Jerry Gelsomino

Brainstormer, Business adviser, Change agent, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Photographer, Promoter, Writer/Editor

Profile Mission Jerry Gelsomino is the principal of FutureBest. He is a respected retail critic and visionary, tracking emerging consumer behavior in search of the next big trend. He brings to his clients extensive brand development experience as well as the ability to interpret successful techniques across merchandise and service categories. In all his endeavors, he is focused on creating the very best shopping experience for customers. Mr. Gelsomino believes by offering to mentor and coach his clients on tactics to live their brand promise, independent of the eventual implementation techniques, he is best positioned to help bring about a new paradigm for shopping. Innovation plays an essential role in the establishment of Jerry’s strategy for a unique client identity. To be successful, however, the innovation must be practical, affordable and able to be interpreted into everyday activities, so consideration of what is achievable is a key element of his brand creation process. Experience Mr. Gelsomino has held executive positions with several international retail design firms, prior to forming Krueger Design Group, Inc. with his wife, Linda J. Krueger in 1992. Based in Santa Monica, California, the firm successfully accomplished store design and development work for an array of national and international retail companies. During this period, Jerry also launched a marketing consultancy, known as Próspect, to serve retailers, design firms, and manufacturers. One of Próspect’s first retained relationships was with Pratt Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana, for whom he eventually accepted the position of Vice President of Marketing and Brand Experience. With his departure to form FutureBest, the company is once again one of his first clients. In August 2008, Mr. Gelsomino made a dramatic move in relocating to Hong Kong. Citing the atmosphere of excitement in Asia and its dramatic impact on retail, the company is intent on understanding the culture and business attributes of the region in order to improve the global shopping experience. Involvement Committed to giving back to the industry from which he has benefited, Jerry is pasr International Vice President and a Fellow of the Retail Design Institute, an active member of the Association for Retail Environments and is a distinguished alumni of the Associate Member Advisory Committee of the National Retail Federation. He contributes regularly to several industry periodicals and as a speaker, focuses on consumer patterns, service innovation and brand building. Project Work Jerry’s development and consulting experience includes: Coca-Cola, Coffee Bean, Dollar General Markets, Disney Regional Entertainment, Eastern Mountain Sports, Ethel M Chocolates, Hanna – Barbera, The Hollywood Bowl, Lowe’s, L.L. Bean, Millers Outpost/Anchor Blue, Musicland Group/Best Buy, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Rio Suites Hotel and Casino, Six Flags Theme Parks, Target (Australia), Tracker Marine, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering and Warner Bros. International Entertainment. Personal Mr. Gelsomino earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Visual Arts from Southern Illinois University, and a Masters of Science in Management Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He was a Mentor in Pratt Corporation’s Toastmaster Club, and is a graduate of numerous executive development programs including: Crucial Conversations, Giambetti Performance Dynamics, and the Pacific Institute.

Improving the consuming experience for the shopper, visitor, guest, student, participant and attendee. Consistenly treat these individuals with respect while celebrating their diversity.

The consumer experience is all about building relationships. I view physical touchpoints; architecture, interior design, furnishings, graphics, genaral ambience and employees as the means by which a company can communicate its brand essence and live its own personality. Technology should not lead but be a support tool toward efficiently delivering products, services or information to the consuming audience. While we should strive for technological breakthoughs to add new paradigms, the best advancements are hidden from view. The provider is to be viewed as a wizard at work for the advantage of the user.