Business people : Jill Nickels joins Gensler as Senior Strategist in Brand and Retail Practice Areas

San Francisco, Oct 09, 2013 -
Gensler, the leading global design firm, announced today that Jill Nickels has joined Gensler as a senior strategist in the company’s San Francisco office. Jill will lead the strategy and client relationship efforts for projects in the Lifestyle studio, overseeing a wide range of practice areas such as retail, hospitality, and brand design.

With more than 20 years of experience focusing on the understanding and implementation of consumer engagement through brand, marketing and visual design for companies such as Mountain Hardwear and Marmot, Jill is highly skilled at developing the integration of a brand’s personality in all physical environments, including global retail build-outs. At Gensler, Jill will work closely with clients to ensure that innovative design also meets financial and strategic goals, and clearly communicates the personality of the brand. Gensler has a long history of helping brands express themselves in new ways, and Jill will continue to expand these capabilities for the company.

“Jill brings a unique balance of left and right brain skills to our design process,” said Dian Duvall, Brand Design Practice Area Leader. “Her 20+ years of business strategy and merchandising experience will further enhance our creative teams’ ability to meet our clients’ business goals.”

Prior to joining Gensler Jill was Vice President of Strategy and Business Development with Hanson Dodge Creative, where she led efforts to develop the brand experience through all communication channels of the active lifestyle consumer. Jill’s responsibilities included strategic sales and business development leadership, as well as leading the strategic development and implementation of marketing and retail strategies that connect brands with high value consumer segments. In addition, Jill successfully introduced Hanson Dodge to new audiences through speaking engagements and white papers, establishing the agency as thought leaders in the outdoor, bike and fitness industry.

“In today’s ever changing business climate it is essential to build an emotional connection through user engagement,” said Jill. “It begins with building a brand and defining a personality that will take shape in physical build-outs.”

Jill holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Ceramics, cum laude, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Dean’s List and Honors List.

Jennifer Fink, Gensler, jennifer_fink@gensler.com, 415-433-3700

By press release