From surviving civil war in Liberia to leading marketing strategy for Fortune 500 brands, Dr. Glay’s life is a testament to the power of resilience and education.
Dr. Alvin Glay is a celebrated author, award-winning marketing strategist, motivational speaker, and Research Associate at Georgia State University. His published research in the Engaged Management Scholarship Proceeding on real-time marketing has been cited across more than 100 countries, bridging behavioral science and practical marketing innovation.
As Chief Strategy Officer at Response Media, Dr. Glay harnesses over 20 years of experience collaborating with leading brands — including Procter & Gamble, Verizon Wireless, Disney, Reckitt, and Bausch + Lomb — developing innovative consumer marketing strategies that drive measurable business outcomes.
A former refugee from Liberia, Dr. Glay dedicated seven years to overcoming the hardships of displacement before finding his path through education. His memoir, Liberian Boy: Triumph Over War’s Shadow, presents a compelling narrative of resilience and transformation, illustrating how adversity builds the foundation for extraordinary leadership.
He defines himself with one word: grit — unwavering courage in the face of hardship. This quality threads through everything he does, from his academic research to his philanthropic mission with The Unity J. McGill Foundation.
Peer-reviewed research on real-time mobile marketing — downloaded across more than 100 countries — alongside the industry publications that have featured Dr. Glay’s perspective.
An empirical study, conducted in partnership with an online marketplace of millions of mobile users, demonstrating that push mobile communication is most effective when it combines real-time relevance with topicality to deliver a guided, in-the-moment user experience.
Dr. Glay’s doctoral research, rooted in the behavioral theory of being “in the moment,” advised by Dr. Denish Shah. The work identified empirical gaps in the real-time and push mobile marketing domain and tested them through engaged scholarship with real application users.
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Dr. Glay was named to The Forward 30, an initiative by Digital Culture Group honoring marketing and advertising leaders shaping the industry’s future. The program celebrates innovators building new systems, cultural architects shaping influence responsibly, and impact-driven executives raising the standard for modern marketing.
View The Forward 30Born in the lush landscapes of Gbarnga, Liberia, Dr. Glay’s early years were defined by the simple joys of rural life and the tight-knit fabric of family and community — until civil war changed everything.
Fled Liberia during the civil war, spending seven years as a refugee in the Ivory Coast without formal education. These years forged the resilience and determination that would define his future.
After immigrating to the United States, Dr. Glay began his academic journey at Georgia State University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
Continued his education at Mercer University, earning a Master of Business Administration and deepening his expertise in marketing strategy.
Completed his doctoral research at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, with groundbreaking work on real-time marketing rooted in behavioral theory. His research has been downloaded across 100+ countries.
Currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Response Media and Research Associate at Georgia State University, where he bridges academic insight with real-world marketing innovation for global brands.
Released his memoir Liberian Boy: Triumph Over War’s Shadow and continues to inspire audiences worldwide through keynote presentations on resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of education.
“Marketing literature is a powerful tool, and if one understands how to apply it in practice, true innovation is bound to happen.”
Dr. Glay’s approach combines rigorous academic research with decades of hands-on experience with the world’s leading brands. His work in real-time, proximity-based mobile marketing focuses on meeting consumers in the moment — without disruption — creating authentic connections that drive results.
