about mario

I was born in Germany, came to the US 16 years later, went to college in Montana. Got to live in places like England, France, Spain, Montana, Seattle, LA, Portland and now LA again. After failing as a ping-pong player and comedian, I ended up in advertising.

Started as a very young new business guy, and quickly learned that it’s all about results. Helped double Wongdoody’s LA office in both headcount and billings, resulting into a serious shortage of bathroom space. Won a big award that made me want to start working on clients’ business. Then joined America’s largest independent Direct Response agency where I ran and grew the interactive division. After a few years of rain and DR, I am now back in Los Angeles starting a digital performance agency called Quillion.

Active on the board of advisors at the University of Montana and teach marketing strategy at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Gave my first college graduation speech at the age of 25. Gave my first speech about David Hasselhoff at the age of 26. The latter mostly helped clean up my calendar of speaking engagements. Going to be an Ironman before the age of 30.