Kevin Hooks brings Weber Shandwick more than 15 years of urban marketing and public affairs experience. As Senior Vice President of the Axis Agency, Weber Shandwick’s multicultural marketing partner, Kevin is responsible for further developing the company’s urban marketing suite of services. These efforts cross a broad spectrum of consumer disciplines including African-American, entertainment, and retail.
With an extremely diverse background, Kevin has executed urban marketing programs for Warner Brothers, CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount and BET. He is also developed integrated marketing initiatives for Lexus, UPS, Motorola, Proctor & Gamble, Campbell’s Soup Company, Evian, Bombay Sapphire and many others.
Before joining the firm, Kevin was Vice President/General Manager of UPP Entertainment Marketing where he managed all day-to-day operations.
Previously, Kevin managed the African-American gifting portfolio for State Farm Insurance Companies. During his tenure he established partnerships with NAACP, National Urban League (NUL), National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), The National Association for Black County Officials (NABCO), The Bayou Classic and many others.
Kevin is also active in the community. He has served as a Board Trustee for the National Urban League from 1997-2004. While there he co-founded the Young Professionals affiliate of the Urban League which is nationally recognized networking and civic involvement outlet for thousands of professionals in chapters throughout the country. He also was actively involved in the development of “The Training Ground”, a grassroots partnership with Harvard University, which equipped young African American leaders with the tools for enhanced civic engagement.
In addition, He has been chairman of the National Association African American Athletes, Chairman of Inner City Survivors, 1st Vice President of NABCO’s business roundtable and a member of the business advisory board of the NAACP.
Kevin has a BA in Communications from Missouri Southern State University.