Guiding Marketing Strategy in Plastics Manufacturing: Jared Falkner at Vive Marketing

Jared Falkner has spent the last six years at Vive Marketing, a full-service marketing agency serving manufacturers and service providers in the plastics and metals industries, progressing from early roles to executive leadership. Since becoming Vice President in 2025, he oversees the strategy and execution of all client digital marketing programs while guiding the agency’s overall strategy, brand direction, and growth. He supports business development, strengthens client relationships, and develops systems that keep the team aligned, accountable, and continuously improving.

Jared earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice and police science from Waukesha County Technical College before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He credits several mentors for shaping his career, including Teresa Schell, President and CEO of Vive Marketing, Nick Packard, VP of Corporate Communications at Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Ryan Pikus, CIO at RJW Logistics Group, and Andrea Stiles, Business Transformation Consultant at NOVA Chemicals, whom he connected with through the FLiP Mentorship Program.

Vive Marketing has served plastics manufacturers since 2007, providing Jared a direct and meaningful path into the plastics industry. He appreciates working alongside clients who play a critical role in producing the products and components we rely on daily. His career has also influenced his personal life, heightening his awareness of recycling and sustainability, and inspiring him to be more intentional about reusing everyday items—even something as simple as a Ziploc bag.

Like many manufacturers, Jared sees sustainability, pricing pressures, employee retention, AI, and innovation as key challenges the plastics industry faces today. He believes these challenges can be overcome through continued learning, collaboration, and sharing insights via organizations and communities such as PLASTICS and FLiP.

Jared encourages others from his generation to consider a career in plastics, noting its stability and essential role in everyday life. He has participated in FLiP since late 2021, engaging in mentorship opportunities and quarterly industry updates that have helped him stay competitive and well-informed. Resources like insidePLASTICS, PLASTICSPULSE, and The Perc Report have strengthened his ability to position himself as a subject matter expert when working with clients and prospects.

When asked to name a “can’t-live-without” plastic product, Jared did not hesitate: “My toothbrush.”

Outside of work, Jared enjoys an active lifestyle, participating in football, basketball, softball, and other team sports. He is a music and shoe enthusiast, owning over 125 pairs of shoes, and cherishes time with his two young sons, Oliver and Archie.