Derek Koenig

Derek Koenig

Program
BA ‘89/MBA ‘94
SVP, Head of Agency Creative,
Company
Discovery Communications
Career Background

Throughout his 25-year career, Derek Koenig has combined team-building leadership, strategic acumen, and award-winning creative firepower to deliver dramatic business results. Currently as SVP Head of Creative for Discovery’s In-House Agency, Koenig leads the creative department supporting all Discovery U.S. and International businesses with marketing, promotion, television production, branded content, and VR platform development.

Formerly, Koenig was president of Two Step consulting in Boulder, CO, creating content, campaigns, and SEO for Qwest, Sony, Nike, and Victors & Spoils. Also in Boulder, Koenig served as CMO for Vail Resorts, overseeing all global marketing, research, sales, digital, sponsorships, and event marketing. His tenure included record pass sales for the five mountain resorts and signing Lindsey Vonn as spokesperson.  

Prior to Vail, Koenig was SVP, Marketing, at Discovery Communications leading brand stewardship for TLC, ID, Science, Military, Velocity, and the Pro Cycling Team with Lance Armstrong. Koenig also held earlier executive marketing leadership positions at AOL, Sony, and Discover Financial Services in Chicago.

Additionally, Koenig managed the McDonald’s, Pillsbury, and P&G accounts at Leo Burnett, and was the core team lead for Altoids. He began his career as a copywriter for Ford Motor Company. Overall career highlights include two Emmys, two Cannes Lions, three Gold Effie's, 50 PromaxBDA awards, CTAM Gold Mark, three Adweek campaigns of the year, AAAA Gold for Strategy, and the Agency of the year for IHAF.

A passionate Wolverine, Koenig holds a BA in economics and an MBA from Michigan.