Elizabeth Johnson founded SimpsonScarborough in 2006 with the vision of creating a higher ed marketing agency that puts research at the center of marketing strategies. Over the last 30 years, Elizabeth has helped more than 300 institutions research, develop, and implement plans to increase visibility, strengthen enrollment, raise money, and advance higher ed brands. She is a staunch advocate for the role of CMO within higher ed and the need to integrate marketing across the enterprise for colleges and universities to thrive.

Jason Simon became SimpsonScarborough’s CEO in 2020 and has led the agency’s growth while championing the value of higher education and ensuring our work has a lasting impact. Before joining SimpsonScarborough, Jason served in marketing communications leadership roles for the University of California and NC State University. He also has brand strategy experience working with corporate and consumer brands such as John Deere, IBM, RedHat, and Sony Ericsson. He managed media and public relations for NC State men’s basketball, and began his career as a sportswriter and editor. Jason was also honored as the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year in 2013.

Bob leads the agency’s primary areas of practice, including Research, Strategy, Creative, and Digital, as well as Agency Operations. Bob joined SimpsonScarborough in 2019 through an acquisition of Knowble Media, where he was a founder and managing partner. He led the start-up of SimpsonScarborough’s Digital division and was Vice President of Creative before moving into his current role. He has been a featured speaker at AMA and CASE, and has led teams to nationally recognized work.

Danielle is responsible for leading our growing human resources department and building on current HR practices and procedures to meet the evolving needs of a growing, fully remote agency. She is dedicated to implementing the initiatives that make SimpsonScarborough the best place people have ever worked.

Murray leads SimpsonScarborough’s Accounts, Marketing, and Partnerships divisions, overseeing the agency’s strategic growth. He’s passionate about higher education, media, marketing, AI, and public speaking—and firmly believes that in order for Universities to stand out, they have to be brave. His approach centers on achieving real outcomes for clients, combining insight, creativity, and bold execution.

Chelsea keeps our processes on point and timelines on track. She manages internal teams, plans resources and traffic company-wide, and thinks through any technology and innovation needs. By making friends and learning to hang drywall while on a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip, Chelsea learned the importance of service and craftsmanship.

Reya oversees the work and growth of the RAI team. Before joining SimpsonScarborough, she led and designed global studies for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits in the public health, financial, and higher education sectors of our research and analytics tors. Reya prides herself on being method-neutral (i.e., leveraging any method to answer the question) and considers herself a #foreverstudent.

Sara analyzes insights developed from brand research to understand the impact on the consumer journey. She then translates that into effective marketing and media plans and campaigns.

Matt is basically a non-fiction version of Ted Lasso and one of the leading higher education brand strategy experts anywhere in the country. He's played a key leadership role in SimpsonScarborough's evolution into a full-service, integrated agency but is likely more proud of the internal culture cultivated in the process.

Jason manages The Creative Studio at SimpsonScarborough, leading a team of wildly talented designers and writers who create bold brand experiences for the agency's clients. In his 12+ years as a writer and creative leader, Jason has helped equip marketers in many industries with fresh, original approaches to communicating their missions, telling their stories, and speaking from the heart — verbally, visually, and most important: loudly.

Marcus leads SimpsonScarborough's digital team. Working in concert with designers, developers, clients, and partners alike, he ensures that every web project is completed to the highest standards.