CHRIS RILEY, DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PLANNING, MARCOM/GRAPHIC DESIGN, APPLE

Chris works in Apple's graphic design group, where he leads the Strategic Planning function. Prior to Apple he was founder of Studioriley, an international consulting practice that helped businesses explore their relationship with culture and develop effective communications strategies. For 11 years (1991 - 2002) Chris was head of Strategic Planning at Wieden + Kennedy. Clients the agency worked with included Nike, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Audi, Amazon and Miller.

During this time Chris traveled extensively and had the humbling experience of learning that he fit in nowhere and would, forever, be a sort of outsider. He read Pico Iyer's "The Global Soul" and found that he was not alone. His interest in global brands, communication strategies and the massive change happening in the world, led him to realize that, as his bachelors degree certificate notes, he is, in fact a geographer. He is interested in the geography of commerce, consumers and the convergence of our need for social and natural harmony. Things are changing quickly and the big story for the next fifty years is only now being crafted. It will not be the same as the last narrative, within which individuals are empowered to change their lives (through consumption). It will be about the values of the Millenials and the empowerment of communities. 

Chris has taught at University of Oregon, mainly in the art and architecture school. He is also a speaker on long term social and cultural trends.