# Les Kollegian

> Les Kollegian is the San Diego-based founder and CEO of Jacob Tyler Brand & Digital Agency. A designer with a master’s in communications design, he built the agency from independent consulting, named it after his son in 2003, and has written publicly about hiring mistakes, agency growth and a core-team-plus-specialists staffing model. He is also a speaker, Artfully advisory board member and Makers & Founders podcast co-host.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Jacob Tyler Brand & Digital Agency
- **Organizations:** Jacob Tyler Brand & Digital Agency, Entrepreneurs’ Organization San Diego, Artfully, College Magazine
- **From:** Cambridge, United States
- **Education:** BA, Fine/Studio Arts, University of Maryland, College Park, Master’s in Communications Design, University of Baltimore
- **Known for:** Built Jacob Tyler from consulting into a San Diego agency serving clients internationally., Agency reported more than 90 awards in his 2018 IdeaMensch profile; this is a historical agency figure., Creative work has included Intel, Qualcomm, America Online and Fox Television at Echolink Interactive.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Graduated from the University of Maryland; began graduate study and production-artist work.
- **1995** — A visit to San Diego inspired plans to move to Southern California.
- **Late 1990s** — Creative director at Echolink Interactive in San Diego.
- **1999-2000** — Left agency employment for independent consulting; Jacob Tyler dates its founding to 2000.
- **2003** — Renamed Vivid Commerce after his son, Jacob Tyler.
- **2008** — Partnered with Amanda Nachman on College Magazine.
- **2011** — Joined Entrepreneurs’ Organization San Diego.
- **2012** — Agency exceeded 35 employees, according to his 2019 retrospective.
- **2013** — Published business essays in Fast Company and co-wrote an Entrepreneur article with Charles Van Vechten.
- **2019** — Published his explanation of the agency’s hybrid staffing model.
- **2022** — Named longtime colleague Tom McFadden agency president.
- **2026** — Co-hosted a Makers & Founders interview with Paul Hodge, published August 26.

## Achievements

- Built Jacob Tyler from consulting into a San Diego agency serving clients internationally.
- Agency reported more than 90 awards in his 2018 IdeaMensch profile; this is a historical agency figure.
- Creative work has included Intel, Qualcomm, America Online and Fox Television at Echolink Interactive.
- Publications include Fast Company, Entrepreneur and his agency and LinkedIn essays.
- His College Magazine partnership preceded its 2009 University of Maryland Cupid’s Cup win.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Co-hosted Makers & Founders Episode 8 with Mark Gallo, interviewing World Amenities founder and CEO Paul Hodge; published August 26.
- **2025-07** — Featured on the EO San Diego podcast discussing agency ownership, branding, hiring and peer relationships.

## Links

- Website: https://www.jacobtyler.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leskollegian

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/les-kollegian
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23