We are 4042North. Proven experts at crafting unique ideas and building effective solutions. Reaching new customers. Guiding cannabis brands to unparalleled results.

OUR STORY

4042North Cannabis Brand Marketing got its start when a seasoned cannabis business consultant partnered with a brand marketing agency.

An initial client – a cultivator located in Northern California’s distinguished Emerald Triangle region which, latitudinally, lies between the 40th and 41st parallel north – inspired and solidified the partnership.

And from this inspiration a new agency was established in Chicago which, latitudinally, lies between the the 41st and 42nd parallel north.

The new agency was christened 4042North, in recognition of its latitudinal proximity to its source of inspiration.

While working as a team we discovered we were not only latitudinally, but more importantly, attitudinally alike.

Valuing curiosity creativity and courage. Embracing both working hard and working smart. Believing great ideas must be grounded by insight, and strategy must be elevated by inspiration. These similarities, paired with the diverse professional experience and knowledge of the team’s individual members, resulted in something rare and remarkable…

THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

A powerful and unique group of professionals with proven integrated marketing communications experience AND cannabis industry expertise.

Armed with in-depth brand-building and planning knowledge for the world’s top brands, coupled with years of brand activation success for multiple regulated categories uniquely paired with real-world management and operations experience for a vertically integrated cannabis producer and retailer.

A cannabis-focused brand marketing agency without parallel for an industry that has yet to reach its full potential.

taking cannabis brands
to unparalleled heights.

OUR CLIENTS

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE

We know brands. We’ve been building them for a long time. We have been creating strategic platforms for many companies you already know, love and most likely use. We also know how to activate brands across the path to purchase.

Cannabis has its own set of challenges. We’ve successfully navigated some highly regulated categories including tobacco, pharma and spirits and now have a track record with some highly successful cannabis products. (Ask us, we’re happy to share.)

We feel the principles and discipline of traditional branding along with the deep understanding and nuances of the cannabis industry position us to be your unparalleled go-to source.

HOW WE WORK

HOW WE GO ABOUT CREATING YOUR BRAND WITH OUR UNIQUE APPROACH.
We live in an endlessly connected world fueled by complex, data-driven digital ecosystems where the only constant is change. Change that creates opportunity if you embrace it, and obsolescence if you don’t.

The cannabis industry is experiencing dramatic growth as an ever-increasing number of States and consumers recognize its natural benefits, creating abundant opportunities to build meaningful cannabis brands.

That’s where 4042North comes in. We connect solid strategy with innovative ideas, captivating content with shareable social, deep data dives with dazzling design. Devising and deploying cannabis brand marketing that capitalizes on the opportunities sparked by change.

HOW?
We look at the world with a wide lens and understand that every step in the cannabis marketing process is interrelated and interconnected.

Our approach focuses on how people live, share, and shop.

LIVE

The way people connect with brands is in the midst of radical change. And as ongoing cannabis legalization creates an entirely new category, this change will be even more pronounced for cannabis brands. We believe brands must not only resonate with the purpose behind human behavior, but also must advance the art of storytelling in more contextually relevant ways.

Digital is at the heart of change. We’re experts who are constantly tapped into, and informed by, the boundless social interactions and the application of big data to understand how brands should interact in that landscape. And given the level of emotion surrounding cannabis – this interaction takes on even more significance.

SHOP

At the end of the day, none of this matters if it doesn’t turn it into a transaction. We have deep expertise in how purchase decisions are made where it makes a difference – your bottom line.

Our team packs a substantial punch across a wide array of marketing disciplines.

