AQUILES ESTE
An engineer of culture.
Semiotician, Creative Director, Brand Consultant and expert on Content Management with 32 years of experience advising organizations across a multitude of categories in over forty countries spanning Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia. Aquiles stands as a trailblazer in harnessing Big Data to position, implement, and monitor brands across commercial, political and polimmercial landscapes. In 2016, he conceived the innovative Voting Journey Analytics Platform, foreseeing the outcomes of the United States’ national elections.
He has delivered numerous lectures at several of the most relevant business and innovation centers in Latam, Europe and the United States. He was visiting scholar in the Department of Linguistics at New York University and created the Brand Content Management course at the Business School of the University of Miami. As the former Creative VP at Lowe, Aquiles commanded regional brands like J&J, DirecTV, and Renault. Aquiles has also served as a distinguished judge in key creative competitions, such as Ojo de Iberoamérica. With a Ph.D. in Semiotics from the University of São Paulo. Aquiles has contributed to the New York Times and consulted to some of the most influential political and corporate leaders in the Americas on matters related to branding, public opinion, electoral marketing and crisis management. His accomplishments include receiving the International Design Magazine World Award. In his book, “Media Ecology in the Internet Age,” Alejandro Piscitelli recognizes Aquiles as “a foremost expert in Memetics and Content Shareability.”
JOSEPH JOHNSON
A leading figure operating at the intersection of Branding and Technology.
Joseph is professor of Marketing at the University of Miami and member of the Big Data Center at UM’s Institute for Data Science. He teaches AI in Marketing, Analytics, Product Development, Brand Management and Deep Learning methods for marketing.
His research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence as aid for managers. His findings have appeared in top journals such as the Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Science, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Retailing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of International Marketing, Journal of Public Policy and Marketing. His contribution on market entry strategies into India and China earned him the Paul Root Best Paper Award from the Journal of Marketing.
The New York Times featured his research on utilizing social listening tools to forecast elections and sales. Additionally, his insights garnered citations in notable publications, including the Financial Times of India, MSNBC, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. Joseph has given presentations at Cambridge University, Harvard University, University of Florida, and the Wharton School of Business. In 2023, he chaired the Marketing Science Conference that brings together the leading scholars and practitioners of marketing in the US. His influence extends well beyond academia, with thirty-two years of consulting for the pharma sector, health care, automobile, steel, petroleum, aviation, digital marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries.
JACOB M GEORGE
Marketing at the speed of AI.
Jacob is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience steering ventures across retail, technology, and education sectors. His pioneering efforts have significantly shaped the email marketing landscape in India, establishing him as a key figure in the industry.
Jacob’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of iCubes, a groundbreaking venture that revolutionized the email marketing in Asia. In the early 2000s, when the Indian market had limited quality operators in the email marketing domain, iCubes introduced innovative global email technology solutions, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Building on this success, Jacob launched cmercury, an AI-based email marketing platform renowned for its Machine Learning capabilities & industry best email deliverability and extended omnichannel features across mobile and web. Under his leadership, cmercury has consulted and managed the email marketing needs of over 1000 enterprises, both large and medium.
In 2019, Jacob ventured into the realm of digital learning with the establishment of Caspar Digital. This initiative aims to empower corporates and academics through innovative digital education solutions. Caspar Digital Academy has successfully provided courses to over 5000 professionals, academicians and students across Asia, fostering a new generation of digital-savvy individuals. Additionally, Caspar Ventures extends its reach into software development, creative studio services, and big data analytics.
Jacob’s forward-thinking approach continued with the co-founding of Paradym.ai, India’s first comprehensive generative AI platform devised for marketers. Paradym.ai is now utilized by marketers in 105 countries worldwide.
JOSÉ MANUEL ARIZA
A true pioneer in Social Intel.
