John Willard is currently an independent consultant providing market research services, writing services, and writing training. He has worked with a range of clients to guide strategic business decisions, write academic articles and international standards, and improve writing skills (and grammar!) at a range of private and public organizations.

Prior to his current role, John led the Market Research and Consumer Relations teams for 15 years at Bayer Consumer Health’s U.S. organization. At Bayer, John leveraged deep consumer understanding to increase sales.  Between 2006 and 2014, John and his team provided consumer-centric strategic guidance that helped Bayer’s U.S. sales grow by +68%. John also conducted foundational research for Bayer’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and supported that effort by bringing in expert speakers to train the organization in effective communication between the genders and on change management.

Prior to Bayer, John worked at American Express and at Publicis advertising network.

Earlier in his career, John pursued graduate studies in English Literature at Rutgers University, where he also taught courses in Composition, Business and Technical Writing, British Literature, Modern Fiction, and Detective Fiction.

John is the publicity chair for the Oratorio Society of New Jersey and a frequent volunteer at WBGO jazz radio. He enjoys ballroom dancing with his wife, playing basketball, and going to jazz clubs. He has a son who lives in Brooklyn and a brand-new daughter-in-law who lives in Amsterdam.

John has an MA in Literature from Rutgers University and a BA with Distinction in Literature from the University of Virginia.