Believing that brands are communities based on shared stories, Norris passionately champions the persuasive power of an authentic story to foster cooperation in any context.
His maternal grandfather, a globe-trotting activist/preacher, encouraged him to learn the human story by selling educational books door-to-door. His mom, an English teacher, taught him the value of a well-written story. An uncle who was a history professor taught him that history is the story of our past. And his father, an electrical engineer who designed the broadcasting antenna atop the World Trade Center, told him the story of a new digital age in communications.
“Their stories became my story: a teacher turned advocate, turned marketing/communications executive,” Norris says. “Now as the managing partner of Princeton Strategic Communications, I work with a talented team of professionals to share the stories of consequential companies and causes.”
Prior to PSC, the Jersey Shore native was tasked by the state Board of Education to open its Family and Community Relations Office. There, he directed community outreach while forging stakeholder partnerships supporting an ambitious education reform effort.
For years, Norris told stories of his beloved Jersey Shore, including those of Wildwood and Cape May. He helped clients win the Brass Ring Award from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the N.J. Governor’s Tourism Award in 2010, and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Award for a website redesign.
Before Clark became a vice president at New York-based Magnet Communications, which served clients such as IBM and the Thomson Corporation, Norris was recruited by Ross Perot as a CRM marketing executive serving Saks Fifth Avenue after helping the businessman organize a two-million-member national advocacy campaign in 1993.
While earning a master’s degree in religion and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, he taught college courses and developed continuing-education programs in Cape May, including the Art Kane Photo Workshops and the Cape May Music Festival.
Norris enjoys extensive experience in a wide range of public service areas. He served a four-year term as the deputy mayor of Lower Township, the largest municipality in Cape May County. He was the founding chairman of the N.J. Delaware Bayshore Council and a member of the First Legislative District Economic Development Task Force. He led the restoration of the Historic Fishing Creek School, serves on the boards of the Historic Cold Spring Village and Cape May MAC, and organizes TEDxCapeMay, which has been viewed by over nine million worldwide.
An avid traveler, Norris has explored over 45 countries and hopes to visit 20 more.