Jose Manuel is a seasonal MBA distinguished marketing consultant and entrepreneur, with over 30 years of experience in management and consulting across diverse industries, markets, and academic realms, José embodies a rare blend of strategic acumen and creative prowess. His expertise spans strategic planning, branding, design thinking, business development, and marketing technological solutions, including CRM, CEM, loyalty marketing, big data analytics, and social intelligence, a field he pioneered in 2009. José’s career is marked by successful performance in commercial leadership roles within the telecommunications sector: TIM Telecom Italia Mobile, DIGITEL, DIGICEL, SKYTEL, and BLACKBERRY. As a forward-thinking professional, José excels in crafting holistic strategies that propel brand positioning efforts towards sustainable growth and competitive advantage. José’s comprehensive skill set positions him as a trusted advisor for top-tier decision-makers seeking transformative business strategies.
MATILDE NEUMANN
A visionary leader who transforms ideas into compelling narratives.
Matilde combines artistic sensitivity with business acumen, ensuring every project not only aligns with broader objectives but also pushes the boundaries of innovation. Her extraordinary ability to connect with people enables her to forge deep emotional bonds between brands and their audiences.
Over her 30-year career, Matilde has held leadership roles at prestigious agencies such as JWT, Lowe, Concept-McCann, and Semiotica. Her work has earned her countless awards, reflecting her exceptional talent and dedication. She has led campaigns for international giants like Kellogg’s, J&J, Unilever, P&G, and Kraft Foods, as well as iconic Venezuelan brands including Empresas Polar and Digitel.
Matilde’s influence extends beyond Venezuela. In Central America, she has significantly enhanced the Brand Equity of companies such as Digicel, Pollos Camperos, and Grupo Flores. Her expertise in political communication has been instrumental in forging a unique connection between citizens and key political parties across the Americas. Her collaboration with Amnesty International has played a critical role in mobilizing public opinion on human rights violations in Latin America, underscoring her commitment to social causes.
A Social Communicator from UCAB, Matilde entered the advertising world at just 18, specializing in Strategic Planning and Creativity. Her expertise has grown through continuous learning in Digital Marketing, AI, and Big Data Analytics, equipping her with a cutting-edge communication approach tailored for the digital generation.
CHRISTIAN PORRAS
An integral designer in graphics, branding and packaging.
It has made him stand out as an excellent visualizer and creative for many value chain brands such as Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods, Unilever, P&G and many others. Always part of a creative team, he developed an understanding of a brand’s communicational requirements early on since mid seventies in Sweden. That added to the knowledge of production and cinematography processes, made him the responsible for JWT’s audiovisual for a period of time.
Always a special projects man, he’s been to the US and Latin America for creative assignments since the 80s. By 1997, along with a small group of ex-JWT professionals, he receives the mission of founding the Caracas chapter of Ogilvy & Mather, a sister agency of JWT and also part of the WPP Group. There he consolidates a successful operation of regrouping and winning accounts of the Ogilvy agency international roster of clients along with an excellent output of local agency creative during his responsibilities as part of the directive team as VP Creative.
Has attended Venezuelan enterprisers and local commercial clients’ needs for many years through branding and packaging and his work can be found on the shelves of supermarkets today as well as several local brands of which he was fundamental in creating along a lengthy career that began in the 70s till today. Critical and opinionated, has also been part of Semioticas’ original group giving graphic life to branding statements to confirm their positioning. And last, but not least, an avid motorcyclist part owner of a motorcyclist apparel brand and also has a passion for designing cars.
JUAN CARLOS GIRÓN
Chief Technology Officer.
Juan Carlos Girón is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of experience in the Information Technology sector. As the Chief Technology Officer at SEMIOTICA, he drives the integration of advanced technology solutions to empower and differentiate our offerings in a competitive marketplace.
With a strong analytical mindset and a commitment to meeting deadlines, Juan excels in developing innovative strategies that align technology with business objectives. His leadership skills foster collaboration among cross-functional teams, ensuring that all professionals work cohesively towards achieving shared goals. Juan, possesses a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance brand visibility and engagement. His ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders has been instrumental in bridging gaps and fostering productive partnerships.
Dedicated to continuous improvement and excellence, Juan is passionate about harnessing technology to create impactful marketing solutions that resonate with clients and drive measurable results. Under his guidance, SEMIOTICA remains at the forefront of innovation, delivering exceptional value to our clients.