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Brand strategist and storyteller
Ryan Thomson
,
London, United Kingdom
Experience
Other titles
Skills
I'm offering
By blending my experience with rich insights and imagination, I build brands and comms that resonate deeply with audiences.
My background lies in brand consultancy and strategic planning, but also spans across managerial and leadership roles client-side.
My experience covers almost all areas of qual and quant research, as well as developing compelling and authentic brand positionings, key messaging, value props, naming, brand architecture, copywriting and helping to shape creative campaign ideas.
My background lies in brand consultancy and strategic planning, but also spans across managerial and leadership roles client-side.
My experience covers almost all areas of qual and quant research, as well as developing compelling and authentic brand positionings, key messaging, value props, naming, brand architecture, copywriting and helping to shape creative campaign ideas.
Links for more
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Industries
Language
English
Fluently
Ready for
Larger project
Ongoing relation / part-time
Full time contractor
Available
My experience
2020 - ?
freelance
Freelance Brand & Communications Strategist
Myself.
I currently consult for SME's and charities directly, while also freelancing in the agency world (recent projects include brand strategy work for 'Youth 2000', 'Nice and Serious' and 'No Wasted Days'). I have also been upskilling in digital marketing and graphic design, while actively expanding my professional network.
Branding, Marketing Campaigns, Qualitative research, Quantitative research, Brand identity, Campaign development, Qualitative analysis, Quantitative analysis, Brand Building, Core Values and Branding, Pitching, Naming
2018 - 2020
job
Brand Strategy Consultant
Spencer du Bois.
I crafted brand positionings and comms that captured the true essence of my clients, while tapping into relevant sector
nuances and their audiences' core drivers.
I uncovered unique insights through desk research and by conducting over 200+ interviews, 80+ focus groups, 10+ co-creative
workshops and 15 web surveys (totalling over 150k responses). I was also responsible for all of the preparation work involved and for distilling the data into crisp, clear analyses and debriefs.
I regularly prepared proposals and supported on pitches, wrote creative briefs and collaborated closely with the creative
team, managed all of my own projects and clients, authored articles and thought leadership pieces, while also networking on
behalf of the agency and unearthing new business opportunities.
A snapshot of my top 4 projects at Spencer du Bois:
Anchor Hanover: Most over 55's do not view themselves as 'old' - they retain a youthful zest for life well into retirement. This
inspired the core brand idea that 'later life is for living' - a philosophy that is at the heart of all AH homes and communities. Our work was awarded Gold for 'Best Corporate Rebrand following a Merger' at Transform Awards 2020.
Fight for Sight: Many wrongly believe that sight loss cannot be treated or cured. To tackle this, the new brand was designed
to 'spark revelation before igniting revolution'. To inspire support, I helped Fight for Sight to 'breathe humanity into science'
- opening up the cause to the public. Our work was shortlisted for 'Best Brand Development' at the 2020 Third Sector Awards.
Coventry University: Diversity and collaboration are part of Coventry University's DNA. I unpacked the benefits of this in the new brand messaging, while also responding to the anxieties and drivers of potential students - positioning the university as "helping you to find your place in an ever-changing world" through an experience-led education.
Polaris Children's Services: No child's future should ever be held back by circumstances beyond their control. Hence I built
Polaris' brand messaging around the concept of "creating new beginnings and inspiring young people to shape their own future". When narrowing down names, the client fell in love with my suggestion of 'Polaris' - e.g. the North Star - as it
represented a clear sense of direction and a lifeline to those who were lost.
nuances and their audiences' core drivers.
I uncovered unique insights through desk research and by conducting over 200+ interviews, 80+ focus groups, 10+ co-creative
workshops and 15 web surveys (totalling over 150k responses). I was also responsible for all of the preparation work involved and for distilling the data into crisp, clear analyses and debriefs.
I regularly prepared proposals and supported on pitches, wrote creative briefs and collaborated closely with the creative
team, managed all of my own projects and clients, authored articles and thought leadership pieces, while also networking on
behalf of the agency and unearthing new business opportunities.
A snapshot of my top 4 projects at Spencer du Bois:
Anchor Hanover: Most over 55's do not view themselves as 'old' - they retain a youthful zest for life well into retirement. This
inspired the core brand idea that 'later life is for living' - a philosophy that is at the heart of all AH homes and communities. Our work was awarded Gold for 'Best Corporate Rebrand following a Merger' at Transform Awards 2020.
Fight for Sight: Many wrongly believe that sight loss cannot be treated or cured. To tackle this, the new brand was designed
to 'spark revelation before igniting revolution'. To inspire support, I helped Fight for Sight to 'breathe humanity into science'
- opening up the cause to the public. Our work was shortlisted for 'Best Brand Development' at the 2020 Third Sector Awards.
Coventry University: Diversity and collaboration are part of Coventry University's DNA. I unpacked the benefits of this in the new brand messaging, while also responding to the anxieties and drivers of potential students - positioning the university as "helping you to find your place in an ever-changing world" through an experience-led education.
Polaris Children's Services: No child's future should ever be held back by circumstances beyond their control. Hence I built
Polaris' brand messaging around the concept of "creating new beginnings and inspiring young people to shape their own future". When narrowing down names, the client fell in love with my suggestion of 'Polaris' - e.g. the North Star - as it
represented a clear sense of direction and a lifeline to those who were lost.
