Hi there. I’m James Colistra. I understand how to enable sales growth through marketing, because that was my main focus for the last decade at Forbes. I’ve created a marketing consultancy called Wonderfish and I’m currently looking for my next big challenge. If you would like to set up a time to talk, email me at jcolistra@wonderfish.xyz. In the meantime, here are some of my career highlights from Forbes.

1. James Colistra
Former Executive Director of Integrated Marketing, Forbes
May 2014 – January 2024
A Decade of Innovation
Portfolio

2. Hi there. I’m James Colistra.
I understand how to enable sales growth
through marketing, because that was my
main focus for the last decade at Forbes.
I’ve created a marketing consultancy called
Wonderfish and I’m currently looking for
my next big challenge.
If you would like to set up a time to talk,
email me at jcolistra@wonderfish.xyz.
In the meantime, here are some of my
career highlights from Forbes.

3. Randall Lane
chief content officer of Forbes
Media and editor of Forbes
Magazine
James is a very creative person who worked
with me to help build the Forbes 30 Under 30
franchise, among many other things. He's
always full of ideas, he works hard and he really
cares about his work and making his team
successful.
“
”

4. Strategic Marketing Milestones
Played a pivotal role in launching and guiding some of Forbes’ most
valuable editorial franchises. Here are just a few:
Forbes Under 30
2014 – 2017
Devised marketing for
Forbes' first Under 30
Summit, turning it into the
most profitable franchise
paired with the list.
Forbes SHOOK Top
Advisors
2016 – 2019
Led the development of a
successful financial advisors
list and event franchise.
Forbes Centennial
2017
Directed the centennial
celebration strategy,
enhancing sales and
company-wide engagement.
Forbes 50 Over 50
2020-2021
Led the marketing for a
powerful new list and event
honoring influential women
over 50.
Forbes Digital Assets
Portal
2021-2022
Developed marketing for
Forbes' Web3 and Crypto
hub and NFT collection.

5. Big Wins
During my time at Forbes, I led concept development and strategy to pitch six and seven-
figure multi-platform marketing programs that were sold to the following clients:

6. Big Wins
During my time at Forbes, I led concept development and strategy to pitch six and seven-
figure multi-platform marketing programs that were sold to the following clients:

7. Paste It Forward:
An Ideas Contest
OBJECTIVE:
Launch and promote "Paste by WeTransfer," an innovative tool for creating
presentations, by engaging the entrepreneurial community and generating
widespread awareness.
STRATEGY:
Leveraged Forbes' "30 Under 30" community to host a contest challenging
participants to use Paste for their business ideas. Three winners each will receive
$10,000 and mentorship from listers, highlighting Paste as a platform that can help
entrepreneurs bring impactful ideas to life.
EXECUTION:
• Digital campaign across Forbes' platform, mix of native article content, social
video, social media, newsletters, and native ads to drive engagement.
• High-impact promotional tactics, including animated videos and targeted
marketing, to attract small business professionals and career-focused individuals.
CASE STUDY
GOLD AWARD
WINNER
2021 W3
200+
Submissions
7M
Total Brand Impressions
125+
Hours of Engagement
R E S U L T S :
Source: Google Analytics

8. Spirited Success
OBJECTIVE:
Amidst market challenges in 2020, The Macallan sought to bolster brand awareness
and connect with luxury spirit consumers and aspirational audiences.
STRATEGY:
We created three custom content features, one that highlighted The Macallan’s rich
heritage, one with a whisky gift guide, and one about Under 30
listers driving sustainability.
EXECUTION:
Targeted content strategy emphasizing The Macallan’s brand storytelling and unique
whisky offerings, leveraging a mix of advertising mediums: editorial list sponsorships,
custom Premium Posts, virtual events for direct engagement, social media assets for
wider reach, and newsletter sponsorships for targeted outreach.
RESULTS:
• Achieved meaningful brand awareness within luxury and aspirational consumer
segments, reinforcing The Macallan's position as a premier whisky brand.
BEST IN SHOW
Branded Content
2021 W3
CASE STUDY
Data through 1.12.21
Source: Quantcast, Bombora, Creative Commons
*than the average internet user
V I S I T O R S T O T H E M A C A L L A N ’ S C O N T E N T :
1.7x
More Likely* to Have a
Household Income of $150k+
46%
Readers Ages 25-44
2.6x
Fine Dining Frequent
Spenders

9. Direct Manager: 2022-2024
“There isn’t anyone quite like James Colistra. He displayed a team-first mentality and rooted others on, helped connect people across
the organization - and around the world - all while selflessly offering his time and infectious energy. James’ leadership of the
Integrated Marketing team played a large part in enabling our global sales team to sell through creative branded programs that
leveraged the various platforms that we had to offer. We were incredibly grateful for James’ work and his willingness to always go
above and beyond what was asked of him. He was a constant learner and was always in search of how to make things better for the
business - and for his colleagues.
In his nearly ten years at Forbes, James also did wonderful work in attending countless charity and volunteering events while at the
company. He collaborated with HR about ways to recruit and support military veterans, which they implemented as part of the hiring
process. He created mentorship opportunities and live Zoom sessions for fellow employees to guide military veterans.
James is a prime example of the combination of unending curiosity, collaboration, and compassion needed to create an ideal work
culture.”
Jason Webster
Group Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Forbes

10. jcolistra@wonderfish.xyz
973 843.1712