PJ Santoro
Portland, Oregon
Overview
Interim VP Growth / Retention for $30M–$250M omnichannel consumer brands that need to move faster. I step in when growth plateaus, retention softens, or the marketing stack and operating model can’t keep up with the business. My focus is CRM, lifecycle, loyalty, and the end-to-end digital experience, tied directly to measurable revenue outcomes.I align Brand + Performance + Retention so acquisition doesn’t leak and the customer relationship compounds over time. I build the operating cadence across marketing, data, product, and engineering so work ships weekly — not quarterly. Typical engagem
About
Interim VP Growth / Retention for $30M–$250M omnichannel consumer brands that need to move faster. I step in when growth plateaus, retention softens, or the marketing stack and operating model can’t keep up with the business. My focus is CRM, lifecycle, loyalty, and the end-to-end digital experience, tied directly to measurable revenue outcomes.I align Brand + Performance + Retention so acquisition doesn’t leak and the customer relationship compounds over time. I build the operating cadence across marketing, data, product, and engineering so work ships weekly — not quarterly. Typical engagements are full-time interim roles or 3–6 month operating sprints with clear executive sponsorship and decision rights. Best fit: DTC and omnichannel brands where experience, membership, and loyalty are core growth levers. If you need a leader who can diagnose quickly, prioritize ruthlessly, and deliver durable lifts in repeat purchase and LTV, let’s talk. I’m PJ Santoro, I’ve built my career around understanding why people buy, stay, and come back.At Levi’s, I built the brand’s first integrated direct-to-consumer strategy, improving online conversion by 8% in the first year. At Nike, I led lifecycle campaigns that initially underperformed — until we dug into the data and realized our messaging didn’t reflect how consumers actually used the products. Reframing communications around real training moments drove a 15% lift in post-purchase engagement and a 22% increase in repeat purchase.One key insight: consumers weren’t just buying shoes — they were buying confidence in their training routines. Later, I helped rethink loyalty for Patagonia’s Worn Wear initiative, contributing to a 32% increase in customer participation.Across these experiences, the throughline has been the same: connecting brand, data, and consumer behavior to build engagement programs that create real relationships — not just transactions.Outside of work, I’m a dedicated runner and data geek — yes, I track everything from pace to recovery — and I bring that same curiosity and rigor to marketing challenges.