STRATEGY AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH
BRAND STRATEGY
BRAND ARCHITECTURE
BRAND EXPRESSION
NAMING
LOGO & BRAND IDENTITY
STYLE GUIDE & BRAND BOOK DEVELOPMENT
ADVERTISING
INTEGRATED CAMPAIGNS
EMPLOYEE BRANDING
EXPERIENTIAL AND EVENTS

MARKETING
COMMUNICATIONS

DIGITAL CHANNEL STRATEGY
DIGITAL / WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT
CONTENT STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT
VIDEOS
PROMOTIONS
SPONSORSHIP AND EVENTS

STRATEGY AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT

PACKAGE DESIGN
CUSTOMER MARKETING
SHOPPER COMMUNICATIONS
BRAND ACTIVATION
RETAIL STORE & ENVIRONMENT DESIGN
ECOMMERCE
CRM & CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAMS

CORE TEAM

KEN HICKS

MANAGING PARTNER

ABOUT KEN

BEN DISANTI

PARTNER, STRATEGY & ANALYTICS

ABOUT BEN

SPARKY ROSE

PARTNER, CANNABIS PRACTICE LEAD

ABOUT SPARKY

JEFF KRUCEK

PARTNER, CLIENT SOLUTIONS

ABOUT JEFF

ANNE WAGNER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ABOUT ANNE

MIKE DOWNS

DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

ABOUT MIKE

TOM STIEFERMANN

PARTNER, CREATIVE STRATEGY

ABOUT TOM

STEPHANIE AGUIRRE

ACCOUNT PLANNING INTERN

SIERRA PENNALA

DESIGN INTERN

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Sign-up for our free article on the Branding Basics for Cannabis (to be published in mid August).

CONTACT US

4042North
73 W. Monroe Steet, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 961-8508
info@4042North.com

BEN DISANTI

What if a two-year-old was in charge of an entire agency, and lo and behold, that agency began to thrive?

Ben has always characterized himself as an “adult two-year-old” in that his hyper-curious mind is always asking Why? How come? What if? He has built the planning practices at four different agencies, drawing on his extensive experience in both Brand and Shopper disciplines. In the age of Big Data, Ben has an ability to sift through massive amounts of data and draw out critical nuggets of understanding that guide client initiatives to success on many different levels of marketing courses including Promotional Marketing, Shopper Marketing, and Account Planning at the University of Chicago Graham School, Roosevelt University and Columbia College.

Favorite Clients: Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Walmart, Burger King, Gatorade, Kroger, Bank of America, Cricket, Clorox

SPARKY ROSE

What if a creative mind was combined with a deep knowledge of the cannabis category to create a top-tier brand-building consultant?

After creating next-generation interactive television interfaces for the Discovery Channel, a patented digital matching platform for Robert Half International, and an award-winning metal-arts gallery in San Francisco, Sparky turned his eyes to cannabis back in 2004. As the Executive Director of Compassionate Caregivers, Sparky lifted the company from a pair of underperforming Northern California dispensaries into a west coast powerhouse with seven retail locations and three cultivation centers. A 25+ year veteran of the branding and design industry with deep expertise and focus in the medical and recreational cannabis industry, Sparky has consulted for cannabis companies large and small, nationwide. A visionary and believer in championing products that help society, he’s developed award-winning brands for the likes of Papa & Barkley, Sacred Mind & Body, and PharmaCann to name a few.

Favorite Clients: Papa & Barkley, PharmaCann, Sacred Mind & Body, Cannabis Training Institute, The Discovery Channel, Robert Half International, Chanel

JEFF KRUCEK

What if a mild-mannered account guy was actually a planner in disguise - obsessed with simplifying complicated business challenges and uncovering consumer insights?

While Jeff has over 20 years of account management experience at leading agencies including Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather and Geometry Global, He has always been obsessed with brand strategy. He has a highly strategic insight-driven approach to growing established brands as well as developing and launching new brands, products, and categories including highly regulated categories. His true passion is developing innovative marketing solutions that not only transform brand perceptions but inspire action. Equally important in today’s increasingly complex omnichannel world, Jeff brings extensive retail experience including traditional classes of trade and e-commerce to influence retailers and get on the shelf as well as the all-important moment of truth resulting in a purchase.

Favorite Clients: Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Visa International, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Philip Morris, Marlboro, Frito-Lay, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, SC Johnson, Altoids

ANNE WAGNER

What if a bookworm turned storyteller, channeled their manic curiosity and obsession with words into a career as a creative director and copywriter?

Anne believes every one you meet has something to teach you and that you should learn at least one new thing a day. Anne has written about everything from credit cards to cookies and crackers, to delving into the mystery that is the male relationship with shaving.

