Hall of Fame
As the former chairman, chief executive officer, and president of John Hancock Financial Services and the author of three best-selling books, David D’Alessandro has combined his unique marketing savvy with personal life lessons to become a celebrated fixture in the global sports arena.
Early in his career with John Hancock, he created the “Real Life-Real People” campaign, which garnered him Ad Week’s Marketer of the Year award. Two years later he spearheaded Hancock’s signing of a $10 million contract with organizers of the Boston Marathon, ensuring the survival of the storied race. David went on to elevate sports marketing to a new discipline by sponsoring the Olympic Games, Major League Baseball, and the Los Angeles and New York City Marathons and by establishing the John Hancock Bowl.
Named one of the “Most Powerful People in Sports” nine consecutive years by The Sporting News, David was also cited as one of the 25 people expected to have the most influence on the Olympic movement by Around the Rings after he threatened to pull John Hancock’s purchase of $20 million in commercial time for the 2000 Summer Olympics during an ethics scandal. During this time, he was one of the IOC’s most vocal critics and his public pressure helped lead to IOC reforms that are in place today. David is also a member of Major League Baseball’s Commissioner’s Initiative Special Task Force on Baseball in the 21st Century.
In 2008, David published his third best-selling book, Executive Warfare: Ten Rules of Engagement for Winning Your War for Success, with Michele Owens. He is also the author of Brand Warfare: Ten Rules for Building the Killer Brand (2001) and Career Warfare: Ten Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It (2004), both also with Michele Owens.
Today, David is a sought after speaker for corporations, universities, and governmental conventions. He is also a guest columnist for the Boston Globe and a guest host for CNBC.
David is originally from Utica, and graduated from Utica College with a degree in public relations and journalism. His family includes his wife, Jeannette, and their son Robert, and David’s two children, Michael and Andrew.
