Derek J. Hernandez
About Derek J. Hernandez
Derek J. Hernandez is a marketing professional currently serving as the Director of Brand & Buzz at NoRedInk and as the Faculty Director of Strategy at Jacht Agency. He has extensive experience in various marketing roles across multiple organizations, including Hudl and Godfather's Pizza, and has a strong background in strategic marketing and brand management.
Current Role at NoRedInk
Derek J. Hernandez serves as the Director of Brand & Buzz at NoRedInk, a position he has held since 2024. In this role, he focuses on enhancing brand visibility and engagement through innovative marketing strategies. His responsibilities include overseeing brand messaging and implementing campaigns that resonate with the target audience.
Previous Experience in Marketing
Prior to his current role, Hernandez held several key positions in marketing. He worked at Godfather's Pizza as the Digital Communications & Growth Marketing Director from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the Content Marketing & Public Relations Lead at Hudl from 2015 to 2017, followed by a role as Global Brand Manager at Hudl in 2018. Additionally, he was the Director of Brand & Content at Mentor Collective from 2020 to 2022.
Educational Background
Derek J. Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied from 2002 to 2006. This educational foundation has supported his career in various marketing roles across different organizations.
Experience in Teaching and Strategy
Hernandez has contributed to the academic field as an adjunct faculty member at Jacht Agency, where he has served as Faculty Director of Strategy since 2023. He previously held the position of Faculty Creative Director at the same agency in 2022. His teaching roles reflect his commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise in marketing strategy.
Achievements in Startup Growth
Throughout his career, Hernandez has played a significant role in helping early-to-mid stage startups achieve substantial growth. He has successfully created and executed story-driven, large-scale go-to-market strategies that have led to eight-figure annual recurring revenue (ARR) for these companies. His strategic approach combines both product and sales-led growth methodologies.