Mindgruve Welcomes Spencer Lian-Thornton as New Vice President of Growth and Partnerships

Mindgruve, a leading media, commerce, and data technology firm, has announced the appointment of Spencer Lian-Thornton as its new Vice President of Growth and Partnerships, effective January 2, 2026. This strategic move is set to enhance the company's growth trajectory and expand its influence within the realm of retail media and commerce-driven marketing.

With an impressive twelve-year tenure at Amazon, Lian-Thornton has an extensive background in formulating and scaling marketing strategies for numerous prominent brands, including Wrangler, Hanes, New Balance, and The Children's Place. His comprehensive experience encompasses various sectors, notably retail, advertising, and supply chain management, which positions him well to navigate the evolving landscape of modern commerce.

Chad Robley, CEO of Mindgruve, shared insights on Lian-Thornton's unique qualifications: "Retail media is transforming how brands grow, and Spencer brings a rare combination of platform expertise, strategic vision, and brand stewardship. Having spent more than a decade at Amazon during the rise of retail media, Spencer has been at the forefront of this evolution. He deeply understands how marketing, media, and commerce intersect—and how to help brands win in today's retail ecosystem."

Lian-Thornton’s transition into advertising marks a pivotal shift in his career. Initially starting in supply chain roles, his passion for leveraging marketing strategies to drive brand growth led him to explore advertising. His career is characterized by a focus on forging meaningful brand partnerships and delivering sustainable outcomes. As he reflects on his journey, Lian-Thornton emphasizes, "I've always believed the best marketing feels like advice from a trusted friend, and to deliver, you need a trusted agency. For nearly a decade, I had Mindgruve on my radar and recommended the agency to clients because they were early leaders in retail media, delivered real results, and built trusted partnerships—not transactional engagements. That philosophy has only become more important as retail media evolves."

As Vice President, Lian-Thornton will concentrate on strengthening relationships with key leaders across major retail media networks and technology partners. His role will also involve expanding Mindgruve's portfolio of enterprise clients and fostering customer loyalty and retention. In addition, Lian-Thornton is set to represent Mindgruve at notable industry events like CES and NRF, engaging with other thought leaders and exploring innovative strategies to further drive business growth.

Founded with the mission to accelerate business growth for brand partners through data-driven marketing, Mindgruve comprises a diverse team of strategists, creatives, data scientists, and engineers. This dedicated workforce of over 400 experts collaborates to deliver integrated media and commerce solutions tailored to global brands.

As Mindgruve embarks on this journey with Lian-Thornton at the helm of Growth and Partnerships, the agency looks forward to leveraging his wealth of experience and insight to deepen its impact on the retail media landscape and continue its commitment to innovative marketing solutions.

For more information about Mindgruve and to stay updated on their developments, visit their website or follow their journey at upcoming conferences throughout the year.