Frank Kugel, MBA
Hi, I'm Frank.
Social Media Strategist with 11+ years of experience scaling programs that bridge the gap between creative intuition and data-driven strategy to build communities that convert.
✅ Strategic Content Systems
I specialize in humanizing brands by leveraging employee-driven content and authentic storytelling. My framework focuses on building trust and relatability to transform followers into active brand advocates.
✅ Data-Driven Growth & Analytics
Strategy without data is just guessing. I specialize in translating complex social metrics into actionable insights, ensuring every campaign is optimized for high-level execution and a measurable return on investment.
✅ Servant Leadership & Team Scaling
I don’t just manage teams, I build them. By prioritizing servant leadership, I align individual strengths with business objectives to create efficient, high-performing social media departments that can scale with the brand.
✅ Multi-Vertical Experience
Whether navigating the high-energy demands of pro sports or the regulatory precision of FinTech, I adapt my strategy to fit the unique needs of any audience or industry.
Entrepreneur
to Strategist
For more than 11 years, I have specialized in social media marketing. I began as an entrepreneur when I co-founded I Live For Football, a Twitter account that grew to more than 10,000 followers in its first month. It eventually scaled to more than 130,000 followers, surpassing many established brands at the time and attracting companies eager to market their products on the platform.
To translate this success into an in-house brand role, I pursued a marketing degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Shortly after arriving on campus, I pitched my skills to the university's athletic department. I explained that if I could grow a Twitter account to more than 130,000 followers, imagine what I could do for a Division I athletic department. I was hired on the spot by marketing director Leah Thyne, to whom I owe a great deal for taking that first chance on me, and went on to build and oversee their student-led social media team. While sports social media was incredible, business school taught me that a diversified background is key. I spent my summers interning outside of sports to learn from top social media professionals in different verticals, including roles at the clothing brand Vineyard Vines and the tech giant Lenovo. I also served as president of UWM’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. My leadership in both the athletic department and the student organization was formally recognized when I was named UWM’s Rising Star.
After graduating magna cum laude from UWM, I refined my strategic approach with social media roles at Camping World, the Miami Dolphins, Tala, WebstaurantStore, and Jenius Bank. To complement my experience, I earned a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University, receiving an excellence award for my work in management communication. Today, I bring this blend of entrepreneurial spirit, multi-vertical corporate experience and advanced business acumen to every project I work on, all while learning something new every day.
Livin' the dream.
Here are some of the brands I've had the pleasure of working for:
All logos and creative assets are the property of their respective owners. Their inclusion here does not imply endorsement of my services by these companies; they are used solely to represent my professional work history.
The Geometry of a Turnaround
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed." — Michael Jordan
Growing up, I was never the smartest kid on the block. I struggled with core subjects in nearly every grade, a trend that continued until the end of my sophomore year of high school. While discussing my post-high school plans, my guidance counselor noted that college might not be the right path for me. That sentiment was later reiterated when she called my mom at the end of the year to inform her I had failed geometry. When my mom hung up, she looked at me and said she knew I could do so much better. It was the first time in a long time someone had reminded me of my potential. Moving forward, I promised to give school my all.
I began by putting football on the back burner and attending summer school to retake geometry. The stakes were high; my school replaced a failed grade on transcripts with the summer school grade. I made it my mission to work as hard as possible, mastering the fundamentals and asking questions until I understood the why and how behind every concept. I still remember earning an A on the first quiz, then the next and the next. I finished the course with a 98%, an A. My mom was right... I was so much better than that F. However, summer school cost me my starting spot on the football team. Despite starting every game since fifth grade, I never started a varsity snap. While my coaches questioned my commitment and my peers focused solely on the field, I chose a different path: shifting my mindset from football to my education.
Throughout my junior and senior years, I earned all A’s and B’s and was accepted into the business program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. At UWM, I continued to build on that momentum, earning an A in calculus and other classes I never would have dreamed of. Through dedication and countless hours of studying, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college early, doing so magna cum laude. After a few years in the workforce, I returned to school at WGU for an MBA. I earned an excellence award for my work in management communication and became the first person in my family to earn a master’s degree.
I failed repeatedly growing up, and that shaped my success. I know what failure feels like, which is why I refuse to accept it as a final result. Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, I approach every challenge with the mindset I discovered years ago in summer school: learn the fundamentals, ask the hard questions, and work until the job is done right.
Kevin Edwards
Associate Producer at Rocket Money
"Frank is one of the most talented and capable employees I have had the pleasure of working alongside in my career. His passion and aptitude for social media strategy, along with his ability to juggle multiple roles, consistently elevate the brands he's involved with. Any company would be lucky to have him."
Taylor Wilson
Sr. Manager, Social Media Content & Brand Engagement at Lenovo
"Frank is a unique talent who helped lay the groundwork for our TikTok launch at Lenovo. His proactive approach and knowledge of social media marketing continue to impress me years after our initial collaboration."
Leah Thyne
Associate AD of External Operations at Portland State Athletics
"Frank completely revamped our athletic department's social media efforts, launching and leading a Creative Team that he built from the ground up. His vision and leadership are unparalleled."
Kevin Comstock
Director of Brand and Content at CubeSmart
"Frank's expertise as a manager of organic social is truly unmatched. Frank not only helped build and lead a high-performing team, but also fostered a culture of creativity and collaboration that drove exceptional results."
Jonah Jamroz
Videographer at 1st Phorm
"Frank has been a pioneer in the social media space, developing strategies that continually add value. His understanding of branding and social media trends makes him an asset to any organization."
Josh Lane
Senior Producer at Rocket Money
"Frank is a professional with a fresh perspective on social media and digital content strategy. His expertise, rooted in analytics and creativity, ensures impactful results."
Kelsey Miller
Creative Project Manager at Rocket Money
"Frank led large-scale projects with ease, ensuring all teams were aligned and confident. His leadership and communication skills make him a great asset to any organization."
Janice Pimentel
AVP of Social Media Strategy at Jenius Bank
"Frank was a steady, trusted partner who made even the hard parts feel manageable. He cares deeply about the craft, the strategy, and the impact, and that passion translates into work that’s both smart and effective."
Sarah Brunke
AVP of Product Marketing at Jenius Bank
"Frank is the consummate professional — wise beyond his years and an absolute pleasure to work with. He has a rare combination of strategic skill, emotional intelligence and approachability, which makes him trusted across teams and levels."
It's 2024...
One of my core content philosophies is providing maximum value in minimal time. I led a strategy that favored raw, short-form storytelling over traditional long-form production. The strategy centered on lo-fi product placement that resonated deeply, including one Instagram Reel that earned more than 6 million organic views.
HRS Field Prep
I launched a behind-the-scenes series featuring the Hard Rock Stadium grounds crew after identifying a high demand for process-oriented content. The segment's high engagement created a new sponsorship inventory stream, resulting in successful monetization by the partnerships team.
VV Check!
Leading the strategy for Vineyard Vines’ 2019 TikTok debut, I capitalized on the viral 'Vineyard Vines Check' to scale the account into a top global brand presence. Through creative direction and tailored storytelling, we established the brand as a pioneer in short-form video.
Okay Not To Be Okay
My team pioneered a league-first mental health campaign built on trust with student-athletes. I directed the creative strategy for the multimedia series, utilizing video, graphics, and audio to deliver sensitive storytelling with lasting impact.
Featured social media projects on this site represent work produced for past employers and are shown here for portfolio purposes only. All logos and creative assets remain the property of their respective owners.
