Jeff Hilder is an effective and driven sales leader with over 11 years of demonstrated success driving top-line revenue and scaling the Midwest Region.
Work
Testimonials
“I have worked with Jeff Hilder for over six years now. Jeff has such a multifaceted background that it places his marketing awareness as one of the most progressive I know; in terms of breadth as well as depth. He has a deep understanding of publishing, branded content, and content metrics with more traditional media publisher models. He was one of the first guys I worked with on cross platform (OTT, Console, OLV) dynamic creative video at scale. He leaned in on new school social first publishing models; heavily leveraging the consolidation of content providers across social distribution channels for quick turn, high engagement content. Capping this off with real-world artificial intelligence content marketing technology for optimization and trends of content across social, mobile first platforms. I mean...that puts him way ahead most marketers; when it’s not something you have just talked about, but something you have lived within. Jeff has worked with me across multiple consumer package goods (CPG) companies, which tend to be cautious when entering into these new territories. We have collaborated multiple times while navigating highly complex and territorial integrated agency and media teams, as well as matrixed enterprise organizations that bring along their own ways of working, measurement, and politics. His relaxed midwestern approach has allowed him to succeed in areas where others have quickly failed. Often times leading and navigating a path to success by allowing companies to move at their speed and building a program designed with them. This has been critical in opening up paths for media opportunities that are normally closed or closely guarded. Jeff has been a great collaborator, partner, and friend. His skillset is impressive, and I always look forward to working with him.”
— Cameron Friedlander,
Global Director of Content & Production,
SC Johnson
“I worked closely with Jeff for nearly 2 years, and as someone starting out in digital media, I found Jeff's leadership abilities, knowledge of the digital space, and constant drive for success crucial to my growth at Gawker. His passion for the business allows him to serve clients in unparalleled and meaningful ways. He takes every client's specific needs and concerns into consideration and makes sure to be involved every step of the way in order to deliver the best results possible, and this is all while encouraging his team members to elevate their potential. I can truly say it's been an honor and a pleasure to get the opportunity to work with Jeff!”
— Ariel Laub,
Senior Sales Marketing Manager,
Dotdash
“Jeff was my manager for 3 years at Gawker Media. It was my first sales job and he showed me ropes. The lessons I learned from Jeff have stuck with me in all my sales roles since. Jeff showed me the power in building strong relationships. He taught me that connecting with an individual makes them more than a client or a coworker; and bonds with those individuals can result in great ideas and success stories. Jeff's energy is endless, and puts 100% of that energy into his building his relationships and growing revenue.”
— Mollie Horan McHugh,
Podcast Specialist,
Spotify
“We worked with Jeff to build to a multi-million dollar branded content pipeline for Jellysmack, starting from zero awareness. Jeff’s tenacity, deep relationships and high level of trust in the marketplace were huge assets for us, and will be for any media or publishing business.”
— Rob Gregory,
President of Sales,
Jellysmack
“Jeff is the best partner a creative could hope for. He respects both the process and the peculiar nature of people who generate ideas for a living. He understands how to get the best out of them without derailing or diluting their output -- all while keeping client goals in mind. His demeanor conveys both seriousness and ease; he can communicate the importance of an opportunity without taking the fun out of working on it.”
— David Blend,
Director of Creative Strategy,
Group Nine Media
“I've worked with Jeff on various brands over the last several years and I can honestly say he's one of my favorite people in the industry to work with. His attributes such as leadership, passion, and creativity lead to building a great consumer experience between his products and my clients' brands. I appreciate that Jeff always engages to understand the brand and what needs to be accomplished in order for the program to be a success. He brings the right people together to build creative ideas that are strategically on-brand. Even when faced with challenges, Jeff always handles them with professionalism and still manages to go above expectations to deliver the best program. You can tell he genuinely cares and wants what's best for the brand AND the consumer. By the end of the process, it's a great feeling knowing you've both created a unique experience that will positively impact the brand.”
— Adrienne Gutierrez Bitter,
Director – Strategy & Business Transformation,
Starcom
“Jeff is one of the most committed Sales Directors (and people, really) I've had the opportunity to work with. As the leader of the Midwest team, he's challenged each of us to perform better, smarter and more strategically. He truly values good storytelling and fiercely advocates for its importance in all aspects of our business.
He creates lasting relationships with everyone encounters, is committed to helping those around him develop, and highly values and encourages open communication between team members.
In the almost 4 years we've work together, Jeff has been a mentor, a friend, and a leader. I credit much of my professional growth to the opportunities he's helped provide, and sincerely value his insights as a continued resource.”
— Rose Annis,
Senior Creative Strategist,
Great Big Story
“When I think of "team players," Jeff is truly the definition of one. He's one of the most collaborative, committed, and thoughtful people I've had a chance to work with, and is always willing to contribute in new ways to drive the collective success of his clients and colleagues.”
— Adam Shlachter,
Chief Client Officer,
Group Nine Media
“I worked closely with Jeff for two years as my Managing Director for Midwest Sales at Group Nine Media. He's compassionate and a great mentor and always teaches from his wealth of knowledge from his vast experience in the media industry. Jeff is well versed in digital and social media sales and has such an enthusiastic, positive attitude in his managing style. He worked closely with me as one of his individual sellers, taking a collaborative 1:1 approach in his support. He cares about your growth not only as a seller but on a personal level. His managing style ensures a supportive, inspiring and connected seller to manager working relationship.”
— Haley Doran,
Senior Director of Sales,
Group Nine Media
“I've had the pleasure of working with and learning from Jeff for 3+ years while engaged with various client efforts. Jeff's market expertise and leadership have made him a trusted go-to for a range of initiatives from product launches to social content amplification. Beyond that, we've leveraged Jeff as a go-to for ideation and ideas to bring innovation to our client's media programs. He has by far exceeded the standard transactional vendor/agency relationship dynamic and has truly been a business partner to our teams.”
— Ronnie Dickerson Stewart,
Chief Diversity Officer,
Publicis
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff since 2010, always within the realm of advancing capabilities and consumer engagement in digital marketing. He has a keen sense of what consumers value most and how the marketplace is today can be best used to deliver their expectations. Because of his perspective and collaborative, consultative approach, my teams have partnered with him several times to execute highly innovative and effective marketing programs. He is a digital thought leader in the Chicago market and a valued partner who helps us keep pushing forward.”
— Brad Moranchek,
Global Experience Planning Director,
Kimberly Clark
“I've worked with Jeff numerous times over the years and can't say enough about the quality of what he provides from a client service & product standpoint. Great to work with and produces great work!”
