Talent Champion – Denis Sison

Talent Champion Spotlight

AEF Talent Champion - Denis Sison

Denis Sison
Founder and CEO
Modern Marketing Xcellence

Denis Sison has 30+ years’ experience as a global marketing executive having worked for iconic brands and companies such as P&G, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Blackberry, The Hershey Company and, most recently, Johnson & Johnson. In his most recent role, Sison was responsible for leading the global marketing excellence team with the goal of reimagining and driving the J&J worldwide marketing capability agenda, including the development of the New Modern Marketing Playbook: The Next Generation of Brand Building.

Sison was chair of the ANA Talent Forward Alliance from 2017-2019 and co-chair of the Talent Reskilling Committee of the ANA until 2020. He currently serves as a board advisor to the marketing department of the Rutgers Business School. Recently, Sison established Modern Marketing Xcellence, a consultancy focused on the development and operationalization of marketing transformation capabilities, roadmaps and programs for the immediate, sustained and transformative results in brands, business and marketing talent.

What prompted you to get involved with the AEF and why are you passionate about the future of the industry?

The AEF plays such a critical role in nurturing and shaping the future of the marketing profession and industry. With the dramatic changes in Marketing the last 10 years, there has been need for new and experienced Marketers to elevate, broaden and upskill their skills and competencies. I wanted to share my knowledge and experience building the Modern Marketer of today while working at The Hershey Company and J&J Consumer as we built iconic brands that were more digital, social, data enabled and human centric. I always believed that Marketers play such a critical role in shaping and leading society and businesses. The AEF allows us to help mentor and build the Next Generation Marketing Talent for the industry we so passionately love.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

In these Days of Uncertainty and Constant Change – Be H.A.P.P.Y.
H – Hopeful
A – Adapt, continue to learn
P – Purpose, what can you do to help
P – Peace, with yourself and others
Y – Yes. To opportunities and challenges – big and small

Who was your favorite professor and why?

Proff G – Scott Galloway. NYU Stern. I truly admire his ability to merge real world insights with data and principled human truths. As an entrepreneur and academic, he is able to provide pragmatic and areal advice based on data AND experience. Very entertaining guy too!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

As a continuous learner, I love that I work in an industry that is evolving and constantly offering opportunities for personal and growth.

"Our future marketing and advertising leaders are not just looking for a job, they are looking for a meaningful career that will make a positive impact on society."
— Gord McLean, President and CEO at ANA Educational Foundation