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Greg McLain

Greg
McLain

BRAND SUPERVISOR

-

PROGRAM MANAGER

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Hello!

As a professional, I'm a seasoned brand and program management expert, driving impactful results across diverse industries. My expertise lies in crafting winning strategies, managing complex accounts and projects, fostering strong relationships, and driving results, in B2C and B2B, both domestically and internationally.

As a person, I'm a runner (marathon), photographer, automotive enthusiast, dog lover, techie, and culture exploring world traveler.

Resume

Experience

Oct 2024 - Jul 2025

Senior Brand Manager / Program Manager

Marketbridge

San Francisco, CA

Clients:

  • Amazon Web Services

  • CBTS

  • OnX

  • Elevate

  • Leading a team of 5+ people in a small agency environment, strategically allocating resources and talent to successfully deliver diverse marketing projects for a wide array of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to startups.

  • Expertly managed intricate and evolving brand systems under strict deadlines, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget.

  • Orchestrated strategic brand initiatives, leveraging various research methodologies to generate actionable client insights and drive informed brief development for each project.

  • Developed and implemented team process improvements, optimizing workflows to increase focus on core project development and minimize administrative tasks.

Dec 2021 - Feb 2023

Brand Supervisor / Program Manager

McCann Worldgroup

San Francisco, CA

Clients:

  • Avalara

  • LinkedIn

  • Chevrolet

  • General Motors

  • Managing a cross-functional team of 10 people, led a new client through their inaugural brand campaign, including captivating TV spots and campaign extensions, gaining full support and excitement from their C-Suite and internal teams across the company and leading to a successful launch and increased engagement of at least 10%.

  • Orchestrated seamless launches of a multi-faceted marketing campaign encompassing TV, digital, out-of-home, social, website, email, and influencer partnerships, juggling numerous work streams with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Developed and implemented standardized project management systems, streamlining campaign processes and improving agency efficiency by 15%, both internally and externally with clients.

  • Contributed to domestic and international projects, conducting in-depth competitive analyses and crafting brand strategies for the U.S. and global markets.

  • Utilized my cross-cultural fluency, combined with extensive automotive experience, added unique perspectives, enriching insights, and strengthening strategic plans for various models and business goals.

Sep 2017 - Dec 2021

Senior Brand Manager / 

Program Manager

Stellar Elements

San Francisco, CA

Clients:

  • Subaru Asia

  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)

  • Damon Motors

  • NTT Data

  • Navigated fierce competition to establish Subaru in nine Southeast Asian markets and China, managing multi-channel ad content creation.

  • Managed all ad content (TV, print, digital, social, dealerships, shows, website, out-of-home) for Subaru Asia, the agency's largest client, acting as both brand and technology expert.

  • Researched and analyzed market landscapes to formulate winning brand and model campaign strategies, informing the client with fact-based and cultural recommendations.

  • Managed the development and launch of the client's new website across all markets, implementing and teaching SEO/SEM practices for improved data tracking and brand visibility.

  • Managing a team of 5-10+ people, oversaw international pre- and post-production for TV commercials, collaborating with clients across time zones and ensuring accurate brand representation. Demonstrated strong communication and negotiation skills to manage stakeholder expectations and resolve conflicts.

  • Served as a critical liaison between Subaru Asia and production teams, ensuring seamless communication and accurate portrayal of the brand & technology throughout TV commercials and ad materials.

  • Juggled diverse responsibilities as product specialist, production manager, strategist, and creative briefer.

  • Maintained daily client interaction and handled agency & production finances, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness, especially with a challenging time difference.

  • Developed agency wide standards and systems that were implemented across all clients to track creative resources, project assets, and client finances – leading to improved efficiencies in client, project, and finance management by more than 25%.

Jan 2017 - Sep 2017

Assistant. Brand Manager /

Program Manager

swirl | mcgarrybowen

San Francisco, CA

Client:

  • Juniper Networks

  • Navigated diverse work streams, ensuring on-time, on-budget project completion aligned with strategic goals.

  • Crafted compelling project briefs and inspired teams to kick off projects with clarity and purpose.

  • Conducted in-depth market research, providing weekly competitive analysis reports that illuminated client landscapes and informed pre-campaign strategies.

  • Bridged the gap between clients and creative/production teams, translating feedback and concerns into actionable insights, ensuring exceptional outcomes.

  • Assisted account teams in maintaining accurate and timely billing, including invoicing, budget tracking, and completion percentages.

  • Built trust and strong relationships with both internal teams and clients, fostering open communication and collaboration.

  • Seamlessly managed internal and client meetings, coordinating schedules, securing rooms, and crafting comprehensive notes, ensuring key stakeholders were engaged and informed.

  • Maintained up-to-date, insightful weekly status reports, keeping all project components transparent and on track.

Education

Apr 2014 - Mar 2016

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

M.B.A. in Marketing & Management

Beppu, Japan

Activities and Societies:

  • Track and Field Club

  • Teaching Assistant

  • Research Assistant

  • Exchange Programs Assistant

  • Global Business Case Competition (GBCC)

  • ACE Camp

Thesis: Egoism and Altruism in Today’s Auto Industry: A Cultural Comparison of the Interaction Effect Between Eco-friendliness, Performance, and Connectedness.

 

The auto industry had seen a major shift in recent decades, from the rise of eco-friendliness to the integration of connected features. I researched how these factors, alongside fundamental motivations like egoism and altruism, influence purchasing decisions.

 

Key points:

  • Analyzed the interaction effect of three key features on purchase decisions.

  • Conducted a cross-cultural study comparing consumer preferences in Japan and the US.

  • Leveraged theoretical frameworks to gain deeper insights into consumer behavior. - Employed robust research methods to generate reliable and impactful findings.

 

Contributes to:

  • Understanding the evolving car buyer: Identifying key factors influencing purchase decisions in today's dynamic market.

  • Cross-cultural comparisons: Highlighting the influence of culture on consumer preferences.

Apr 2011 - Mar 2013

Waseda University

M.A. in International Relations

Tokyo, Japan

Activities and Societies:

  • Waseda University Automobile Club

  • Waseda University Track and Field Team

Billions of cars pollute our planet. My research tackles this challenge by exploring how advancements in sustainable automotive technologies are shaping the future. With a focus on Japan, a leader in both autos & renewables, I analyzed:

  • Market Evolution: How the Japanese auto sector transitioned towards eco-friendly solutions.

  • Future Trends: From electric vehicles to hydrogen fuel cells, I dive into emerging technologies.

  • Cross-Industry Synergies: Connecting the dots between renewables and the future of mobility.

 

Contribues to:

  • Driving a Sustainable Future: Advocating for cleaner transportation solutions.

  • Bridging Innovation & Implementation: Analyzing markets and trends for key stakeholders.

  • Collaboration: Partnering with industry leaders to accelerate sustainable mobility.

Sep 2006 - Dec 2010

University of Minnesota -

Twin Cities

B.A. in Cultural Anthropology

Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.

Activities and Societies:

  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars

  • Formula SAE Team

  • University Running Club

  • Photography Club

  • TandemPlus Cultural and Language Exchange Program

  • International Buddy Program

Used my time building a wide base of experience relating to culture, society, and my love for cars by focusing on my major in Cultural Anthropology, while also minoring in East Asian Studies, Mechanical Engineering, and Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature.

Let's talk

Thanks for reaching out!

© 2026 by Greg McLain.

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