Personal work
Neiman MarcusStrategic Marketing Transformation
Michael as Marketing Operations Lead
Michael Kruse is a Creative Marketing Specialist with primary focus on product and project management, workflow solutions and creative services support.. Michael's career includes stints with in-house creative agencies at Sotheby's, UL, Condé Nast and New York Magazine. Most recently, he spent three years working as the Creative Project Manager for the B2B Fin Tech firm, Snap Finance, in which he helped the client with B2B and B2C marketing, creative teams management and the roll out of new products. Throughout his career, Michael has worked across all media including print publishing, digital content, event marketing, physical installations, out-of-home campaigns and e-commerce/SEO. Michael's experience and leadership in the creative space have given him success as a writer, producer and effective project manager. As a Creative Operations Director, Michael specializes in creative process evaluation, cross-functional optimization, content management strategy, project management tools and systems, and solving all the problems and blockers that drain motivation and kill morale.
The roles Michael steps into. Select one to see how they work in it.
Michael Kruse is a Creative Marketing Specialist with primary focus on product and project management, workflow solutions and creative services support. Michael's career includes stints with in-house creative agencies at Sotheby's, UL, Condé Nast and New York Magazine. Most recently, he spent three years working as the Creative Project Manager for the B2B Fin Tech firm, Snap Finance, in which he helped the client with B2B and B2C marketing, creative teams management and the rollout of new products. Throughout his career, Michael has worked across all media including print publishing, digital content, event marketing, physical installations, out-of-home campaigns and e-commerce/SEO. Michael's experience and leadership in the creative space have given him success as a writer, producer and effective project manager. As a Creative Operations Director, Michael specializes in creative process evaluation, cross-functional optimization, content management strategy, project management tools and systems, and solving all the problems and blockers that drain motivation and kill morale.
Selected work in this role
Marketing Project Manager at Snap Finance
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AVP - Head of Creative Operations - North America at Sotheby's
Partnered with marketing managers to define global priorities and plan the comprehensive execution of the 360-integrated marketing strategies.
Creative Services Operations Manager at UL Solutions
Managed creative services team and redesigned team's operations by developing work processes and tools to expand team's global impact.
Focus areas
Engagements Michael delivered through Chameleon Collective.
Financial Services
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Financial Services
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Technology & Software
Chameleon Collective's transformative partnership with inriver, a software-as-a-service firm specializing in product information management, began in 2007 and evolved into a comprehensive solution addressing diverse challenges. The collaboration started with the placement of an interim CMO to synergize with the new CEO and CMO, facilitating leadership transitions and upscale operations. This leadership support extended to multiple executive roles and advisory functions, fostering a significant business metamorphosis that reshaped inriver's sales process.Chameleon Collective's impact extended beyond leadership to deliver diverse expertise, including designing corporate events, strategizing sales initiatives, and orchestrating annual user conferences with a consistent attendance of 1000 for five consecutive years. The transformative approach empowered inriver to tap into specialized expertise without extensive internal expansion, fostering agility and assurance in navigating challenges.The partnership not only addressed the challenge of scaling quickly but elevated inriver's capacity to realize strategic objectives. The culmination of this transformative journey was the organic integration of Chameleon Collective's leader within inriver's team, leaving a lasting impact and exemplifying the promise of success that sticks.
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Financial Services
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Financial Services
In 2020, amidst unprecedented challenges, Snap Finance faced critical leadership exits, an outdated corporate image, and evolving consumer behavior. Partnering with Chameleon Collective, Snap sought transformative solutions encompassing leadership, digital presence, and marketing workflows.Lead: Chameleon deployed an interim CMO to bridge leadership gaps. The seasoned CMO crafted a comprehensive strategy aligning with consumer behavior changes and reshaped Snap's direction. Transitioning to an interim Chief Strategy Officer, his strategic acumen continued to guide Snap's growth.Deliver: Strategic initiatives focused on Marketing and Communication, Data Optimization, and B2B Engagement. Customer journeys were revised, with targeted SMS and email protocols addressing app abandonment. Creative Operations Manager and Chameleon's creative team bolstered internal creative capacity. Data mapping strategies were refined, enhancing communication precision. An Account-Based Marketing strategy fortified B2B engagements. Crisis communication playbooks aided Snap during a data breach in 2022.Recruit: Chameleon supported leadership recruitment, placing an interim CMO and aiding in talent screening. Brand presence on key recruitment sites was refined.Impact: Snap's website applications during Black Friday peaked, surpassing previous records. Account-based marketing campaigns generated active leads, contributing to a massive pipeline. Chameleon's impact extended beyond numbers; Snap's executive team credited the partnership for growth in 2020 and 2021. The collaboration transformed Snap into a recognized leader in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sub-prime financing niche. The interim leadership redefined processes, established project management systems, and enabled Snap to thrive independently.In summary, Chameleon Collective's collaboration with Snap Finance transcended traditional consultancy, representing a shared journey to redefine digital norms and propel the brand to new heights in the face of adversity.
LEARN MOREPersonal case studies from Michael’s career before joining the Collective. These were not delivered through Chameleon Collective.
Personal workNeiman MarcusMichael as Marketing Operations Lead
Chameleon Collective
Project Manager at Hanes
UL Solutions
Sotheby's
Production Director at Glamour magazine
Senior Production Manager at New York Magazine
Production Manager at Professional Sports Publications
Marketing Project Manager at Snap Finance
Production Director at Condé Nast
Interested in bringing Michael onto your transformation? Let’s start the conversation.
