Doug Nelson

Bio:

Doug Nelson is a marketing leader redefining what it means to go to market in a regulated, AI-enabled world. As Head of Marketing at Orasis Pharmaceuticals, he built a full commercial strategy from the ground up—designing a future-ready martech stack, integrating AI across strategy and execution, and launching campaigns that are both fast-moving and deeply strategic. He blends the enduring fundamentals of marketing—positioning, insight, and storytelling—with next-generation precision powered by AI tools and platform fluency.

Doug’s career began unconventionally: after ending his athletic career at the University of Florida and moving to New York City without a job, a chance encounter at a networking event led him to Jaws Interactive, a VC firm where he evaluated early-stage startups on their digital marketing strategies and technology stacks. He invested in companies like Adore Me (later acquired by Victoria’s Secret) and quickly developed a sharp eye for what scales in consumer growth.

From venture to vision care, Doug transitioned into sales at Alcon Pharmaceuticals, managing territories across the East Coast. Following Alcon’s acquisition by Novartis, Doug pivoted into marketing—building omnichannel strategies across brands in glaucoma, allergy, dry eye, and post-cataract care. He later joined OxfordSM, a boutique consultancy, where he advised clients like AbbVie, J&J, and Sanofi on omnichannel marketing, AI integration, and digital innovation. At OxfordSM, he also led AI strategy—helping clients build future-proof marketing capabilities.

Doug’s rare blend of strategic depth and hands-on execution has made him a standout in modern pharma marketing. He’s a strong advocate for redefining agency partnerships—treating agencies as strategic collaborators, not task-level executors—and believes lean, AI-enabled teams can drive outsized impact when empowered with the right tools. Whether on stage or in the boardroom, Doug brings a grounded, forward-looking perspective on the future of marketing—one where speed, story, data, and design converge to deliver results that matter.