Paul Smailes

Paul Smailes is a growth and marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in assisting world-class brands and businesses expand across various industries and regions like the US, Latin America, and Europe.

His career journey started at Saatchi & Saatchi, spanning locations in Argentina, Miami, and New York, where he aided global brands in driving business growth through brand building, advertising, and promotional marketing.

Transitioning to the 'client' side after six years, Paul led the national launch of Dos Equis 'Most Interesting Man in the World' campaign, propelling the brand to #3 import in the US. He later joined the global Heineken team in Amsterdam, overseeing global digital, social, and innovation marketing, which led to Heineken being recognized as Creative Marketer of the Year by Cannes in 2014.

Returning to the US to work for a startup, he became the head of marketing for Harry's, where he managed brand, acquisition, and retention marketing, contributing significantly to the rapid growth and disruption of the men's grooming industry.

In 2016, Paul took on a prominent role at Booking.com, where he progressively assumed larger marketing responsibilities across the US, Latin America, and Europe. In September 2020, he transitioned to a new role leading the team responsible for developing and executing Booking.com's overall business strategy and growth in the US, overseeing various cross-functional teams.

Educationally, he studied an International Executive Leadership Course at INSEAD and holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Business with Honors from Bristol Business School, University of West of England.

Throughout his career, Paul held key positions such as US Director of Strategy, Growth & Business Operations, Global Marketing Director, Americas Marketing Director, and US Marketing Director at Booking.com. Prior roles include Managing Director at SwellShark, VP of Marketing at Harry's Grooming, Global Head of Digital Marketing at Heineken, among others.