Meet Lee, Head of Strategy (US)

Tell us a little bit about you

Hey, I’m Lee. I am an ‘Englishman in New York’. Originally from the bright lights of Coventry and moved to New York from London just over 5 years ago. I am a big a lover of working 9 to 5, but outside of that I am easy like a Sunday morning. I love working as part of a team (Stop, Collaborate and Listen), and like to talk about anything and everything; from the ‘structure of an atom’ to the ‘rise and fall of the roman empire’…and back again!

Describe your role at Picnic

As Head of Strategy in the US, I’m involved in all aspects of the making Picnic a success as we expand from our European home,  so (cliche warning) no day is ever the same. I have to think creatively and strategically about how best to achieve Picnic’s goals, create a plan and action it. In short, I am responsible for developing and executing the company’s overall strategic plan in the United States, which may include anything from tailoring our product for the US market, helping to define our products or services and outreach to the market, etc.

Lee Harrison, Head of Strategy (US)

What excites you most about the industry?  

15 years ago marketing managers were recommended Vine, Myspace and Bebo (maybe only in the UK). Today, many marketing managers will not have even heard of these once viable options! The fact that someone is pioneering and evolving what we do, how we do it and what success looks like everyday….that’s what gets my competitive streak firing.

Also, as a self-declared pub quiz master and (also self-declared) master problem solver, being able to test myself to come up with new solutions to new problems is what gets me up in the morning (but also often leads me to go to bed way past a normal hour!).

Finally - the people and diversity that the media world attracts. You are never bored/alone at any occasion, event, seminar or happy hour.

What are your passions outside of work?

I am a huge family guy leading me to do silly things to help raise money for charities that have supported my broader family over time. A small collection of my crazy activities; cycling from London to Paris in 24 hours, running a marathon (with no training and being overweight), Video 100 and the London Swim - giving me the London Classic!

I have also played rugby (Union and League) all my life and pre-pandemic I became a National US Rugby League champion with the Brooklyn Kings. I am happy to always talk about my favorite sports teams: Coventry City Football Club, Wasps Rugby, Miami Dolphins, Vegas Golden Knights and any GB/UK national team in any sport!

Tell us a fun fact about you that people may not know

I am a huge video game nerd, and whilst I don’t get to play games as much as I wish I could. I have a collection of over 3,000 games and 20 consoles. Favorite Games right now - Rampage (Playstation 1) or Jonah Lomu Rugby (Playstation 1).

Finally, what’s your favourite Picnic format?

Our new Messenger format! How can a brand not love being able to directly communicate and build a connection with their audience, and the results that come with that!?

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