Everyone Works in Branding

A Brain-Teasing Morning with Mark Kingsley

We are delighted to announce our upcoming talk by , (brand strategist, creative director, academic, author and former designer). Mark, author of the highly regarded book, ‘, published last year, over from NYC especially to talk to us in September, followed by a book signing.

A taste of what to expect:

“Agency and Marketing practice operates within a rather narrow set of metaphors, definitions, and expectations. Design is categorized as identity, system, or UX. Strategy relies on the business school case-study model, with bits of psychology, sociology, and consumer analysis mixed in.

And success is defined by financial return, customer engagement or, in extreme cases, social media likes.

All this compartmentalization seems sadly mechanistic and objectifying. Our audiences deserve more. (As do we.) Since brands are framed by culture, language, and the built environment, Mark Kingsley pulls from a very broad set of definitions and descriptive models in the hopes of expanding our vocabulary and addressing the subjectivity of our audiences.”

Mark will present a broad overview of his approach, and subsequently give you permission to play (intellectually) within the fuzziness of our contemporary brand landscape.

Panel Discussion:

Following Mark’s talk, he will join a panel discussion with some of Ireland’s leading practitioners. Panellists include: Jamie Helly, Executive Chairman, Dynamo; & Emer Fitzgerald, Strategy Director & Engagement Lead, Droga5 and Suzanne Lloyd, Head Of Brand & Marketing at PTSB

About Mark Kingsley:
Mark Kingsley operates in the world of branding; the domain of connections which is accessible to everyone. But not in the way you might think.
Mark’s unconventional views have helped him navigate the demise of industries, earth-shaking events, financial crises, and the disintegration of institutional norms. And he’s preparing for an AI-first world. But, again, not in the way you might think.

Mark got his start in the music industry, designing packages for the likes of John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Ginger Baker, and Jewel. In 2001, his work for Blue Note Records received a Grammy nomination.
Mark then transitioned into the world of corporate branding. At Landor, Mark was the global creative lead on the Citi account, And as Executive Strategy Director at Collins, he developed the new global positioning for Ogilvy and helped Equinox enter the luxury hotel business.
His current boutique studio, Malcontent, serves independent film makers, global advertising firms, fin-tech startups, arts organizations, living legends and Pulitzer Prize winners.
Mark teaches in New York at the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program, and recently held the endowed Melbert B. Cary Professorship in Graphic Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
His best-selling book, “Universal Principles of Branding,” was published in November 2023 and there will be an opportunity to purchase Mark’s book after his talk.

Host or Publisher IAPI