TED JOHNSON
  • Home
  • Bio
  • My Work
  • Resume
  • interviews
  • Speaking
  • Awards
  • Community
  • Contact

A career of solving complicated problems.


Picture
President & CEO
Norden Strategies
2020-Present

Norden Strategies is a boutique consulting firm that guides organizations looking to do something big.  Using 30 years experience, Norden weaves together multiple disciplines to create comprehensive strategies that achieve results.  Clients span multiple industries including; sports, esports, design, ​ construction, food service, affordable housing, sports & entertainment facility development.


Picture
Chief Strategy Officer 
Timberwolves,  Lynx, Iowa Wolves & T-Wolves Gaming    
August 2003-May 2020

A long and diverse portfolio that has touched most areas of the company over the past 17 years. Positions held:
​
  1. 2003  Director of Communications
  2. 2004  Vice President of Communications
  3. 2007  Chief Marketing Officer
  4. 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.  
 
Norway
New Zealand
Kuwait
France
China
Australia
Croatia
Mexico
England
Canada
Brazil
Turkey

Picture
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%.  


Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
Committee Clerk
Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee
1991 Session & 1992 Session

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.

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Bio
  • My Work
  • Resume
  • interviews
  • Speaking
  • Awards
  • Community
  • Contact