Les Kollegian - Founder & CEO - Jacob Tyler

Les Kollegian is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience in the advertising and design industry. As the founder of Jacob Tyler, a global creative agency headquartered in San Diego, he has built a reputation for blending high-level brand storytelling with data-driven marketing results.Agency Leadership: Under his guidance, Jacob Tyler has evolved from a small design boutique into a full-service global agency that has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies multiple times.Brand Architect: Les has led successful branding and marketing initiatives for a diverse array of clients, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 giants, including Sony, TEDx, Hilton Hotels, and the San Diego Chargers.Integrated Strategy: His expertise lies in "Human-Centric Branding"—ensuring that every digital touchpoint, from web design to social media, resonates emotionally with the target audience while meeting business KPIs.Creative Recognition: His work has earned over 500 industry awards, including numerous ADDYs and Tellys, and he is a frequent keynote speaker on the topics of brand authenticity and the future of creative technology.The "Brand Soul": Les is a firm believer that a brand is not a logo, but a "gut feeling" a customer has about a product or service. He focuses on uncovering the "soul" of a company to create lasting market differentiation.Industry Contributor: He is deeply involved in the creative community, often serving as a mentor to emerging designers and a consultant for business incubators.Career Highlights & ExpertisePhilosophy & CommunityBackground: Prior to founding Jacob Tyler in 2000, Les honed his craft at several top-tier West Coast agencies, giving him a balanced perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the business.