Omar Johnson is a marketing innovator known for building world-class brands and driving transformative growth for some of the biggest names in business. As the former Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Beats by Dre and VP of Marketing at Apple, Johnson has led groundbreaking marketing strategies across brand development, positioning, advertising, and global digital marketing.

During his tenure at Beats by Dre, Johnson played a pivotal role in growing the brand from a small startup with $20 million in revenue to a $2 billion category leader. Under his leadership, Beats became the #1 premium headphone brand in over 25 countries, a remarkable achievement that ultimately led to the company’s acquisition by Apple for $3 billion in 2014. Johnson’s strategic vision and marketing expertise were integral to the brand’s success, earning him widespread recognition in the industry. In 2016, Adweek honored Johnson as a “Brand Genius,” and Business Insider named him one of the “Most Innovative CMOs.” His work at Beats and beyond has consistently demonstrated his ability to create lasting impact and drive brand loyalty in competitive markets.

Prior to his time at Beats, Johnson worked on some of the most influential marketing campaigns for global brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, and Campbell Soup. He was instrumental in producing iconic commercials for Nike, including the powerful “Rise” ad starring LeBron James, the memorable “All Together Now” campaign featuring Kobe Bryant, and the creative “The Most Valuable Puppets” series. Johnson’s work with these brands showcased his ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences on a deep emotional level, helping to elevate them from products to cultural touchstones.

After his success at Apple, Johnson founded ØPUS United, a modern brand management company that brings together a diverse collective of award-winning executives, strategists, creatives, athletes, and musicians. Through ØPUS United, Johnson continues to push the boundaries of brand strategy, collaborating with top-tier talent to understand the anatomy of world-class brands and deliver groundbreaking work for clients. In addition to his work with ØPUS United, Johnson has spearheaded initiatives such as We The People and We Got Next, aimed at empowering underrepresented voices and creating positive social change. He is also the author of Dear White Corporate America, a thought-provoking work that sparks conversations about racial equity and representation in business and government. Through these initiatives, Johnson has sought to inspire younger generations to take action in areas like voting, polling, and increasing representation within politics.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Johnson earned a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Georgia State University and went on to receive an MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. His academic background, combined with his diverse career experiences, has shaped his approach to marketing and leadership, allowing him to see opportunities from both a scientific and creative perspective.