About J Cole Consulting

Applying insights and know-how gained from years of growing businesses and leading high-performing teams, I provide actionable programs & guidance that generate tangible results.

Marketing Consulting 

My projects typically involve a combination of:

❖ Assessing current programs, capabilities and resources

❖ Establishing new capabilities

❖ Optimizing existing initiatives 

❖ Expanding initiatives to capitalize on new opportunities

Outcomes include:  

✓ Increased customer acquisition, revenue and brand reach

✓ Improved marketing capabilities (team, agencies and mar-tech platforms)

Clients:  I work across a range of industries, from tech to retail, with particular expertise in multi-location and multi-channel consumer businesses (hospitality, entertainment, wellness, services; both corporate and franchise owned).

I pride myself on integrating collaboratively with team members and making contributions that prompt clients to extend engagements. E.g., at the request of marketing team members, a 1-year advisory role with VSCO (VC-backed photo & video sharing platform) was renewed for a rare 2nd and then 3rd year.

Goldfish jumping to a larger bowl representing growth marketing and marketing leadership skills improvement experienced by J Cole Consulting marketing and leadership clients

Leadership Coaching

I also provide leadership coaching to new and established managers, guiding them to achieve higher levels of team performance, cohesion and loyalty.

Keep reading below to learn About Josh Cole

About Josh Cole

Headshot of Josh Cole, fractional CMO and marketing consultant, and principle of J Cole Consulting

Award-winning marketing leader who's generated significant, measurable business growth in every role.

I was the Chief Marketing Officer or CMO equivalent of three companies in the experiential entertainment and health & wellness industries: Sky Zone, Sandbox VR and TITLE Boxing Club.

Sky Zone grew more than 3x, expanded into 12 countries, and became a well-known brand during my tenure.

The foundation of my career was in digital marketing, starting at a time when there was no roadmap and “Let’s go figure it out” was the daily mantra. 

A founding member of Universal Studios Theme Park’s first dedicated digital marketing team, I led the creation of Universal Studios Japan’s first website and subsequently led Universal Studios Hollywood’s digital initiatives, growing e-commerce from $1M to over $125M in annual sales, social media followers from 0 to 3M, and launching the company’s digital footprint in China.

I’ve earned a reputation for excellence in team leadership. Teams I’ve led have achieved strong results while having almost zero regrettable turnover. I participated in Adweek’s Executive Mentorship Program for 3 years, mentoring mid-career professionals working at companies including Nike and AT&T.

I’ve published and been featured in Adweek, Forbes, Marketing Brew and Inc., and have presented at numerous industry events including Brandweek and Adweek Outlook.

I have degrees from The University of Chicago (Masters) and Boston University.

Career Background

Entrepreneurial

Spotted new possibilities and figured out how to achieve them, expanding brand reach and sales revenue. 

Wide ranging & versatile

Global & hyper-local. Brand & performance marketing (earning awards for both). Budgets big & small. Fortune 50, mid-sized & small companies.

High performing teams

Built, led and developed marketing & digital teams that punched above their weight, worked collaboratively and had extreme loyalty with almost no regrettable turnover. 

“Josh is a growth driver. He knows how to jump over any hurdle...with a positive energy that is infectious. I trusted him to deliver (big) results and he did.

When he started at Universal Studios Hollywood, digital was an insignificant part of the business. He built a team, launched digital marketing programs that expanded our brand reach globally, and grew e-commerce into a hugely important revenue engine. He’s an exemplary team leader who manages with passion and integrity. ”
— L. Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood (former)

Global Chief Marketing Officer

  • Over 3x growth in locations during tenure

  • Expanded into 12 new countries

  • Built brand via innovative partnerships and content integrations with Disney, Snapchat, Carnival Cruise Lines, ESPN, The Bachelorette and many more high-profile media properties

  • Member of the executive team that led company sale to private equity

Logo of Sky Zone, where Josh Cole was CMO
Logo of TITLE Boxing Club, where Josh Cole was Chief Marketing & Digital Officer

Chief Marketing and Digital Officer 

  • Rolled-out a new price strategy that generated +21% revenue on new monthly gym memberships

  • Formed a team to grow the video on-demand business. Membership increased 3x and 30-day churn decreased 29%.

Senior Vice President / Dept. head, Marketing  

  • Led grand opening marketing as venues increased from 18 to 32

  • Drove +88% same-store sales vs. prior year

  • Holiday digital gift card sales +117% vs. prior year on per-store basis

Logo of Sandbox VR, where Josh Cole was SVP of Marketing
Logo of Universal Studios Hollywood, where Josh Cole was VP of Digital Marketing & E-Commerce

Vice President, Digital Marketing and E-Commerce

  • Increased e-commerce from $1M to $125M+ annual sales

  • Initiated multi-million dollar sales channels including Expedia & Travelocity

  • Launched social media presence, growing followers from 0 to 3M+

  • Co-led Universal Studios Hollywood’s marketing launch in China, which quickly became the #1 international point of origin

Logo of Universal Destinations & Experiences, where Josh Cole was Director of Digital Marketing

Director, Brand and Digital Marketing - International

  • Member of the Universal Studios Japan grand opening marketing team

  • Played key role securing a $7.5M dollar marketing sponsorship from NEC Corporation

  • Led development & launch of the first website for USJ, which won “Best New Website of the Year” from Yahoo! Japan (beating 2nd place Amazon)

Teammates Say…

  • Headshot Chris Nelson former CFO Universal Studios Hollywood

    "Without question, Josh is one of the best leaders and individuals I've encountered. He is very results-oriented and strategic.…Josh identified and communicated the long-term strategic importance of the efforts and the shorter-term tactical details to ensure success."

    C. Nelson, CFO, Universal Studios Hollywood (former)

  • Jeff Platt headshot for testimonial for Josh Cole as CMO and marketing leader

    “Not many marketing executives can say they took a brand from little-known to globally recognized. This is what Josh did for Sky Zone. He is a dedicated, hard-working leader extremely knowledgeable about all facets of marketing.”

    J. Platt, President, Sky Zone (former)

  • Headshot of Julie Petritsch former CFO Sky Zone

    Josh Cole is one of the most amazing executives I have had the privilege to work with. Josh is a superb marketing leader who champions and executes programs that generate sales results…He is very creative, analytical (which as a CFO I greatly appreciate) and...Josh is also an excellent team leader. His leadership style inspires loyalty and high performance among his team.

    J. Petritsch, CFO, Sky Zone (former)

  • Headshot of Kendra Spencer, VP Marketing

    “So proud to have been able to work with and learn from you. Not only about building a brand but more importantly about being a people first leader. The qualities you possess are rare!”

    K. Spencer, VP Field Marketing, TITLE Boxing Club (former)

  • Headshot of Sierra Lawrence, senior marketing manager and former marketing team direct report of Josh Cole

    “Josh is an exceptional & unique leader. While his marketing knowledge and expertise are impressive on their own, his character and leadership style are what set him apart from your typical executive…His generosity not only with his knowledge but with his resources make him an incredible mentor.”

    S. Lawrence, Sr Marketing Manager, Sandbox VR

  • Steven Rosenhaus Dir Internal Marketing headshot

    "Josh is the type of marketing executive every business hopes for: best-in-class leadership, exemplary strategic direction in an ever-changing market, thoughtful and driven. It's no coincidence Universal Studios Hollywood saw consistent year-over-year growth in ecommerce revenue and conversion rates during his time here... As a leader, mentor and friend, Josh Cole is one of a kind."

    S. Rosenhaus, Director of Internal Communications, Universal Studios Hollywood