Managing Partner, MAAD Creative LLC, and Co-owner, Nclusion Inc.

Age: 26

Brandon Banks wants to be your branding buddy.

Since graduating college, Brandon Banks has held almost every role in MAAD Creative, a local advertising company that houses more than six local brands, including The Add Sheet and Marketplace Magazine, which serve as platforms to help small businesses grow in a cost-effective way.

Brandon started in sales, did hand distribution of publications, and got his hands in creative copywriting and then production. In the past year, he’s trained himself in photography, photo retouching, and graphic design. On most days, he’s at-the-ready to answer phone calls and consult clients on marketing, management, and growth strategies, all while trying to maintain a lifestyle of fun social events. 

Brandon says that one of the biggest misconceptions of his job is that it’s all fun and games and nothing is serious. “While we have fun, are light-hearted marketers, and like crude tongue-in-cheek humor, we all have lines, boundaries, and the expectation of delivering results and professional products into the market,” he says.

Brandon’s goal for 2022 is improving MAAD’s digital foothold, expanding their forced distribution to ensure that 100% of the Columbia population gets The Add Sheet, where they can utilize the coupons and find new small businesses to support. They’re also working to expand the free pick-up distribution throughout Mid-Missouri.

“We began working with Brandon when he was an account executive for Modern Media,” says Jason Gruender. “He dedicated endless hours to listening to our needs, created unique plans and content (including our jingle) for Liberty Family Medicine, and truly made our entire team feel special during every interaction.”

Brandon is also the co-founder of Nclusion Inc. This year, his organization is focused on developing the first ever Midwest Drag Convention and working with several university systems to bring drag shows and pride festivals to their students and community. They’d also love to find an affordable brick and mortar downtown location to open as a consistent safe space and drag bar for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Brandon considers the golden rule a guiding principle for himself. “It’s easy to be an asshole,” Brandon says, “But it takes true intelligence, self-control, and education to refine yourself into someone who can successfully make others feel affirmed, welcomed, and loved no matter what.”

Fun Fact: Brandon can recite the ABCs backwards and forwards at an extremely fast pace.