It's our experience that makes the difference

Sure, we're proud of our experience; of our defining moments in business, in strategy, branding and in successful campaigns -  but our history guides us, it doesn't define us.  

Each Wholebrand partner has a history of success in their business relationships and in their well developed skills. We're an experienced group of independent professionals brought together by our history, friendship and a relentless desire to make a difference...and we're good at it. 

With our localized presence, global network and range of experience, we deliver winning strategies and tactics that lead to winning product-to-customer experiences.

Wholebrand has driven transportation, healthcare, services, retail and consumer goods growth across every continent. Awards? We have them. Business? We have owned them. Industry? We have defined them. Brands? We have created some of the most well known and most profitable.

If what's past is indeed prologue then our history drives our professional, easy to work with reputation and our results speak for themselves.

We look forward to getting to know you and setting your prologue.

marianne schrode

Associate Partner

Marianne is a true surprise that always keeps you on your toes. Working with her is a lesson in full engagement. She draws on extensive corporate and automotive experience in related mobility industries to catapult growth. Her work results in newly revealed relationships and revenue.  A key to her success is the ability to influence at all levels, fostering collaboration and building consensus in small or large groups.  Marianne brings a strategic competence, a committed character and the trust of clients.  

Scott Thornton

Managing Director

Scott's business, branding and advertising stamp has marked many of the most successful global and national brands. Scott has held Director, Managing Partner, Executive Vice President and President positions at the leading global branding firms. He serves as board member in the communications and healthcare industries.

kathleen donald

Associate Partner

When it comes to bringing and keeping companies, products and brands to market, Kathleen has her clients and coworkers trust and respect. She is a true blend of formidable business professionalism and compassion. Kathleen leverages these skills in working with clients across a variety of industries, including automotive, financial services, healthcare, utilities, big box and independent retail. Get to know Kathleen and you’ll get to know your business better.

Craig Thornton

Associate Partner

Craig is an expert in health services research, disability policy, evaluation design, employment and training programs, and benefit-cost analysis. He  publishes widely in peer-reviewed journals and has authored book chapters on research design, cost-benefit, and disability issues.  He has served on many expert panels as well as on the boards of directors of Mathematica, the Center for Studying Health System Change, AcademyHealth, and the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis.

Lawrence James

Associate Partner

Lawrence specializes in business services for hi-tech, healthcare, financial, retail, professional services, auto and manufacturing businesses. Lawrence has more than 25 years of industry experience and a record of success in the roles of Senior Manager, Senior Executive Director, and Board Member of several international organizations.

melissa beran

Associate Partner

Melissa is as curious as she is organized which makes her uniquely suited to bringing her discovery, analysis and insights to life. With a strong background in global business as well as project management, Melissa plays an essential and critical role for our clients.

Stuart royle

Regional Director: Europe, Middle East, Africa

A Brit by birth, Stuart has plied his trade in all four corners of the world and is a true international marketer in every sense, having led some of the world’s leading global blue chip brands.

keith maki

Associate Partner

Keith is an integrated marketing expert. His craft stresses the importance of a consistent, seamless, multi-dimensional brand experience. With strong experience in business-to-business communication, Keith helps our clients develop their whole branded relationships. His skills cross the creative and business domains which gives him his unique perspective on which many of our clients rely.

Issei Matsui  松井一正 

Regional Director, Asia Pacific

Our clients say that Issei is exactly what we need in the Asia Pacific region.  His relaxed and professional personality along with his skills in localizing businesses and connecting brands, transferring their features and benefits into unique cultures are well known and highly respected. 

With senior positions in agencies and clients alike, Issei is a consummate problem solver with a broad range of industry experience. He runs offices in Tokyo and Shanghai and is fluent in Japanese, English, Chinese and basic Thai.

José Luis Ollé  

Regional Director,  Latin America

JoséLuis has a strong reputation for being a great teammate, friend and a reliable source for all things in the international marketplace - particularly in Latin America. JoséLuis is in Buenos Aires and  directs clients in strategic planning, creative development, cost control and efficient administration of resources.

His experience in advertising and marketing communications on the client and agency sides developing and directing multimedia branded campaigns for local and international clients are sought by our clients looking for Latin American entry and growth. 

mahesh prabhakar

Market Director, Middle East

With almost 20 years international marketing experience behind him, Mahesh is our man in the Middle East. Based in Dubai, his in-depth knowledge of the region’s complexities and challenges is a valuable resource to the Wholebrand offering.

Mahesh has worked with many of the region’s leading automotive and household brands as well as some of the leading global advertising agencies. His Middle East knowledge and experience stretches across the GCC and Levant markets and includes strategic planning plus the development and implementation of multi-media campaigns, product launches and events.

Steve dantas

Partner

Steve Dantas is the founder CEO of Digityll, a digital transformation advisory. Steve consults with business leaders across the world and helps them use emerging technology to effectively drive business results. Steve is the Co-President of the Detroit Chapter of the VR AR Association, on the board of the Detroit Blockchain Center, on the Board of the Michigan STEM Alliance and an active mentor and coach for startups in the Mid-West and across the world.

Dick Holcombe

Director, Consumer Products

Dick has made essential advancements in the consumer product industry.  His skills in manufacturing, distribution, operations, product development, brand expansion, and third-party logistics are well developed through leadership roles in major apparel and sporting-goods companies such as Woolrich, Reebok, Rockport, Adidas, Ford Motor Company, Amerex, and C.C. Filson.

Dick’s also a turnaround expert and as an entrepreneur has started and sold his own businesses in the logistics, e-commerce and customer service sectors. He serves his industry organizations as president and board member.

Matt Judge

Director, Consumer Products

Matt’s concentration is on making brands relevant in the consumer product marketplace through a vertical understanding of design, product development, the retail business, marketing, revenue goals and sales strategy.  From New York City, Matt directs manufacturers who are developing a sales and marketing focus, repositioning an existing brand that has grown stagnant or ramping up their e-commerce business. 

Houndstooth Clothing Company, Rockport, W.R. Gore and Columbia Sportswear have all harnessed Matt’s well-developed skills and his history of sales and management success within all channels of distribution.