Jason Harris (marketer)

Harris began his career working for 10 years in business and strategic roles at TBWA\Chiat\Day and Leagas Delaney, where he led accounts and notable campaigns for clients like PlayStation, Levi's, and Disney.{{cite news |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising/harris-rejoins-leagas-delaney-54774 |title=Harris Rejoins Leagas Delaney |author=Heim, Sarah J |publisher=Ad Week |date=February 25, 2002}}{{cite web |url=http://creativitycat.com/index.php?page=62 |title=Creativity Cat Profile |publisher=Creativity Cat}} Harris also worked at Ketchum Advertising. He later founded Plan C, an entertainment company that focused on producing branded television projects including Adidas Superstars, which aired nationwide on Fox Sports, as well as projects for Xbox.{{cite web |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/17503506/plan-c-xcelerates-launch-xboxs-forza-motorsport-via-car-culture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709093331/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/17503506/plan-c-xcelerates-launch-xboxs-forza-motorsport-via-car-culture |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-07-09 |title=Plan C Xcelerates Launch Of Xbox's Forza Motorsport Via Car Culture |author=Vines, Emily |publisher=SHOOT |date=June 2005}}

Harris has served as the President and CEO of Mekanism. Since joining Mekanism, Harris has helped the agency produce campaigns for such companies as HBO, Muscle Milk, The North Face, PepsiCo, MillerCoors and Ben and Jerry's.[http://www.studiodaily.com/2008/08/mekanism-signs-new-york-directorial-duodave-and-rory/ Mekanism Signs New York Directorial Duo Dave and Rory]. Studio Daily. August 18, 2008.[http://www.studiodaily.com/2009/07/mekanism-signs-trifecta-of-talent/ Mekanism Signs Trifecta of Talent]. Studio Daily. July 13, 2009.{{cite web | url = http://creativity-online.com/work/hbo-its-what-connects-us-last-week-tonight/51430/ | title = John Oliver Rants About HBO's New Brand Campaign, and Then the Campaign Devours Him | date= 7 April 2017 | accessdate = 28 May 2017 | publisher = AdAge | author = Ann-Christine Diaz }} Accounts won by during Harris's time as CEO include Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Jim Beam, Nordstrom, and the United Nations.{{cite web | url = http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/alaska-airlines-celebrates-merger-virgin-america-showcasing-unexpected-brilliant-pairings-175131/ | title = Alaska Airlines Celebrates Merger With Virgin America by Showcasing Unexpected, Brilliant Pairings | date= 15 December 2016 | accessdate = 28 May 2017 | publisher = AdAge | author = Katie Richards }}

In 2014, Mekanism led the White House's "It's on Us" campaign to raise awareness of campus sexual assault.Monllos, Kristina [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/how-mekanism-got-white-house-160283 How One Agency's Insight Into Millennials Helped It Win the White House as a Client] AdWeek. July 8, 2015[http://www.mekanism.com/case-studies/case-the-white-house-its-on-us Mekanism - Case Studies] Mekanism. July 8, 2015 The campaign is currently in its third year.{{cite web | url = http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/its-on-us-calls-on-college-students-to-re-examine-how-they-talk-about-sexual-assault-in-bold-new-ad/ | title = It's On Us Calls on College Students to Re-examine How They Talk About Sexual Assault in Bold New Ad | date= 28 March 2017 | accessdate = 28 May 2017 | publisher = AdAge | author = Katie Richards }} In 2015, Mekanism acquired Epic Signal, a company founded in 2013 that works with brands like Bud Light and NBC to run video campaigns with YouTube, Snapchat, Vine, Periscope and Instagram.Johnson, Lauren [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/mekanism-scoops-social-shop-bring-influence-marketing-house-166062 Mekanism Scoops Up a Social Shop to Bring Influence Marketing in House] AdWeek. July 25, 2015

During Harris' time as CEO, the agency has twice been named the "Small Agency of the Year" by Ad Age, won four Effie Awards, three Cannes Lions Awards, three London International Awards, a D&AD Award, and four Webby Awards.{{cite magazine|last=Patel|first=Kunur|title=Small Agency of the Year, 11-75 Employees, Silver: Mekanism|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-small-agency-awards-2012/mekanism-a-ad-age-s-small-agency-year-winner-silver/236522/|magazine=Ad Age}} Mekanism has also been listed as one of the top 50 most creative companies by Creativity magazine.[http://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/6710109 Mekanism - "The 2008 Creativity 50"] AdForum. July 8, 2015 In January 2015, the company was named to Advertising Age's A List and was named one of the most effective Independent Agencies in America later that year.[http://www.effieindex.com/rankings/ranking.cfm?rg=6&rt=2 Most Effective Independent Agencies April 2015] Effie Effectiveness Index. June 3, 2015[http://adage.com/article/special-report-agency-alist-2015/ad-age-2015-agency-a-list-standouts-grey-180la-akqa/296732/ Ad Age's 2015 Agency A-List Standouts: Grey, 180LA, AKQA and More] Advertising Age. July 8, 2015

