Jim Baudino
Jim Baudino is an advisor, investor and award-winning executive who has held leadership roles across cannabis, automotive, financial services and medical industries with a focus and expertise in bringing consumer brands to market.
Jim is a partner and head of client services and strategic partnerships at Fiorello Agency, a brand incubator and boutique creative and strategic communications agency focused on supporting early-stage, high-growth businesses in emerging markets. He is focused on raising awareness of the benefits of cannabis and its long history, while also dispelling stigmas and educating on the social and economic issues in the cannabis industry. Jim created the award-winning Cannabis Marketing Master Course through Atheneum Collective, a leading online professional learning platform.
Jim started his career in cannabis with MERRY JANE Media, the Snoop Dogg founded global media platform at the intersection of cannabis and culture, where, as President, he played a pivotal role in the launch of the company and bringing award-winning original video, editorial and live events to millions in support of the normalization of cannabis. Partnering with companies such as VICE, Viacom, Live Nation, Postmates and Canopy Growth, MERRY JANE established itself as a leader in driving advocacy, education and responsible use to the masses.
Prior to the cannabis industry, Jim worked with consulting, startup and major consumer brands, including ten years with Toyota North America, where he held leadership roles in marketing and business development. In his latest role at Toyota, Jim oversaw national sponsorship and partnership strategies for the Toyota lineup, including 20+ celebrities and athletes. He spearheaded relationships with brands like NBC, GoPro, NBA, Pepsi and Live Nation and events like X-Games, Lollapalooza, Rock & Roll Marathon and Bassmaster Classic to create fully integrated programs that engaged millions of consumers. Along with internal awards for innovation, Jim was also the recipient of the auto industry’s prestigious Automotive News 40 Under 40 Award.
Jim holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is on the board of ThinkLA, the Media, Marketing, and Advertising Collective with a mission to connect, inspire and educate the Los Angeles marketing community, and has led the integration of cannabis and hemp into their programming. He has spoken about cannabis at numerous mainstream conferences and universities, and in his free time, Jim enjoys trying new things and traveling to unique destinations with his wife and two children. He is currently quarantining on an avocado farm on the big island of Hawaii.