Marketing Executive

NATE DARLING — Marketing Executive

A decade of leading brand, digital, and growth strategy across multi-brand portfolios — turning marketing functions into revenue engines.

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Featured — Leadership

Building a Marketing Function That Supports the Next Stage of Growth

As companies grow, marketing often has to evolve with them. The challenge is not simply doing more marketing. It is building the right structure around the business, the customer, and the growth opportunities already in front of you.

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Free guide

The Marketing Department Playbook

A one-page operating map for hiring order, agency support, and budget mix across three business types.

For CEOs and operators building or restructuring an in-house marketing team.

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From the blog — AI & Operations

How AI Is Changing the Marketing Department—and Where Human Judgment Still Matters

AI can make marketing teams dramatically more efficient. It can also help them produce mediocre work at record speed. The difference comes down to where the technology is used and who is making the decisions.

Nate Darling, marketing executive

About

Marketing built to move revenue.

I turn marketing into a growth engine — aligning brand, demand, and operations behind one outcome: revenue.

Over 10+ years I've led strategy and execution across multi-brand organizations, spanning executive in-house leadership and agency roles, with deep expertise in digital, brand, and integrated marketing.

Most recently I led marketing across an eight-brand hospitality portfolio as CMO — building teams, aligning marketing with operations, and driving measurable growth. I lead people and P&Ls, not just campaigns.

10

Years leading marketing teams

8

Brand portfolio managed

26%

Of company revenue attributed to CRM & digital programs

186%

Increase in review sourcing via automation

8x

ROAS in restricted markets

$13M

Startup valuation scaled

40+

Earned media placements in one year

7K+

Loyalty signups generated

5K+

App downloads in under a year

Case Studies

From challenge to outcome.

A look at select engagements — the business context, strategic approach, executional detail, and measurable results. Expand each section to see how the work came together.

Career

Experience, expanded.

Tap any role to expand its overview and key accomplishments.

Led marketing strategy and performance across an eight-brand hospitality portfolio, overseeing digital, brand, and customer lifecycle initiatives. Owned the marketing function end-to-end and led a seven-person corporate team, partnering with operations to align marketing with revenue growth and customer experience.

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Key Accomplishments

  • Increased review sourcing by 186% in six months through automation initiatives, improving Google Business Profile scores across the eight-brand portfolio
  • Led six product rollouts in under 12 months, expanding higher-margin menu offerings for a premium, high-net-worth customer base
  • Developed a corporate wellness program targeting decision-makers and working professionals across Greater Cleveland and Columbus
  • Drove a 50% increase in web traffic through website improvements
  • Launched the Ethos Champion Series CSR initiative, generating $15K in new Q1 LTO revenue

Led integrated marketing strategy across a multi-state cannabis operator, overseeing paid media, content, SEO, and retail marketing across 10 locations. Owned channel strategy, budget allocation, vendor management, and performance across all initiatives in an extremely restricted advertising market.

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Key Accomplishments

  • Drove marketing-influenced revenue accounting for ~26% of total company revenue while managing a three-person team
  • Achieved 8x ROAS across digital campaigns in an extremely restricted advertising market
  • Secured 40+ earned media placements and built a large, engaged journalist network
  • Launched the in-house HEIR brand, driving 11% of company revenue in its first week
  • Oversaw an SEO website overhaul improving organic search ranking from 8th to 1st

Led marketing during a high-growth startup phase, partnering with leadership to scale the business and expand into new markets. Built the internal marketing function and led brand, digital, and content strategy with a focus on go-to-market execution and audience growth.

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Key Accomplishments

  • Helped scale the company from a $50K startup to a $13M valuation alongside the CEO
  • Led go-to-market strategy for three in-house brands, expanding the product portfolio
  • Led 10 product rollouts in under two years, strengthening market positioning across Michigan
  • Built the internal marketing team and led charity foundation campaigns generating $60K+ in fundraising
  • Developed, launched, and grew the company podcast to 150+ episodes

Managed integrated campaigns across digital, PR, and content marketing for multiple clients. Oversaw campaign execution, media strategy, and performance reporting while balancing multiple accounts.

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Key Accomplishments

  • Managed 5–6 client accounts simultaneously while overseeing $200K in annual ad spend
  • Supported five brand launches during Michigan's new recreational cannabis market
  • Brought new billable photography, videography, and podcast capabilities to 5+ agency clients

Digital Marketing Technologist

Apr 2019 – Mar 2020

Promoted to lead digital marketing strategy, content, and analytics across the firm's web and social presence. Managed website operations, campaign execution, and performance reporting while aligning digital initiatives with broader firm goals.

Key Accomplishments

  • Developed educational video campaigns for six practice groups while cutting outside creative vendor costs ~80%, enabling weekly video
  • Launched an estate-law practice group podcast targeting current and future clients
  • Managed and developed two marketing interns, increasing content output by 25%

Digital Communications Coordinator

Jul 2017 – Apr 2019

Supported execution of digital marketing and communications initiatives across website, social, and content channels. Assisted with campaign support and stakeholder coordination while building foundational experience in analytics, SEO, and content production.

Key Accomplishments

  • Managed website updates and day-to-day social media execution across firm channels
  • Led CSR initiatives targeting high-conversion prospects across key Michigan markets
  • Brought photography and videography production in-house, generating ~$15K in annual cost savings
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Education

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

B.A. Advertising + Public Relations

Studied integrated marketing, brand strategy, and media relations through a curriculum that emphasized both strategic planning and creative execution. This foundation shaped how I approach full-funnel campaigns, cross-functional collaboration, and data-informed storytelling.

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Expertise

Core capabilities, tools, and foundation.

Core Capabilities

Go-to-Market StrategyBrand Strategy & PositioningProduct MarketingPublic Relations

Tech Stack

SalesforceHubSpotMailchimpAlpine IQ

Giving Back

Causes I stand behind.

Veterans

Supporting programs that help veterans transition to civilian careers, including education on emerging industries and workforce opportunities.

Food Insecurity

Partnering with local food access initiatives to fight hunger and support families across the communities I've worked in.

International Medical Aid

Championing efforts that deliver medical care and resources to underserved communities around the world.