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Greenville, SC – April 21, 2025 – The Brand Leader®, a national branding and advertising agency known for transforming great companies into unforgettable brands, proudly announces the addition of Troy Kent as Director of Brand Partnerships.
With a 20+ year track record in tech strategy, digital commerce, and strategic partnerships, Troy brings a rare blend of analytical depth and creative vision to the agency. He will lead The Brand Leader’s partnerships division, forging innovative relationships between our clients and aligned brands that fuel growth, visibility, and impact.
“Troy is what happens when you mix a Fortune 500 strategist with the curiosity of a startup founder and the instincts of a former pro athlete,” said Kyle Duford, Partner and Executive Creative Director of The Brand Leader. “He understands how brands move people — and how partnerships move markets.”
Prior to joining The Brand Leader, Troy served as Strategic Partnerships Director at Forix, where he led go-to-market strategy and ecosystem growth across platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce. Before that, he was a Vice President and Technology Strategist at Piper Sandler, and held senior roles at KeyBanc Capital Markets, Pacific Crest Securities, and AT&T. He started his career as a professional baseball player with the Cleveland Indians — proving that he’s always been comfortable under pressure.
Troy’s experience spans investment banking, fintech, advertising, SaaS, eCommerce, and IT infrastructure, with deep expertise in digital strategy, market research, and scalable growth models. He’ll play a key role in expanding The Brand Leader’s client network, brand-to-brand collaborations, strategic alliances, and integrated marketing partnerships.
"I’ve spent my career connecting the dots between bold ideas and real results”, said Kent. “Joining The Brand Leader is a chance to take that to the next level — with a team that knows how to turn vision into brand magic."
Troy will be based in Portland, OR, and work with clients and partners nationwide.
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About The Brand Leader®
The Brand Leader® is an advertising, design, and branding agency headquartered in Greenville, SC with additional offices in New York, NY. They help turn great companies, products, and ideas into unforgettable brands. With clients across the globe, the agency provides strategic, innovative, and transformative solutions to produce unmatched customer experiences.
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