Gerry Lantz describes himself as a "creative guy in a business suit." After 27 years in marketing, advertising and communications, he has created STORIES THAT WORK®,a series of narrative-based tools, that help executives and corporations communicate more memorably and persuasively.
Using storytelling techniques, Gerry guides executives who struggle to turn language into thought and action and results across a broad range of business needs: devising plans and strategy, selling, creating and clarifying branding, defining success and culture, and exercising leadership.
The goal of STORIES THAT WORK® is to cut through the same-old, same-old business blah-blah and boilerplate. Using these tools, Gerry helps others create his favorite stories: how to grow business and the people in it.
Gerry is a seasoned executive who contributed to the growth and success of such clients as Unilever, Hershey Foods, and Hasbro Toys among others, while an officer at Ogilvy and DDB. As CMO at Ferrero USA, the makers of Tic Tac, Rocher, and Nutella, he directed marketing, sales, advertising, public relations, promotions and research initiatives for both global and domestic brands. He consults with corporations, communications companies, design firms, ad agencies, and executives in New York and Philadelphia.
In recognition of his contributions, Gerry has received three Effies—the American Marketing Association award for sales effectiveness, two David Ogilvy Awards—for creativity and sales effectiveness, and the Toy Marketing Association's Award for Best Marketing, Advertising, & Promotion of 2000.
Clients and Activities
Professional Services
Ogilvy, Advertising, NYC
OgilvyOne, Direct Marketing (SAP Technology), NYC
DRAFT, Direct Marketing, NYC
Ketchum Public Relations, NY, Dallas, Pittsburgh
DommertPhilips, Architects, Philadelphia
RG/A, Interactive Brand Design, NYC
Psychology of Settings, Washington, DC
Sara Robins Group, Interactive Marketing, Philadelphia
Kale Design, (HomeTracker Software), Philadelphia
Bosha Design, Philadelphia
Business Transformation Services, Enterprise Management Advisors, Delaware
Smart Associates, LLC, Financial Services, Philadelphia
Sales
GlaxoSmithKline, Account Representatives
Chamber University, Chester County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PA
Consultants
Stromberg Consulting, Organizational Development, NYC
The Pacific Institute, Organizational and Cultural Development, Seattle
Entrepreneurs & VCs
Early Stage East VC Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2004
BioLifeTech VC Conference, Baltimore, MD, 2004 & 2005
Communications Strategy and Business Development
Speaking Engagements
Golden Fleece: May, 2007 International Storytelling in Organizations Conference, Wash., D.C.: “What a savvy marketer can teach us about an authentic conversation between a brand and its customers and their stories. Dove’s “Real Beauty” and “Self-Esteem” Campaigns.”
Keynote, “Storytelling in Organizations: Fad or Fundamental to Success? What Narrative Leaders Know that You Might Not” and full day seminar, “The Story Factor: The Narrative Way to Create Leaders, Brands, Plans, and Organizational Culture.” American Creativity Association, March, 2007.
Keynote and break-out session at The Pacific Institute 2006 Int’l. Convention, Seattle: “How Narrative Leadership Drives Strategy and Culture.”
Speaker, lead coach: BioLifeTech VC Conference Early Stage East VC Conference, 2002-to present.
American Creativity Association, Austin, TX: Breakout sessions, 2005 (“SuccessStory™ and BrandStory™: Narrative Tools for Growth”) and 2006 (“Tap the Power of Story for Innovation and Results”).
Golden Fleece: 2006 International Storytelling in Organizations Conference, Wash., D.C.: “How to Tap the Power of Story for Organizational Change.”
Guest Lectures
Stern School of Business, NYU;
Fox School of Business, Temple University
Greater Philadelphia Senior Executive Group
Company of Friends, Phila., PA
Financial Executive Networking Group, PA, NJ, NY
Writing Training
Gotham Writer’s Workshop, NYC, Business Writing
Morehead State University, KY, Creative Non-fiction
