Former Senior Vice President Business Development

• Jun 2022 - Present

Senior Vice President

• Jan 2019 - Jun 2022

Vice President

• Nov 2012 - Jan 2019

KemperLesnik is a leading agency voice in the business of sports. Over more than 40 years, KemperLesnik has worked to shape gold standard brands such as the Maui Invitational, McDonald’s All American Games, NFL Draft and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, to name a few. The team brings a unique ability to merge event innovation, sponsorship sales and broadcast partnerships with best-in-class PR, social media, and marketing to build lasting impressions in the world of sports.Steve Knipstein is a lead member of KemperLesnik. He focuses on new business development for clients in a variety of industries.He specializes in:Brand CommunicationsMedia relationsSports MarketingSponsorship SalesHe has experience in:Consumer Goods and ServicesDestination Resort MarketingSports Event MarketingFitness IndustryFranchise marketingSports League marketingLuxury ProductsManufacturingProfessional Services (management consulting)Residential Real EstateSports products and technologySports Betting companiesTravel Industry marketing Show less

Strategic Communications

• Jun 2022 - Present

Senior Director, Global Marketing Services

• Feb 2011 - Nov 2012

Led global marketing communications.• Set brand direction and messaging in collaboration with executive leadership team while serving as chief brand officer• Improved team efficiencies and grew digital marketing capabilities by creating new team structures and recruiting talent to fill new roles• Contributed to increased product sales by leading improved product launch campaign strategies and techniques

Senior Director, Marketing Services and Channel Marketing

• Jan 2008 - Feb 2011

Worked in collaboration with global sales leadership to deliver marketing strategies to drive lead generation. • Built stronger brand awareness by creating consistent brand and product messages across all global marketing properties and tools• Improved global market awareness by establishing a global-local strategy for developing and delivering key marketing tools – such as websites, branded collateral material, social media sites – (in multiple languages) across 11 global business units• Improved sales lead generation by completing a segmentation analysis, targeting ad spending and reallocating vertical marketing expenditures Show less

Director, Marketing Services

• May 2008 - Jan 2010

Led the transformation of internal teams and expansion into global marketing. • Enhanced creative quality and outputs by introducing new processes and procedures, roles and responsibilities• Improved idea generation and cross-functional team collaboration by combining five independent departments into one marketing services team

Senior Vice President/General Manager

• Feb 1999 - May 2008

Led operations and business development for Chicago office. • Generated high-quality book of business, increasing billings by more than 300% during tenure, growing staff from 12 to 35 at its peak. • Generated and enhanced high quality book of business, including U.S. Cellular Corp., Brunswick Corp., Protiviti Consulting, U.S. Futures Exchange, DeVry, GE Capital, Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, Life Fitness, Home Depot, Bally Total Fitness • Served in leadership roles within the industry and was a speaker at workshops, client events. Topics included: Effective media measurement strategies, message management techniques. Show less

Manager Public and Investor Relations

• Oct 1996 - Jul 1998

Managed all external communications for publicly-traded telecommunications company. • Generated wide exposure leading to strong market position in young industry • Improved market reach by directing participation in major U.S. trade shows, including CES, FMI, and Convenience Stores Show • Company named Fastest Growing Company in California (1996) by the Los Angeles Times • Enhanced shareholder awareness by producing cutting-edge communications and Mead Award-winning annual reports that captured attention among the investment community Show less

Account Supervisor

• Sep 1995 - Oct 1996

Account management for clients including consumer campaign for Canon Computers, public affairs programs for Chrysler Corporation and in-market product launch activities for Nintendo USA. Account management for clients including consumer campaign for Canon Computers, public affairs programs for Chrysler Corporation and in-market product launch activities for Nintendo USA.

Account Supervisor

• Oct 1991 - Aug 1995

Managed account activities for clients such as Century 21, Tribune Entertainment, Jiffy Lube, MCEG Sterling Films, Singapore Tourism Board, National Amateur Baseball Tournament. Managed account activities for clients such as Century 21, Tribune Entertainment, Jiffy Lube, MCEG Sterling Films, Singapore Tourism Board, National Amateur Baseball Tournament.

Account Executive

• Oct 1987 - Sep 1991

Supported communications efforts for public affairs initiatives, law firm marketing, political campaigns and national book releases with major publishing houses. Clients included: Jenner & Block Law Firm, Skadden, Arps law firm, Andrew Greeley (priest, author, sociologist), U.S. Rep. Sidney Yates (Illinois). Supported communications efforts for public affairs initiatives, law firm marketing, political campaigns and national book releases with major publishing houses. Clients included: Jenner & Block Law Firm, Skadden, Arps law firm, Andrew Greeley (priest, author, sociologist), U.S. Rep. Sidney Yates (Illinois).