Roma Singhal · brand strategist for hire · Sydney and remote across APAC
Hire a brand strategist
Senior brand and creative strategy when you need it, without a full-time hire. I’m an independent, EFFIE Gold-winning brand strategist based in Sydney, with 20+ years at Ogilvy, McCann, BBDO, Publicis Groupe and American Express. I work with agencies, brands and founders in person in Sydney and remotely across AUNZ, APAC, ASEAN, MENA and India.
When to hire a brand strategist
Most people hire a brand strategist at a moment of change. These are the six I see most often.
You have a brief, but no strategist
Your agency or team has the work, but nobody senior to find the insight, set the strategy and write a brief that gets great ideas made.
A pitch is coming
You need a sharp strategic answer, fast. See pitch strategy for agencies.
Your brand has lost its edge
Sales have stalled, competitors look the same, or the brand no longer fits where the business is going.
You are entering a new market
Moving into Australia, India, Southeast Asia or the Middle East, and you need a positioning that travels.
You are about to spend on design or advertising
Get the strategy right first, so the money goes into work that is clear and distinctive.
Your team needs a senior sparring partner
Someone experienced to challenge the thinking, review the work and coach the team.
What you get when you hire me
- Senior thinking from day one. You work directly with me, not a junior team.
- Insight first. Every project starts with real understanding of your customers, category and culture.
- Clear outputs agreed up front, such as the insight, positioning, brand platform and creative brief.
- Strategy your team can use. Written simply, workshopped with your people and ready for creative, design and media.
- Experience across markets: Sydney, Singapore and Mumbai, on brands such as Cadbury, Guinness, Intel, Bellamy’s, Sydney Water and Banrock Station.
Ways to work together
Brand strategy project
Positioning, brand platform, brand architecture, naming or a rebrand, scoped around your problem. See brand consulting and brand positioning.
Pitch strategy
Strategic leadership for an agency pitch, from decoding the brief to the strategic idea and the pitch story.
Creative strategy and briefs
The insight, proposition and brief behind a campaign. See brand and creative strategy services.
Monthly strategy hours
A steady stream of strategy for briefs, reviews and planning, without a full-time hire.
Workshops
Hands-on brand strategy workshops for leadership teams, marketers and agencies.
Fractional strategy director
Ongoing senior strategy leadership for an agency or brand. See fractional strategy director.
How it works
Every project follows the Smiling Strategist Framework©: brave strategy with a smile.
- A free 15-minute call to understand your problem, timing and team.
- A short proposal with the scope, outputs and timeline in writing.
- Immersion: your data, your people, your customers and your category.
- Strategy: insight, positioning and the platform or brief, shared and refined with you.
- Handover: a workshop with your team or agency, so the strategy gets used.
“Roma’s attention to detail, passion, and flair for both words and strategy shine through in every aspect of her work. … She understands the dynamics of working with agency teams and seamlessly integrates as a valued partner in our projects.”
Nicola Richards, Director Creative Services ANZ, SGK
EFFIE Gold winner · EFFIE Australia judge · 20+ years at Ogilvy, McCann, BBDO and Publicis Groupe
Hire a brand strategist: FAQs
Can I hire you as a freelance brand strategist?
Yes. I work independently, so you can hire me as a freelance brand strategist for a single project, by the day, for monthly strategy hours or as a fractional strategy director.
Do you work with agencies?
Yes. Many of my clients are creative, design, digital and PR agencies that need senior strategy for a client, a pitch or a busy season. I work as part of your team.
Do you work remotely?
Yes. I am based in Sydney and work in person or remotely with clients across AUNZ, APAC, ASEAN, MENA and India.
Should I hire a freelance strategist, a fractional strategy director or an agency?
It depends on how much strategy you need and for how long. My guide to freelance, fractional or agency strategists compares them side by side.
How is a project priced?
Every brief is different, so I quote by project, by the day or as monthly strategy hours once I understand what you need. A free 15-minute call is the quickest way to get a tailored quote.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. Confidentiality is standard in my work with agencies and brands.
Ready to hire a brand strategist?
Tell me about your brand, your brief or your pitch, and we will work out the best way to help.