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A nationally recognized branding and marketing thought leader, Mary Ann has been…
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Articles by Mary Ann
Contributions
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Here's how you can utilize conflict resolution skills to negotiate brand partnerships and collaborations.
A good negotiation starts with a question. I believe in the power of Asking, Listening, and Delivering. — I actually wrote a 12x best seller this year called, Ask & Deliver. To me, when you ASK someone a question and actively LISTEN to their answer, it implies you CARE about them, and their view. Most of us, just need to feel valued to find a way to a win, win. + it’s a human truism that most people will answer, when asked a question. Once you know what they want you can identify a path toward true wine/win for both parties. So, next time you are negotiating, start w/ the ASK: … “so, tell me, what is the single most important thing you need out of this negotiation today? Then be quiet (very important!) and listen. Then deliver.
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Here's how you can use networking to strategize your career change.
I couldn’t agree more. When I was young, my dad told me that for every hand I shake could be worth $5 later to me in life. While that doesn’t sound as altruistic as I would like you to think of me, the truth is, I grew up without a lot of money so to my 10 year old self, that visual was a motivation to me…and while you get A LOT more than $$ from networking, that visualization helped me practice the fine art of engaging and contributing in an effort to connect. And the more you do it, the easier it is. Networking doesn’t have to come with lots of pressure. Maybe you commit to going to an event and set a goal of meeting just two new people. If you do that enough times, it will pay off. Personally, professionally and yes, even financially.
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Here's how you can enhance your creative skills.
I agree completely. Creativity - for me - is fueled by learning. I love to learn from others. I love to learn from different travels and cultures. I learn from actively listening. It’s part of my practices to ask a lot of questions and do my best to actively listen because I have found that when you are talking to an expert, you can gain subtle insights that can serve as the bedrock for innovation and spark creativity. Asking someone a question implies that you care about what the other person thinks or has to say. As humans we all want to feel appreciated, and cared for, so asking and listening are fundamentals I live by so that I not only deliver in my work and personal life, but so I can connect on a more personal level.
Activity
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The marketing world is evolving, and AI is leading the way. Stay ahead by tapping into these key trends: 💡 Personalization at Scale – Use AI to…
The marketing world is evolving, and AI is leading the way. Stay ahead by tapping into these key trends: 💡 Personalization at Scale – Use AI to…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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If you’ve been following me lately, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting about balancing bursts of productivity with breaks. I’m learning…
If you’ve been following me lately, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting about balancing bursts of productivity with breaks. I’m learning…
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Experience
Licenses & Certifications
Publications
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Ask & Deliver
Forbes
Honors & Awards
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Amazon Books #1 New Release in 12 unique categories!!
Amazon
My book about advertising, marketing and customer experience is a 12x bestseller! The book, Ask & Deliver: Discover the Heart of Your Business by Listening to the Voice of Your Customers, has reached the #1 spot in 12 different categories!!! Categories like #1 New Releases for Customer Relations, #1 in New Releases for Telemarketing, #1 New Release in Market Research, #1 in Marketing Communucation and Media, #1 in Digital Marketing and many more.
Order and Learn more at Amazon!
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2023 Business Hall of Fame Inductee (!!)
Greater Omaha Chamber
On August 23, 2023, I was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. It is a great, great honor to stand among the other incredible inductees - as a woman, and perhaps the youngest ever inducted, it is an incredible honor to stand among the other titans of industry, community leaders and Chang makers and public servants is an honor I will not soon forget. Thank you!!!
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2023 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies List
Inc. Magazine
The founders of these startups are delivering solutions to our nation’s biggest problems–and growing their businesses like crazy doing it.
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Omaha Business Hall of Fame (!!)
Greater Omaha Chamber
Every year, we recognize Omaha-area business luminaries for their incredible legacies and commitment to their business, industry and community. Honorees are inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame at a brilliant gala supporting the next generation of Omaha professionals.
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2018 Advertising Agency of the Year, AMA
American Marketing Association
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2019 Better Business Bureau INTEGRITY AWARD
Better Business Bureau
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2018 Best Ad Agency and Marketing Firm, Small
International Business Association
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2017 Best Ad Agency and Marketing Firm, Small
International Business Association
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Silver Stevie Award - OBI Creative 2016
International Business Awards
Mary Ann graciously accepted the Silver Stevie Award on behalf of OBI Creative in 2016 at a ceremony in Rome.
