PAUL SOSEMAN
PAUL SOSEMAN
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Like many entrepreneurial journeys, mine began with big ideas about what live brand experiences could achieve. As Founder and CEO of Department Zero from 2003 to 2020, I built a leading experiential marketing agency that delivered more than 60,000 activations for Fortune 500 brands across the automotive, technology, retail, travel, and CPG industries.
We grew to multiple US offices, managed field teams of thousands, and earned industry recognition and creative awards for campaigns that delivered measurable business results. We built client partnerships that lasted decades, including 17+ years with Toyota, because we understood that great experiential work requires both creative excellence and operational reliability.
I learned a lot of things growing an agency from scratch, but here's a key takeaway: The agencies that scale successfully don't just create award-winning work. They build the operational infrastructure that makes that work repeatable and sustainable. I've lived both sides of that equation. I've developed the creative strategies that win pitches. I've also built the resourcing models, financial systems, and operational frameworks that turn those strategies into flawless execution.
When the pandemic brought the events industry to a halt in 2020, I made the difficult decision to close Department Zero. Since then, I've been helping agencies and brand teams navigate the challenges I've faced: scaling operations while maintaining quality, integrating new capabilities, building teams that can handle growth, and creating systems that sustain exceptional work.
Today, through RoninXM, I offer fractional executive leadership for event and experiential marketing organizations. I work with experiential agencies building for stability and scale, ad/PR teams developing experiential capabilities, and brands managing complex activation programs.
I bring 25+ years of experience running both the creative and operational sides of an agency. I know how to win the work, execute it brilliantly, and build the infrastructure that makes it repeatable. I step in, work alongside teams, and help create the operational discipline and systems needed to turn growth into sustainable success.
I created RoninXM as a way to share the knowledge and experience I wish someone had shared with me years earlier, the kind of operational insights that could have accelerated my own growth exponentially and saved me from learning everything the hard way. Let me help you deliver the kind of brand experiences that clients love, audiences embrace, and stakeholders can't stop talking about.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Exhibitor Magazine / Corporate Event Awards (with links)
• Best Non-Conventional Event: Opal Apples Pop-up (2019)
• Best Road Show + Judges Choice: Second Skin Brand Launch (2018)
• Best Product Launch: Lufthansa Airlines #MoreConnected (2017)
• Best Road Show: Vanity Fair #LiftTour (2015)
Promo / Chief Marketer Magazine
• Top 200 US Promotional Agency (2013 - 2018)
Event Marketer / Experience Design + Technology Awards
• Best High- Tech Audience Interaction: Scion Live Event App (2016)
Ingrams Magazine (Kansas City Business Publication)
• Best Place to Work (2009)
• Fastest Growing Company (2010)
Published Articles
• AdWeek, Event Marketer, Exhibitor Magazine, MarketingProfs, Trade Show News Network, Marketing Tech News, PSFK, Chief Marketer, Forbes, Media Post, CEOWorld and more.
Speaking Engagements
• Experiential Marketing Summit, AAF, Event Tech and WOMMA.
VIDEO WORK SAMPLES
Brand: Lufthansa Airlines
Introduced new flights from San Jose to Frankfurt with a unique digital game + live streaming activation, virtual reality experiences, authentic flight crews and a chance to win free flights to Germany.
Brand: Vanity Fair Lingerie
Single-day pop-up event in NYC to promote new fabrics from Vanity Fair Lingerie. Custom containers created a luxe lounge, boutique, and meditation zone. We invited busy New Yorkers to join us, for a moment to breathe.
Brand: Dick's Sporting Goods
Product launch mobile tour to introduce Second Skin brand apparel to athletic-minded consumers and CrossFit enthusiasts at large sponsored events across the US.
Brand: Opal Apples
Pop-up orchard and selfie museum installation on Orchard Street in NYC to celebrate National Apple Day. Secondary activation on Fox and Friends. Featuring special tastings, 3-D photo experiences, virtual reality orchard tours, and more.
Project: #BallinOnTikTok College Tour
Brand: TikTok
To amplify awareness, downloads and use among the college demographic, TikTok hit the road to connect with students, celebrate the NCAA tournament basketball and give away free pizza.
Brand: Tourism Australia
Personalized augmented reality experience created for Tourism Australia
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Scion iM + iA launch event on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. Event featured 3D projection mapping, proximity smartphone app, photo engagement, flight simulator and more.
Brand: Delta Airlines
Introduced consumers to new in-flight snack options by deploying pop-up vending machines across the country. Many hungry participants got more than just a bite to eat.
Project: Dealership Training Experience
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Product training event to educate dealership sales associates on the new Scion iM + iA; included hands-on experiences both in the classroom and on the track.
Brand: Pabst Blue Ribbon
Pop-up interactive art gallery experience. Event featured local artists, personalized art creation stations, temporary tattoos, arcade games, live music and more.
Brand: Gordmans
An in-store fashion shows series that collaborates with local student organizations. Events leverage their insight and creativity to showcase new looks and retail product lines.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Consumer test-drive event held outside of the Portland International Auto Show. Attendees were welcomed to drive the entire Scion lineup during a 3-day exhibition.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Created a unique live +digital artwork experience using projection mapping and Wii remotes hidden in spray-paint cans to create digital graffiti art.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Series of track test-drive events to introduce the FR-S to Scion dealership sales staff. Featured hands-on tutorials with professional drift driver Ken Gushi.
Brand: Scion / theSLATE( Toyota Motor Sales)
Rally xD racing team "Special Stage" Party @ theSLATE; a pop-up lifestyle venue powered by Scion.
Brand: Scion / theSLATE (Toyota Motor Sales)
Weekly dance competition held at theSLATE, a Scion brand lifestyle pop-up venue in Portland, OR.
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