PHOTO: © JPMORGANCHASE
THE BASICS
Name: Greg Stranz
Title: Managing Director, Strategic Co‑Brand Partnerships
Company, city: JPMorgan Chase; Wilmington, Delaware
First job: Entrepreneur running a scuba business
Where to next: Iceland; then Vancouver for the holidays and Whistler to ski. Rome next year!
A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Ryan Reynolds or Jason Sudeikis
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
A fishing boat captain in the islands
What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
Ted Lasso — I admire his optimism, his ability to inspire change, and how he brings out the best in people.
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Robin Williams and Maya Angelou, to name a few.
THE BUSINESS
What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?
We celebrated Aeroplan’s 40th anniversary with customers by creating a meaningful, memorable campaign. The activation included a four-day 40 percent points bonus for existing members and a 40 percent bonus on spend for 40 days for new members. We concluded the celebration with a special cardmember dinner overlooking the New York City skyline — an event designed to honor the milestone and connect personally with our members.
What is your favorite aspect of the job?
The power of partnership. I enjoy collaborating with my team and external partners to translate compelling rewards into real travel opportunities for cardmembers.
What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
I believe deeply in brand building and meeting customers where they consume media in ways that educate and entertain rather than simply sell. That philosophy has led me to invest in new and unconventional long‑ and short‑form marketing content. Those initiatives carry the risk of uncertain returns and measurement challenges, but they can also open new avenues for engagement when they succeed.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
I’ve worked with many talented people across travel — visionaries, innovators and change agents who make positive impacts in the industry stand out the most.
AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare: Severe weather caused my wife and me to miss our friends’ wedding in Portland, Maine. Flight delays kept rolling until the flight was canceled and the rebooking options were two days after the ceremony. We flew to Boston, rented a car and drove the rest of the way. We still missed the wedding but arrived in time for the reception.
Share a comical travel experience: Returning from Toronto years ago, I wasn’t sure I’d clear customs in time, so I switched to a later flight. I ended up getting through customs quickly, and the airline put me back on the earlier flight but had already reassigned my upgraded seat. Kevin Bacon was in that seat — so now I’m only one degree of separation from him!
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? Planes, mostly, but I’ll choose whichever mode gets me to my destination quickly and safely. I value all forms of travel for the connections they create: meeting new people, running into acquaintances, and having moments to disconnect and generate fresh ideas.
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? The best service comes from people who are engaged, curious, patient and genuinely caring. Recently, a host at an international lounge went out of their way, making calls to locate my information so I could be admitted rather than turned away. That willingness to help made a lasting impression.