John merged his leadership and marketing company with the Geary Company in 2009. He continues to work with a broad spectrum of clients and provides leadership and marketing strategies that create compelling and memorable brands. Prior to starting his consulting firm, John served as Vice-President and General Manager of Cox Media Las Vegas. During his time at Cox, he was responsible for doubling the company's cash flow in less than five years and leading his team to the number one position in market share. He has trained and coached CEOs, General Managers, Sales Managers, Sales team members and a host of young baseball and softball players. John holds an MBA from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. He and his wife Cathy are the parents of four children. They also have five grandchildren and two intriguing schnauzers--named Maximus and Minimus. When it comes to people we’ve worked with we have a long list of iconic names…Elvis, Hyatt, Gladys Knight, Rich Little, Smokey Robinson, Ford, Porsche, Lexus. There are icons in local, regional, national and world wide markets…in sports, music, business, brands. When we talk about what makes something or someone iconic…finding that unique quality, that distinct nature…then that relevancy /uniqueness needs to be able to last over time. Consistency builds trust. Consistency leads to that relevancy over time. We remember bad experiences forever.

Whatever you build, you have to be able to live by it. You have to be able to deliver on that promise.

The difference between celebrity and icon relates to substance…a real iconic status has depth and texture to it. You have to have some degree of core values you live by or you consistently deliver.

You will see people rise to high degrees of celebrity then be gone because it was superficial.

You become iconic when that uniqueness becomes memorable and it resonates with you and with those in your sphere of influence and you continue to be that brand or that person.

You can become iconic in your sphere of influence or the area you compete in. You don’t have to have worldwide reputation. You don’t have to have a national reputation.  

Become iconic in the sphere in which you compete.

I think that when you reach icon status you have a degree of responsibility.

Russell Wilson and his wife are doing so many great things for the community.

Sometimes that responsibility, unless you’re build on that framework of ‘real’ can be crushing because you can’t maintain that. That’s where image has superseded the quality, depth and texture of what it took to get there and I think that’s where you see on that very thin layer of ‘celebrity’ that it pushes people. When you are built on that basis of being genuine…you’re able to accept that responsibility and deal with it in a way that continues to uplift and strengthen people and deliver that experience that you’re looking to deliver.

The Nike swoosh has lived on forever...Nike always puts out a compelling image with a subtlety of the swoosh but its always there.

Imagery plays a key role in developing that icon status. 

Imagery can connect emotion to the brand or person and emotion makes it memorable.

When we think about branding, we also look for imagery that we can marry with the messaging to create a compelling and memorable and emotional connection. Imagery is critical and you always want that imagery to reflect what that icon stands for.

Sometimes we will spend 8, 12, 16 hrs looking for the right music to lay in with the message. That can solidify…what this really stands for.

Midnight Train to Georgia. There is a depth and texture of emotion in that song that is not only moving but its powerful and connects us to the message.

Do you start with who they are or how they want to be seen?

Where are you today and where do you...