Target and Haworth ended their relationship in 2016, when the retailer moved its media account to WPP Media (at the time GroupM). Last week, Target announced plans to cut approximately 1,800 corporate roles—about 8 % of its workforce—as part of a major restructuring effort to address persistent sales headwinds.

A Legacy of Purpose and Partnership

Despite career success, Tobey said his work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is his proudest achievement. His involvement dates back more than 20 years, when he helped secure Target’s $100 million commitment to build family apartments on the hospital’s campus.

“We got Michael Graves to do the statue out in front, and I got Scott Hamilton and Tiger Woods and a bunch of other celebrities who really embraced it all,” he said. “It’s something I’m really proud of.”

As he moves into consulting, Tobey said his philosophy remains rooted in the fundamentals of brand experience. “We never ran an ad until we had the guest experience together,” he said. “It starts with every aspect of the company, not just marketing the brand.”

Looking back, he hopes to be remembered for the partnerships and brands he helped build.

“At the end of the day, it’s about returning to real relationships: understanding what a client stands for, building brands with purpose, and coming up with ideas that make a difference,” he said.