Dan Marzullo

I contribute to leading outlets like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fatherly, Indie Hackers, and Foundr to change how people think about work. 

Every week in my newsletter, I unpack a different career challenge from our readers to help you navigate work life and design a career you love. Join over 6,000 readers and subscribe at danmarzullo.com

Writer

Ascend Career and Life Strategies, LLC

Career coaching, professional development, and management support for businesses, professionals, and executives. Services includes personalized career guidance, strategic planning, and assessments to help individuals gain clarity and direction in their careers.

Career Coach

Arapahoe Community College

Workforce and Career Programs Instructor for ACC summer courses. 

Teach a class load of 15 students interested in pursuing careers in the Colorado health system.

Facilitate learning with engaging written and oral assignments, events, and various teaching aids.

Curriculum includes post-secondary certification pathways, career navigation, and job shadow experiences.

Instructor

Drafted

We are a small team of content creators. We help brands create video and written content to connect with their customers, showcase their services, and tell their unique story in an engaging way. Clients like Investopedia, HP, Capital One, and SAP hire us to grow their revenue through the power of content. Videography and content creation services include social media content, marketing videos, corporate interviews, and event coverage.

Founder

Venture Attractor

Mentor for the UCCS program: Scale up to $1M Boot-Up Camp

Mentor

Forbes

Regular contributor to Forbes.com. 

Read my column: forbes.com/sites/forbes-finds/#641524571d42

Contributor

Fit Bodies LLC

> Motivate and empower clients to reach their goals through exercise sessions and nutrition counseling.
> Manage client communication regarding nutrition planning, exercise protocols, and fitness challenges.
> Utilize motivational interviewing skills to keep clients motivated to reach their goals.
> Maintain company blog, newsletters, social media content, and website copy.
> Write and publish articles via digital and print publications to educate clients and readers.

Owner, Writer & Coach, NASM-CPT

Montrose Medicine

> Manage health improvement programs, one-on-one health coaching, and meeting presentations.
> Produce regular health and wellness content, including blog posts, email newsletters, and print media.
> Contribute to the business planning and advertising for the wellness program.
> Facilitate individual and group behavior change programs.

Wellness Instructor

Hilltop Community Resources

> Lead health and wellness workshops and seminars for local businesses in Grand Junction.
> Teach employees how to improve overall wellness through exercise, nutrition, and health education.

Corporate Wellness Advisor & Speaker

Writer | Marketer | Former Contributor at Forbes

Hi, I’m Dan! 👋

I typically spend my days buried in a booth at a local coffee shop. Ideas flow best with a cup of coffee in one hand and a bagel in the other.

I contribute to leading outlets like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fatherly, Indie Hackers, and Foundr to change how people think about work. 

Every week in my newsletter, I unpack a different career challenge from our readers to help you navigate work life and design a career you love. Join over 6,000 readers and subscribe at danmarzullo.com

Volker Jaeckel

Key Account Consultant for Germany | B2B | D2C

Unstoppable Automotive Group

Marketing & Sales Leadership:
• Integration of transformative marketing strategies across 8 SoCal dealerships, I was instrumental in positioning Unstoppable Automotive as the fastest-growing Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Western region in 2020.

Digital Performance & ROI:
• We saw an unprecedented surge in key metrics: internet lead submissions increased by 39.2%, inbound calls rose by 89.8%, direct sales grew by 7.5%, paid search traffic expanded by 41%, display ads generated an 85% increase, and our email campaigns achieved an astonishing 2,155% growth.
• This digital prowess translated to tangible returns: a 300% ROI. We added a remarkable $2.16M, culminating in a robust $18M revenue for FY 2020.

Revenue Augmentation & Strategic Alliances:
• My strategic vision amplified service revenue from $302K to a commendable $1.2M. Similarly, parts revenue leaped from $181K to $496K.

Service Marketing & Competitive Edge:
• I architected a disruptive service marketing blueprint, targeting competitors within a 40-mile radius. This strategy was a resounding success, doubling our service hours from 3,172 to a staggering 6,200.

Digital Dominance:
• Under my guidance, the Group’s Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Mercedes-Benz dealerships clinched the #1 spot on major search engines. 
• Our digital campaigns enhanced web traffic across the board: organic search by 81% and referrals by 30%. Social media engagement soared by 119%.

Innovative Tech Solutions:
• I championed the integration of cutting-edge AI tools, offering customers an immersive virtual car tour experience with our Sales Associates.

Industry Recognition & Accolades:
Audi USA lauded our content strategy. Furthermore, our digital initiatives caught the eye of Volvo N.A., cementing our reputation for digital excellence and becoming part of their Digital Advisory Board.

