About Joe
Experienced operator. Strategic thinker. Builder.
My background sits at the intersection of product leadership, analytics, media, SaaS, and business strategy. Over the years, I've helped companies make better decisions about what to build, how to position it, and how to actually get it into market. Now I do the same for my own ventures.
The through-line
That work has included product leadership, research and insights, platform thinking, and cross-functional execution — and more recently, building products and helping businesses make practical use of AI in ways that support the operation instead of distracting from it. I tend to be most useful when the situation is messy, the priorities are unclear, and there's a gap between the strategy on paper and what the business can really execute.
Experience
Where the judgment comes from.
Founder — Proof Signal & Igloocubes
Building an AI-visibility company for local businesses and a daily answer-publishing platform, alongside independent advisory for founder-led businesses.
Alliance for Audited Media — SVP Product Leadership
Product leadership across audience, media, and publisher-facing platforms.
Nielsen Scarborough — Senior Product Director
Research, analytics, product strategy, and syndicated data products.
Kantar Media — Senior Director, Marketing Research
Research design, strategic insights, and product-related leadership work.
Why Clients Work With Me
A mix of strategy, operating judgment, and pattern recognition.
Broad pattern recognition
Years across product, research, media, analytics, and business strategy make it easier to spot what's really driving a problem.
Structured thinking
I help turn messy situations into a clearer view of priorities, tradeoffs, and next steps.
Grounded use of AI
AI is part of the toolkit, not the whole story — and I run AI-era businesses myself, so the advice comes from practice, not theory.
Speaking
Keynotes, workshops, and business group presentations.
Joe Hardin helps local businesses understand and use AI practically. With 20+ years in product leadership, data analytics, and media strategy (Nielsen, Kantar, Alliance for Audited Media), he translates complex technology into clear, actionable insights for business owners. Available for speaking, workshops, and business group presentations throughout the Chicago area and remote — on practical AI, digital visibility, and strategic planning.
Inquire about speakingLet's talk about what you're building.
Best fit for founder-led businesses, advisory work, product strategy conversations, and practical AI/business problem-solving.