About Nicholas Putz

I help brands tell better stories, pairing creativity with technology and clear strategy so marketing moves the numbers with less noise and more signal.

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Nicholas Putz, marketing and innovation leader

My Story

I grew up in Wisconsin and learned by building. I reverse engineered my path into marketing through curiosity, long nights, a few sharp mentors, and the kind of mistakes that teach faster than any class. Over more than fifteen years I have led teams, mentored talent, and shaped campaigns that cut through a noisy digital world.

My background spans brand development, digital transformation, and hands on execution across the full stack. The through line is simple. Clear systems win. When story, data, and automation work together, meaningful results follow.

My Values

“The most meaningful systems aren’t built in business; they’re built at home. Family is where you learn that structure without love is control, and love without structure is chaos.”

— Nicholas Putz

My Family

First, I’m a dad. I live in Elm Grove with my wife and our three boys — my son and two amazing stepsons. They’re the best part of the story.

The same values that shape our family life guide how I work: build trust, keep promises, and focus on outcomes that matter.

Family keeps the compass steady. The discipline that strengthens relationships at home drives how I lead — calm, intentional, and focused on creating results that last.

Nicholas Putz and family at home — Elm Grove. Laughter. LEGO landmines. Real life.

Nicholas and son sharing a moment — Time well spent — the best metric of all.

Fun facts

Early builder

At thirteen, I was hand-coding websites for fun — probably breaking the internet one table tag at a time.

Old school tools

Photoshop 1.0, QuarkXPress, dial-up internet — my digital toolkit has seen some things.

Analog roots

I still love the smell of developer fluid in the morning. Yes, I process my own 35mm film in the basement.

Community first

I ran online forums before social media existed — think early Reddit, but friendlier and way more chaotic.

Licenses and contributions

Career Essentials in Generative AI, Microsoft and LinkedIn, issued Jul 2023
Graphic Design Advisory Council, Carroll University, contributor and mentor

For recent writing, subscribe to Pure Nicholas on Substack. For applied ideas in action, read my articles and case notes. If your team is ready for cleaner systems and a modern plan, reach out.

Let us talk

If you lead a team and want sharper systems, send a note. I keep it simple and direct.