James E. Sparks

Programs/Classes Taught:

Master in Business Administration (MBA)

Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM)

• Marketing for Manager
• Marketing Strategy
• Communications within Organizations

Areas of Expertise:

• Marketing Strategy
• Business Development/Sales
• Acquisition and Loyalty Marketing
• Product and Project Management
• Leadership Development
• Start-ups and Entrepreneurship
• Sales Promotions (B2C and B2B)
• Advertising and Agency Management

Biography:

James E. Sparks (Jim) currently leads The Sparks Group, a communications and branding company he founded to help companies create and sustain growth and navigate the challenges that come with business cycles and expansion. Jim was one of the original marketing members of the successful launch of Discover Card which today is a $4 billion corporation. He established the company’s co-op advertising and card member marketing programs and developed and managed the National Sales Relationship team that was responsible for the top 500 merchants who accepted the Discover Card.

Jim was instrumental in designing the Discover Card Merchant Acquirer Relations program and negotiated contracts with Elavon (previously NOVA), Global Payments, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS Lynk) and numerous other acquirers. His efforts led to the successful conversion of millions of new merchants to Discover Card and the sale of multi-million dollar portfolios for each acquirer. Jim also helped Discover merchants gain international acceptance.

Before joining Discover Card, Jim worked for Continental Bank where he was responsible for marketing communications to high-net-worth customers and held account management positions with several advertising agencies, including Ketchum M&S. He started his advertising and marketing career with the Chicago Sun-Times.

Jim is a trustee for McCormick Theological Seminary and Thresholds, a non-profit serving the homeless; Board Advisor for siyea, a Silicon Valley start-up; and the Otis Wilson Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing from the University of Illinois in Urbana, and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Jim is an adjunct professor of marketing strategy at National Louis University in Chicago. 

Education:

Masters of Business Administration, University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

Bachelor of Science, Advertising and Marketing, University of Illinois – Urbana

Institute of Advance Studies in Advertising, Northwestern University 

Research and Interests: 

Teaching Philosophy:

I feel strongly that it is never too late for learning and for personal growth.  Every person given the opportunity and has the desire to learn can continue to develop their education. I enjoy adult education because there is a sense of eagerness and accomplishment in the classroom.

Professional Interest: 

Helping start-up companies through the critical life cycle of growth. Serving as a transaction processing and credit card industry expert management consulting firms.

Contact Information:

James E. Sparks, MBA

Email:  James.sparks@nl.edu

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimsparksmba

Phone: 630-366-0770

Website: www.James-Sparks.com