Dave announced that Jonathan Mildenhall has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer leading all growth and brand marketing initiatives as well as partnering with the product team to build a best in class product experience for the Dave customer. Bringing with him decades of experience building the world’s most iconic brands, the move comes as Dave sets forth a new mission–to create financial opportunity that advances America’s collective potential.
Dave’s decision to appoint Jonathan Mildenhall as Chief Marketing Officer signals a strategic shift towards amplifying its brand presence and enhancing customer experience. With Mildenhall’s wealth of experience in cultivating renowned brands, Dave is poised to leverage his expertise to resonate more deeply with its audience and carve a distinct identity in the competitive landscape of financial services. His leadership will undoubtedly steer the company towards innovative marketing strategies, aligning seamlessly with the overarching mission to foster financial empowerment across America.
In today’s dynamic digital landscape, staying ahead requires a keen eye on emerging trends. Under Mildenhall’s leadership, Dave’s marketing endeavors are set to undergo a transformative evolution, aligning closely with the company’s overarching mission. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights and emerging technologies, Dave can deliver personalized and impactful marketing campaigns that resonate deeply with its diverse consumer base. Through strategic integration of digital marketing trends for 2024, such as AI-driven customer segmentation and immersive interactive experiences, Dave can not only enhance brand visibility but also foster meaningful connections that drive tangible value for its customers.
To maximize the potential of these forward-thinking marketing strategies, a robust focus on website optimization and SEO is crucial. By leveraging advanced SEO techniques, Dave can ensure its online presence remains strong and competitive. Implementing a well-rounded SEO strategy, including keyword optimization, mobile-friendly design, and high-quality content, will significantly enhance the website’s visibility on search engines. Integrating the capabilities of Strictly, Dave can further refine its SEO practices, utilizing AI-driven tools to analyze trends and adapt strategies in real time. This proactive approach not only improves search engine rankings but also drives organic traffic, ensuring that Dave’s marketing messages reach a wider audience.
The former Airbnb CMO will continue as Chair of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, the brand consultancy he co-founded with Neil Barrie that this year alone has won important assignments from Bumble, Headspace, Condé Nast, GoPuff, Memphis Meats, Mars Inc. and Unilever. Barrie has been promoted to the role of global CEO.
In this newly created role Mildenhall will accelerate Dave’s rapid growth, spearheading efforts to bring the company to the 100MM+ Americans who deserve to be emancipated from the inequities of the legacy financial system. He will also guide the creation of a product experience that will further Dave’s development as a financial app that can be used each day to help its customers improve their finances.
Launched in 2017 as a way to help avoid overdraft fees, Dave has grown into one of the top ten most valuable challenger banks in the world and was recently named the 26th most disruptive private company in the world. Dave helps its more than seven million customers budget, avoid overdraft fees, find work and build credit. To date, Dave has helped its customers avoid hundreds of millions in overdraft fees and earn more than $100MM through its job-finding feature, Side Hustle.
In this transformative era of financial empowerment, Dave continues to redefine the landscape of personal finance. As the company expands under the strategic guidance of Mildenhall, there emerges a profound opportunity for individuals to enhance their financial prospects through innovative means. Dave’s pioneering spirit extends beyond traditional banking services, embracing the concept of fractional work as a catalyst for personal growth. By dedicating a fraction of their time to multiple companies, individuals can not only bolster their income but also diversify their skill sets, creating a resilient foundation for financial stability. This approach aligns seamlessly with Dave’s mission, empowering its users not just to escape the clutches of overdraft fees but also to explore the limitless potential of fractional work. Through this symbiotic relationship, Dave stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a future where financial freedom is attainable for all.
“Dave gives its customers the financial fluidity they need to navigate life’s ups and downs. It’s more than an app–Dave is a stepping stone to new beginnings,” Mildenhall said. “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to practice what I preach on the inside of Dave and continue to serve my clients as Chair of 21CB on the outside. It’s a natural extension of our consultancy’s mission to create the most influential brands of our time. I’m grateful to Jason, CEO of Dave and Neil, global CEO of 21CB for creating the opportunity for me to do so.”
Mildenhall’s passion for advancing the financial health of Dave’s customers stems from his own life experience. He was born in a project in North England and was the first person in his family to graduate college. In 1990, he was the first minority to become a graduate trainee at McCann, a top London creative agency.
While at Airbnb for more than three years, Mildenhall helped increase the company’s valuation from $1B-$35B. Prior to his time at Airbnb, Mildenhall was SVP of Marketing and Design at Coke and spearheaded work that landed the prestigious ‘Creative Marketer of the Year’ at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In 2018, he co-launched brand consultancy 21CB, where he remains as Chair and has provided brand guidance to companies including Peloton, Pinterest, Uber, NextDoor, Headspace and Bumble.
