James Vetrano Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Founded in 2016, 26/26 is a leading full-scale digital marketing agency comprised of industry-leading experts at the forefront of today’s ever changing online landscape.Drawing on 50+ years of collective experience, we have been able to help brands of all sizes exceed their marketing goals with a robust range of expert services.Past and current clients include: Modelo, Chase Bank, Weber Grills, Figo Pet Insurance, the American Dental Assocation, Mercedes, US Bank and many more.We are headquartered in Chicago, IL, and have teams in Bayville, NJ, and Naples, FL.

Partner and marketing director at a new sushi restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Park.

Consulting engagement serving as the Chief Digital Strategist for former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to build and implement a social media and digital communications strategy.> Conducted extensive analysis of social media channels to build messaging strategies unique to each platform that maximized reach and receptions> Oversaw creation of all social media and digital content; ensured all messaging closely aligned with key objectives, policy and events> Developed a consistent brand persona, tone and voice used throughout digital messaging> Built and launched policy-driven blog to better relay messaging/positions and improve SEO> Actively monitored social media and news landscapes for engagement opportunities, mentions, threats and potential crises> Integrated social media with major live events, appearances, press conferences and engagements > Led fast-paced digital communications staff> Executed social analytics; analyzed results to identify trends and growth opportunities

Chicago, Il, Us

Successfully led social media strategies for the entire Kraft Heinz brand portfolio (120+ business units). Created a new social listening and care model that provided a better customer experience, increased internal efficiencies and cost savings ($1.2M saved annually). Contributed to award-winning campaigns that significantly increased revenue and market awareness.> Led best-in-class social media, community management and social media care strategies for entire brand portfolio (120+ business units)> Oversaw social listening for all Kraft Heinz brands, actively monitoring social landscape for engagement opportunities, mentions, customer service needs and potential threats/crises> Built and managed 12-member social care team that handled over one million annual customer engagements across all social media channels; led transition of community management/social care duties from 40+ external agencies to new internal team resulting in $1.2M+ annual savings> Led post-merger integration of community management tactics for both Kraft and Heinz brands> Served as internal thought leader to brand teams and corporate communications for all social media matters, providing expert consultation, presentations and documents on best practices, case studies, ideas and opportunities > Drove brand affinity, consumer awareness, engagements and revenue by executing award-winning social media initiatives> Created and published engaging social media content (copy, graphics) for high-visibility brands and initiatives> Ensured all social media initiatives closely aligned with key business objectives> Participated in major influencer and celebrity social media campaigns> Fostered strong relationships with external PR/Marketing agencies, C-level management and cross-functional business units> Continuously met and exceeded all established KPIs and benchmarks

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Revamped full-scale social media strategy for the nation’s third-largest nonprofit that drove awareness, audience size, contributions and donor retention.> Created, managed and published daily content for all social media platforms that increased customer engagements and participation> Built and managed productive relationships with internal departments and stakeholders that led to successful integration of all social media tactics and campaigns; served as internal thought leader on all social media matters> Developed creative assets for social media platforms; managed internal DAM and facilitated seamless sharing of assets > Built and executed targeted social media advertising and celebrity influencer campaigns that drove contributions and donor retention>Monitored and tracked social media landscape for trends, mentions and engagement opportunities > Generated detailed social media analytics reports; identified key insights to guide future tactics> Implemented leading social media management platform (Sprinklr)

Chicago, Il, Us

Developed and led organization’s first enterprise-level social media and content strategyDrove 750% growth in social follower base and 500%+ increase in average engagement levels Created, scheduled and published engaging content across all social platformsBuilt and managed organization-wide editorial content calendar, sourcing monthly content from more than 20 unique entities; aligned content with key business goals Monitored social trends, patterns and conversations; curated content based on findingsDeveloped and executed targeted social paid advertising campaigns Conceptualized and executed award-winning social media and integrated promotional campaignsCross-promoted social media efforts with core marketing programs; seamlessly integrated social media with live events Implemented top social media management platforms that improved efficiency and decreased costsServed as organization’s thought leader on all social media matters; conducted regular company-wide training presentations on best practices and trends for marketers

Chicago, Il, Us

Drove 40% increase in annual customer retention rate with successful leadership of integrated marketing campaignsIncreased brand equity by establishing and executing major promotional partnerships with entities such as Lollapalooza, The Chicago Cubs, The Chicago Marathon and Dunkin’ DonutsOversaw large-scale advertising campaigns for print, web, display, TV, radio and transitExecuted all aspects of marketing collateral production including copywriting, design, production and distributionManaged 1.2 mm marketing and advertising budgetManaged eight cross-functional teams that ensured a seamless integration of marketing and operational tactics

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Wrote targeted press releases that secured major media coveragePitched stories to editors of national news outlets including the Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show and USA Today, among othersIncreased customer conversions by executing targeted SEO, SEM, and social marketing campaignsUtilized advanced graphic design and copywriting skills to create unique marketing collateralDrove market awareness for various clients by contributing creative concepts to marketing and branding campaigns