Whether guiding a startup through its first product launch or helping an established brand pivot in a crowded market, Shane Maneri brings a rare blend of analytical sharpness and creative flair to every marketing challenge. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Shane has spent over 15 years shaping high-performance marketing strategies that fuel business growth and build lasting brand equity.
Shane is the founder of Shane Maneri Marketing, a boutique consultancy known for its hands-on approach to digital campaigns, customer engagement, and brand evolution. His leadership has resulted in award-winning work across a broad spectrum of industries, including tech, healthcare, retail, and hospitality.
Before launching his firm, Shane earned his MBA in Marketing from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and began his career in brand management with a national retail chain. Over time, he developed deep expertise in omnichannel marketing, content strategy, SEO/SEM, CRM systems, and end-to-end customer experience design.
In addition to his client work, Shane is an active voice in the marketing world. He’s a frequent speaker at industry events throughout the Southeast, a mentor to rising professionals, and a contributor to marketing publications where he shares insights on emerging trends and strategic best practices.
Outside of work, Shane finds balance in nature and community. He enjoys hiking Georgia’s mountain trails, hosting cookouts for friends, and loyally cheering on the Atlanta Falcons.
Shane, what first drew you to marketing as a career?
I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of psychology and business. Marketing lets you dive into human behavior—why people buy, what moves them emotionally, what earns their loyalty. Early in my career, I worked retail and realized how much brand perception impacts customer experience. That sparked my interest in brand strategy. Later, my MBA at Emory helped solidify that passion into a career path. I realized I didn’t just want to sell products—I wanted to build stories, shape identities, and create value that grows over time. That’s the power of good marketing: it turns attention into trust.
What makes your consultancy, Shane Maneri Marketing, different from other firms?
We’re deliberately boutique. That means we stay lean, selective, and fully immersed in our clients’ work. I’m personally involved in every project—there’s no handoff to a junior team after the pitch. Clients appreciate that hands-on strategy and execution. We also bridge creativity with data in a way that’s rare. Whether it’s refining messaging, optimizing digital funnels, or launching a new brand identity, we don’t just do what looks good—we track what performs. That tight integration of analytics and storytelling, combined with senior-level attention, is what sets us apart and keeps clients coming back.
What’s one marketing trend you’re most excited about right now?
I’m excited about the growing importance of zero-party data—information customers intentionally share with brands. As privacy laws tighten and third-party cookies phase out, brands are rethinking how to build direct, consent-based relationships. That shift forces marketers to focus on delivering actual value in exchange for attention. It’s leading to smarter personalization, stronger loyalty programs, and better customer experiences. The brands that succeed won’t be the loudest—they’ll be the ones that truly listen. That’s where I think the future of marketing is heading: toward mutual value creation.
How do you approach helping a brand during a pivot or rebrand?
First, we slow down to speed up. A pivot or rebrand is never just about a new logo—it’s a chance to reconnect with purpose. We start with discovery: audience insights, competitive positioning, and internal culture. From there, we identify what’s still working and what needs to evolve. Then we align messaging, visuals, and experience around a refined brand promise. My role is part strategist, part translator—helping leadership articulate where they’re going and why it matters. When done right, a rebrand doesn’t just reposition a company—it reenergizes the team and resonates more deeply with the market.
What’s the biggest challenge businesses face in marketing today?
Noise. Every platform is saturated, and audiences are savvier than ever. The challenge isn’t just standing out—it’s staying relevant. Brands can no longer rely on volume-based tactics. They need precision, clarity, and consistency. That requires a disciplined approach to content, a deep understanding of customer journeys, and a willingness to experiment. The biggest mistake I see? Chasing trends without a strategic backbone. TikTok might be hot, but if your brand doesn’t belong there, it’s wasted energy. The solution is focus—understanding who you serve, what they value, and how you uniquely deliver it.
You work across many industries. How do you adapt your approach for different markets?
The core principles—authenticity, clarity, empathy—don’t change. What changes is how you express them. Each industry has its own language, pain points, and customer behaviors. I spend time learning the landscape: talking to stakeholders, researching competitors, analyzing audience data. In healthcare, for example, the messaging needs to be trust-based and highly compliant. In retail, it’s about emotion and speed. My job is to adapt strategy to the context while staying rooted in universal truths about connection and value. That adaptability keeps my work fresh—and it challenges me to keep learning.
What’s one lesson from your career that still guides you today?
Never confuse activity with impact. Early in my career, I equated being busy with being productive. I’ve since learned that the best marketers are often the most intentional ones. Strategy is about saying “no” just as much as saying “yes.” Whether I’m building a campaign or advising a founder, I ask: what’s the real goal here? What does success look like? Clarity up front saves time and money down the road. That mindset—being outcome-focused, not just output-focused—is something I try to instill in every team I work with.
What advice would you give to aspiring marketers just starting out?
Start where you are—but always be learning. Marketing changes fast, so stay curious. Read case studies, take online courses, follow industry voices. But more importantly, get hands-on. Intern, volunteer, build a portfolio—even if it’s self-initiated. Learn how to measure your work. Metrics matter. And don’t be afraid to specialize. Generalists are valuable, but niche expertise can open doors faster. Finally, find mentors. Most of what I know, I learned from people who were generous with their knowledge. Be humble, be consistent, and always keep the customer at the center.
What role does mentorship play in your life now?
Mentorship is a big part of how I give back. I was fortunate to have mentors who challenged and guided me early on, and I try to pay that forward. I work with emerging marketers and startup founders, helping them find their voice and strategy. It’s rewarding to watch someone gain confidence and clarity through dialogue. I also learn a lot from mentoring—it keeps me connected to fresh perspectives and reminds me of what truly matters in this industry: people. Whether it’s an informal coffee chat or a structured program, mentorship strengthens the whole ecosystem.
What’s next for you and your business in the coming year?
We’re focusing on expanding our impact without losing our boutique feel. That means selectively scaling—bringing in collaborators for specialized roles while maintaining the personalized service clients value. We’re also exploring partnerships with mission-driven startups that align with our values around storytelling, innovation, and long-term growth. On the content side, I’m planning to launch a video series on brand strategy basics—short, practical lessons for founders and solo marketers. It’s part of our commitment to education. The goal isn’t just to grow Shane Maneri Marketing—it’s to help others grow, too.