Kerning is a strategically-lead branding, design and creative services consultancy. We strive to deliver digital-first, consumer-centric, marketing and design solutions driven by strategic analysis, hard data & creative results.
the kerning approach
We believe we’re the new model in design consultancies – a highly experienced core with a flexible,
on-demand specialist network, handpicked for your project.
Our clients range from F50 companies, to emerging and startup businesses. We work with local and global businesses alike, as they rapidly grow through in-store and online sales.
our team leads
Lisa Boh
Strategy Partner
Lisa’s mastery of brand strategy, customer understanding, and digital marketing blends innovative and proven processes. Honing these skills in immersive practice using quant and qualitative data in storytelling, she applies data-driven insight to creative execution.
She excels as an outsource CMO, leading insights, innovation, and marketing strategy for B2B and Consumer companies. From PE & VC-backed turnarounds, to rapid growth tech, or established companies who need to find new market opportunities, her nimble style works as a consultant our part of the team. Key categories include consumer products, health & wellness, and F&B.
She has a BS in Design from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP, and executive education certifications from Yale SOM.
Glen Spurrier
Creative & SERVICES Partner
A seasoned creative leader with expertise in branding, design and design management, Glen leads global brands and products from new product development through commercialization. His experience building teams and developing talent makes him a unique consultant with additional strengths in client collaboration and change management.
Utilizing design-thinking, rapid prototyping and strategic problem-solving methodologies, he excels at seeing opportunity through lenses of design, brand, financial, marketing, and sourcing. His seemingly endless supply of energy and passion allows him to continually develop relevant, cost-efficient and strategic design solutions that fulfill tangible business needs for all B2B, B2C channels, and CPG and private label clients alike.
Glen specializes in developing bespoke creative services, customized to your needs and, has developed and grown in-house teams and processes for multiple categories across the globe.
McKENNA L. BROOKS
Head of client management & content
McKenna has over 20 years of experience in consulting, sales, brand strategy/ management, customer loyalty marketing and local marketing publishing across digital and print media. Her passion for building unique brands, consumer insights and bringing beautiful content to life across channels is evident in her work.
After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Finance, McKenna pursued roles in consulting and sales, and then received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, where she studied brand marketing. She has spent the last 17 years doing just that – building brands and marketing for some of the biggest and most loved brands in the U.S., from Pillsbury to Totino’s, to Jergens and O’Keeffe’s, and ultimately to Simple Truth, a Kroger exclusive brand.
Over the past 5 years, McKenna has Owned and Edited The Scout Guide (TSG) Cincinnati, and grown that marketing platform for local businesses into one of the region’s strongest communication platforms available to locally owned businesses.
At Kerning Brands, McKenna is responsible for Client Management and Content Creation, and is most passionate about fueling the growth of new, small, entrepreneurial brands and businesses, and helping passionate business owners build their brands into those their customers love.
Julie’s experience includes new brand development & market launches. Developing traditional and digital marketing strategies for both global brands and digital agencies across multiple categories.
Julie’s helped create brands that people love, operating across research, conception to ongoing engagement, and has led client management, creative and strategic teams numerous regional and global B2B and B2C companies. At E.J. Gallo, she was responsible for managing the high-level strategic marketing initiatives for such brands including; Barefoot, Turning Leaf, Gallo Family Vineyards, Apothic Red, Ecco Domani, William Hill, Frei Brothers, Louis Martini, MacMurray Ranch, amongst others.
John’s a forward-thinking and highly accomplished creative director with a wide range of experience in account management, brand management, creative strategy development, and channel development.
Better known as “Kitz” he possesses a proven track record of successfully planning and building a strong, cohesive brand presence through strategic, creative design and consumer insights across all forms of media. Through many successful campaigns he’s developed both brand awareness and business growth among target and new consumers. He has vast experience turning around struggling and outdated brands. An effective leader who inspires, builds and manages teams and projects to successful results.
Heather’s extensive design management and marketing background begins with building creative teams in a small Cincinnati-based agency and managing that company through acquisition by a publicly-traded parent company. With a degree in visual communication, two decades of design leadership experience, and a six sigma green belt, she’s equal parts creative and process, a rare quality in design management. She’s managed multiple global accounts, focusing on both the strategic goals and everyday details, keeping the team motivated, focused, and efficient. She brings to kerning a wealth of experience in client management, process design, creative management, design and production.
A Smart and focused leader, Anna is highly analytical and an extremely strategic thinker with an impressive background in product development and brand management. She adds depth and expertise to brands and teams across multiple categories including Beauty Care, Juvenile Products and the Toys, to name a few.
Combining energy and passion with a transparent, collaborative approach, Anna is driven to improving the quality of products, services and organizations she works with.
With experience in global brands as well as startups, Anna has experience building cross functional teams, and processes to drive productivity and growth. Anna’s specialties include: Strategic Planning; Brand Development; New Business and Product Development, Marketing & Communications, Consumer and Trade Event Planning. She has demonstrated experience in driving disruptive and award winning innovation and building sustainable, scalable brand strategies that drive revenue growth stage companies as well as startups
Operating across Marketing & Sales, Business and Product Development functions Anna has worked at C-Suite levels managing global brands including Hasbro, Crabtree & Evelyn, Summer Infant, Tomy, and Stride Rite.
We look forward to working with you!
Our team has worked corporate & agency sectors and collectively have extensive marketing, design and promotional expertise across a multitude of media, channels, categories and brands.