As Chief Executive Officer, Brian Kristofek brings a diverse portfolio of strategic account and brand management experience to the leadership of Upshot. Since joining Upshot in 1996, Brian has risen through the ranks from Director, where he was responsible for management of the Sony Electronics account to President, where he has grown the integrated marketing capabilities of the agency and been instrumental in bringing new business to Upshot, including most of Upshot’s current client roster. 

Before joining the EMAK family in 2002, Brian held titles at Upshot as Senior Vice President, Group Management Director of Account Services for SBC Communications, Procter & Gamble and Anheuser-Busch.  Brian was also responsible for overseeing Upshot’s event marketing and retail planning divisions.  Prior to joining Upshot, Brian worked as brand manager at Anheuser Busch, focusing on Budweiser, Michelob and Specialty Beers.  In addition, Brian’s work includes tenures at D’Arcy Masius, Benton & Bowles, where he worked on Michelob and M&M Mars (Skittles, Twix) and at Euro RSCG Tatham, where he worked on a portfolio of clients including P&G (Old Spice, Coast and new products) and Illinois Bell.

Brian is a graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Marketing and Advertising.

In his spare time, Brian can be found cycling around the windy city with his wife and daughters Genevieve and Lilah.