There’s a popular phrase related to marketing ROI that essentially admonishes, “Marketing isn’t an expense; it’s an investment. Every dollar should come back with friends.” In one of his early forays into product marketing, Michael Hunter received a reminder of this notion that has colored his approach throughout a 35-year career.
The memory is a vivid one: Hunter was responsible for researching and communicating the needs of future products and specifications for the North American division of an OEM with the manufacturing teams in Japan. On one occasion, he requested a “large number of new products and new features.” That prompted a Japanese colleague to share some words of wisdom: if you ask for $1 investment, I want $2 in return.
Message delivered. “This made me quickly realize that you must thoroughly vet out your requests/proposals with a clear business plan, including market/customer and ROI data to get what you need,” said Hunter, a 2026 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I continue to successfully use this approach today in everything I do.”
Hunter has embraced best practices throughout his career, which includes a 21-year stint at Ricoh and a period with Kyocera prior to landing at Sharp, where he is currently director of marketing programs, pricing and events. The Seton Hall University graduate has long prided himself on being thorough and prepared, with the foresight to anticipate what questions might arise in a meeting. The prep work didn’t go unnoticed; he once overheard his manager advise a team member that the best way to move up through the organization and demonstrate value was to learn from Hunter’s example.
It helps to have a passion for the work. One of his earliest experiences was working for a division of International Paper that made graphic art film and printing plates. Hunter was able to go to the factory and the R&D division to see the science and beauty of the craft.
“I never knew how things were printed—it was an eye-opening experience,” he recalled. “From that point on, I was fascinated with the printing process.”
Some of Hunter’s greatest influences were managers who gave him the autonomy to solve problems, experiment and test ideas. They were more interested in the thinking and effort that he put into his projects. In the process, Hunter was able to better anticipate challenges. It’s part and parcel of Hunter’s zeal for interacting with clients, learning about their needs and devising solutions that best address them.
“I learned when doing any task or project to anticipate all potential roadblocks and have recommended solutions,” he said.
Like so many industry professionals, Hunter is immersing himself in the world of AI via webinars and has conducted analysis with the technology. But he feels it’s just scratching the surface of potential. Moving forward, Hunter is doubling down on finding ways it can improve his day-to-day tasks.
Away from the office, Hunter and his wife, Daina, have been married for 37 years. They have five daughters (Megan, Kelsey, Taylor, Lindsay and Paige) the last four of which comprise two sets of twins.
“It makes sense since I’ve worked in the copier industry for years,” Hunter joked, a nod to what family and friends feel is his “sharp and interesting” sense of humor.
The Hunters love vacationing in Italy and the Jersey Shore, and he can often be found on the golf course in addition to the beach.
The high school version of me wanted to be a: Major League Baseball player or marine biologist. (A baseball player was much cooler back then.)
Favorite book or movie: Book – “Moby Dick” (that marine biologist thing); Movies – “Saving Private Ryan” and “12 Angry Men”
Favorite food: Italian. My wife and her mother are Italian and are both extremely good cooks. I’m very spoiled.
Person you’d most like to meet: Jacques Cousteau
Dream vacation destination: Galapagos Islands
Guilty pleasure: Golfing
Most prized possession: My family