Head of Digital Strategy & Marketing – Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Jaguar, Land Rover

Impact Riverside County

Appointed as Innovation Consultant at MIC (Murrieta Innovation Center) in collaboration with the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. Leading "Pitch Ascent," a structured pitch optimization and leadership program designed specifically to help local startups refine investor presentations, master storytelling, and scale effectively.

Key areas of focus include:
✅ Startup Pitch Development
✅ Investor Communication Strategies (DISC-based)
✅ Leadership & Scaling Tactics
✅ Innovation & Startup Coaching
✅ Local Startup Ecosystem Growth

Innovation Consultant

FocalPoint

Currently open to GLOBAL executive roles in automotive retail strategy, digital leadership, and group marketing transformation.

Business Coach for automotive, pharma, chemical, real state, B2B service industry & business owners

McKenna Motors

Digital Transformation:
• Spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of McKenna Motors' digital marketing, business development, advertising, and internet sales strategy across nine prominent Los Angeles dealerships. In a remarkable span of just 70 days, I revitalized the Internet Sales Department and Business Development Center, positioning them as pivotal contributors to the dealership's total unit sales.
• My leadership acumen was further demonstrated as I adeptly managed a formidable team of 23 direct reports, with the fiduciary responsibility of a $12 million annual budget.

Analytical Insights & Financial Prudence:
• With a keen analytical approach, I unearthed suboptimal performance and fiscal inefficiencies. This insight led to the decisive elimination and subsequent replacement of the dealership group’s ad agency.
• I architected a digital roadmap, capturing an impressive $250K+ in marketing expenditures. This strategic move not only conserved resources but also bolstered conversions. My foray into paid advertisements yielded a stellar 172% ROI. Through meticulous optimization, I propelled our market penetration by 46%.

Branding Consistency & Market Expansion:
• I remained unwavering in my commitment to curating a consistent brand voice and tone. Through meticulously crafted messaging, we amplified our presence across all digital channels. While adhering to OEM compliance for new vehicles, I strategically targeted buyers outside the AOI for certified pre-owned cars. This initiative surged our traffic and expanded our outside-AOI inquiries by an impressive 23%.

Industry Recognition & Excellence:
• My endeavors did not go unnoticed. I was honored with group accolades for exceptional performance, notably the “Best-Selling Porsche Taycan EV-Dealership, SoCal Region,” based on our targeted email campaigns. 
• The “OEM Sales Regional Office” recognized our Internet Department's prowess, applauding our impressive close rate of 16.7% to 18% across diverse franchises.

Fractional CMO 

Kent Automotive

Strategic Advisory at Kent Automotive:
• In my pivotal role as an advisor at Kent Automotive, I was entrusted with the responsibility of meticulously defining and operationalizing the company's go-to-market blueprint and sales strategy. My strategic vision was laser-focused on driving new business avenues in the competitive German market. I successfully orchestrated the closure of annual service contracts with some of Germany's most prestigious automotive dealership conglomerates, cementing Kent Automotive's reputation as a trusted partner.

Sales Training & Team Empowerment:
• Recognizing the importance of a skilled and informed sales force, I undertook the initiative to provide hands-on training to a new brigade of 16 Regional Sales Managers. My training regimen was comprehensive, encompassing the nuances of consultative sales techniques. I was deeply involved in imparting knowledge and real-time sales scenarios, assisting these managers in navigating complex negotiations and closing pivotal contract opportunities. Under my mentorship, the team honed their sales acumen and imbibed the ethos of customer-centric selling.

Major Contract Acquisition:
• One of my most notable achievements during this tenure was securing an exclusive service contract for oils and lubricants. This was not just any contract; it was with the largest Mercedes-Benz dealer group located in the Southwest of Germany. Through a combination of strategic negotiations, understanding the client's core needs, and positioning Kent Automotive's unparalleled product quality, I was able to clinch this coveted contract. This partnership bolstered our revenue streams and positioned Kent Automotive as a preferred partner for premium automotive dealerships in the region.

National Key Account Manager | Chemical Industry | Contract | B2B

Universal Auto Group, Inc.

Internet Sales Process Transformation:
• At the forefront of innovation, I architected and seamlessly integrated a novel Internet Sales Process, revolutionizing the dealership group's sales paradigm. My vision was clear: a marketing plan heavily skewed towards digital at 80%, with traditional methods accounting for the remaining 20%.
• I introduced robust processes to quantify results precisely, ensuring every strategy's efficacy was measurable. My omnichannel campaigns were not just about reach but also about efficiency driving revenue with precision.
• Recognizing the importance of customer retention, I established a dedicated team comprising 14 direct reports. Our collective efforts bore fruit, generating an impressive $1M+ in additional sales in the inaugural year.

