Head of Marketing, Human Performance Optimization Team, at ZS Associates

ZS Associates is a global leader in sales and marketing consulting, outsourcing, technology and software.

Favorite part of the job?

I love designing a business around problems worth solving for people. Nothing beats the feeling of flow and meaning from giving our best imagination, teamwork and grit to craft daring solutions with customers.

What’s ahead for marketers? What do we need to learn?

Marketers have a powerful new ally in data science. Use of data by marketers isn’t new of course, but the rapid growth of data science as a distinct discipline in companies is new ­– often a whole team with tools and know-how they’re dying to offer us for answering meaningful business questions. We marketers need to learn how to engage and support our data science colleagues as partners. Learn who they are, why they want to accomplish certain goals, how their team works and gets approval and what challenges they face – including political challenges. Then, see how marketing can help them. Where do our goals overlap? What related questions do we share? How can we add visibility and credibility to their initiatives? Together, we can gain executive approval for consequential projects where everyone wins.

Glamping or backpacking? Backpacking. It’s liberating to have all the essentials on my back.

Coffee or Venti-caramel-macchiato-skim-extra shot? Black drip coffee, please.

Sausage or Tofu? Sausage – spicy Italian with fennel. I make it from scratch, a family tradition.

Indiana Jones or James Bond? Agonizing! Indy has the edge.

Vodka or gin martini? Gin – icy cold, and a touch dirty with olives and vermouth. Sorry, Mr. Bond.

Why did you join the SF AMA?

I joined SF AMA to network with fellow marketing practitioners in a casual, social atmosphere. It’s a smart, well-connected bunch, and always fun to discover the backgrounds and perspectives of other members.

Contact Frankie Ridolfi: LinkedIn ;  Frankie’s Website

By Mary Thorsby, content strategy, creation and distribution, project management and promoter of all good things.