Jess Schnurr, Global Head of Brand Marketing at Morgan Stanley, Likes to Dream Big

Doing so helps generate energy for the team

Jess is currently the managing director and global head of brand marketing for Morgan Stanley. She is responsible for overseeing initiatives related to branding, media, advertising, sponsorships and events. Jess leads the activation for Morgan Stanley’s marquee sponsorships of The Players Championship. She also guides work from brand ambassadors including pro golfers Justin Rose and Cheyenne Woods and tennis champ Leylah Fernandez.

We spent two minutes with Jess to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Jess, tell us …

Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?

I grew up in Ridgewood N.J.—Jersey girl born and raised. I now live in New York City with my husband, two girls, our dog Clover and turtle Tilly. 

How did you first realize that you were creative?

I started taking ballet when I was three years old and fell in love with expressing myself through dance and music. I wanted to have the ability to create, move and sing. That experience showed me that I would always need a creative outlet. It gives me energy and brings me joy.  

Who was a person you idolized creatively early on?

There wasn’t any one person, but I definitely was obsessed with Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani , Sheryl Crow, and Pink. I knew the words to all their songs, loved watching MTV videos and tried to copy their dance moves. 

What was a moment from high school or college that changed your life?

I majored in finance and minored in Spanish, so my internships freshman and sophomore year were on trading desks. I was on a path towards Wall Street until junior year, when I took a class in advertising. That summer, I got into an internship program at FCB in San Francisco.

Who is a visual artist or band/musician that you admire?

One of my all-time favorites is Pink. Her powerful voice and energetic performances are one of-a-kind and she is so authentic, honest and relatable in her lyrics. She’s also not afraid to address themes of female empowerment, resilience and individuality. She is fearless and such a bada$$. I took my daughters to see her this summer with my mom and it was an unforgettable experience.

What is a book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

I am a very curious person, so I am always reading, listening, learning and sharing. I just finished The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides which is a page-turning, atmospheric psychological thriller. I’m also really into The Huberman Lab podcast and just listened to the episode with Dr. Becky Kennedy, titled Protocols for Excellent Parenting & Improving Relationships of All Kinds. It gives a lot of great parenting tips.

What is one of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on?

In 2006, I worked at Kaplan Thaler Group on a few Procter & Gamble accounts. Our team came up with the “Dawn Saves a Duck” campaign. The message was so successful that it still runs to this day.

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What is a recent project you’re proud of? 

I just had my 10-year anniversary at Morgan Stanley and it has been an incredible journey. One of the recent highlights was the 2023 launch of a global campaign called “Old School Grit, New World Ideas.” It reflects the unique combination of qualities Morgan Stanley upholds: the old-school grit of an experienced doer and the new-world ideas of an innovator. We shot with directing duo Salsa and photographer Pep Avila. It is very distinctive for the financial services industry and gave us a platform we are continuing to build on with new campaigns such as “From Grit to Vision.”

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What is someone else’s work that inspired you in the past? 

Nike launched “Dream Crazier” in 2019 featuring Serena Williams, and it hit me to the core. Nike continues to find ways to surprise, engage and pull at our heartstrings. I’m a big dreamer and I love cheering on female athletes like our brand ambassadors Leylah Fernandez and Cheyenne Woods.

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What is someone else’s work that you have admired lately?

I was watching the Oscars this year and really loved the Rolex ad. It was a very authentic and compelling way to show the watches worn by many actors and heroes we all love.

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What is your main strength as a creative person?

I like to dream BIG. I still wear a ring on my right hand that I’ve worn since I was 12. It says “Dream,” and reminds me that you are never too old to have new goals and ambitions. I found that dreaming big ultimately makes the work better and brings energy to our process. 

What is your biggest weakness?

Dreaming big can also get me into trouble, in terms of focus and feasibility. I’m also guilty of too much multi-tasking and a lack of focus … probably because of all my daydreaming.

Who is a mentor who helped you navigate the industry?

My mentor for the last decade has been Mandell Crawley, our chief human resources officer at Morgan Stanley. He is a very positive and inspirational person who has had a tremendous career. While I don’t call on him too often, when I do, he always answers that call—and for that I am grateful.

How are you paying it forward with the next generation of creatives?

Coaching and mentoring are a huge part of my work. I want to ensure I’m providing others with the ability to capture their own potential and opportunity. The next generation will drive the best ideas. So, I like to spend much of my time giving my team what they need to succeed and thrive. 

What would you be doing if you weren’t in advertising?

Life or career coach. I recently took a life-coaching course and loved it. I took a bunch of psychology classes in college, and I’ve always been fascinated with the way people tick, learn and grow.