MiddleM Creative Promotes Jan Morris to Director
From Traditional Advertising to M&A Excellence: Celebrating Jan Morris’ Promotion to Director
MiddleM Creative is pleased to announce the promotion of Jan Morris to Director. Jan joined the MiddleM team in 2022, bringing extensive experience in strategic marketing, client management, and project leadership.
With over ten years of experience across specialized teams and multiple verticals, Jan has consistently delivered exceptional results for MiddleM's middle-market M&A clients. Her promotion reflects her outstanding contributions to our clients' success and her leadership within our team.
We sat down with Jan to discuss her approach to M&A marketing, leadership philosophy, and what drives her success:
You've spoken before about emotion's role in decision-making. How does this insight shape your approach to M&A marketing, particularly in what's often seen as a purely analytical field?
Prior to joining MiddleM Creative, I worked in traditional advertising firms. Once I joined the MiddleM team in 2022, I soon realized that the fundamental principles of emotions and their impact on decision-making are relevant, no matter the industry. In fact, the stakes are even higher in our industry. My approach to strategy went from trying to convince consumers to buy — insert any widget — to helping business owners choose our middle-market M&A clients as their partners in the next evolution of their company. The bottom line is still trust, and my mission every day is to position our clients as the trusted partner for the next big move.
With your extensive project management background, how do you balance process precision with the creative demands of M&A marketing?
Meeting a deadline and providing the highest quality end product hold the same priority level for me. Never one above the other. At MiddleM, we teach our team that project management is not a science but an art. Allowing flexibility and creativity into one's processes will ultimately provide the best breeding ground for a strategic, well-executed outcome.
You've worked across various verticals throughout your career. How does your broad exposure and deep experience enhance your ability to serve MiddleM's diverse M&A client base?
In traditional marketing, you'll often hear coined phrases like, "We know a little about a lot." At MiddleM, we pride ourselves on being immersed and highly knowledgeable in middle-market M&A, either from first-hand experience or in-depth training. We understand that middle-market private equity and investment banking is extremely niche, not only in focus area but in strategy. My diverse background allows me to effectively lead marketing efforts for businesses similar to those of our partners, such as bankers' clients or companies within a firm's portfolio. It helps me understand the mindset of a business owner ready to sell or expand through strategic M&A and really enables me to envision a full-circle strategic approach.
How have your past experiences in specialized, nimble teams influenced your leadership style in your new role as Director?
My 7th grade geometry teacher once wrote on my progress report that I was a Renaissance woman. I've carried that title with me ever since.
I started my career in manufacturing, working at a woman-owned small business. That's an experience I'll never take for granted, despite going home dusty every day from walking around the shop floor. Along with being a Navy wife at the time, I had no choice but to be nimble. I remember my husband receiving orders and having to move my career at the drop of a hat. Each time, I landed in a role that benefitted me more than I could ever have ever imagined. Past roles included working in advertising for a small agency that taught me how to pitch clients, project manage multi-channel campaigns and work with hot-head creative directors. Another beneficial role had me working for the city's tourism department for a brand-new-to-me city, as I learned to advertise it like I was a local.
When you allow yourself to be nimble, you also embrace the challenge of steep learning curves, fearless decision-making and doing good work in less-than-ideal circumstances. I'm not saying my path was easy, but it made me the leader I am today, and landed me in a role for which I am grateful, at a company in which I couldn't be more proud.
Your appreciation and love for music runs deep. What role does music play in your life, and what are some of your favorite artists or concerts?
I grew up in a home of musicians and music lovers, and my appreciation of its artform is a tradition I proudly pass on to my children. I transitioned from writing music on my acoustic guitar during high school and college to creating lullabies for my children while soothing them in their nursery at night.
It may have been the highest honor I ever received when a stranger once told me I was a "walking jukebox." Karaoke is my favorite extracurricular activity. I cried like a baby (coming home from the bar, oh!) when I finally experienced the Eras Tour last year. Indeed, my love for music runs deep and has been my primary source of inspiration and comfort throughout my life.
"It's like I got this music in my mind sayin', 'It's gonna be alright.'" -- Taylor Swift
Congratulations to Jan on her well-deserved promotion! Read more about MiddleM’s full team and discover how we help position middle-market M&A firms for success.