Bob Thacker joined OfficeMax in late 2005, bringing a strong background in marketing and brand development. In his leadership role, Bob will be guiding the company’s brand position and all customer marketing interactions. Early successes with OfficeMax include standout creative campaigns such as “Save Money On Ink” tattoo creative, “ElfYourself”, a viral marketing phenomenon, “Schooled”, a reality back-to-school television show, and “The World’s Largest Rubberband Ball” national media event.

Bob’s career prior to joining OfficeMax includes a stint as CEO/President of BBDO Minneapolis, as Senior Vice President of Marketing Services at Sears Roebuck, and as Vice President of Marketing at Target Corporation.

Bob may be best known, however, as the man who brought Michael Graves to Target. As Vice President of Marketing for Target Corporation (1989-98) Bob was responsible for launching the Target brand in new markets including New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, where Target advertising achieved tremendous reception. Bob’s work with Michael Graves Design Group started the wave of new partnerships with other companies and properties which were marketed exclusively at Target, and brought Target to a new level of consumer loyalty and national recognition as one of the hottest brands in American retailing.

In 2001 Bob was awarded the 2001 Silver Medal by the Minnesota Advertising Federation as the Man of the Year. He was twice selected by Advertising Age as one of the Top 100 Marketers in the Nation. Bob has also been elected to the Retail Hall of Fame, which honors only one retail professional each year. This year, Bob was also chosen by Advertising Age as one of 24 top media authorities in the industry.