Greg O'Neill Email & Phone Number

I am a Specialty Food & Beverage content expert, marketing consultant, strategic advisor and business coach to entrepreneurs and organizations at every stage of their evolution.

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Leading national marketing efforts for a multi-million dollar campaign to increase awareness, education and consumption of wines from Ribera del Duero and Rueda; Spain’s most prestigious regions for red and white wines. Focus on Specialty and Independent sectors and forging media and other promotional partnerships for this multi-year US Campaign by Taste.

• Co-Founded a grassroots, nationwide all-volunteer task force of industry organizations and thought leaders coalescing to save the American Specialty and Artisan Cheese Industry in the face of the 30-80% market collapse.
• Rallying Element: "Victory Cheese Boxes", a cheese gift box concept in support of American cheesemakers inspired by the Victory Gardens of World War II. Sales of well over $2M to date. Over 135 purveyors from all over.
• Earned Media: Obtained placements to date include NC's Today Show, Food & Wine Magazine, NPR, Martha Stewart Living, Boston Globe, Washington Post and more.
• Celebrity Influencers: Recruited high profile food thought leaders to endorse, curate and promote their own Victory Cheese Boxes via IGTV and other social media. They include chefs Andrew Zimmern, Stephanie Izard.
• Merchandising: In-Store and Online awareness and educational merchandising in large and small retailers including Whole Foods Market.
• Philanthropy: At least 10% of each Victory Cheese Box sale benefits a food, agricultural or social justice not-for-profit chosen by the purveyor.

Chicago, IL, US

Created and grew a small neighborhood specialty food and wine business from conception to an $8M national award winning multi-unit retailer/wine bar restaurants with 125 employees. Built high awareness and loyalty through robust high-touch consumer marketing strategy (Tasting, Learning & Converting) along with a heavy emphasis on earned media, along with.

New York, New York, US

• Largest trade association in specialty food industry, representing over $125B in sales and ~3500 members. Peer evaluated 2nd most effective director from a board of sixteen. While serving:
• Successfully championed major changes to SFA’s bylaws, tripling retailer membership sector board representation and the ability for a retailer to serve as a board officer or chair.
• Served on Budget & Audit Committee for this $80M association. Interviewed and hired new Audit firm
• Served on Nominating Committee and also as part of team that hired new CEO for SFA

Denver, Colorado, US

• Chaired the Board of Directors of the leading cheese industry trade association in North America during a critical inflection point in the organization's history; as serious regulatory threats loomed. During leadership.
• Brought senior FDA leaders to the table to reach a mutual understanding on risk mitigation and appropriate oversight for the traditional production and sale of cheese.
• Spearheaded cross industry collaboration on a cohesive strategy to engage regulatory authorities and. Partnered with others taking a political/legislative approach.
• Testified before joint hearings of FDA/USDA/CDC on critical issues facing the industry
• Represented USA at inaugural International Confederation of Cheesemongers at Slow Food World Cheese Festival in Italy
• Stewarded the launch of highly successful Certified Cheese Professional Exam (CCP) accreditation program for cheese akin to the sommelier accreditation for wine professionals. Other countries have subsequently adopted.

Chicago, Illinois, US

Collaborated with top clients Verizon Wireless and Alltel and led Motorola’s marketing strategy and new product development, launches and promotions for a $1.3B business. Projects included high profile ‘Push-to-Talk’ market entry.

Amsterdam, Nederlands, NL

Co-Developed the marketing strategy and globally rolled out market-leading disposable youth instant cameras, which became the #1 and #3 selling cameras in the world at the time. Primary product development and launch responsibility for the Joycam line, adaptation of the i-Zone line, and management of existing adult product portfolio as well as new product.

Basking Ridge, NJ, US

Managed $200M Airfone air-to-ground telephony business reporting to the Division President. Grew revenues 35% and market share to 62% by instituting co-marketing relationships with airlines like United and Delta, marketing alliances with Bloomberg Business and The Weather Channel as well as effective CRM programs. Responsible for all consumer marketing.

New York, New York, US

Graduate of Colgate’s Global Marketing Management Program, deployed abroad to brand management positions of increasing responsibility and scale. Last position with above titles managed $120M P&L. Key achievements: Achieved first German toothpaste category market leadership over Procter & Gamble in 26 years through successfully launching Colgate Total.

Mba, Marketing

Ba/Bs, English/Political Science