A long and diverse portfolio that has touched most areas of the company over the past 16 years. Positions held:
2003 Director of Communications
2004 Vice President of Communications
2007 Chief Marketing Officer
2014 Chief Strategy Officer
Career Highlights:
The Courts at Mayo Clinic Square. Led the development of the acclaimed Timberwolves training center -from concept to completion. Included helping secure and integrate the organization's largest single partnership with the Mayo Clinic.
Target Center Renovation. Led the 8-year effort to renovate Target Center Renovation. Included legislative efforts at state capitol, negotiations with the City of Minneapolis and the design and construction of the project.
Team Rebranding. Led the national award-winning effort to rebrand the Timberwolves for the first time in 22 years. Included new logos, uniforms and full identity for three teams. Also included leading the 9-month campaign to introduce them all and developing the iconic Prince-themed uniform.
Modernizing Business Operations. Built the organization's business analytics department and led the transition to enterprise CRM, and automated marketing platforms.
G-League Franchise. Led the efforts to research, select, acquire and run the organization's G-League franchise, the Iowa Wolves.
Esports Franchise. Sheparded the organizations foray into esports. Led the efforts to start a new franchise from the ground up and run our team in the NBA2K League, T-Wolves Gaming.
Spokesperson. Serve as a primary spokesperson for business issues and enterprise-level media relations.
Crisis Management. As the team's crisis management executive, I have become one of the most experienced crisis managers in sports. Includes 28 player-related issues, 20 head coaching changes, and 6 GM transitions.
Media Negotiations. Negotiated more than 40 broadcast contracts worth in excess of $500M.
Content Distribution. Was leader within professional sports by developing in-house capabilities to produce team content and distribute across owned and earned channels.
Championship Efforts. Experienced the pinnacle of success by earning 4 WNBA Championships and 1 NBA2K League Championship -one ring for every finger!
Representing Our Brands Around the World Johnson has represented his clients and work around the world -whether speaking at conferences, organizing events, or participating in charitable missions, he has found unique ways to build bridges across cultures to advance objectives of the organizations he supports.
Director Weber Shandwick International September 1999-August 2003
Co-created and co-led one of the agency's largest and most visible accounts, the $12M "Target Market" tobacco prevention campaign. Results were an amazing 25% reduction in teen smoking and youth organization of 40,000 teens that exceeded its goal by 800%.
Account Executive Himle Horner Public Affairs January 1999-August 1999
Built three Midwest state coalitions to advance the legislative agenda of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer's Association (PhRMA). Also assisted in legislative efforts to secure a casino at Canterbury Park and to save motor vehicle emissions testing.
Deputy Campaign Manager Humphrey Gubernatorial Campaign March 1997-December 1998
Directly managed four areas of the campaign: Field, Political, Greater MN Media and Scheduling. Developed strategies and tactics as well as managing a staff of 25 and a $2M dollar budget. Also included briefing the candidate prior to appearances and establishing constituency groups that advised the campaign on policy positions.
Special Assistant Minnesota Attorney General's Office December 1994-February 1997
Directed the strategic long-range planning of the Attorney General's schedule and managed greater Minnesota media relations efforts. Duties also included staffing the Attorney General, assisting in inter-governmental affairs and supporting the passage of the Attorney General's legislative agenda.
Field Director Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaigns 1992 & 1996
Developed strategies and tactics for Minnesota campaign and to support other Democratic candidates on the general election ballot. Responsible for coordinating field activities and represented the campaign at candidate forums, community meetings, political rallies and college classes. Served as campaign spokesperson in limited television and newspaper interviews and radio talk shows.
Advance Staff President William Jefferson Clinton December 1994-May 1996
Supervised the preparation and logistical coordination of sites for Presidential, Vice Presidential or First Lady visits, speeches and events. Worked closely with White House staff, United States Secret Service, members of the media, and served as White House liaison to politicians and business leaders prior to and during visits.
Campaign Manager Congressman James Oberstar June 1993-November 1994
Managed the reelection efforts of Congressman Oberstar and was the only Minnesota Democratic campaign to increase their winning percentage in 1994. Served as campaign spokesman with media and developed a coordinated campaign plan for the U.S. Senate, Gubernatorial and 24 state legislative races.
Assisted Senator Solon and Committee Administrator in scheduling committee hearings and writing legislative summaries. Also staffed the Senator and was responsible for legislative research and constituent correspondence.