Mark Gallagher has a passion for branding that certainly comes across when he responds to questions. Despite a short tenure with the Forum, Mark is frequently listed as a Most Stimulating member. Read on to learn more about this passionate member.

Where are you based?

Boston MA, USA

Tell us about your company.

Blackcoffee is a brand Expression consultancy that aids businesses in developing and maintaining brand position through Brand Audits, Brand Positioning and Brand Design.

How did you find KHE?

I stumbled upon KHE at random while conducting a search on an unrelated subject. The site caught my attention.

Explain your Community Name and why you selected it.

Blackcoffee is the name of our company. I felt that it was an appropriate name for this venue.

What kinds of KHE questions do you enjoy most?

My main interest is in brand positioning strategy. How brands can obtain/maintain position as well as how marketing and design tactics can support that strategy.

What is your favorite marketing book? Why?

Sun Tsu's The Art of War is the oldest and most definitive work on the subject of strategy. The core concepts are universal truths that transcend time and culture.

How many years have you been in marketing? How did you get started?

I've have been working as a brand Expressionist for 14 years. While in school I recognized that a brand was far more than a name, logo or product offering. Upon graduating I co-founded Blackcoffee to aid companies in identifying their brand’s desired position and developing a strategy and tools to procure that position.

Have you made any offline connections with people you met in KHE?

I contacted one individual after reading their comments. It turned out that we had mutual acquaintances, and had attended the same school, albeit at different times.