CV
Patrick Adams embodies a unique combination of left and right brain skills honed during 40 years of advising organizations as both a Certified Public Accountant and Co-Founder of Secret Weapon Marketing.
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Secret Weapon, the marketing agency he co-founded in 1997 and ran for 27 years, employed an unusual business model, limiting itself to no more than three clients. This ensured Patrick was deeply involved at the highest levels, including C-Suite exposure across all functions, regular meetings with CEOs and Presidents and advising on matters well beyond advertising, including product development, pricing, market expansion, internal culture, and staffing.
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This broad experience was instrumental in Patrick creating innovative marketing campaigns that changed the trajectory of those clients’ businesses across automobiles (Honda, Porsche), fast food (Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr.), entertainment (Activision), Healthcare (Kaiser Permanente), home furnishings (IKEA) and others.
Patrick excels at distilling information, identifying key insights simply and clearly, and using those insights to create strategies with real results.
What I provide
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High level strategic experience across multiple industries and business functions.
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Especially deep experience in consumer brands.
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Rich history of analyzing and understanding consumer research and insights.
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Ability to anticipate and incorporate new marketing disciplines as they are invented.
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Firsthand understanding of the transformational potential of strategic creativity on both brand value and internal company culture.
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Rare combination of financial and marketing expertise. Someone who could serve on an audit committee as easily as a marketing task force.
Work
Experience
1997-2024
Managing Director
Secret Weapon Marketing
1996-1997
Management Supervisor
Team One Advertising
1995-1996
Director of Account Management
Kresser Stein Robaire Advertsing
1983-1995
Director of Strategic Planning
Della Femina Travisano Advertising
1981-1983
Certified Public Accountant
KPMG
Board
Engagements
2018-
Present
Chairman/Chairman Emeritus
Parent Advisory Council
McDonough School of Business
Georgetown University
2023-
Present
Board Member
Admissions Board of Advisors
Georgetown University
2018-2021
Executive Committee Member
Board of Advisors
McDonough School of Business
Georgetown University
2023-
Present
Board Member
CareerSpring/Los Angeles
Education
& Certificates
Bachelor of Science, Business
Georgetown University
Cum Laude
Leading for Creativity Certificate
IDEO U
Certified Public Accountant
State of California
Inactive