22nd Story Strategies :: Intentional Growth

Joseph Olewitz, founder & CEO

Joseph's experience growing global brands and/or their digital agencies includes strategy and tactics plus introducing and implementing emerging technologies. He has broad experience selling and overseeing complex, full service, digital marketing and eCommerce solutions for world-class brands. He has consistently addressed corporate issues at the most senior level for agencies operating in both the US and Europe with existing staff and through multiple acquisitions as the agencies added offices and clients around the world.

As a member of the executive team of two global digital agencies since 1995 — Ikonic, USWebCKS, marchFIRST then IconNicholson, LBi — he always achieved critical revenue growth through development of strategic initiatives and innovative leadership of the agencies' sales and marketing professionals — the same role he plays for clients at 22nd Story Strategies.

Today's fun fact:

As a digital pioneer, Joseph...

Led the client partnership for the creation of Social Retailing named in Time Magazine's Best Inventions of the Year (for Nanette Lepore, launched at Bloomingdale's) (2007)
Served as the agency client principal for the launch of the world's first real-time unit-tracking RFID project (Prada) (2001)
Led the engagement that built one of the world's first, complex, ecommerce websites (for Standard & Poor's) (1996)
Managed the building of several applications for the launch of Time Warner's original ITV pilot in Orlando (1995)
Headed a technology assessment of interactive television programming for IBM (1992)
Produced five of the software programs for the launch of Philips' ground-breaking CD-Interactive (predecessor to DVD) (1984)
Introduced the use of Laser Disc for data and image storage in a travelling presentation that launched the Xerox Star Workstation (predecessor to the Macintosh) (1982)
Created one of the world's first Interactive Laser Disc projects for Xerox Learning Systems (1980)

On developing the name "22nd Story Strategies"

For the first months of our existence my office was in my apartment on the 22nd floor in Greenwich Village, NYC. There were many meetings there with other industry professionals and potential clients while thinking about what kind of company I might form. Over dinner one night, I realized that new business and successful communications is all about story-telling, I have many years of story-telling experience and the communication and implementation of successful strategies, especially about new and emerging technologies requires good story telling. "Aha" I said, we're talking about the strategy story company which was formed on the 22nd floor!

So I named the company:
22nd Story Strategies, Inc.

The Intentional Growth Network (IGN)

It's a small world. Consultants participating in 22nd Story Strategies assignments have worked with each other many times over the years. As a group we offer service in a variety of skill areas: sales, marketing, business planning, social media, content development, user experience, emerging technologies and more.

When accepting an assignment it has always been paramount to do whatever it takes to meet my clients' needs. Yet, one of the most difficult challenges to an existing consultant or agency is to admit where our skills are not best in class. To meet that challenge, I sometimes suggest adding others with complementary skill sets to the team. They may come from the client staff or existing consultants and agencies — yes, I play nice in the sandbox — however, in selected cases, clients have asked me to provide the resource(s).

Over time I have crossed paths with many very talented people from all disciplines. Some of them have worked alongside me within organizations, some of them were once my clients, and several (like me) have struck out on their own. My network of highly skilled professionals adds to my ability to provide Intentional Growth for my clients across a broad spectrum of the strategies I develop and recommend. These professionals are not 22nd Story Strategies "staff" and therefore do not represent either overhead or "forced" solutions.

The network expands my ability and flexibility to tackle a variety of demands in strategically growing a business in the area of sales, marketing, business planning, social media and more.

What others say

"Great at assessing client business and new technology requirements; architecting the optimum agency team, resources, and approach; leading the presentation; and, the rapid 'on-boarding' of the agency into the client's complex business environment."
— Monty Kiernan, consultant client leading agency search process at Valspar

"I always look forward to working with Joseph. Why? 1. Because he asks good questions. 2. Because he listens. 3. Because I always learn something from him. 4. Because I always have fun.
— Kerry Bodine, Executive Advisor in Customer Experience Strategy, Design, and Change Management.

"Joseph is an extremely loyal, focused and motivated professional. He thrives on building one to one relationships with clients and with his colleagues. He's also fun to be around!"
— Judith Carr, President, LBi US

Participation on Advisory Boards

As an extension of my consulting expertise I am frequently asked to serve on Advisory Boards, both Corporate and Not for Profit. Although my current consulting assignments are restricted by NDAs, I am actively sitting on the following corporate Advisory Boards:

Nascent Design A Branding and Design Agency based in Milan, Italy
Native Instinct A full-service interactive design agency based in San Francisco
Rebound Media Digital thought leadership programs that convey true editorial credibility.
RingGuides "Any Content. From Any Source. On Any Device. With a Consistent User Experience"