Timothy Sean O’Connell
Email: timothysean.oconnell@unibo.it
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timothyseanoconnell
Summary
A successful Entrepreneur, Investor & Educator with more than 20 years of experience working with global Brands, innovative Start-ups, and world-class Universities. Current roles include - Adjunct Professor at University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum) | Managing Director in Expand Partners (Strategic Consulting) | Senior Partner & Startup Center Director in H-Farm, Italy’s pioneering Digital Innovation Hub | Co-Founder & Strategic Director in The Tailors, Brand & Digital Agency | Board Member in GAN (Global Accelerator Network)
Expertise:
- Entrepreneurship
- Start-up Acceleration
- Open Innovation
- Business Strategy
- Brand Development
- Product Development
- Marketing & Sales
- Web & E-Commerce
Professional Experience:
University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum)
Adjunct Professor
2022 – Present
Cesena/Forli/Bologna, Italy
Principle Responsibilities:
- Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship in Laurea Magistrale Internazionale in Digital Transformation Management
- Visiting Professor in Global MBA at Bologna Business School
Expand Partners
Co-Founder & Director
Strategic Consulting Firm
2015 – Present
Romagna, Italy (www.expandpartners.com)
Expand Partners is a strategic consulting company specialized in open innovation amd new venture investments.
Principle Areas:
- Strategic Consulting
- Open innovation
- Venture Investments
H-Farm
Senior Partner & Accelerator Director
2010 – Present
Veneto, Italy
(www.h-farm.com)
H-FARM is an Innovation Hub that operates internationally in areas of Investment, Innovation and Education. H-Farm SpA listed on the AIM stock exchange in 2015 (Farm.MI).
Principle Responsibilities:
- Director Entrepreneurship & Startup Center Director
- Professor of ‘Entrepreneurship’ in H-Farm College Faculty
- Board member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN.co)
The Tailors
Co-Founder & Strategic Partner
Strategy - Brand - Digital Agency
2015 – Present
Romagna & Veneto Studios
(www.thetailors.it)
The Tailors is an innovative consulting company specialized in Strategy, Branding, Marketing, Web & E-commerce together with a network of first-class partners who are passionate about generating VALUE and developing BUSINESS for their clients.
Principle Areas:
- Strategic Consulting
- Brand Consulting
- Digital Consulting
- E-Commerce Consulting
Vinitaly Wine Club (Exit)
Vice President & Co-Founder
Wine industry & E-Commerce
September 2009 – 2020
Romagna, Italy
(www.vinitalyclub.com)
Vinitaly Wine Club (DesignWine srl) is an innovative e-commerce company specialized in the promotion and sales of premium Italian wine online. Vinitaly Wine Club was sold to Verona Fiere, the world’s largest wine trade show, at the beginning of 2020.
Principle Responsibilities:
- Vice President of Board of Directors
- Strategic Planning
- Marketing & Sales Strategy
Zooppa (Exit)
President & Board Member
Marketing and Advertising industry
2012 – 2019
NY – London - Milan
(www.zooppa.com)
World’s leading crowdsourcing platform for producing advertising videos and graphics. Brands use Zooppa-produced content for online videos, TV commercials, print ads, and social media channels. Zooppa was sold to the Talent House group in 2019 and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange in 2021.
Technogym
Global Marketing & Consumer Business Director
Health, Wellness and Fitness industry
2003 – September 2009
Global Group
(www.technogym.com)
World leading Wellness & Fitness group specialized in producing innovative equipment and services that Clubs, Hotels, Corporates and Consumers use around the world. Part of the Executive team that sold 40% of the group to Candover for 450mln€.
Principle Responsibilities:
- Managed a Global marketing team of 50+ people (trade, communications, product, web, e-commerce, sales training & education) in 12 countries.
- Responsible for Product Development and Innovation across all product categories & industries.
- Developed successful Retail strategy with showrooms in Moscow, Brussels, Madrid, Dubai, Milan and New York.
- Key member of the Executive team that drove revenues from 200 to 400 mln euros in 4 years.
Education:
McGill University
MA, Political Science & Economics
1991 – 1992
Student Lecturer - European Politics & Economy
University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA, Political Science
1985 – 1990
One year research program in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Graduated with Distinction.
