For the past 20 years, the work of marketing executive Faith Morris has spoken volumes. As CEO and chief strategist for Merge Consumer Marketing, Morris brings a wealth of experience to the company and the marketing arena having successfully managed accounts for top brands such as TV One, ExxonMobil, Luster Products, Visit Orlando, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa and the National Black MBA Association.
This past spring, Morris changed the agency’s name from OwensMorris Communications and expanded her repetoire to include lifestyle and lifestage marketing. The Merge team is a unique mix of brand marketers with packaged goods, retail, entertainment, energy, automotive, health and beauty, pharmaceutical, hospitality and travel and tourism experience.
Here, the widely respected brand strategist shares a few of her favorite things. –yvette caslin
Family: One daughter, Jami
Education: B.A. degree in English, University of Memphis
Affiliations include: American Association of Advertising Agencies, Public Relations Society of America, Chicago Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Last good book read: What to Ask the Person in the Mirror by Robert Kaplan and Brand like a Rock Star by Steve Jones
Last song downloaded: “Be Good to Yourself,” Ledisi; “Back to Black,” Amy Winehouse; and “Din Daa Daa,” George Kranz
Favorite TV show: “The Good Wife,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Unsung”
Last good movie: The Lincoln Lawyer
Childhood heroes: My parents
Current heroes: My parents
Favorite getaway place: My bedroom
Favorite hotel: Cambridge Beaches in Bermuda
Favorite restaurant: Buddakan in Manhattan
Local (Chicago) restaurant you’ve eaten at the most in the past year: Tavern on Rush and Fred’s
When you feel like a little pampering, you … SPA!
Best advice ever received and from whom: “The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them,” from Maya Angelou
Personal leadership philosophy: Surround yourself with people who know more than you. You get no growth from being the smartest in the room.
First corporate job: Global Marketing Communications Manager, Holiday Inn Inc.
If you knew in 2001 what you know now, what advice would you give yourself? You were right. Keep going!
Words to live by: Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
Last fashion purchase: Black Suede YSL Rive Gauche Slingbacks
Guilty pleasure: 2011 Porsche Panamera
For more visit www.getmerged.com.
