Umar Ghumman
Marketing and Growth Strategist.
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500M+ Sales
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300+ Campaigns
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52+ Awards
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40+ Enterprise Websites and Apps
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500M+ Sales • 300+ Campaigns • 52+ Awards • 40+ Enterprise Websites and Apps •
About Me
I’ve shaped products, platforms, campaigns, and digital experiences for brands like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, TD Bank, UNICEF, and Nestlé across North American and global markets. My work blends brand strategy, CX, go-to-market strategy, and systems thinking to help teams scale with clarity, relevance, and impact. It has been recognized by the Webby Awards, W3, Strategy Awards, and the Canadian Marketing Awards, and featured in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, and The Wall Street Journal.
I’ve held senior roles across agencies and startups, including serving as Chief Experience Strategy Officer at VML, one of the world’s largest creative companies. I’ve advised CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and founders on go-to-market strategy, CX, user journeys, and product adoption.
I hold an MBA in Marketing, with executive education in strategy, design, and foresight from Rotman School of Management and the University of Houston. My foundation in business, storytelling, and systems gives me an edge in building integrated brand, CX, and marketing systems that resonate with audiences and drive meaningful growth.
Approach
The best brands start with a clear point of view.
They understand real customer needs, move with culture, and show up with clarity and consistency.
When brand, CX, and marketing work together, they create growth systems that drive both relevance and revenue.
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FEATURED AND PUBLISHED IN
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Campaign
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WARC
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FastCo
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WSJ
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Globe and Mail
• Campaign • WARC • FastCo • WSJ • Globe and Mail
Vertical and Brand Experience
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Coca-Cola, Fanta, Glaceau Vitaminwater, Doritos, McCormick, Billy Bee, Clubhouse, Haagen-Dazs, Kit Kat, Smarties, Skinny Cow, Stouffer’s Bistro, Ritz, Triscuit, Coppertone, Danone, Activia, Redbull, Kruger Products (Cashmere, Purex, Scotties, Bonterra, Sponge Towels, B2B)
Automotive
Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, Yamaha Motors, Volkswagen, Mazda
Technology, Telco, Services, SaaS
LG, Rogers, Getty Images, iStock, The Weather Network, Ten Thousand Coffees, Microsoft, Jabil
Gaming
Ubisoft, Nintendo
Retail and QSR
The Home Depot, Tim Hortons, McCafé, Jack in the Box, Panda Express, Whataburger
Apparel, Fashion, and Beauty
Ssense, Rudsak, ALDO, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, KAO (Biore, Jergens, John Frieda)
Financial Services
TD Bank, BMO, Ally Bank, MD Financial, PayPal, Capital One, HSBC, Picton, Vexxit, Lussier Insurance
Government and Crown Corporations
City of Toronto, Canada Post, OLG
Energy and Utilities
Shell, ConEdison
Healthcare
The Ottawa Hospital
Non-Profit and Advocacy
UNICEF, FAST, Dairy Farmers of Canada, CHFA
Travel and Tourism
WestJet, Porter, Tourism Australia
Manufacturing and B2B
Metso, InMode
Alcohol and Beverage
Treasury Wine Estates (19 Crimes, Wolf Blass, Lindeman’s, Beringer, Matua, Castello di Gabiano, Stag’s Leap), Campari Group (Grand Marnier, SKYY Vodka, Baron Samedi Rum, Appleton Estate)
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EXPERTISE
Research & Insights
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Marketing Strategy
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CX Design
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Campaigns and Content
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CRM & Loyalty
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Research & Insights • Marketing Strategy • CX Design • Campaigns and Content • CRM & Loyalty •
Speaking, Teaching, and Thought Leadership
I’ve spoken at global conferences, universities, and brand summits on topics including digital marketing, product innovation, design futures, AI, and customer experience.
Selected talks and appearances include:
Collision Conference – What Creative Industries Can Teach Us About AI
Ad Club of Toronto (with Google and Spotify) – The Future of Digital Media
University of Toronto, Rotman – How to Get the Job You Want
TD Bank – What We Can Learn from Amazon
Toronto Metropolitan University – The Future of Marketing
As an educator, I’ve taught strategy and experience design at Miami Ad School, where I also served as Fractional Director of Marketing and Program Director for their Strategy Bootcamp. I’ve guest lectured at Humber College, Seneca, and the Rotman School of Management, and serve on the Program Advisory Committee for Humber’s Advertising Program.
I’ve designed courses for the Interactive Advertising Bureau, and have served as a jury member for the Effies, CMAs, and Strategy Awards. My writing has appeared in WARC, Campaign Magazine, and a published industry book on strategy and creativity.
I currently sit on the board of Jack.org, a nonprofit advocating for mental health systems designed with and for young people.
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How to Work With Me
I collaborate with founders, CMOs, CEOs, and creative leaders to connect brand, customer experience, and go-to-market strategy into clear systems for growth.
My work spans consulting, teaching, and thought leadership, from advising organizations to delivering keynotes and workshops that help teams think differently.
Recent collaborations include:
Marketing and go-to-market strategy that drive relevance and revenue
CX design and digital ecosystem architecture to build loyalty and scale
Keynotes and strategic workshops to align teams and inspire action