Nikolas Contis

Global Director, Naming, Brand development, Leadership, based in San Francisco

Ask people what simplicity means to them, and the answers tend to be conceptual. "Honest." "Clear." "Essential." Those are terrific descriptions, and they are the values at the heart of what we do at Siegel+Gale. But Nikolas's take on simplicity embodies the unexpected perspective that distinguishes the work we do. "It means making progress," he says, adding that "simplicity is the enemy of stagnation." That antipathy toward stagnation energizes Nikolas and his team as they search for fresh ways to create powerful brand recognition and consumer loyalty.

Nikolas brings more than 20 years of strategic branding and naming experience to Siegel+Gale’s worldwide clients. Before joining us, Nikolas held a senior position at Lexicon Branding, where he managed global brand naming programs for Microsoft, Intel, Nokia, VH1 and Toyota. He was also instrumental in the implementation of Lexicon's proprietary naming research tools with brands like Intel, AOL and Coca-Cola, and worked on projects for Openwave, Palm Source, RelayHealth and Offroad Capital.

Previously Nikolas worked with such clients as Turner Broadcasting, Charles Schwab, Juniper Banks, Gap and The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He spent his early years developing and implementing marquee branding and design programs for Hugo Boss, Bell Helmets, Disney Consumer Products, Columbia TriStar and Nestlé.

Nikolas holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California Los Angeles.