Joe Kessler

Joe Kessler’s career spans three decades in marketing, communications and consumer insights, leading agencies and/or operating divisions through periods of sustained growth, while helping his clients create, shift and remake their business strategies in rapidly changing landscapes.

Currently, he is Global Head of UTA IQ, the data, analytics and research division of United Talent Agency (UTA). In this role, Joe oversees a unit that uses its media intelligence, research and social networking data to devise critical insights and strategies in support of UTA clients and properties across film, television, music, digital, venture, brand marketing, endorsements and events.

Prior to launching joining UTA, he was President of Deep Focus (DF), a fast-growing digital marketing agency whose clients included Samsung, Intel, Nestle, and Unilever, among others.

Earlier, for nearly 10 years, he was an Executive at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), notably as President of The Intelligence Group (IG), a research and insights firm focused on consumer trends, and was Publisher of The Cassandra Report, the iconic on-going syndicated study of generational trends. During his tenure as president, IG doubled its revenues through the creation of a successful data-driven consulting arm and transformed Cassandra into a digital business information platform.

Joe served on the CAA Management Committee from 2009 until 2014, when Engine Group PLC, parent of Deep Focus, acquired IG from CAA. Earlier, he was a Partner of SS+K, an integrated marketing communications agency that CAA co-owned.

In these roles, he counseled and/or led strategic marketing initiatives for many leading global companies, including Sony, Disney, Microsoft, Fox, Westfield, Nordstrom, Cole Haan, MSNBC, IMAX, and several others, as well as client-led branding initiatives for individual entertainment and sports clients.

Prior to CAA, Joe held senior management positions at Weber Shandwick, the world’s largest communications agency, including Chair of its Global Technology Practice, President of US Western Region, and a member of the firm’s Global Executive Committee. His clients included iconic companies in technology, media, finance, consumer products, and professional services.

Joe is a frequent speaker on consumer culture, social trends and marketing strategy to corporate groups, business associations and industry conferences including, among others, TedX New England and The Milken Institute Global Conference. He has written and/or been interviewed for The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Forbes, MediaPost, PR Week, and many others. Also, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at the USC Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism.