

Hi, I’m Michael.
I am a Senior Creative and Brand Marketing Leader with over 16 years of experience. I was pivotal in propelling Nautilus/BowFlex annual revenues from $150 million to over $650 million. I have crafted and executed marketing strategies for the company’s most critical initiatives and campaigns. My leadership spans the hiring and direction of over 100+, including internal teams, production crews, agencies, and freelancers. I excel in driving impactful marketing initiatives across all consumer touchpoints, from product launches and rebrands to television and social media—both organic and paid—digital video advertising, e-commerce, email, and print. My ability to differentiate brands through dynamic multi-channel marketing strategies is complemented by using consumer data to make informed decisions and optimize marketing performance.
Why hire me? I’ve built a career on solving the problems no one else could. I inspire change. I utilize insights to unlock solutions for customers. I lead and challenge my teams to achieve what they never thought possible. I bring excitement and hope to everyone around me. I love building teams, leading results-driven creative operations, and bringing people together through strong creative and brand vision.
Be a good person, treat people well, and do amazing work. The rest falls into place.
Let’s do this.
Michael
Recommendations
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Jim Barr - CEO
“Michael is an incredible talent. His creative talent is amazing -- he helped to modernize and increase inclusivity for our venerable brands with several incredible campaigns. As an employee, he was very loyal to our Company and its employees and rode many business cycles in our industry. As a human, he is a devoted family man with outstanding values he brings to his work. I could not recommend him more to anyone fortunate enough to successfully recruit him. He will bring you success no matter your product or service.”
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Rob Murdock - Marketing Exec
"Michael is wildly creative but has a pragmatic business mind and a deep understanding of how to maximize marketing's impact while managing the budget. In fact, during our time together, he consistently improved the quality and production value of the work, even as he drove lower cost and more efficient ways to deliver it. What I value most about Michael is his passion for people and his ability to inspire their best work."
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Marli Hughes - Art Director
“Working with Michael has been an incredible journey. He’s not just a boss; he’s a mentor who genuinely invests in the growth and development of his team. Michael’s leadership style is all about fostering a positive can-do attitude and creating a culture where innovation thrives. Under his guidance, I feel inspired and empowered to push boundaries and create meaningful work.
Michael is a real trailblazer when it comes to marketing and brand development. His strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail and solutions oriented mindset have consistently led his teams to success, raising the bar and setting new standards in our industry.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under Michael's guidance. His mentorship has been invaluable to my professional development, and I wholeheartedly endorse him as a leader who excels not just in brand development and marketing, but also in inspiring and leading his team to greatness."
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Becky Alseth - CMO
“Let's start with team player, can-do-attitude, and genuine human being. Michael reported to me for the last 4+ years. From the beginning he showed strength in creative problem solving and the ability to work under extreme deadlines, always with a smile and a kind word for the people around him. I saw Michael grow into a brand director, thinking about long-term brand health, yet being practical and realizing he also had to deliver creative and plans to drive immediate transactions. Over 15 years, he dedicated himself to developing BowFlex into a world-class brand. I can't wait to see what he does next. Thank you for everything, Michael."
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TANYA KANNER - CREATIVE EXEC
“Michael is one of the most talented, kind, and creative humans I’ve had the pleasure of working with. He’s a true unicorn—the kind of leader who makes the impossible feel possible and brings out the best in everyone around him.
He has this rare ability to connect effortlessly across teams, whether it’s creatives, executives, engineers, lawyers, sales, you name it, making each person feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger. His leadership isn’t just about driving results; it’s about empowering the people behind the work, which is exactly what sets him apart.
Michael brings a mix of creativity, strategy, and infectious energy to everything he touches. Whether he’s leading a meeting, solving a complex business challenge, or just checking in (gifs and emojis guaranteed), his enthusiasm is impossible to ignore. He’s the kind of person you want in the room when you need a spark, a strategy, or a perfectly timed joke that somehow makes the work better.
What makes Michael truly exceptional is his ability to balance deep business savvy with genuine care for his team. He leads with partnership, not hierarchy, and creates an environment where people thrive. Work gets better because of him, and people do too.
If you’re looking for a leader who brings both heart and strategy to everything he does—Michael is your guy. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with him, learned from him, and witnessed the lasting impact he has on both people and results. He’s the kind of leader who leaves a mark, and anyone who has the chance to work with him is better for it.” -
Aaron Brotherton - Marketing Exec
“I had the distinct pleasure of Michael making me look good for over ten years. Michael is a rare breed of creative talent. He didn’t come out of design or film school. He completed an MBA and started working within the business, understanding its core drivers, KPIs, the importance of A/B testing, the power of offers and promotions, and the subtle (and not so subtle) nuances of creating impactful, relevant, and effective consumer communications. At this point, Michael is equally proficient in discussing impacts to a cost per call or the value of the next media dollar as he is discussing a layout, a call to action, or connecting messaging to the brand’s core values. On top of this, he proved to be a strong leader, known for caring deeply about his team and advocating for them in both public and private.”
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Chelsea Davis - Art Director
“It can be rare to find a great manager and leader. I can say, without a doubt, Michael is the best I’ve worked for.
The way he balances being light-hearted but also getting things done and making awesome creative made me want to work for him right away. He’s an extremely hard worker and expects the same from his team. He lifts people up, never tears them down. He wants his team to grow and will do anything he can to help them get there. And he listens. Not just in one ear out the other - he truly listens, and he cares.I still consider him my mentor. He’s an amazing person to work for and have in your corner. I honestly can’t recommend him enough.”
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Stef Corgel - Fitness Influencer
“You won’t find a better leader in this space than Michael. While his vast experience of market research, directing commercials, campaign preparation, product management, and organizing shoot logistics speaks for itself, his ability to handle adversity, pivot thoughtfully, execute tough decisions, and clearly communicate new directions are perhaps the most impactful areas where he excels.
Like a seasoned coach of a championship program, he spends the time and effort on learning small details about each individual and therefore, knows how to motivate each player to perform their best. His kindness is consistent; so is his great sense of humor. He is genuinely interested in the lives’ and motivational styles of the people around him from the first person on a call sheet to the last, he ensures everyone is heard, their needs are met, and that they taken care of.” -
Rob Tyler - Video Director
“Michael is a rare animal in the marketing world: Talented and driven but remarkably humble. His focus is sharp, and he has an unparalleled confidence and care to his approach – few people can match his motivation and energy. Michael knows how to make people laugh and get their attention in a positive way. He's a strong sparring partner, five steps ahead of any situation and always has your back. We have worked closely together for many years and I have learned a great deal from him. This guy always brings the fire.”
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Dave Salafia - Photographer
“Over the last 8 or so years… we created some really amazing work. Michael helped lead and evolve Bowflex from a fitness brand portraying hard core workouts with ripped bods to a brand that felt approachable with real bodies and users. Inclusivity and the joyfulness of movement at the core of the new work. His team worked tirelessly to get the brand there. I’m proud of the long days and nights on the Zoom or at The Line we had, talking about who we wanted to shoot, where, what, how. Fiercely loyal, his vision was to always put the best team of creatives together to make the best work in the world. So he did. To whoever is out there hiring… all I can tell you is that Michael is the kind of guy you want to lead your team. No egos, no BS. A guy you can turn to. A guy you have on speed dial so you can call out of the blue just to say hello. The kind of guy that brought me and my boy to a Celtics game when he was in town for a visit. I mean, who does that? Michael does. He's the kind of dude you just want to be around.”
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Hilliary Alway - Team Designer
“Michael is an absolute joy to work with. He possesses a remarkable ability to transform abstract technical concepts into engaging presentations that truly captivate audiences. His positive and transparent demeanor, especially under pressure, sets the tone for our team and fosters a collaborative environment. Michael’s strategic approach to company-wide changes has been instrumental in rallying both internal teams and stakeholders around our shared vision. His leadership was pivotal during Bowflex's first rebrand, where his passion for the new mission and direction inspired the entire company and fostered strong buy-in. As a top-tier brand advocate and an exceptional leader, Michael consistently drives us toward greater success. I’m excited to see where his talents will go next!
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