In 2018, Jason was named to the Top 100 Influencers in 2018 by Creative Pool, an online resource for agencies, brands and individuals.{{Cite web|url=https://creativepool.com/top-100-influencers/2018|title=Creativepool 2018 Annual|website=creativepool.com|access-date=2018-11-05}}

In 2014, Mekanism created an ad for Pepsi which ran during the Super Bowl and was ranked by USA Today as the tenth best Super Bowl ad that year.Feloni, Richard [http://www.businessinsider.com/pepsis-super-bowl-halftime-intro-2014-1 Pepsi's Super Bowl Halftime Intro Is Awesome] Business Insider. July 8, 2015Siegel, Alan [http://admeter.usatoday.com/2015/01/13/super-bowl-48-commercials-2014-ad-meter/ 2014 Ad Meter results: all 57 Super Bowl XLVIII commercials from best to worst] USA Today. June 3, 2015 Mekanism was named as one of Advertising Age's best places to work in 2016.{{cite web | url = http://adage.com/article/news/ad-age-s-places-work-2016/306695/ | title = Best Places to Work 2016 | date = 14 November 2016 | accessdate = 28 May 2017 | publisher = AdAge }}

Harris is on the board of directors for Advertising Week, the United Nations Social Impact Leadership Council and an advising member of the Marketing 50.[https://businessradio.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/work-and-life/guests/ Work and Life - All Guests] The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. July 8, 2015Monllos, Kristina [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/united-nations-working-worlds-largest-advertising-campaign-164497 The United Nations Is Working on the 'World's Largest Advertising Campaign' ] AdWeek. July 7, 2015 He is also a co-chair and founding member of Civic Nation Creative Alliance in partnership with The White House. Regarding his work with the United Nations, whose goals are to end poverty and hunger and achieve gender equality, Harris has said, "The campaign, in a way...is sort of re-launching what the UN stands for and how the UN helps solve problems in the world."Monolls, Kristina [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/united-nations-working-worlds-largest-advertising-campaign-164497 The United Nations Is Working on the 'World's Largest Advertising Campaign'] AdWeek. July 25, 2015 Harris is also a Board Member for Haymakers for Hope (H4H): An official 501(c)(3) charity organization that gives you the opportunity to fight back against cancer.{{Cite web|url=https://haymakersforhope.org/|title=Haymakers for Hope {{!}} Haymakers for Hope|website=haymakersforhope.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-05}}

His methods have been covered and studied by Harvard Business School.{{cite web|title=Instructors|url=https://www.miamiadschoolpro.com/instructor/detail/jason-harris|publisher=Miami Ad School}} He a frequent lecturer on topics such as brand storytelling and involvement marketing.{{cite web |url=http://us.adforum.com/agency/22414/personnel |title=Mekanism Personnel Profiles |publisher=AdForum.com}}{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/photos/entertainment-slideshow/mekanism-ceo-jason-harris-moderates-f-did-sell-photo-001234580.html |title="How the F#$% Did They Sell That" Seminar Photo |publisher=Yahoo}} Harris is also a judge for the Effie Awards, Webby Awards, and the Favourite Website Awards. In 2015, Harris was named the fifth most influential social impact leader.{{cite web | url = http://marketwired.com/press-release/top-10-most-influential-media-communication-executives-2015-putting-their-skills-work-2078002.htm | title = Top 10 Most Influential Media and Communication Executives of 2015 -- Putting Their Skills to Work for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals | date= 1 December 2015 | accessdate = 28 May 2017 | publisher = Pvblic Foundation }}

In 2017, Harris was named by the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies) as one of the top "100 People Who Make Advertising Great."{{cite web|title=4A's Reveals 100 People Who Make Advertising Great|date=24 July 2017|url=http://www.aaaa.org/4as-reveals-100-people-make-advertising-great/|publisher=American Association of Advertising Agencies}}

In 2018, he delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater, James Madison University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jmu.edu/commencement/_files/Big%20Book%20Single%20page%20LoRes%20FINAL.pdf|title=JMU 2018 Commencement Book}}

Harris is the author of The Soulful Art of Persuasion (Penguin Random House, 2019. {{ISBN|9781984822567}}). In the book, Harris argues that genuine persuasion is about personal character rather than facts and arguments.{{cite news |last1=DesMarais |first1=Christina |title=Why You Should Never Let Your Relationships Drop to Zero |url=https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/why-you-should-never-let-your-relationships-drop-to-zero.html?cid=sf01001 |access-date=8 August 2021 |work=Inc.com |date=8 August 2019 |language=en}} Based on his experience in business communication, Harris provides 4 key principles and 11 habits for negotiating in an era of social media and global transparency.

{{reflist|}}

• [http://www.mekanism.com Mekanism]
• [https://www.thesoulfulart.com The Soulful Art of Persuasion]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Jason}}

Category:1971 births

Category:Living people

Category:Online advertising

Category:American chief executives

Category:American marketing people

Category:Branding consultants