Chad Easterling
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Obsidianworks
Chad Easterling is CEO of Obsidianworks, a culture-powered marketing agency he co-founded with business partner, Michael B. Jordan. Founded in November 2020, the company specializes in cultural connectivity through brand strategy, digital and social impact.
Obsidianworks was built out of the desire to establish a full-service advertising and marketing agency reflective of Easterling and Jordan’s diverse upbringings. Working closely with their talent and brand partners, Obsidianworks creates and executes innovative and culturally resonant campaigns and activations that connect with diverse audiences in diverse communities. Their roster of clients includes Target, Legacy Classic, Frito Lay, Marriott and more.
Prior to partnering with Jordan, Easterling spent more than a decade at Nike, working across several categories and territories including both Nike and Jordan Brand. While there, he spearheaded key brand moments and disruptive campaigns, including World Basketball Festival, All-Star Weekends and Basketball Never Stops, as well as built robust strategies for key signature athletes and products, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Zion Williamson.
Understanding the role that Nike plays in inner cities and the powerful impact those communities have on culture, Easterling effectively helped connect and establish both brands on a grassroots level through Summer Leagues, high school basketball, NBA, and most importantly, throughout the community.
Chad is proud to have attended Hampton University, where he was a played on the basketball team and received his degree in Sport Management, graduating with honors in 2009.
Obsidianworks was built out of the desire to establish a full-service advertising and marketing agency reflective of Easterling and Jordan’s diverse upbringings. Working closely with their talent and brand partners, Obsidianworks creates and executes innovative and culturally resonant campaigns and activations that connect with diverse audiences in diverse communities. Their roster of clients includes Target, Legacy Classic, Frito Lay, Marriott and more.
Prior to partnering with Jordan, Easterling spent more than a decade at Nike, working across several categories and territories including both Nike and Jordan Brand. While there, he spearheaded key brand moments and disruptive campaigns, including World Basketball Festival, All-Star Weekends and Basketball Never Stops, as well as built robust strategies for key signature athletes and products, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Zion Williamson.
Understanding the role that Nike plays in inner cities and the powerful impact those communities have on culture, Easterling effectively helped connect and establish both brands on a grassroots level through Summer Leagues, high school basketball, NBA, and most importantly, throughout the community.
Chad is proud to have attended Hampton University, where he was a played on the basketball team and received his degree in Sport Management, graduating with honors in 2009.