Mason Thelen

Earlier this fall Direct Marketing News named Mason Thelen ’04 to its list of the country’s 40 most influential marketers under age 40. It’s pretty impressive, considering he switched out of his marketing major at St. Thomas. He credits that change as part of the reason he was able to start eight successful businesses before he turned 30.

Follow the career of Rocori graduate Mason Thelen, who has been named one of the 40 most influential marketers in America.

Marketing today takes savvy, perseverance, and deft juggling skills. Winners of the 2013 Direct Marketing News 40 Under 40 Awards have them all, in spades.

These 40 leaders represent the most accomplished young talent in marketing. They've launched initiatives that have helped to significantly grow their companies, or spur their customers' successes, and influenced the industry in numerous ways—from enhancing the core elements of direct marketing, to advancing measurement, to guiding… Show more

Marketing today takes savvy, perseverance, and deft juggling skills. Winners of the 2013 Direct Marketing News 40 Under 40 Awards have them all, in spades.

These 40 leaders represent the most accomplished young talent in marketing. They've launched initiatives that have helped to significantly grow their companies, or spur their customers' successes, and influenced the industry in numerous ways—from enhancing the core elements of direct marketing, to advancing measurement, to guiding their company and clients on mastering new technologies.

Their work is helping to guide others in marketing to master such areas as integrating digital and traditional marketing, using cross-channel data to inform marketing decisions, and building loyalty at a time when customers churn at the click of a mouse. Their stories are ones of determination, creativity, and adaptability. Show less

Entrepreneur Mason Thelen wants to “push the boundaries” of marketing.

Watson's ability to interpret the meaning of new information is key. With even a small clue, such as a bit of browsing data from the website or mobile app, or where a customer spends time in the store, a retailer can make a much better determination of a customer's mission. In this way, the action a retailer takes with a customer would more closely match what the customer wants or needs right now. This capability is what's required to transform the billions of emails, text messages, social… Show more

Watson's ability to interpret the meaning of new information is key. With even a small clue, such as a bit of browsing data from the website or mobile app, or where a customer spends time in the store, a retailer can make a much better determination of a customer's mission. In this way, the action a retailer takes with a customer would more closely match what the customer wants or needs right now. This capability is what's required to transform the billions of emails, text messages, social media interactions and digital coupons retailers are sending customers from spam to something useful and relevant -- something worth reading, responding to and acting on. Show less

We all know that IBM's Watson computer plays an awesome game of "Jeopardy." But the technology behind Watson could soon help retailers increase both sales and customer satisfaction.

Loyalty Programs: A Thing of the Past?

Traditionally, top-tier buyers reap the rewards, a strategy that just won't fly in the digital age.

For as long as anyone can remember, companies have relied on the tried-and-true loyalty program to keep customers. You know how it works: The airline, the hotel, the drug chain, etc., gives customers a nifty-looking VIP card and, with it, the chance to earn bonus points that accumulate until the "valued customer" can redeem them for some goody… Show more

Loyalty Programs: A Thing of the Past?

Traditionally, top-tier buyers reap the rewards, a strategy that just won't fly in the digital age.

For as long as anyone can remember, companies have relied on the tried-and-true loyalty program to keep customers. You know how it works: The airline, the hotel, the drug chain, etc., gives customers a nifty-looking VIP card and, with it, the chance to earn bonus points that accumulate until the "valued customer" can redeem them for some goody or other. But in an age rapidly redefined by digital technology, I'm prompted to ask: What, exactly, are all these companies really accomplishing with old-fashioned programs like these?

Not as much as they think. Show less