Mark Gibson, Chief Marketing and Branding Officer

​Mark Gibson

Education

BA, Public Relations and Jounalism, Bradley University
MBA, Northwestern University 
Ph.D., Education Administration and Foundations, Illinois State University

Background

Dr. Gibson was named the first ever Chief Marketing and Branding officer at Illinois Wesleyan University in August, 2025. He leads a team developing strategies and marketing communications efforts at the institutional level, as well as marketing creative and brand support for  Enrollment, Advancement, Academics, and other key university marketing initiatives.

Previously, he spent over 35 years in marketing leadership roles, 25 years at State Farm, the last 15 as an executive in the Advertising, Marketing Communications, and Creative Services Department, retiring in 2018. At State Farm, Dr. Gibson oversaw the company's strategic branding, media planning, integrated marketing communications, and creative development functions.  He also helped negotiate the company's deals with the NCAA, NBA, MLB, NFL, NASCAR, and LPGA, over 100 colleges and universities, numerous personal services contracts with athletes and entertainers, and helped manage State Farm's roster of external agencies.

In 2008, he was recognized by Ad Age with the Marketing 50 Award for leading State Farm's multicultural efforts, and his team took home Best in Show Creative at the 2017 In-House Agency Forum Annual Awards and was runner-up for In-House Creative Team of the Year.