Sales Acceleration & Cost Efficiency:
• My strategic prowess was further demonstrated as I rolled out an innovative blueprint that not only turbocharged sales but also curtailed our annual marketing expenditure by a staggering $744K.
• I harnessed specialized software to amplify our service business. By astutely leveraging a database of over 20,000 existing customers, we witnessed a surge in repeat sales, cementing our position as a trusted automotive partner.

Training, Coaching & Lead Management:
• I believe in empowering teams. I imparted best practices training to a 27-strong Internet Marketing Department. I was a mentor, offering one-on-one coaching to Internet Managers, ensuring we attracted customers and sealed the deal.
• I introduced a stringent 180-second response limit for new leads, ensuring agility in our approach. This strategy and our efforts to bolster brand visibility expanded our purchase pipeline by an impressive 85%.

Branding & Digital Marketing:
• My segmented email campaigns were aggressive yet strategic, carving a distinct brand identity. Additionally, my Google AdWords campaign was a game-changer, doubling our site traffic in a mere 11 months.

Digital Marketing Director | B2C

TUNAP GROUP

U.S. Expansion Leadership for TUNAP
• Entrusted with spearheading TUNAP's ambitious U.S. expansion, a renowned German producer of automotive lubricants, aerosols, and cleaners. Armed with a robust $10M budget, I meticulously identified strategic U.S. operational locations. I forged pivotal distribution alliances and diligently navigated the regulatory landscape, ensuring timely submissions to all pertinent state and local government bodies.

Managing Director USA | Chemical Industry | Start-Up | B2B

CDK Global

Digital Marketing Ambassador | SaaS | B2B

Sons Automotive Group

eCommerce Marketing Director 

Jackson Acura

Internet Sales Director 

AUTOMOTIVE DIGITAL MARKETING LEADER | 24 YEARS U.S. MARKET EXPERTISE

I've spent over two decades transforming how luxury automotive brands connect with customers in the world's most competitive market. My greatest achievement? Leading Mercedes-Benz of Temecula to 30% market share growth during the 2020/2021 pandemic, recognized by MBUSA as the ONLY dealership worldwide that grew while others stagnated.

PANDEMIC SUCCESS STORY
- Generated $2.16M additional revenue during COVID-19
- Achieved 300% marketing ROI through AI-driven strategies  
- Increased service revenue by 297% and parts revenue by 174%
- Grew internet leads 39%, inbound calls 89%

HOLISTIC BUSINESS APPROACH & EXECUTIVE COACHING
I don't see dealerships as separate profit centers – I see them as symphonic business systems. As a Certified DISC Business Executive & Marketing Coach, I help C-level executives understand the correlation between R&D, Marketing, Sales, Service, and Customer Experience, using data analytics to optimize total organizational health.

BUSINESS COACHING & ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
- Affiliate Business Coach: Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, CA 
- Executive in Residence Coach: California State University, San Marcos
- Founder & President: FocalPoint Business Coaching & Training Temecula Valley
- Featured Speaker: "Communication Breakthrough" & "DNA of an Entrepreneur" programs
- International coaching for automotive companies in Germany, Italy, and the U.S.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING
- Author: "The Digital Dealership" (2014) 
- Co-Author: "How to Survive and Thrive" (2024) with Reebok founder Joe Foster
- International Keynote Speaker: Autohaus eMarketing Days & DEKRA Gebrauchtwagentage (Germany), Internet Motors Milano, Digital Dealer Conferences
- Monthly workshops: Entrepreneurial Resource Center, Chamber of Commerce events

MULTI-BRAND EXPERTISE
Latest: Successfully managed 8+ luxury brands simultaneously - Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Sprinter, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Jaguar, Land Rover with $4.8M budget responsibility.

CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Certified Marketer® (American Marketing Association)
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional (Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin, IRL)  
- International Business Executive Coach (Brian Tracy International)
- Certified DISC Behavioral Analyst (FocalPoint International)

Currently seeking strategic leadership and digital marketing opportunities with progressive European automotive groups ready for digital transformation and executive development.

German Citizen | EU Work Authorized | Fluent German & English

Member of the Digital Sales & Marketing Advisory Board | B2B

➤ Serving an advisory role thru strategic reviews, suggestions, and program support to continuously enhance the quality of Volvo's national online exposure and programs.
➤ Consult Volvo's national manager suite through monthly meetings to enhance dealer network offerings.

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Volker Jaeckel

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