Andrew Der

What is your role?

My focus is on building the futurethink brand, driving our position as thought leaders in the innovation space, and ensuring that everyone who should know, does know about futurethink. More importantly, my role is to help innovation teams understand the tangible value futurethink can deliver to their group and organization.

I try to stay connected to the "community", so I regularly attend conferences and industry events expanding futurethink’s presence. I’ve spoken on the topic of interactive marketing and have been quoted in the New York Post. I also serve as a judge for the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program, a competition designed to identify and reward the academic excellence and leadership potential of second-year university students. The program is sponsored by the Goldman Sachs Foundation in conjunction with the Institute of International Education, the organization that awards Fulbright scholarships.

What’s your story? What brought you to futurethink?

I started my career in management consulting, then transitioned into strategic marketing consulting where I was involved in several global innovation projects. I’ve had a range of experience across numerous marketing disciplines - global brand development, brand activation, innovation, online / interactive marketing, and public relations. I’ve worked in marketing and innovation on both the consulting- and client-side, which gave me unique insights into the needs of both groups. I joined to futurethink to leverage those insights for the betterment of the firm and our clients.

What are your areas of expertise?

Strategic marketing, brand positioning, innovation, brand activation, online marketing, social media / social computing, organizational development, consumer insights, and social arbitrage.

What industries have you worked in?

My experience has mostly been in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) / Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Beauty and Cosmetics, Luxury Goods, Fashion, Retail, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications, Food and Beverage.

What companies have you worked with in the past?

I’ve done the majority of my work with Unilever, Starbucks, Novartis, Coca-Cola, Lucent Technologies, and Calvin Klein Fragrances.

I completed my studies at…

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business with a concentration in Corporate Strategy & International Business. Go Blue.

What are your interests outside of work?

I enjoy traveling (I’m an American with a passport.), exploring new restaurants (I’m an aspiring foodie), meeting new people (I’m an extroverted introvert who co-hosts a monthly networking event for marketers), and doing volunteer work (I’m on the board and steering committees of a few non-profits).

What’s the one thing you can’t live without (excluding the "practical" food / water / shelter / organs)?

Definitely my iPhone. Actually, any mobile phone in general, but I’ve developed a particular fondness for my iPhone. I get separation anxiety and heart palpitations when it’s not within arm’s reach. I have to be constantly connected and doing something during down time - either listening to my iPod, updating Facebook, playing a game, or checking stocks. I don’t understand how people navigate life without one.

When I’m looking for inspiration, I…

Try to talk to as many different people as possible. Learning from others’ experiences and understanding their perceptions of reality can give you amazing insights.

What’s the last book you read?

I recently finished "Guns, Germs and Steel" and want to start reading "Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" both by Jared Diamond. Understanding the past is a good way to anticipate what could happen in the future. One of my favorite books is "Never Eat Alone". I’m trying to wrap up "Groundswell" so I can move on to "Predictably Irrational" and "The Paradox of Choice". I don’t read much fiction.