John Hayes is former chief marketing officer of American Express, which does business in over 120 countries. For more than 20 years, John oversaw American Express’s marketing efforts worldwide, shaping both the company and its brand.
In addition to overseeing marketing strategies and product development, he led the functions of global advertising, digital marketing, market research, corporate sponsorships, brand management and publishing organizations. He has been the force behind the business strategies that have resulted in iconic campaigns such as “My life. My card.” Under John’s leadership, American Express also created over 200 new product launches including the coveted Centurion black card, Blue and more recently Serve from American Express.
Giving back is a core value at American Express and the company is often credited as having launched the first cause-related marketing campaign in history. John has continued this tradition, helping to impact the lives of many through programs such as “Charge Against Hunger” providing food for those in need across the country, “Save The Music” supporting music programs in underprivileged schools in America, and most recently, “Members Project” which empowers the community of members in new ways to make a difference in the world in which we live.
In 2001, John brought American Express in as the founding sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, created to revitalize and bring business and energy back to lower Manhattan after the events of September 11, 2001, and in 2006 he was one of the creators of the (RED) campaign, a revolutionary marketing effort to address the AIDS emergency in Africa.
John served on the Yahoo Board of Directors, and is a member of “The Well” at Charity Water and sits on the council for Save the Children – Newborn and Child Survival campaign. He has been recognized for his contribution to business and the community on numerous occasions, most recently receiving the “2010 Corporate Marketing Executive of the Year” by the Delaney Report, “2009 Global Leadership Award” from the UJA of NY and honored with the “2007 Distinguished Citizenship Award” from the John A. Reisenbach Foundation. His work also received an Emmy Award in 2007 from the Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences and numerous Cannes Lions including two Grand Prix awards in 2012.
John received a BA in communications from Seton Hall University and was the president of Lowe and Partners, prior to joining American Express.
