David Wilkie

Artist, Business adviser, Change Agent, Connector, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Idea generator, Marketer, Startup

David Wilkie is Chief Executive Officer of World 50, Inc., which provides senior-most executives at globally respected organization a private peer forum for sharing ideas, solutions and collaborative discovery free from competition and solicitation. Peer forums that World 50 manages include: Marketing 50 for chief marketing officers; Chief Executive 50 for CEOs, Global 50 for presidents and division leaders; and Sustainability 50 for CSR officers, etc. World 50 members across six continents represent many of the world's leading executives, organizations and thought leaders. Prior to joining World 50, held positions in marketing, general management, interactive services and management consulting: • As Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning for Hess Corporation, responsible for all marketing, brand, business development, acquisition, Web and strategic planning activities for Hess’ $3 billion energy marketing business. • As President of Hess Microgen, responsible for all business activities, including sales and marketing, distribution, organizational development, research and development, manufacturing operations and strategic alliances. • As a Managing Director of the interactive agency Fluid, Wilkie oversaw the company’s business strategy and client services activities, as well as advised clients in the development of their digital business models and strategies. • As a partner in the global management consultancy Mercer Management Consulting, advised Fortune 500 clients on their business strategies. Areas of expertise included marketing and brand strategy, customer relationship management and organizational effectiveness. Responsible for revenue generation, managing key accounts and senior client relationships, leading multiple project teams and professional staff development. Contributed to Mercer’s intellectual capital development in the areas of customer loyalty, test and learn marketing and organizational performance improvement. • Prior to attending business school, responsible for marketing power generation equipment and services worldwide for Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Masters in management (MBA) from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Florida. In his spare time, David enjoys oil painting, building furniture, cycling, snow sports and fly-fishing. His newest passion is kiteboarding.

College football -- Go Gators!

1. Jacques Cousteau had perhaps the best idea for global peace: a global exchange program for elementary education where every student would spend a year abroad. In addition to the cultural awareness benefits, no country would wish to attack another if its own children resided there. 2. Instead of dropping bombs on countries where freedom of speech or information is in short supply, why not drop Internet-capable satellite phones with free contracts? Provide oppressed people a voice in the world. A lot cheaper in the longer run; certainly a lot fewer lives lost.

Customer Loyalty, Innovation, Leadership, Marketing + Communications, Organizational Transformation

It's a relatively short one: 2012 is my 6th TED. I miss Monterey but it's the people that matter, right? Each new year brings more familiar (and friendly) faces. I am also the privileged co-host with Keith Ferrazzi of a terrific "TED Dinner" tradition that year-in and year-out brings together an amazing group of TED speakers, TED prize winners and TEDsters.

Making furniture.