Rob Hickernell - AI and Marketing Consultant
Rob Hickernell, MBA
Digital Marketing & AI Strategy Leader | Driving Growth Through Data, Innovation, and Technology
Rob Hickernell is a results-driven digital marketing and AI strategy executive with a proven track record of helping organizations transform their marketing performance and business operations through data, technology, and intelligent automation. With over two decades of experience leading high-impact digital initiatives across SaaS, healthcare, technology, and professional services, Rob has built a reputation for aligning marketing innovation with measurable business outcomes.
As Founder and Chief Digital Strategist of Today Marketing Solutions, Rob advises small and midsize businesses on digital transformation and AI adoption—helping leaders harness tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Canva to drive growth, streamline operations, and enhance customer engagement. He has also developed and delivered executive-level workshops and webinars that demystify AI’s business impact and guide companies through the transition from traditional SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO).
Previously, Rob served as Executive Vice President and Senior Associate of Digital Marketing and Client Services at OPEN MINDS, where he led digital strategy and demand generation for B2B healthcare SaaS and pharmaceutical clients. His integrated campaigns across email, paid search, and social channels achieved a 450% increase in engagement and significant conversion growth.
Earlier in his career, as Vice President of Digital Strategy at Live Oak Associates and Vice President of Product and Digital Marketing at AOL Search, Rob directed multimillion-dollar marketing and analytics operations—driving over $100M in new revenue through innovative media acquisition strategies and performance optimization. His leadership at AOL spanned partnerships with global brands like Google and Microsoft, overseeing P&L, marketing analytics, and product strategy for a $300M business unit.
Rob holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Towson University. Known for his analytical mindset, collaborative leadership, and forward-looking approach to AI and digital transformation, Rob continues to help organizations bridge the gap between technology potential and business results.