Meet Mark Dority | Marketing strategist & loyalty expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Dority and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My background and career in marketing has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to build brand loyalty and customer engagement for exciting global clients which has fueled my passion for the field. I’ve been able to navigate the challenges of working for large corporations, weathering economic downturns (the dot-com bubble, 9/11, and the subprime mortgage crisis). While I thrived in the brand and agency environment, the toll on my work-life balance became significant, impacting both myself and my family.

This is where a new opportunity emerged. Colleagues began reaching out for freelance marketing support, offering a chance to build a more flexible schedule. The idea of crafting a business where I could choose projects, collaborate with diverse clients, and maintain control over my time was very appealing. I finally took the leap in January 2018 and started my own marketing consultancy that provides business strategy, marketing planning, and marketing services for small and large businesses in the travel, hospitality, and retail space.

The flexibility allows me to prioritize both my professional goals and my personal well-being, creating a more sustainable and fulfilling path forward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has spanned two decades, offering a unique blend of agency, client-side, and consulting experience. This diverse journey has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the marketing landscape, allowing me to deliver exceptional value as a marketing leader.

Starting on the agency side, I honed my skills in crafting and executing strategic campaigns. This experience instilled a deep understanding of how agencies function to drive successful marketing initiatives for clients and ultimately, end-consumers.

Transitioning to the client side provided invaluable insights into brand ownership. Navigating marketing from this vantage point fostered a keen awareness of client needs, challenges, and priorities. This shift broadened my perspective and allowed me to truly understand my client’s objectives.

Leveraging this combined knowledge, I embarked on a marketing consulting career. These roles enabled me to offer a holistic view, drawing on both agency and client perspectives. This comprehensive approach has enabled me to design and implement innovative loyalty marketing strategies and campaigns for a wide variety of global clients.

My experience has been multifaceted and very instrumental in shaping me into a stronger marketing strategist. My ability to see marketing through the lens of the business, the agency, and the consumer offers a unique perspective within the industry.

My diverse career path has equipped me to excel in the global loyalty market. This rich experience fuels my passion for developing loyalty strategies and partnerships that create long-lasting value for customers while driving sustainable business growth for clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, There is so much to do around Denver that it would depend on the time of year when the friend visits. However, we would definitely take in some sporting events around town – Rockies, Nuggets, Broncos and Avs – whichever team is in town (depending on ticket cost). We would need to pre-game somewhere so we are going to LoDo, RiNo, or LoHi for some tasty vittles and cocktails.

We will also need to get some exercise and we are not lacking in area. The many options could include sports in the mountains, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, etc. But I will also take my friend to Wash Park on the weekend to show off our volleyball skills.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Launching my own business has been an incredible experience, but like most startups, it came with a ton of hidden work. While the initial vision for the business was clear, the sheer volume of back-end tasks – legal entity formation, website development, comprehensive business and marketing strategy creation – was extensive.

Fortunately, I wasn’t alone in this endeavor. While resources like the “For Dummies” series of books provided foundational knowledge, the true credit goes to my family and particularly my wife, Nikki.
Nikki, a successful entrepreneur herself, has been an incredible asset. Her experience provided invaluable guidance on everything from navigating administrative complexities to formulating marketing strategies and pursuing business development opportunities. She’s not just my biggest supporter, but a strategic partner, helping me anticipate potential challenges and optimize my approach. This venture wouldn’t be possible without her unwavering support and entrepreneurial expertise.

Website: https://www.marketdrivenstrategies.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdority/