Omar Johnson is a tech CEO and leadership expert known for his work in marketing and branding. He has built world-class brands at Beats by Dre, Nike, Apple, Kraft, and Coca-Cola. As the founder of ØPUS United and a recognised thought leader, he has a reputation for creating strong consumer connections and driving significant revenue growth. Business Insider named him one of the most innovative CMOs in America, and Adweek honoured him as a “Brand Genius.”
Omar gained prominence as Beats’ first CMO, where he transformed the company from a struggling brand into a market leader, increasing sales from $20 million to $2 billion. Under his leadership, Beats became the top headphones brand globally before its acquisition by Apple for $3 billion. His innovative marketing strategies included a viral campaign during the London Olympics, which boosted international sales by 600%, and the “Straight Outta Somewhere” meme generator for Dr. Dre’s biopic, which became a social media phenomenon.
Before joining Beats, Omar began his career at Coca-Cola, followed by roles at Kraft Foods and Campbell’s Soup. He later worked at Nike, where he produced memorable commercials featuring athletes like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. After the acquisition of Beats, he served as Vice President of Marketing at Apple before founding ØPUS United, a brand management firm in Beverly Hills. At ØPUS, he leads a diverse team of professionals focused on “Culture-Centric Design,” which leverages insights from popular culture to drive brand success.
Omar is also committed to social initiatives, promoting conversations around racial equity and empowering younger generations. He serves on the boards of Qualtrics and Theragun. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he holds a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Georgia State University and an MBA from Emory University.
In his talk, Omar Johnson shares how Beats by Dre successfully entered a competitive market dominated by established brands like Bose. By employing innovative marketing strategies, such as providing free headphones to renowned athletes and creating exclusive events for Olympic competitors, Omar generated significant buzz around the brand. Attendees will learn how to implement guerrilla marketing techniques to effectively increase their own company's market share.
In his talk, Omar Johnson, former marketing head of Beats by Dre, emphasises the importance of listening over data analysis in idea development. He fostered a flat organisational structure that encouraged contributions from all team members, regardless of experience. By engaging directly with users, his team discovered genuine insights that propelled Beats to become a billion-dollar brand. Attendees will learn effective techniques for cultivating authentic ideas and harnessing the power of listening in marketing.
Omar Johnson transformed Beats headphones into a viral sensation and global success with minimal budget, demonstrating that effective brand awareness hinges on listening, curiosity, and emotional connection. In his talk, he will share insights from his journey, highlighting innovative and unconventional marketing techniques that foster genuine connections with audiences. Attendees will learn how to leverage truth and emotion to elevate their own branding efforts.