She has managed teams, built solid client relationships, become a go-to presenter, been a freelance conceptor, worked across categories and channels including shopper marketing, branding, marketing communications and digital. Her new interests are speechwriting, social media and branding in an increasingly virtual world. She is currently working on her UX certification.

Favorite Clients: Visa, Coca-Cola, alli, Gillette, Frito-Lay, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Oreo, Heineken, CVS, Crest, Tide, Ritz, Wheat Thins, Redbox, ConceiveAbilities

MIKE DOWNS

What if an accountant used his spreadsheets to drive top-notch creativity and consumer insights?

Mike is a trained accountant who shed his pocket protector to use his financial acumen and quantitative knack to manage agency operations and strategic planning. He has conducted landmark studies on shopper decision journeys, personified consumers through data, and developed promotional plans helping brands expand their retail footprint nationwide.
Mike has led project teams at three agencies to develop marketing campaigns, apps, and websites. He is a calming influence with an international perspective having attained his MBA from Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, further feeding his relentless curiosity and need for continued growth for himself, his team, and his clients.

Favorite Clients: Coca-Cola, Chick-Fil-A, ConceiveAbilities, DeliverCareRx, ONY Biotech, Grainful, Chicago Cares, FunkyChunky

TOM STIEFERMANN

What if an ambitious “Renaissance marketer” held creative, account, production and planning positions over the course of his career - and excelled at them all?

Tom has had the unique privilege of working - and excelling - in all of these roles during his 30+ year career. He’s also not just once, but twice, been at the helm of building a successful marketing agency from the ground up. This rare mix of 360° functional know-how, coupled with an irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit and decades of real-world marketing experience fuel his unique ability to bring insight and perspective to strategic brand planning.

Favorite Clients: Gatorade, Kodak, Target Stores, Haagen Dazs, Motorola, FTD, Kawasaki, Old Navy and Nestle

Drop Us a Line!

KEN HICKS

What if a marketing executive developed the special powers to see around corners and cast aside immovable objects in his pursuit of his clients’ success?

After years of performing super feats in the agency world, Ken’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him into business for himself. He is a relentless curiosity seeker and networker with the ability to connect business, strategy, ideas and people in a seamless way. A dynamic leader and highly-adept change agent, Ken has a proven track record of developing strategic marketing communications solutions and award winning programming, both domestically and internationally, that change human behavior, build brands and lead to increased engagement and transactions for clients businesses.

Favorite Clients: Coca-Cola, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, McDonalds, General Mills, Redbox, United, AT&T, Whirlpool, Ford Motor Company

OUR STORY

THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

OUR CLIENTS

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE

HOW WE WORK

LIVE

SHARE

SHOP

Our team packs a substantial punch across a wide array of marketing disciplines.

CORE TEAM

KEN HICKS

BEN DISANTI

SPARKY ROSE

JEFF KRUCEK

ANNE WAGNER

MIKE DOWNS

TOM STIEFERMANN

STEPHANIE AGUIRRE

SIERRA PENNALA

Sign Up to Receive Updates

Success!

BEN DISANTI

What if a two-year-old was in charge of an entire agency, and lo and behold, that agency began to thrive?

SPARKY ROSE

What if a creative mind was combined with a deep knowledge of the cannabis category to create a top-tier brand-building consultant?

JEFF KRUCEK

What if a mild-mannered account guy was actually a planner in disguise - obsessed with simplifying complicated business challenges and uncovering consumer insights?

ANNE WAGNER

What if a bookworm turned storyteller, channeled their manic curiosity and obsession with words into a career as a creative director and copywriter?

MIKE DOWNS

What if an accountant used his spreadsheets to drive top-notch creativity and consumer insights?

TOM STIEFERMANN

What if an ambitious “Renaissance marketer” held creative, account, production and planning positions over the course of his career - and excelled at them all?

Drop Us a Line!

KEN HICKS

What if a marketing executive developed the special powers to see around corners and cast aside immovable objects in his pursuit of his clients’ success?