Mentor. Leader. Teacher. Marketer.
Lannie Byrd has spent more than two decades helping people—and the brands they work for—thrive in the fast-moving world of marketing and advertising. His career spans the classroom, the boardroom, and the creative studio, giving him a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed at every stage of the journey.
From Teaching to Team Leadership
Lannie began his career as a teacher, introducing students to the fundamentals of creative and strategic work. Later, he hired and trained many of those same students as interns and full-time team members, guiding them through their first real-world marketing experiences. That early blend of education and hands-on coaching shaped his lifelong commitment to mentoring new talent.
Today, Lannie serves as Partner and Chief Operating Officer of a family of four marketing agencies, where he helps lead teams focused on digital-first strategy, analytics, media, and creative. Over the years, he’s conducted more than 700 interviews and shaped the onboarding, culture, and leadership development for some of the most respected marketing teams in the region.
Why This Book Exists
Level Up in Marketing: The First-Year Playbook grew out of Lannie’s belief that today’s first-year professionals are tomorrow’s leaders—and they deserve a clear, honest, and practical guide to help them get there. Every chapter reflects the advice, encouragement, and real-world strategies he’s shared with new hires throughout his career.
Beyond the Office
While his professional work is rooted in marketing, Lannie’s focus has always been on people—helping them build skills, confidence, and careers they can be proud of. His own journey started early, with a paper route for an afternoon newspaper at age 12, and he’s been in the media and marketing business ever since.
Follow Lannie
LinkedIn | Lannie’s Website