James Szczepanek is a communications strategist, marketer and storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience helping some of the world's most recognized brands connect with consumers. His work has taken him across the United States and Asia, with a career focused on consumer marketing, food and agriculture communications and brand reputation. Today, James is Principal of The Persuasion Artists, an independent communications consultancy, and serves as a Senior Brand and Communications Strategist for Spool Marketing & Communications in Chicago.

James spent more than 24 years with the global public relations agency Porter Novelli, where he held leadership roles in New York, Singapore and Los Angeles, working with iconic brands including Gillette, Venus, Braun, Polaroid and Absolut. As Managing Director of the agency's Singapore office, he led communications programs for HP across 15 Asia Pacific markets and oversaw large scale regional media and analyst events. In Los Angeles, he served as global client relationship lead for the Almond Board of California and helped secure and lead the National Honey Board account. He later joined Ketchum as Managing Director, Consumer Food, leading communications strategy for brands including Frito-Lay, Tyson Foods, Godiva, Sour Patch Kids, BelVita, Modelo, Daisy Cottage Cheese, Litehouse, Libby's and Green Giant. During his tenure, he also spearheaded research-based thought leadership initiatives, including The Say-Eat Gap, which explored Gen Z's relationship with food, and Appetite for Change, a study examining Americans' evolving attitudes and behaviors around food.

James earned a Master of Communication Management from USC in 2023 and holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre from DeSales University. He brings to the classroom a blend of real-world agency leadership, strategic thinking, creative storytelling and a passion for helping the next generation of communicators succeed.

Expertise: Food, Consumer Marketing, CPG, Public Relations