J.J. Peterson

Dr. J.J. Peterson is a brand messaging strategist, marketing professor, and recognized voice in narrative marketing. Peterson holds a doctorate in communication and serves as a professor at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Before his work at StoryBrand, he spent two decades teaching and practicing communication in the entertainment industry and higher education. His career has included improv comedy, writing, directing, and acting in Hollywood, followed by earning a master's degree in theology in the arts—a study of story in art, music, television, and film—before teaching communication at the university level.

Peterson gained national prominence as the chief of teaching and facilitation at StoryBrand, a marketing company founded by New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller that teaches companies how to clarify their message and connect with customers through a proven methodology. As a communicator and brand strategist, Peterson led a business that helps leaders eliminate confusion, connect with customers, and grow—a method trusted by more than 10,000 organizations including Intel, Pantene, and Berkshire Hathaway. He has also worked in marketing and public relations for two multinational nonprofit organizations and has spoken to thousands about creating clear messaging.

Peterson is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of "Marketing Made Simple" and the previous host of two chart-topping podcasts: "Marketing Made Simple" and "Building a StoryBrand." His work translates complex communication theory into actionable marketing frameworks, and his academic research examined the measurable influence of narrative marketing on organizations. Peterson's experience spans Hollywood film production, global nonprofit communications, and a stint debating theology at the Sundance Film Festival. He has worked in Hollywood, directed a documentary, and appeared as a backup dancer in a Missy Elliott music video as well as in episodes of "The Office" and "The West Wing."

Peterson is the founder of Conscious Brand Agency, where he helps people and businesses align their message with their mission and build effective marketing strategies. He has traveled internationally assisting companies in creating clear messaging and marketing, and has served on the boards of two nonprofits: Solidarity, which equips LatinX immigrant families for neighborhood transformation, and Imaginarium, a nonprofit focused on bringing together individuals, families, communities, and businesses to collectively imagine a better world. Whether leading workshops for global brands, delivering keynotes, or teaching at Vanderbilt, Peterson combines academic rigor, practical experience, and storytelling in his approach to marketing and communication.