doug harris

 

After studying business at Carrington in Auckland, New Zealand, Doug Harris spent the next three decades mastering the science of creating and building strong brands in fiercely-competitive environments whilst growing year-over-year revenues.

He has an established entrepreneurial & managerial track-record with numerous successful business ventures including alternative energy, entertainment, publishing and marketing companies in New Zealand, Australia, England, and for the last 20 years, the United States of America.

He is considered to be Hawaii’s leading start-up and turn-around business consultant with proven case histories like Na Hoku Jewelry and Burger King Hawaii.

He arrived in Honolulu in 1991 to provide consultancy services for Star Graphics International, a design studio specializing in sourcing products and services from New Zealand. Envisioning great potential, he purchased the business and soon after opened Smartcomm, Hawaii’s Promotions Agency after winning the76 gasoline stations marketing RFP over Hawaii’s top advertising agencies.

Smartcomm grew quickly despite the tough Hawaii recession years of the 1990’s to become the state’s eighth largest agency before merging with the McNeil Wilson partnership in 1999 to form Laird Christianson Harris after winning the KFC account.

During his five year tenure there, Mc Neil Wilson and Laird Christianson Harris grew in triple digits to become Hawaii’s largest communications consultancy.

With hundreds of employees, Doug now found that a majority of his time was being spent on corporate & administrative duties instead of fighting for market share and developing brand equity which is where his passion has always been.

So, in May of 2004, Doug founded the Harris Agency with the vision of leading a hand-selected team of experts to provide critical, strategic solutions in challenging categories for a limited clientele.

Today the Harris Agency is ranked as one of Hawaii’s top three agencies with a team of 15 full-time professionals.

Career milestones:

Company & Role:

Creative Source Advertising/Zebra Graphics/Brochures Unlimited: Managing Director

New Zealand Surfing: Founder and Publisher

Harris Enterprises Ltd. [Music, events & band management]: Managing Director