James Speros

Artist, Designer

James Speros is executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Fidelity Investments, the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the No. 1 provider of workplace retirement savings plans, the largest mutual fund supermarket, a leading online brokerage firm and one of the largest providers of custody and clearing services to financial professionals. Mr. Speros assumed his current position in August 2008 and is responsible for leading a team of over 200 associates and directing the development of integrated marketing programs including advertising, digital marketing, media planning & buying, branding, direct marketing, collateral development, mobile marketing and sponsorships. Prior to joining Fidelity in 2008, Mr. Speros was chief marketing officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) from 2006 to 2008. In his role and as a member of MMC’s senior leadership team, he was responsible for firm-wide brand strategy, market research, advertising, public relations, internal communications, investor communications, events, sponsorships and corporate philanthropy. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Speros was a partner and chief marketing officer of Ernst & Young LLP, where he successfully managed a 35 person staff to enhance the firm’s brand, reinforce client loyalty and support over $8 billion in U.S. revenues. Mr. Speros joined Ernst & Young from the AT&T Corporation, where he served as vice president, Advertising and Marketing Communications. During his 19 year tenure, he managed a variety of marketing programs, including the award winning “Reach Out and Touch Someone” and “You Will” campaigns. He also chaired the corporation’s global branding council and directed all of the company’s multicultural marketing efforts in 17 languages. Mr. Speros is considered one of the top thought leaders in marketing and advertising circles and has been actively involved in numerous industry organizations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Advertising Council and chairman of the Board of BPA International. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of National Advertising (ANA). In addition, he initiated and chaired the ANA’s Multicultural Marketing Committee and launched the industry’s first ever Multicultural Excellence Awards. In October of 2002, he was named chairman of the Board of the ANA and served a two-year term—the first ever ANA chairman to serve a two-year term in the ANA’s 90+ year history. Mr. Speros also serves on the Board of Overseers of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Board of Directors of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. His successful career and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Some of the many awards he has received include: the Robert V. Goldstein Award for distinguished service as volunteer campaign director for the Advertising Council (1995); named “Communicator of the Year” by the Business Marketing Association (2001); Outstanding Lifetime Achievement award from the Baruch College Alumni Association (1996); Financial Communications Society’s 2009 Financial Marketer of the Year; Ad Club’s 2010 Marketer of the Year; and, in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the industry, Jim was elected into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement . Mr. Speros earned his bachelor of business administration degree, magna cum laude, in marketing from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City. In addition, he received an Advanced Management Certificate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Big creative ideas that reshape how people view brands.

Are we rewiring people's brains with too much short-form communication such that people don't think critically and deeply enough?

Branding & Brand Strategy, Creative 'Big Ideas' Generator, Marketing

Singing, photography and tennis.