Spike Jones

General Manager, Strategic Services Khoros

  • Austin TX

Word of Mouth Marketing & Brand Ambassador Expert, Social Media Curmudgeon and Published Author

Contact

Social

Biography

Spike Jones is an entertaining, thought-provoking, status quo challenging communications professional specializing in word of mouth marketing. The career path goes something like this: a decade at Brains on Fire; SVP of the Customer Experience team at Fleishman-Hillard; Group Director, Engagement at WCG; SVP, Managing Director of Digital at Edelman and currently GM for Strategic Services at Khoros.

Spike's background includes contributing strategic development – from insight to creative execution – of online and offline word of mouth programs for companies including: BMW, USAA, AT&T, General Motors, Chevrolet, Dagger Kayaks, Fiskars Brands, Rage Against the Haze (South Carolina’s youth-led anti-tobacco movement) and Best Buy.

Spike also played a significant role in growing Brains on Fire into one the most sought-after and well-respected word of mouth companies in the industry. In addition, he is a co-author of the Brains on Fire Book, published by Wiley in 2010.

He has served on the Board of Directors for the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and has presented at private events (Michelin, Biltmore Estates, Marcus Hotels, Susan G Komen Foundation and at national conferences like SocialFresh, the Public Relations Society of America events, GasPedal’s WOM Supergenius Summit and the Association of National Advertiser’s Senior Think Tank Committee.

Labeled “one to watch” from an anonymous answerer to a Net Promoter Survey, Spike is smart, good looking, athletic, persuasive and a rock star inside his own head. He also never passes up a chance to write his own bio.

Industry Expertise

Consumer Goods
Social Media
Corporate Leadership
Advertising/Marketing
Non-Profit/Charitable
Consumer Services

Areas of Expertise

Social Media Myths
Igniting Movements
Word of Mouth Marketing
Branding and Identity
Social Media
Building Brand Ambassador Programs
Engaging Brand Advocates
Customer Experience

Accomplishments

Numerous ADDY awards (Regional & National) for marketing/advertising campaigns

Gold EFFIE Award for Ambassador Program

WOMMIE Award for Ambassador Program

Education

Baylor University

BA

Journalism

1995

Baylor University

BA

Environmental Studies

1995

Affiliations

  • WOMMA

Testimonials

Communications Manager

http://2012.mimasummit.org/

MIMA Summit 2012

Spike’s presentation was one of the most exciting, well-presented and inspiring things I’ve seen in a long time, and I say that as someone who was in New York City for Advertising Week last week, at OMMA Global on both coasts this year, South by Southwest Interactive, Social Media Week and more. He was engaging and fun, his presentation full of solid takeaways and his overarching message contrary to reigning “best practices” — but so smart and well-supported I’m happy to call them “better practices.”

Reporter for Charlotte Observer

Spike Jones reminds me a little of Chris Rock — he comes at you all bombast and challenge and interrogation. But like Rock, he makes you think, and surprises you by making you feel.

From evaluation form

'Fantastic! … Inspiring! … Awesome!’ were just a few of the enthusiastic comments received from audience members. 4.9 out of 5.0 for ‘Quality of Speaker’? I’m not sure that Bono could have pulled as high of marks.

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Event Appearances

Linguistic Mythbusting: The Fake Language of the Web

SXSW Interactive 2011  Austin, TX

The Do's and Don'ts of Real Life Brand Ambassador Programs

2011 Canadian Marketing Association National Convention   Toronto, Ontario

2011-05-26

Word of Mouth vs. Social Media - Who's Social's Daddy?

Inc. Magazine’s BizNet Promotion Commotion  NYC

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Sample Talks

How to Create a Word of Mouth Ambassador Program

The best advertising happens when other people sing your praises to their friends and family. And ambassador/advocacy programs are a great way to ignite excitement and conversation around your brand. They aren't loyalty programs and they aren't couponing programs. After all, an ambassador is a messenger of goodwill. In this engaging, humorous talk, we'll explore real life examples of what works and what doesn't. And no, it's not all about social media, either!

Why Branding is Still King

Content is king. Engagement is king. Social media is king. Wrong. Branding still rules all. And we're going to go far beyond logo marks and color systems. Brands are identities - who you are and what you stand for. And people engage with you for two basic reasons: solve my problem and make me feel good about my purchase. We'll explore the true meaning of what a brand should be in this new day and age. Some things haven't changed. Others? You better believe it.

Who's Social Media's Daddy?

It's word of mouth. And it's the grandaddy of all things social media. In this talk, we'll begin to demystify social media and the deluge of false information being thrown at us on a daily basis. Like what influence REALLY is. Or the true definition of community. Or if people really want to be friends with brands. But the audience will also walk away with items they can use to begin to build or enhance their existing marketing programs for long-term success.

Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Workshop Leader
  • Author Appearance

Fees

$4500 to $15000