Michael Marckx

UCI Social Sciences Board of Councilors

2023 – Present

In 2021, I gave the keynote address of UCI’s Homecoming Celebration and then was asked to join the Board of Councilors, which is composed of distinguished professional, academic and community leaders who provide counsel to the dean and serve as the main advisory board for the UCI School of Social Sciences.

Present

Brand & Marketing Strategist

2023 – Present

Digital Union is a branding, performance marketing, creative direction & content creation agency mainly for ecommerce brands + Categories– AI, Apparel, Nutrition, Cycling, Footwear, Events, Ear Phones, Accessories, Eyewear, Breweries, Cannabis & Spirits + As a CMO, created brand bibles, analyzed data for consumer marketing, and crafted D2C campaigns - Wattie Ink – One of the most popular triathlon brands of all time – custom and D2C - Marijuana International Corp – California’s leading service provider in the cannabis industry - Eliel Cycling – Well-known cycling apparel in both custom and D2C channels - 100% Eyewear – Leading Global high-performance eyewear brand - ALMSTHRE – Upstart outdoor D2C accessories brand - Hive TA Technologies – Upstart AI-driven tax applications - H2O Audio - The world's best waterproof ear phones

Founder

2015 – Present

Monuments of Cycling produces the largest gravel bike racing series in the world, which features seven Belgian Waffle Rides throughout North America. The Belgian Waffle Ride in California, which is the original event, is known as only one of five Monuments of Gravel, and has a storied history as one of the first gravel races to transcend a region.

Monuments of Cycling is committed to delivering the most unique cycling events in the country, offering experiences for the most elite athletes on the planet, as well as those in awe of them, through the creation of world-class races that engage riders in myriad and unexpected ways. Our mission is to inspire riders of all stripes to reach, grow and aspire to new levels of fulfillment and joy, finding unusual avenues to test their physical and mental fortitude. To learn more, visit www.MonumentsofCycling.com.

Board Member

2022 – 2025

Our vision is to be the gold standard of NA spirits. Empowering people to experience a more memorable, high-spirited lifestyle through mindful consumption. Our mission is to elevate and grow. Once we are done, Monday will be synonymous with living a higher-minded, wellness-centered lifestyle. I’ll have a Monday.

Chief Disruption Officer

2016 – 2022

Creative Disruption was a virtual agency created to help people, brands and institutions who are either in a rut or are just launching and need positioning, disruption, operational, marketing, creative and/or cultural help to manifest new (and lasting) possibilities.

We served a multitude of brands in performance marketing, launch plans, brand bibles, digital marketing, athlete management, e-commerce, content creation, and got-to-market strategies.

Factor, Canyon, LifeWalker, Eliel, Wattie Ink, Rouleur Brewing Co, Helia Brewing Co, ALMSTHRE, 100% and Xology are just a few of the brands.

Categories – AI, Apparel, Nutrition, Cycling, Footwear, Events, Accessories, Eyewear, Breweries & Spirits

Board of Directors

2012 – 2022

I was on the board of Leucadia 101 Main Street for a decade, which is a non-profit community-based organization that works in partnership with our neighborhood, business owners, property owners, the City of Encinitas, and the County to preserve and revitalize the N. Coast Hwy 101 Corridor. I created the vision, mission and core values, and helped manage the Leucadia Streetscape Project, the largest project in the city’s history.

Chief Marketing Officer

2020 – 2021

I wrote was honored to lead the marketing for this world class triathlon brand with a definitive brand personality and a vibrant e-commerce and custom business.

At Wattie Ink. we believe in your personal(ity) freedom, the liberty to Make Your Statement. We exist to amplify and celebrate the expression of your personality in and out of our gear. We believe in huge goals and life-changing ambitions and having the guts to pursue them freely, as endurance athletes and human being

Chief Marketing Officer

2019 – 2021

Advisor

2017 – 2021

Coastal Company is dedicated to connecting people to the lifestyles they love.

Today, we do this through a curated selection of products and services based around passionate lifestyles.

We deliver quality, access, experience and value to a growing membership.

Co-founded with ultimate waterman and big wave surfer Mark Healey, Coastal Co.'s growth is rooted in curious and loyal members committed to passionate lifestyles.

