Josh Cole is a versatile marketing leader with over 20 years of experience successfully identifying new opportunities for business growth and scaling team capabilities to capitalize on them, within both smaller and larger organizations.
Josh is known for his expertise in data-driven marketing and has presented about performance marketing, insights-based marketing strategy and customer experience at industry events including Brandweek 2020 and Adweek’s Outlook 2021 among others. He has also authored and contributed to numerous articles and been a guest on various marketing industry podcasts about marketing and team leadership.
Josh has deep experience building high-performing, insights-based marketing teams, having established the digital marketing team for Universal Studios Hollywood and then greatly expanding the team and marketing capabilities for Sky Zone.
In April 2021 Josh was named Chief Marketing and Digital Officer for TITLE Boxing Clubs (a network of 170 gyms), BoxUnion (boutique boxing-based fitness studios) and their respective digital-subscription platforms.
Josh is also an Advisor to VSCO, a VC-backed creator of a photo and video editing platform and creative channel, monetized through app subscriptions. VSCO was on Forbes’ 2018 list of The Next Billion-Dollar Startups. Josh advises on marketing strategy, performance marketing and team leadership. VSCO has twice extended the length of his advisor role in recognition of his contributions.
Previously Josh was Chief Marketing Officer of Sky Zone, a leader in the experiential entertainment industry. Josh led development of marketing strategy and the team responsible for its tactical execution through brand marketing, creative development, digital advertising, social media, influencer marketing, product marketing, marketing analytics, CRM, publicity, promotions and partnerships. During his tenure the Sky Zone transformed into a well-known, well-loved brand. Its network grew from 81 to 210 worldwide locations and brand awareness increased over +37ppt.
Josh established industry-leading brand awareness for Sky Zone through innovative partnerships with Snapchat and top-tier social media influencers, live events in partnership with Disney, Carnival Cruise Line and Amazon, and high-profile media integrations including with ESPN, Bad Moms Christmas movie, The Bachelorette and Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Josh was part of the executive team that led Sky Zone through a successful ownership transaction, selling the company to Palladium Equity Partners in early 2018.
Previously he was Vice President, Digital Marketing and E-Commerce for Universal Studios Hollywood. From 2002 to 2014, he led the company -- from strategic vision to tactical implementation -- through a digital transformation. He built the team and capabilities that enabled the use of digital marketing to effectively launch products, engage customers and increase sales on a global basis. He led all elements of digital marketing (brand and performance advertising, content creation, social, analytics, etc.) and the e-commerce sales channel, growing it from $1M to over $125M in annual revenue. In addition, he co-headed the task force that initiated marketing and sales initiatives in China, growing this market from zero to 10% of annual company revenue.
He previously held international marketing roles at Universal Studios, in which his accomplishments included launching an award-winning website and being part of the team that secured a $7.5M marketing sponsorship for Universal Studios Japan.
Josh began his career with marketing and communications roles within the financial services industry.
He holds a Master of Arts degree (with honors) from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude) from Boston University.