From Binghamton to Nike: How One Entrepreneur Transformed His Journey into a Thriving Marketing Brand – Binghamton News

Chris Gaube, a proud Binghamton University alum, has deep ties to the school. His father, Jerry Gaube Sr., is in the Binghamton Athletics Hall of Fame. The first Bearcat to sign a pro contract, he played in the New York Yankees’ minor leagues and later became a scout. Chris’s mom, Bette Anne Gaube, has dedicated over two decades to enhancing the student-athlete experience at the university. With family members holding a dozen Binghamton degrees, Chris seemed destined to follow suit.

He started his journey as an English major before pursuing an MBA. Balancing academics with athletics, he ran track and cross-country, making his college experience unique. Fast forward a decade, and Chris is now the founder and chief marketing officer of Changent, a marketing agency that helps brands adapt to the digital world.

“Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, but building something from scratch is incredibly rewarding,” Chris explains. He believes in investing in oneself as a key for success. His time at the School of Management shaped his perspective, teaching him discipline and time management.

As a lifelong sports fan, Chris dreamt of working at Nike. Though juggling internships and sports was tough, networking opened doors. His early experiences instilled essential skills in brand representation and audience engagement.

After starting at a Nike store, he climbed the ranks to become head of integrated marketing. Chris played a vital role in launching the Nike Run Club app and contributed to the EKIN program, where he helped communicate Nike’s brand story to partners and consumers.

In September 2023, Chris took a leap and launched Changent. He saw a gap in the market: many businesses seek only transactional marketing support. “My approach is about sharing in the wins with clients,” he says. He thrives on working closely with CEOs, acting not just as a marketer, but as a trusted advisor.

Chris maintains strong connections with Binghamton. His brother, Thomas, was a captain on the baseball team and later worked at the university for 15 years. His wife Kimberly and sister-in-law Nina are also Bearcats. These relationships fueled Chris’s career and inspired him to give back through mentoring and involvement in the School of Management’s programs.

This year, he’s contributing to the speaker series and mentoring students in the EY Student Leaders Program. He also started an internship program at Changent for SOM student-athletes, understanding the challenge of balancing academics and sports while gaining practical experience.

“The next generation of leaders will thrive by balancing hard work with integrity,” Chris reflects. He’s excited to see it unfold and is committed to helping others succeed.

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