Consultant

2019 – 2020

I was a fractional CMO working over the various product divisions and distribution channels

Vice President

2018 – 2019

Global GM of adidas Watches and VP of Licensing

adidas is second largest sportswear brand in the world / Nixon is a leading global youth lifestyle brand - Drove 476% growth of the global adidas watch business over two years, including marketing programs - Led adidas Watches D2C, Wholesale & Retail, including Amazon, across six regions and various channels - Led Nixon’s license partnerships, including the largest revenue generating projects; Disney, Metallica, Star Wars, Marvel, Steve Harrington, Spitfire, CR Stecyk III & more

Advisor

2016 – 2019

The original and leading collective of those focused on youth marketing and other progressive & expressive culture.

Group Y's purpose is to create intersections for influencers across industries and inspiring next gen leaders and decision makers

With Group Y, I helped create Two Farmtables & a Microphone, informed strategic direction and gave keynote speeches.

Advisor

2015 – 2018

Owner

2015 – 2017

Monster Media Racing is a unique cycling team in the United States with 20 chapters comprised of 400 elite athletes. Our Mission is to create the most powerful engaged cycling activist network in the United States with a focus on the cultivation and enjoyment of healthy competitive cycling.

Executive in Residence

2016 – 2017

This program creates meaningful engagement in the life of the College by senior executives whose perspective can shape and add value to students, faculty, staff, College leadership and departments within the University. I guest lecture and lead a cohort of 40 students.

Advisory Board Member

2013 – 2017

SDSI is a network of 80 Sports and Action Lifestyle companies and their Service Providers. SDSI looks to accelerate new enterprises, provide a path to investment and mentor at the C level.

President/CEO

2011 – 2015

Transformation through culture, innovation, product, creative marketing solutions and business development.

Board of Directors

1999 – 2014

I've been on the BOD twice now, starting in 1999. I served as Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012.

Chairman of the Board

2009 – 2013

Led world's largest network focused on coastal conservation as a Board member two different times, first in 1999, and more recently as Chairman of the Board, 2009 to 2013. As Chairman, working with the CEO, Surfrider doubled its domestic network size and its U.S. staff, and the network drove more than 250 coastal victories, supporting the coastal preservation mission and expanded online engagement to hundreds of thousands of people every month.

Founder

2010 – 2011

The Greener Blue was created to be a network of surf-focused environmental bloggers and green-focused surf bloggers engaging consumers and brands alike with a broad spectrum of information about ocean-related environmental issues and causes as well as a platform to showcase all the sustainable ideas and products from the surf industry. Today, it is a central repository for "greener" surfing and sustainability articles and Op Editorial.

VP of Global Marketing

2004 – 2011

• Purview of role was in these areas: Marketing, Art, Design, Team, Events, Entertainment, Web • Led the company’s strategic development globally from product to marketing to point of sale • Revamped the marketing completely to garner a stronger sense of standing in the core of the market where business experienced excellent growth • Produced and/or directed all the company’s myriad Film and TV programming, including Secret Machine, New Emissions of Light and Sound, United by Fate (film series), Money For Blood • Managed global and regional marketing budgets of 14 million worldwide • Executive Director of the company’s events, including the World Surfing Championship event in Fiji (3 years), the Globe World Cup Skateboarding, and the Double Cash Stack Attack

VP of International Marketing/Creative Director

2001 – 2005

Oversaw all marketing and advertising worldwide and was creative director for all of the brands: Op, Op Classic, Ocean Pacific and Seven2.

• Hired to “make the brand cool again” and position it for acquisition, which took place in 2004 • The Company doubled in revenues in three years, from 120 million to 240 million • Created and ran an in-house full-service agency fulfilling corporate communications, PR, marketing, strategy and promotions on a global basis • The company experienced 30% annual growth during this time and jumped from 93rd to 33rd, as well as finished 2nd in the swim category, on the WWD top 100 most recognized brands bi-annual report—the largest jump in the report’s history • Efficiently and creatively managed an advertising budget of 10 million, while overseeing all international marketing efforts for 38 licensees worldwide

VP of Marketing & Entertainment

2000 – 2001

Managed the brand, marketing/sales development, public relations, market research and media content of action sports media brand, Bluetorch—a daily TV show on Fox Sports Net, website & iTV.

Director of Media

2000 – 2000

Directed all media content for an action sports portal that foucsed on surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and the like.

Publisher, Associate Publisher, Marketing Director

1995 – 2000

Held three different positions over 5 years.

Field Marketing Manager and Marketing Manager

1992 – 1995

Bachelor of Science

1982 – 1987

Activities and Societies: * Order of Omega National Honor Society * Kappa Sigma Fraternity - President and Treasurer * Humanitarians of the Year Award, Kappa Sigma (City of Irvine)

Rolling Hills High School

1978 – 1982

This is not a gravel race

Documentary about the Belgian Waffle Ride.