Stephen Drees

Managing Principal, Global Consulting

Acxiom Corporation

Stephen Drees is a Principal within the Global Consulting Organization of Acxiom Corporation. In this role Stephen counsels clients on issues of strategy, media/channel optimization, customer loyalty and total customer experience.

Prior to joining Acxiom, Drees held roles as Managing Principal of The Allegiant Group, Inc., Managing Director of Harte-Hanks and President and CEO of Quantum Loyalty Systems.

As CEO of Quantum Loyalty Systems, Inc., (a leading provider of turnkey reward currencies, and highly customized loyalty solutions for leading brand companies in the U.S. and internationally) Quantum was named twice to the INC 500 list of fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Stephen has also held executive marketing and product positions with Manufacturers Hanover (today JP Morgan Chase), Mellon Financial, MasterCard International and GE Capital. His areas of expertise include affinity/co-brand marketing, customer loyalty/experience/engagement, new product/solution ideation and creation.

He has written and contributed to articles in trade publications such as Brandweek, Credit Card Management, Credit Card News and American Banker, Marketing News, Promo Magazine. Stephen has also spoken to audiences about strategy, marketing and customer loyalty-related topics. Some of the venues he has spoken at include:

•1990-1993 MasterCard University—North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia.
•1995 Credit Card Marketing Conference—Las Vegas, NV.
•1997 Retailer Card Forum—Dallas, TX.
•1998 MasterCard Strategic Partner Conference—San Diego, CA.
•1999 PSI Global, Financial Marketing Conference—Tampa, FL
•2000 Garanti Bank Merchant Association—Istanbul,Turkey
•2001 ShoWest—Las Vegas, NV.
•2003 Marketing Services Conference, New York, NY
•2004-2007 Onsite Conferences—Various Locations
•2008 DMA Financial Services Council—Fort Lauderdale, FL
•2009 University of Cincinnati College of Business—Cincinnati, OH
•2012 Card & Payments Conference—Phoenix, AZ
•2012 Financial Services Marketing Symposium—New York, NY

Stephen holds an M.S. in management and strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a post graduate diploma from the Advanced Management College program of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Stephen has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in Finance and Industry for contributions to his field. He was also selected for membership in Young President’s Organization.