Marlice Johnson is a Marketing Executive, with 15+ years of experience in successfully connecting the dots between creative prowess, consumer needs, and GTM execution in the global market, as previously demonstrated through delivering large scale campaigns for Mitchell & Ness, NIKE, Red Bull, T-Mobile, and LG Electronics respectively.
Her unique skill set allowed Marlice to approach challenges from different perspectives, and understand subtle market nuances that make not so subtle difference between failure and success.
In addition to conceptualizing and executing game-changing campaigns in the US, both when it comes to consumer engagement and strategic ROI, Marlice positioned herself as the go-to expert for international markets, most notably Southeast Asia and Africa.
Although hands-on experience in marketing is invaluable on its own, becoming an EMBA graduate from Thunderbird provided Marlice with great depth when it comes to different regulatory systems and business environments necessary for applied global management, as well as a c-level network around the world.
There are so many I can't name just one. I'm obsessed with books, in love with podcasting, and binge watch documentaries!
It's a toss up between the double exclamation mark and the heart
Heidi Klum and Lupita Nyong'o
my vitamins
The people
Don't live your life in the Wake, every day is a new opportunity
As Vice President, Jaclyn maintains a decade of experience in luxury, spirits, and hospitality PR working across a variety of brands from food and beverage to travel and everything in between. Prior to joining the 5th Column, Jaclyn served as Vice President of DKC’s lifestyle and hospitality divisions where she led the communications strategy for clients including Belvedere Vodka, 1 Hotels, Lotte New York Palace, Don Papa Rum, Courvoisier, and more. Jaclyn has experience working on brands such as Cointreau, Kim Crawford, St-Germain, Martini sparkling wines & vermouth, and E. Guigal from her time at Nike Communications. Jaclyn has also worked on Champagne Nicholas Feuillatte, the William Grant & Sons portfolio (Hendrick's Gin, Milagro Tequila) and the Moet Hennessy Estates & Wines portfolio (Cloudy Bay, Chandon, Terrazas, Newtown, etc. ) during her time at the Magrino Agency. Jaclyn graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and double majored in Psychology. In 2014, Jaclyn was named by the New York Observer as one of “9 Names to Watch in PR.”
Books: The Four Agreements and Tribe of Mentors;
Podcasts: How I Built This
Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create
My sister in law! She is the chicest.What item can’t you live without? My eye mask to sleep :)
The people! Both my colleagues and clients are truly amazing people. I feel very lucky to do what I love!
Akbar is a true leader of the next generation in public relations, communications, social media and marketing. He has taken his global cultural perspective, business acumen and experience at leading public relations agencies to build a creative communications consultancy that challenges the traditional PR agency model. Keeping each client’s bottom line of increased sales and growth in mind has resulted in strong communication campaigns and brand launches that have made clients leaders and innovators in their respective industries.
Akbar's expertise spans across sectors with strong knowledge and experience in hospitality, spirits, fashion, beauty, luxury lifestyle, technology and corporate communications. The agency has worked with and currently represents some of the top brands in the world including Rémy Martin, Belvedere Vodka, Champagne Bollinger, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc, Publicis Sapient, iFlix, Carbon38, Boxed, The Dalmore Whisky and more.
Akbar was born in Michigan and grew up internationally in both Pakistan and the Middle East. He studied International Relations & French at Tulane University and pivoted from a career path in diplomacy to public relations and marketing having previously worked at Peppercomm, Quintessentially, Harrison & Shriftman, Nike Communications and Mission Media before founding The 5th Column in 2015.
Akbar has worked on major global initiatives and campaigns for clients including Grey Goose Vodka, W Hotels, Mr. Chow, Nikki Beach Worldwide, Publicis Sapient, Van Cleef & Arpels, Champagne Bollinger, Montblanc, Dewar's Whisky, Rémy Martin, (RED), Americares, the United Nations and a number of LVMH brands including: Möet & Chandon, Belvedere Vodka, Ardbeg & Glenmorangie. Additionally, Akbar has worked on and executed large scale experiential events for clients at the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, Art Basel Miami, New York + Paris Fashion Weeks, TED conferences, and more.
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade - and podcast "On Purpose" Jay Shetty
Always lead with LOVE and you will always succeed
Pelayo Diaz (@pelayodiaz)
My Nespresso machine!
My team, the 5C family, and doing incredible work for our clients together
Kristin joined The 5th Column as Vice President with over 8 years of experience working across luxury and lifestyle verticals including fashion, hospitality, travel, beauty, spirits and tech. She heads up the agency's Los Angeles office.
Kristin previously served as PR Director at Day One Agency where she was an integral part of the communications team executing creative strategy and major activations for Instagram, Facebook, several Bacardi brands and American Express. Prior to this, she managed brands including 1 Hotels, W Hotels, Belvedere Vodka and Jaguar Land Rover. She has extensive experience in large scale events including New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, Miami Swim Week, coordinating international press trips and brand launches and more
I'm a big reader so it's hard to narrow down but one of my favorites is Unbroken - it's such an incredible story of human perseverance that you almost can't believe it's true! I also love The Alchemist for the message behind it. It's a book I've shared with a lot of my friends and family!
Gigi Hadid - she makes everything from workout gear to Met Ball gowns look insanely cool and so effortless
FaceTime especially now that I'm a flight away from my family and closest friends!
So many things! I love the amount of creativity that I get to put in everyday and actually see those ideas come to life. I’ve had jobs before where there was always a lot of red tape to work through but at 5C truly we’re an extension of our clients’ team and are in the trenches with them creating and collaborating.
“Trust the timing of your life” — honestly, no one has figured it out! I think it’s human nature to look around and compare yourself to where other people are or what they’ve accomplished, but if you just trust things are going to work out the way they should, the results are usually pretty remarkable. Hindsight is definitely 20/20 - looking back, things I used to be so concerned about ended up better than I could have imagined so I always try to keep this advice in the back of my mind!
Micha leads client and brand strategy for the consumer goods, media, retail and lifestyle verticals for The 5th Column. She has a track record of leadership of global teams and brands, including NIKE and Brand Jordan, where she created multi-million-dollar collections and led international campaigns for the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Following her time at Nike, she worked around the world and specifically in emerging markets growing some of the world's most dominant consumer portfolios including Diageo, Reckitt-Benckiser, Frito-Lay, Cadbury, Nabisco, Kraft and Moët-Hennessy. Following a 15-year multinational corporate marketing career, she forayed into the world of film and television entertainment, via her role as Head of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for film production company CreativeChaos vmg, where she led the company's marketing, communications and social action campaigns, as well as their corporate and non-profit partnerships. Micha holds a Master's degree in Media and Communications from The London School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in International Business and Marketing from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Documentary - What Happened Ms Simone?
Melina Moutsakas and Solange Knowles
My black and white NIKE Flyknit Air Max 90s
Seeing our ideas go from strategy to life and mentoring and working with such a talented 5C team!
So many things! I love the amount of creativity that I get to Trust God in all things - from my Momma
Kamara Ferrell is a Senior Account Executive at the 5th Column, working with clients across the luxury lifestyle space -- past and present including: AGENT New York, AvecLes Filles, Belvedere Vodka, Champagne Bollinger, The Dalmore Whisky, Don PapaRum, HAOMA, Maaji Swimwear, Ponzi Vineyards, Rémy Martin, Vivrelle and more.
Before her time at The 5th Column, Kamara worked on the marketing team at the ProspectPark Alliance and supported the PR efforts of fashion brands such as ArianaRockefeller, Mack Weldon and To Boot New York.
In 2016, Kamara graduated from New York University with a Bachelors' Degree inPsychology.
I don't have favorites of things but I saw the "Minimalism" documentary a couple of years ago and it really stuck with me.
My aunt's
I don't feel this way about things
I've always enjoyed securing coverage as it's a clear identifier that I'm doing my job well.
Kelly is an account executive at The 5th Column, where she has worked across several of the agency’s corporate and luxury clients, including Publicis Sapient, FLYJETs, Silhouette and Vivrelle.
Kelly began her career at Nectar Communications, a technology and B2B public relations agency, servicing clients such as Amazon Business, Soul Machines, Natural Cycles and Autodesk, as well as managing Amazon Business’ social media presence. She graduated from Northeastern University with a dual degree in marketing and graphic design.
When she’s not in the office, Kelly enjoys reading, roller skating, and vintage shopping.
"Just My Type" by Simon Garfield. I promise, you need to read this book about fonts.
Gwen Stefani. I collect clothes from her L.A.M.B. line but would love to steal from her personal wardrobe.
Noise-cancelling headphones. They make riding the subway a lot more pleasant.
All the writing opportunities! Pitches, bylines, press releases, you name it, I love it.
My mom told me if you’re ever feeling confused or can’t figure out what to do, go get an iced coffee. It gives you an easy, achievable goal and a caffeine boost so you can solve your problem with a clearer head.
Kyla is an Account Executive at The 5th Column, where she works across several of the agency's fashion, beauty and spirits accounts. Kyla's passion for luxury was ignited when she spent a summer living in Paris and has led her to work with brands including Van Cleef & Arpels, Champagne Bollinger, MJZ, Vivrelle, Silhouette and more. Prior to joining The 5th Column, Kyla received her Masters in Luxury Fashion Marketing and Communications from LIM College.
When she’s not working, Kyla enjoys her time traveling, doing pilates, trying new restaurants and enjoying all of what New York City has to offer.
This is a tough one! I love the BoF podcast to stay on top of industry news and the U Up podcast for a good laugh.
Erika Girardi from the RHOBH. Her looks are always really fun and make a statement- which is the whole point of fashion in my opinion!
A good pair of lashes make everything better!
Definitely all of the events and the amazing people I get to meet. Who doesn't love a good party?!
"How you deal with a problem determines whether or not it remains a problem."
Junaid is an Account Coordinator at The 5th Column where he works across the agency’s corporate clients and non-profit clients such as Publicis Sapient and Americares.
Junaid’s passion for seeking new and valuable experiences have led him to unique opportunities internationally. Prior to joining The 5th Column, Junaid was an Associate for The United Nations Development Programme where he provided critical strategic support to the HIV, Health and Development and Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector teams.
When he’s not working, Junaid enjoys his time traveling, photography and volunteering for his favorite charities and organizations, including UN Foundation, SAP Next-Gen, and Save the Children.
The Great Gatsby
Eric Yall
AirPods
Having the opportunity to work across a diverse range of clients from fashion to consumer lifestyle to technology and non-profit organizations
Work hard. Stay humble.
