Brand is how others experience your soul.
We are cliche-free brand strategists with heretical ideas.
We serve mission-driven leaders and organizations by creating evocative messaging and crafting enduring brand strategies that inspire and energize humans.
Who we are
We are a brand strategy team. We guide leaders and organizations to practice intrinsic branding, branding from the inside out. Intrinsic brands are known by their consistently evocative language, standard-setting experiences and engaging storytelling. We provide brand messaging, fractional CMO services, content development and more.
We work with Defiers
We call our clients the Defiers. They want to change their community, their industry or the world through their brand. They have a high standard for sophistication of their brand and embrace the chance to be bold and honest in their messaging.
Defiers lead established organizations, launch second- or third-career businesses, nonprofits, foundations. They may be corporate escapees turned authors, exited founders turned coaches or second-generation owners.
Their commonality is their enthusiastic energy for facing change: a shift in industry, new leadership or the next generation taking the helm.
Mission-driven, high-achieving, empathetic and self-governed, these leaders are utilizing their businesses to change the world in unprecedented ways. These are the Defiers.
We are not for everyone.
How we work:
We engage teams in the practice of intrinsic branding. We create enduring brand language, integrate that language into everyday use, and provide thought leadership content development and fractional CMO services. Our work supports mission-driven brands in earning a reputation for sincerity, consistency and innovation. Unlike quick-fix agencies or algorithm chasers, we take the long view on branding. We are challenged by the idea of digging deep enough to create or reinforce a brand for endurance and relevance over time.
Brand Strategy
Brand Strategy + Messaging
We provide in-depth brand refreshes and reintroductions, including brand strategy, messaging, positioning, category development, audience, differentiators, and brand narrative.
Fractional CMO Services
Fractional CMO Services
We bring C-suite marketing leadership without the full-time overhead. As your fractional CMO team, we own the marketing strategy, direct execution, and serve as strategic counsel to your leadership team.
Content Development
Content Development
We develop foundational and strategic content that attracts aligned, energy-positive clients and builds your brand. Our content gives you a consistent creative voice that positions you as a thought leader.
We practice intrinsic branding
Intrinsic branding is the practice of branding from the inside out, using your deeply held core values, mission and differentiators. Intrinsic brands are known for consistent language, immersive experiences and compelling storytelling. As a result, intrinsic brands earn an enduring reputation for sincerity, authenticity and innovation as thought leaders.
Words of Mouth
Purchase
our book
Rooting Up forges a new path to branding that challenges stale leadership practices, fear-based marketing and other old habits leaders have accumulated over the last century. Rooting Up is an introduction to intrinsic branding, an invitation to look inward, and inspiration for confidently showing the world your true brand.
We’re word nerds.
As much as we love intrinsic branding, we love language above all. One of the great joys we have is crafting prose that speaks to the souls of our audience. We do that in our monthly newsletter, in LinkedIn posts and conversations. Want to hear from us on the regular? Sign up for our newsletter.
