure messaging aligned with business goals and supported brand purpose work across all channels.

VP of Marketing

Chief brand storyteller managing a stellar team of specialists tasked with connecting all the communication streams to bring to life, how for more than 25 years, GU has been helping athletes and outdoor adventurers realize their human potential. We do this through public relations, digital content, social media, e-commerce, elite athlete team, ambassadors, event marketing, and retailer activations. I also led packaging design and held a senior leadership role on the product commercialization team.

Director of Marketing

Brand Strategy, Creative Strategy, Consultation, & Activation:

American Heart Association
Cytomax Performance Drink
Old Navy (Gap Inc.)
Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
Tornados NASCAR Racing Team
Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity
Florida Tomato Committee
Boudin Bakery & Cafe
Togo's Sandwich Shops
BBDO, Venables Bell, Riney, and Grupo Gallegos

Principal

Conducted market research to determine market positioning, communication strategy, and business opportunity to launch the iconic Swedish bicycle brand in the US. Managed operations, marketing, DTC sales, and logistics for the region. Collaborated with Kronan ownership team in Stockholm, Sweden on business strategy, product design, and innovation to ensure relevance to the marketplace.

Country Manager, Bicycles

• Levi's - branded entertainment that played out on the web, in-store, cable TV and packaging
• Jockey International - traditional advertising melded with custom magazine publishing

Director of Brand Innovation

• The North Face - Cross platform brand and product messaging. Engineered footwear launch communications.

Brand Communication + Account Director

• Saturn Cars - brand launch and ongoing award winning campaign work
• SKYY Vodka - print campaign 
• Stroh's beer - new product development
• Nuveen Finanacial Services - print campaign
• Acer Computers - brand launch into consumer marketing
• Nature Conservancy of California - redesign of collateral and marketing materials

VP, Account Director

Account and strategic management for the launch of Infiniti Cars.

Account Management

Account management for Mitsubishi Motors.

Account Mangement

Ensure the highest level of guest brand experience. 

Mayor - Fantasyland

Christian Lepley is a Marketing Leadership at Like the Wind in San Francisco, California.

Christian Lepley — Marketing Leadership at Like the Wind

Christian Lepley

Skills

Interests

Industries

Education history

University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business

California State University, Long Beach