James Viola - Distinguished Marketing Director

From 2008 to 2006, James Viola was the Marketing Director at Ducati of North America. In this position he was responsible for an extensive list of duties. 

He coordinated and spearheaded the launch of many activities, including:

• Special events
• Program promotions
• Product placement campaigns
• Brand management operations
• Contracts support
• Mobile tours
• Digital and written publishing 

He was also responsible for directing a wide range of outside agencies to assist with marketing techniques and agendas. One of the prime highlights of his time at Ducati was his prosperous trade show tour, which showcased the company’s major products and brand name. He completed the show successfully all while carefully monitoring funds and decreasing overall expenses.

In addition, James Viola established and implemented various introduction and training events to highlight all products. His skills allowed the program to achieve the objective of enhancing integrated sales, design development, and marketing operations on a national scale.

James Viola – Innovation Activation Manager

James Viola organizes events and leads marketing for JLABS, a Johnson and Johnson company. JLABS provides a platform for emerging companies working toward scientific discoveries that will change lives in the future.

James Viola - Promotes International Women Day at JLABS from James Viola

When startups have innovative technology or ideas that solve current healthcare issues, JLABS provides them with the equipment and funding they need to make that dream a reality.

All that innovation costs money, and that’s where James Viola comes in. JLABS connects scientists with investors who want to use their capital to make the world a better place. James is responsible for events in the Bay Area. 

Here are some of the events he’s helping coordinate in the near future:

• The Bay Area Computational Immunology Community Mixer at Johnson and Johnson Innovation on March 8
• MedTech Innovator 2018 on March 15
• Digital Beauty: Beyond the Jar on March 27
• JLABS Spotlight Science Fair at Stanford – May 9

James Viola’s Career in Event Planning

James Viola has worked in marketing and event planning since 1991. After he earned his Masters in business from Rutgers University, James followed his passion for motorcycles in his role as Marketing consultant for BMW of North America. 

He was regularly a sales leader, improving performance in territories that historically struggled. He soon became a district manager involved in event marketing. James says BMW is where his appreciation for event marketing started.

After BMW, James moved to Ducati North America. The Ducati Island concept he created was a big step forward for the brand. James helped create and expand the brand’s event department, developing mobile displays for press events, race team placement and dealer involvement. James enjoyed working closely with volunteer club participants and Ducati fans who helped host events.

James Viola also supplied marketing and event services through Mainstreet Marketing and was Director of Event Operations at Premier Event Management before working in his current role for Johnson and Johnson. James is currently Innovation Activation Manager for JLABS.

James Viola’s Early Years

James Viola is best-known for his involvement supporting innovation as marketing director for Johnson and Johnson. He grew up in Nutley New Jersey, where he graduated from Nutley High School. 

The Nutley Public School District is part of a tight-knit community, and as an adult James continued to care deeply about the place he grew up. He volunteered for several years on the school board, negotiating raises for teachers and helping raise much-needed funds for school improvements.

After high school, James obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. From there he moved back to New Jersey to earn his Master’s Degree from Rutgers University. 

While there, James was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, an exclusive organization that recognizes scholastic achievement for students studying business. James Viola’ hard work and academic achievement landed him a marketing position with BMW of North America soon after graduation.

James Viola Explains Bay Area JLABS

When people ask James Viola what he does for a living, he tells them he’s an event organizer, but that doesn’t really tell the full story. James Viola works for JLABS, a Johnson and Johnson Innovation company that has a global network of facilities and medical professionals. When a startup develops technology solutions that can save lives or improve health, JLABS helps connect them with the laboratory facilities and investors that help them make their ideas into reality. James plans events that help JLABS attract entrepreneurs and investors.

James Viola Supports Super Science Women

On March 1, James Viola tweeted, “Hosting a very special group from the University of Tokyo…Super Science Women.” WiSTEM is the Women in Stem Network, a group that encourages women entering into roles that involve science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). James recently helped put together an event at the University for Johnson and Johnson’s JLABS.

JLABS consistently supports innovation to meet tomorrow’s healthcare needs. James Viola works to put together events that draw investors and supporters like the World Without Disease Quickfire Challenge, a worldwide competition with a $500,000 prize for the individuals providing the best solution to disease and medical problems around the world.

James doesn’t just support education and innovation during working hours, he volunteered for his local school board for several years and once participated in a flag football event that raised $25,000 for underprivileged youth.

What James Viola Loves About His Job

When you talk to James Viola, it’s impossible to miss his enthusiasm for what he does as Innovation Activation Manager for Johnson and Johnson. His excitement overflows and makes everyone around him want to get involved. Here are a few of the things James says he has enjoyed most:

• ·         Having the chance to work with premium brands in a range of industries
• ·         Getting to build an event department from the beginning stages at BMW
• ·         Successfully executing large-scale events with limited funds