Alan Armitstead

Alan Armitstead is the founder of Maranex LLC, a research and creative agency based in Phoenix, Arizona.12 With over 30 years of experience in marketing research and data analytics, Armitstead has a diverse background in advertising, marketing, and consumer insights.2

Career Highlights

Early Career:: Armitstead's marketing journey began on the agency side after graduating from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He handled local business for McDonald's, which he credits as a valuable learning experience.1

Oil and Gas Industry:: Following his success with a national McDonald's campaign, Armitstead spent about 11 years in the oil and gas industry, working for Gulf Oil and Petro-Canada. He held various roles, including Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and had P&L responsibility for a $100+ million retail division.1

Research and Consulting:: For nearly 27 years, Armitstead worked at IMI International, a marketing research consultancy. He started in the Canadian office and later moved to the USA in 2001 to open one of their first international offices. As Managing Director of the USA Division, he provided research and consulting services to several Fortune 100 companies across various industries.1

Maranex LLC:: In January 2020, Armitstead founded Maranex, bringing his experience full circle back to the advertising agency business. The company combines consumer insights with creative services, focusing on B2B clients and the health and wellness sector.12

Skills and Expertise

Armitstead describes himself as a researcher, storyteller, and songwriter. He has a strong appreciation for great advertising and emphasizes the importance of consumer insights in developing effective marketing strategies.1

Education

Armitstead is a graduate of the University of Alberta, though specific details about his degree are not provided in the available information.1