Wesley Moons

I study the science of effective communication. I examine how advertising shapes judgments, decisions, and behaviors, especially for health-related communications. Understanding the fundamental psychological processes underlying persuasion allows me to create more effective brands, ad campaigns, and go-to-market strategies. The best marketing strategies are based on empirical evidence from primary and secondary research. My broad skills in quantitative and qualitative market research provide robust insights for consumer products and services. The proliferation of data available to marketers has made data-driven segmentation, targeting, positioning, and tactics feasible and effective. My skills include comprehensive situation analysis, competitor analysis, feature testing, benefits valuation, extensive psychographics, customer personas, buyer journey mapping, marketing analytics, and conversion rate optimization. My specialty is in digital marketing including inbound marketing (content strategy, social media, SEO) and outbound marketing (display and search advertising). As the CEO of Cortex Science, a marketing research and strategy firm, I help clients develop comprehensive marketing plans. This roadmap provides concrete guidance to business owners and their teams. We've found that evidence of this work is particularly effective in recruiting investor funding and cooperative partnerships. I particularly enjoy work with new businesses, startups, or new product launches as a strong foundation can make or break a business' prospects. Please don't hesitate to reach out or put me in touch with someone you think could use help with marketing research and strategy.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) University of California, Santa Barbara (2002 — 2008)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Boston College (1997 — 2001)

Companies

• Board President Behavioral Medicine Institute (2020)
• Marketing Lecturer - MBA Program UCLA Anderson School of Management (2018)
• CEO, Quantitative Market Researcher Cortex Science (2014)
• Assistant Professor of Psychology Univeristy of California, Davis (2010 — 2014)
• Postdoctoral Fellow in Health Psychology and Social Neuroscience UCLA (2008 — 2010)