Branding, Brand identity, Research, Account management, Advertising, Market research, Qualitative research, Qualitative analysis, Tone-of-voice, Naming, Quantitative research, Quantitative analysis, Value proposition design, Desk research, Brand Building, Brand management, Core Values and Branding, Brand activation, Marketing Campaigns, Leadership, Pitching, Business development, Strategy and business development
2017 - 2018
job
Hybrid Strategist
HeyHuman.
My main responsibilities involved developing social media strategies, conducting social audits and social listening, copy-
writing and content creation, crafting online personalities and TOV, as well as working closely with the creative department.
However, I also actively supported the planning team by interrogating client briefs, conducting qualitative market research,
building audience profiles and helping to shape creative campaign ideas.
My clients included Nature's Menu, Radox, Slimfast, Sony, Surf and True Instinct.
writing and content creation, crafting online personalities and TOV, as well as working closely with the creative department.
However, I also actively supported the planning team by interrogating client briefs, conducting qualitative market research,
building audience profiles and helping to shape creative campaign ideas.
My clients included Nature's Menu, Radox, Slimfast, Sony, Surf and True Instinct.
Social Media, Content creation, Market research, Social Media Marketing, Strategic Planning, Copywriting, Social media copywriting, Social media content, Social media strategies, Social media management
2017 - 2017
job
Strategy Intern
Porter Novelli.
I was offered this internship after reaching the final round of Omnicom's DAS Accelerate programme - granting me a deeper
insight into both PR and strategic planning. I worked across BT, Mars, Merck Healthcare, EE, Western Digital and Wrigley's.
insight into both PR and strategic planning. I worked across BT, Mars, Merck Healthcare, EE, Western Digital and Wrigley's.
Strategic Planning, Public relations, Marketing Campaigns, Campaign development, Market research, Consumer behaviour
2016 - 2017
freelance
Freelance Brand & Communications Strategist
Myself.
November (2017): After discussing my thesis with Dan DuFour - then Head of Brand Strategy at 'the Team' - he sought my expertise in brand evoked movements. Together, we refined the brand and communications strategy for Parkinson's UK. Our work guided the organisation until 2019 and their 10 year rebrand review.
April - July (2017): I built a brand to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the iconic Paston family - famous for their swift rise to aristocracy, the oldest surviving Valentines letters and their revealing accounts of 15th century British history.
October - December (2016): Led the rebrand of Unitas - crafting a more authentic brand core and positioning, creating a more captivating visual identity while also simplifying their brand architecture.
April - July (2017): I built a brand to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the iconic Paston family - famous for their swift rise to aristocracy, the oldest surviving Valentines letters and their revealing accounts of 15th century British history.
October - December (2016): Led the rebrand of Unitas - crafting a more authentic brand core and positioning, creating a more captivating visual identity while also simplifying their brand architecture.
Branding, Brand identity, Brand Building, Core Values and Branding, Brand management, Brand transformation, Marketing, Copywriting
2016 - 2017
job
Strategy Mentorship Programme
Wolff Olins & Lambie Nairn.
Through this programme, I learned directly from Robert Jones (the Head of New Thinking at Wolff Olins and author of 'the Big Idea') and Claire Holmes (Former Head of Brand Strategy at Lambie-Nairn).
Brand strategy, Brand, Brand identity, Marketing Campaigns, Campaign development, Copywriting, Market research, Marketing, Advertising
2007 - 2017
job
Brand & Business Strategist
CSC International.
While rising from associate to director, I shaped the company's brand, communications and new business strategies - aligning all 3 to successfully expand our health and safety services far beyond the offshore energy sector.
I was also responsible for executing these strategies, driving new business opportunities and leading pitches, managing both the marketing department and key clients, overseeing and conducting research, as well as handling public relations.
I also launched a 'Youth into Employment Programme' and a 'Young Energy Professionals Network' - equipping disadvantaged
young people with the qualifications, connections and experience to fill skills shortages in the local wind energy industry.
I was also responsible for executing these strategies, driving new business opportunities and leading pitches, managing both the marketing department and key clients, overseeing and conducting research, as well as handling public relations.
I also launched a 'Youth into Employment Programme' and a 'Young Energy Professionals Network' - equipping disadvantaged
young people with the qualifications, connections and experience to fill skills shortages in the local wind energy industry.
Marketing, Public relations, Research, Energy, Project Management, Business development, Business strategy, Management, Management Consulting, Brand identity, Brand Building, Integrating new business areas in existing operation, Sales development, Social Media Marketing, Content marketing
My education
2016
-
2017
University of East Anglia
MSc, Brand Leadership (Top of Class)
MSc, Brand Leadership (Top of Class)
My dissertation focused on 'brand evoked movements' - combining my passion for social activism with my love of branding.
I conducted research with both consumers and industry heavyweights (including the founding CD of Dove's Campaign for
Real Beauty, the former VP of American Express' Small Business Saturday, former Directors at Edelman and many more).
2013
-
2016
University of East Anglia
BSc, Business Management (First Class with Honours)
BSc, Business Management (First Class with Honours)
academic and extra-curricular activities (e.g. leading brand development projects and social initiatives).
2007
-
2010
East Norfolk Sixth Form College
Further Education, AAABB
Further Education, AAABB
2003
-
2007
Cliff Park High School
Secondary, 13 GCSE's
Secondary, 13 GCSE's
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