When I first met Greg Heanue during a client project, I was immediately fascinated by his background and the track that led him to become the Chief Marketing Officer at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.  I knew right away that I wanted to interview him to learn more about his fascinating career.

Greg has one of those infectious personalities that draw you in from the moment he begins talking.  He is as charming as he is intelligent, and his career has taken him all over the country and allowed him the opportunity to work with some of the biggest channels on cable.  From New York City to Los Angeles, Greg has held executive positions for the BBC, HUB Network (Discovery Family Channel), and The Weather Channel.  Greg’s influence with each of these networks is still felt today, and we are fortunate to have someone of his experience in Oklahoma City.

What is your current role?

I am the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

What did you always want to be as a child when you grew up?

As a kid I dreamed of driving an ice cream truck.  My thinking was that I’d only work summers driving around meeting people who were excited to see me and buy stuff I loved. The closest I’ve come to that dream was working as the U.S. Brand Manager for Chupa Chups where I sold ice cream flavored lollipops. 

What was the best piece of advice you were given when you were first starting out?

Be decisive.  Even if you are not 100% sure which option is best, by making a decision quickly you’ll soon learn what the right choice is. If you made a bad choice, fix it and move on. 

What is the biggest sacrifice you have made in leading a business?

I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything I’ve truly wanted. I guess I could spend more time exercising.  I’m very fortunate. 

You have owned your own consulting firm in the past. What was the biggest overall lesson you’ve learned in being an executive in a business?

Fail fast. You can learn so much from failing, but it’s dangerous to spend too much time and energy thinking about what you should have or could have done.  When you swing for the fence and miss, figure out what didn’t work and get ready for the next swing.

What do you love in life?

I love the unpredictability of life, the surprises you discover with each day’s churn. It is also a huge reason why I love working with the OKC Zoo. My colleagues are also pretty fascinating.

What are you most proud of in what you do?

I’m really proud of my ability to turn strategic ideas into fun programs. Whether it’s an ad campaign, a fundraising idea or an entertainment series, I enjoy the process of helping turn smart concepts – regardless of who conceives them - into campaigns that work.

What are the things you do to grow professionally?

For me, the best way to grow professionally is by collaborating with other leaders on long-term partnerships.  When two different organizations work on a joint project that delivers on the mission of both groups, everyone is going to learn exponentially. 

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?

Lately, I have become obsessed with collecting high school yearbooks from midwestern American states between 1930 and 1960.  The evolution of America over these four decades as edited and photographed by hilariously self-conscious teenagers is gobsmacking.  Facebook isn’t nearly this interesting.

What do you consider to be your “luxiere?”

Well, everything is a luxury if you think about it, but something specific is Diptyque candles.  Unusual scents at embarrassing prices. I get 6 to 8 a year as recommended from their L.A. store. I have no idea what they smell like until they arrive. They always have the most amazing scents.