The International Business Awards is the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide—public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small—are eligible to submit nominations. This year, the 13th Annual IBAs drew 3,800 nominations from more than 60 nations and territories.
“I’ve always said that I would put our work up…Mary Ann graciously accepted the Silver Stevie Award on behalf of OBI Creative in 2016 at a ceremony in Rome.
The International Business Awards is the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide—public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small—are eligible to submit nominations. This year, the 13th Annual IBAs drew 3,800 nominations from more than 60 nations and territories.
“I’ve always said that I would put our work up against anyone, anywhere, and this Stevie Award supports that,” said our founder and CEO, Mary Ann O’Brien. “This award is good for OBI, great for our clients and even better for Omaha.” -
2016 AMA Marketer of the Year
American Marketing Association - Omaha Chapter
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“40 Under 40” Award Recipient
Midlands Business Journal
Organizations
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United Way‘s Women’s Leadership Council
Board Member
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Durham Museum
Board Member
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Creighton University’s Business Ethics Alliance
Board Trustee
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FBI Alumni Association
Member
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Ronald McDonald House of Omaha
Board Member
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Omaha Chamber Board, Executive Committee
Exec. Board Member
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Omaha Chamber Board
Board Member
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Boys Town Advisory Board
Board Member
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First Responders Foundation
Board Member
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Girlscouts of America, DreamLab Campaign
Honorary Chair
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Rescue Me Today
Member of the Board of Directors
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Join now to viewMore activity by Mary Ann
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OBI is a pioneer in customer-informed and -formed marketing. Since 2001, our process has remained the foundation of all of our work. When you…
OBI is a pioneer in customer-informed and -formed marketing. Since 2001, our process has remained the foundation of all of our work. When you…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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Attended ACG Nebraska this morning and heard the CEO of Scooters discuss their company. One of my takeaways comes from this slide. I’m going to…
Attended ACG Nebraska this morning and heard the CEO of Scooters discuss their company. One of my takeaways comes from this slide. I’m going to…
Liked by Mary Ann O'Brien
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Happy Employee Appreciation Day! 🎉 As I reflect on the journey of growing up with OBI Creative, I’m filled with gratitude for all the amazing…
Happy Employee Appreciation Day! 🎉 As I reflect on the journey of growing up with OBI Creative, I’m filled with gratitude for all the amazing…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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Did you know that Omaha has the LARGEST Young Professionals Summit in the country? 🤩 How great is that??!! Good things grow in the Midwest and our…
Did you know that Omaha has the LARGEST Young Professionals Summit in the country? 🤩 How great is that??!! Good things grow in the Midwest and our…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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A good marketing team uses descriptive and diagnostic customer data to inform their decisions. A GREAT marketing team automates its processes to make…
A good marketing team uses descriptive and diagnostic customer data to inform their decisions. A GREAT marketing team automates its processes to make…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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What will most agencies not touch with a 10-foot pole? Building a CAC model (customer acquisition cost). Here’s the thing. Somebody has to have the…
What will most agencies not touch with a 10-foot pole? Building a CAC model (customer acquisition cost). Here’s the thing. Somebody has to have the…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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I joined KPMG US in 1992 – as an intern. I was studying accounting at the time because I felt it would help me pursue my ambition of launching a…
I joined KPMG US in 1992 – as an intern. I was studying accounting at the time because I felt it would help me pursue my ambition of launching a…
Liked by Mary Ann O'Brien
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It’s always a joy when paths cross again with old friends, and this week I had one of those perfect moments! 😊 Kent McCuddin, the Creative Director…
It’s always a joy when paths cross again with old friends, and this week I had one of those perfect moments! 😊 Kent McCuddin, the Creative Director…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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Brand consistency isn't just a nice-to-have — it's essential for building trust and lasting relationships. Too often, marketers unknowingly sabotage…
Brand consistency isn't just a nice-to-have — it's essential for building trust and lasting relationships. Too often, marketers unknowingly sabotage…
Shared by Mary Ann O'Brien
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Next week I start a new role with FNBO. I’m a mix of emotions: excited beyond belief, nervous, a bit anxious, maybe a little sad, a tad of denial…
Next week I start a new role with FNBO. I’m a mix of emotions: excited beyond belief, nervous, a bit anxious, maybe a little sad, a tad of denial…
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