Ernie Harker

Why hire the $Billion Branding Guy?

Because your brand deserves more than just attention—it deserves to ignite a movement! Ernie Harker, widely known as the Billion Dollar Branding Guy, has a proven track record of transforming brands from forgettable to iconic, helping them not just survive but thrive in today’s fiercely competitive marketplace. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate leader, Ernie brings a powerful mix of creativity, strategy, and passion to help your brand stand out, resonate, and grow.

Ernie’s branding expertise isn’t just theory—it’s built on decades of hands-on experience. With a background in art and marketing, Ernie started his career in 1993 as a concept artist at an ad agency working with high-tech clients like Intel, Netscape, and Iomega. From there, he founded Ernburn, a production studio specializing in illustration, animation, video, ads, and brand development. His creative genius soon made him a sought-after branding expert, and his success skyrocketed when he led the rebranding of Maverik – Adventure’s First Stop. Ernie’s efforts turned a small, regional western-themed convenience store chain into a $3 billion high-energy outdoor adventure brand, reshaping its identity, look, and feel to connect deeply with adventure lovers across the nation.

But branding isn’t just a career for Ernie—it’s a passion. He’s the author of the book Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand That Doesn’t, where he breaks down the complex world of branding into simple, actionable steps that any business can implement. His philosophy is clear: branding is more than a logo; it’s about creating an emotional connection with your audience. And the brands that succeed are the ones that build that connection authentically and memorably.

One of Ernie’s most captivating branding stories involves his work with the legendary Chuck Norris. Chuck’s bottled water company, CForce, was struggling to find its true identity. Enter Ernie. After several memorable experiences—like an intense workout session and dinner at Chuck’s home—Ernie helped Chuck Norris discover what the CForce brand should truly represent. With Ernie’s guidance, CForce realigned its focus, and sales surged, bringing the brand into alignment with Chuck’s legendary reputation.

When you hire Ernie, you’re not just getting a branding consultant; you’re getting a dynamic public speaker and workshop leader who energizes audiences and inspires action. Ernie’s speaking style is fun, engaging, and packed with actionable insights. Audiences leave his sessions ready to take their brand to the next level. Whether he’s presenting to a room of 50 or a stadium of thousands, Ernie connects with every person in the room, leaving a lasting impression.

Ernie speaks on a variety of branding and business topics, including:

• Why most companies get branding wrong – with real-world examples like Chuck Norris’s CForce brand
• The 4 steps to building a successful brand strategy – based on Ernie’s FIRE method
• How branding unites company departments and boosts morale – creating a shared purpose that inspires everyone
• Using the Brand Matrix – a powerful tool to remove bias and make clear branding decisions
• The role of Generative AI in branding and marketing – how AI can help create on-brand marketing materials efficiently while maintaining creativity

Beyond his professional achievements, Ernie’s life is filled with creativity, adventure, and family. He’s a published author and illustrator of three children’s books, a YouTube host where he teaches kids how to draw on his Sketch-e channel, and the host of the travel TV show Xtreme Tourist. An Ironman athlete and a man of many talents, Ernie has even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Despite these accomplishments, he humorously admits he’s “allergic to exercise” but still pushes himself to new heights.

In addition to his adventures, Ernie is a family man with seven brothers and a deep love for wakeboarding, mountain biking, movies, and (of course) indulging in junk food. He believes in living life to the fullest and brings that same zest for life into his branding work, helping organizations discover the unique spark that sets them apart from the competition.

Whether it’s through keynote speaking, workshops, or personalized consulting, Ernie Harker is ready to ignite your brand and take it to extraordinary heights. If you’re ready to go from ordinary to unforgettable, hire the Billion Dollar Branding Guy today!