Who we are

Data-driven before it was cool

We are a full-service B2B marketing agency headquartered in San Diego, CA with an office in Boston, MA. Founded in 1999, we are born from technology and early pioneers of data-driven B2B marketing. Our unique ability to leverage data, technology and creativity together, has helped hundreds of marketers like GE, Honeywell, Workday and Lithium to prove and improve marketing’s impact on pipeline revenue.

Mission

Leveraging data, technology and creativity to improve marketing’s impact on revenue

Promise

B2B in the Black (v)

To partner with finance on new marketing models that actively drive pipeline performance.

Leadership

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Thad Kahlow | CEO

Thad Kahlow is the CEO of BusinessOnline. As a reformed finance nerd, Thad’s visionary passion for extracting smart, actionable insights from complex data has helped propel BusinessOnline into the national spotlight.

According to Aneel Bhusri, CEO, “BusinessOnline was part of our secret formula.” Karen Mandelson, CMO of Masco agrees, “BOL was the common element among all our most successful brands.”

Thad has spent his career building brands and businesses from the ground up. He has worked with both enterprise and entrepreneurial companies across SaaS, finance, energy and consumer product categories. Thad is considered an authority in B2B marketing and has presented at over 60 industry and executive conferences.

Learn more about how Thad can help you at your next B2B event today.

Learn about Thad’s commitment and passion to help girls in the third world get an education through his involvement with Girl Rising.

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Jeff MacGurn | COO

As Chief Operating Officer at BusinessOnline, Jeff focuses on creating operational excellence as well as working with clients to provide strategic consulting on their digital marketing programs. He has over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies in the Travel, Retail, Etail, Consumer Electronics, Financial, High Tech and Business to Business Industries with clients such as Sony, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Samsung, IBM, T-Mobile, Disney, Nikon, Apple, State Farm, Intel, Informatica, and Microsoft.

Prior to joining BusinessOnline, Jeff served as the Senior Vice President of Digital at Jerome’s Furniture, the Senior Vice President of Performance Marketing at Wunderman Thompson (Formerly Mirum), the Global Managing Director and Senior Vice President at iProspect, and the Senior Vice President of Performance Marketing at Covario. From repositioning a brand and building a digital channel in a brick and mortar industry at Jerome’s Furniture to building an agency at Covario from one person to over 200 and merging with iProspect, Jeff has developed a reputation for both growing large businesses and building new ones from the ground up.

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James Wheeler | CFO

With over a decade of senior financial leadership experience in the service, technology and consulting industries, James is responsible for the oversight of BusinessOnline’s accounting, treasury, financial planning & analysis, and tax functions.

After serving in the US Navy’s Submarine Service, James earned an MBA at the University of California, San Diego, where he held multiple fellowships. James has also studied Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics at MIT Sloan through their executive education program.

James has served as a board member for several non-profit organizations over the past decade, focusing on education and advocacy. Currently, he serves on the 2020 audit committee of the San Diego County Bar Association.

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David Schafer | Director of Strategy & Creative

David Schafer has been a musician and professional guitar builder. He holds two guitar design patents. But his passion for 20+ years has been advertising, establishing himself as a leading full-stack creative director who thrives on great brands, amazing design, neat technology and talented people.

David’s career client list includes some of the world’s most recognizable brands such as Oakley, Adobe, Paramount, Sony and Dell. He and his teams have collected more than 100 national and international awards from some of the most prestigious competitions and across all media including digital advertising, social, TV, web and print. His work has been recognized by MOMA, Communication Arts, New York Art Director’s Club, Webby’s, Archive and the American Advertising Awards.

Awards and Accolades

forrester-b2b-marketing-agency-2019
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  • Sempo Global Awards Best Use of Technology/Tool 2017
  • AdAge Best Places to Work 2015
  • Millennials Best Places to Work 2015
  • WebAward 2013 Outstanding Achievement in Web Development
  • BMA B2 Awards 2013 Award of Excellence
  • Best Places to Work 2013
  • San Diego's Healthiest Companies 2013
  • BMA B2 Awards 2012 Award of Excellence
  • WebAward 2012 Outstanding Achievement in Web Development
  • Inc500 2012
  • BtoB Interactive Agency of the Year 2011
  • Inc500 2011

Certifications and Partnerships

PremierBadge

The Premier Google Partner badge recognizes companies that excel with Google’s products. BusinessOnline has demonstrated knowledge and specialization in Search and Display Advertising. Their businesses are healthy, their customers are happy, and they use Google best practices.

hubspot-certified-partner

HubSpot, the world’s leading inbound marketing and sales platform, works hand-in-hand with Agency Partners to grow their businesses and client’s businesses through inbound software, services, and support. “We are thrilled to welcome BusinessOnline to HubSpot’s Partner Program. Their savvy, sophisticated, and innovative approach to inbound makes them a company that businesses everywhere can learn from.

sirius-decisions

BusinessOnline is best-in-class for its data-driven approach to marketing planning… a strong agency partner for organizations seeking an advanced analytical approach to marketing program design and Web optimization… guiding clients to allocate funds for content and Web development in a way that aligns empirically with what buyers are seeking.

forrester

…look to BusinessOnline to support paid search and SEO goals.

Get Measurable and Meaningful Results

Learn how we can apply our knowledge and expertise to drive business revenue.

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