Jake Sherman is a Principal for Kuczmarski Innovation as well as the Editor for Book Ends Publishing.
In his time at KI, Mr. Sherman has worked with clients in multiple B2B and B2C industries, including Industrial Manufacturing, Healthcare Services, Consumer Packaged Goods and Digital Services resulting in multiple tested portfolios of new offerings valued at over $400MM in cumulative three-year revenues.
On a recent project, he managed a client-integrated team from a multinational pharmaceutical company to develop a portfolio of both new-to-the-category and new-to-the-world products that would expand multiple brands into new markets and gain additional market share among base business products. He managed and executed research plans to identify opportunity areas though exploring and analyzing unmet consumer needs and gaps in current product offerings. The insights gained from consumer focus groups and secondary industry research led to the development of several new product concepts that were valued at over $100MM in potential sales over three years, and are currently in the process of development and commercialization.
Mr. Sherman is also responsible for overseeing the communications and public affairs efforts of Kuczmarski Innovation, including quarterly newsletters, social media, and public speaking engagements for KI members. He has procured KI coverage in both print and broadcast, including Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, Nasdaq Live, SiriusXM’s “Innovation Nation”, and WGN’s “Tomorrow Business Today”. He also writes copy for the weekly radio program “Innovation Minute” on WBBM NewsRadio. He has been featured on WGN Radio’s “Opening Bell.”
In addition to his work with Kuczmarski Innovation, Mr. Sherman leads Public Relations and External Affairs for Chicago Innovation. His responsibilities include outreach to organizations of all types in the Chicago business and innovation community to build engagement and incorporate them into the many Chicago Innovation programs and events, as well as curating and executing marketing/public relations initiatives.
Mr. Sherman is also the Editor for Book Ends Publishing, where he lends his expertise to guide the structure and edit the copy of multiple books on innovation and leadership produced by the firm. He works regularly with authors throughout the creative and writing processes to develop and fine-tune content to create top quality material. In 2020, he co-authored and edited Rising Together: The Story of Chicago’s Innovation Ecosystem (Book Ends Publishing), which details Chicago’s journey into a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Sherman received a B.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is the head of mentorship on the Board of Directors for The London Idea.