Data and Distribution: Increasing Productivity in Sales & Marketing

Ben Doob is Head of ISS’ Market Intelligence (ISS MI) business and a member of the ISS Leadership Team. ISS MI is a leading global provider of data, analytics, insights, media, and events solutions to the global financial services industry.

ISS MI empowers global asset and wealth management firms, insurance companies, distributors, service providers, and technology firms by providing cutting-edge market-engagement platforms and the actionable intelligence necessary to fully assess their target markets, identify and analyze the best opportunities within those markets, and execute on comprehensive go-to-market initiatives to grow their business. ISS MI clients benefit from our increasingly connected global ecosystem that leverages a combination of proprietary data, powerful software and analytics, timely and relevant insights, in-depth research, as well as an extensive suite of industry leading media brands that deliver unmatched market connectivity through news and editorial content, events, training, ratings, and awards.

Ben is responsible for the overall strategy and performance of the ISS MI business and works across ISS’ business lines to grow the scope and geographic reach of ISS MI solutions. Prior to joining ISS, Ben was Senior Managing Director, Managing Principal, and on the Executive Team at Strategic Insight, where he focused on overall firm strategy and operations. Previously he was Managing Principal at FactSet and Chief Operating Officer at Market Metrics. He has also worked at McKinsey & Company where he helped clients with sales and operations strategy.

Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Williams College, with a double major in Computer Science and Economics, and an MBA with Honors from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania.

ISS MI data and analytics solutions include intelligence from BrightScope, Discovery Data, Financial Clarity, Flowspring, FWW, Investor Economics, 15c Board Services, Market Metrics, MISight, Mortgage Clarity, Plan for Life, RainmakerLive, and Simfund, and ISS MI media brands and market-engagement platforms include Chief Investment Officer, PlanAdvisor, PlanSponsor, Financial Standard, FS Sustainability, Money, and Industry Moves.

Jennifer Ball leads the US Marketing team for Franklin Templeton Investments, based in San Mateo, California. Her team contributes to Franklin Templeton’s position and growth as a leading business partner through a data-driven marketing strategy. Accountable for client experience across Franklin Templeton’s US wealth, private wealth, retirement, insurance and institutional businesses, the US Marketing team runs integrated, customized campaigns across channels, and delivers comprehensive product, digital wealth and content marketing programs.

A career financial services marketer, Jennifer has a passion for insight-driven marketing through analytics and powerful content marketing. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, she held marketing leadership positions supporting institutional and retail business at Fidelity Investments and Russell Investments. Her career also includes marketing agency account management, overseeing financial services accounts.

Jennifer is active in Franklin Templeton’s Women@FT Business Resource Group and serves as the Co-Managing Director for Franklin Distributors, LLC.  She also sits on the Board of Directors for UNest, a purpose-driven fintech company empowering parents to invest and save for their kids’ futures, and chairs the Education Council for the Investment Management Education Alliance.

John Miller is an Investment Strategies Consultant in the Wealth Client Group at Allspring Global Investments. John is responsible for the strategy and execution of the team of regional investment consultants who represent Allspring’s full investment platform. The team is responsible for setting the standard for articulating the distinct competitive advantages of Allspring’s multiple investment teams and how they fit into a client’s portfolio based on their desired outcomes. John collaborates with Allspring’s leadership and key clients’ leaderships to implement data-driven, execution strategies. He joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Well Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) in 2021.

Before joining WFAM, John was an AVP within the Advice and Research group at Wells Fargo Advisors where he was responsible for driving strategy of transforming advice and the continued adoption of goals based planning. Through field coaching and engagements, application ownership, and data analysis, John has assisted with improving the quality of advice to clients across WFA. Preceding this, John was a business consultant within the Private Client Group at WFA where he was responsible for the design and implementation of branch manager and FA compensation plans. He has been in the financial services industry since 2013. John earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking from the University of Missouri.

Mark Smith is an Executive Director with Morgan Stanley. He manages the Distribution Intelligence team responsible for the marketing and distribution of data and driving sales engagement of asset managers within Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. 

He has been with Morgan Stanley since January of 2004 including many years as a Consulting Group Regional Sales Director.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mark has held various wholesaler positions in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Cleveland and other areas of the Midwest.

Mark is a graduate of Kent State University and resides in Hudson, Ohio.