A Tailored Brand Strategy That Sets You Apart

I craft clear, insight-led strategies that help premium hospitality, F&B and lifestyle brands connect, compete and grow.

Working closely with founders, I define what makes your brand matter — then shape a distinctive positioning built for impact in fast-moving markets.

What Brand Strategy Covers:

Strategic clarity underpins every standout brand. Whether you're defining a new concept or sharpening an existing one, I tailor the process to your goals — combining insight, structure and focus to set your brand apart.

  • Align your brand with clear, measurable business goals — from launch priorities to long-term growth — ensuring every brand decision supports where you're heading.

  • Define your purpose, long-term ambition and guiding beliefs — the principles that shape how your brand behaves, communicates and grows.

  • Understand your category inside out — from key players and shifting trends to whitespace opportunities — to uncover the most relevant and ownable positioning for your brand, locally or globally.

  • In partnership with a specialist research firm in the hospitality and lifestyle space, I conduct audience profiling, stakeholder interviews, focus groups and data-led insight — giving you a well-rounded view of your brand’s audience and opportunity.

  • Identify your most valuable customer segments — understanding their behaviours, motivations and mindsets — to ensure your brand speaks with clarity, relevance and commercial focus.

  • Define your brand’s unique place in the market and the value it delivers — helping you stand apart, speak to what matters most, and attract the right customers from day one.

  • Establish 2–3 core brand themes that guide how your brand thinks, acts and communicates — creating clarity across storytelling, campaigns and day-to-day decision-making.

  • Clarify the experience your audience can count on — a single, confident brand promise that builds trust and sets consistent expectations.

  • Shape how your brand speaks and behaves — bringing energy, clarity and credibility to every interaction, from investor decks to menus and in-store moments.

  • Build a layered system for how your brand communicates — adaptable for different channels, use cases and audiences, with clarity at every level.

  • Craft a narrative that ties your purpose, positioning and personality together — helping audiences connect with your brand emotionally, not just rationally.

  • Translate strategy into meaningful action — with short-term launch ideas and longer-term brand initiatives designed to create momentum and drive visibility.

  • Equip your team with the language, tools and clarity to live the brand every day — ensuring consistency across culture, comms and customer experience.

"Working with Marc was a game changer for Burro Blanco. He helped define and articulate our brand’s positioning and DNA in a way that stayed true to our roots but made us ready for growth. His strategic insight and storytelling gave real clarity to our messaging and identity, helping us connect with customers and stand out. As we expand across the GCC, we’re now in a much stronger place to attract the right franchise partners and grow with confidence."

Saied El Hakim, Founder of Burro Blanco

Brand Strategy Case Studies:

Myra - Brand Strategy & Visual Identity for a Luxury French Patisserie Chain in Saudi Arabia

Creating a refined identity for Myra, a French-inspired patisserie in Riyadh and Jeddah, blending artisanal luxury with Saudi cultural nuance to deliver a brand experience that feels both timeless and locally resonant.

Brand Naming / Strategic Brand Development / Visual Identity

Sipside - Brand Strategy, Naming and Visual Identity for a New Coffee Destination in Saudi Arabia

Creating the name and identity for Sipside, a lifestyle-driven coffee shop in Jeddah designed as a social hub for young locals and families. Inspired by the sea and sun, the brand blends laid-back energy with vibrant storytelling.

Brand Strategy & Positioning / Brand Naming / Visual Identity

HOSPITALITY. F&B. LIFESTYLE.

HOSPITALITY. F&B. LIFESTYLE.

FAQs

I’m always happy to answer questions during an introductory call - but in the meantime, here are answers to some of the ones I’m asked most often.

  • Collaboration is integral to creating a brand that truly resonates. You will be engaged at every stage, providing valuable feedback and insights, ensuring the final outcome is a true reflection of your vision and objectives.

  • I ensure consistent communication throughout the project. We will have regular check-ins, and I’m always available to provide updates, address feedback, or discuss any concerns you may have.

  • Yes - once I present your brand strategy, there will be time for feedback and discussion. This collaborative stage allows us to refine key elements together and ensure the final direction aligns with your vision and goals.

  • You don’t need to prepare a detailed brief - I’ll guide the process through structured questioning. I usually start by asking clients to answer key questions during our discovery call, so we capture clear, instinctive responses that reflect the brand honestly. If you have any existing brand materials or background context, feel free to share them in advance - but they’re not essential to get started.

  • Most brand strategy projects take between 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the depth of engagement and how quickly feedback and information are provided. I’ll always set out a clear timeline and milestones upfront to keep everything moving smoothly.

  • I typically structure payments in two equal instalments of 50%. An initial percentage is required to commence the work, with the remaining balance due upon project completion. We can discuss and agree on a payment plan that best suits the scope of your project.

  • I specialise in premium lifestyle, luxury, hospitality, real estate, and F&B brands, with extensive experience across the UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Over the past 15 years, I’ve also worked across a broad range of sectors and global markets - and my approach is always adaptable, ensuring each brand receives a strategy tailored to its unique context and goals.

  • I focus on crafting unique and differentiated brand strategies that resonate with your target audience. By combining market research, competitor analysis, and a deep understanding of cultural trends, I ensure your brand has a distinctive voice that not only stands out but also positions you for long-term success.

  • Yes - I work with businesses looking to refresh or rebrand their positioning and visual identity. Whether you're adapting to market shifts, evolving your brand values, or planning a complete transformation, I develop brand strategies that bring renewed clarity and direction while preserving the essence of what makes your brand distinct. I also deliver visual identity work directly, ensuring the strategy is carried through into design with consistency and intent.

  • Absolutely - in fact, startups often get the most value from brand strategy. It helps lay a clear foundation, so key decisions are made with insight, not instinct. Many early-stage clients find that defining their positioning early on not only sharpens their direction but also opens the door to new opportunities, partners, and investment conversations.

  • Yes - I’ve worked with clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, US, Asia, Africa, and Australia. While much of my focus is on the UK and the Gulf region, I’m open to collaborating with brands anywhere in the world. I’m experienced in managing remote strategy projects and ensure seamless communication and delivery, wherever you're based.

  • Once the project is complete, you’ll receive a clearly presented brand strategy document - designed to act as your internal brand foundation moving forward. It’s built to guide your team confidently, whether or not you choose to continue working together.

    If you’d like ongoing support, I also offer brand consultancy on a retained or ad hoc basis - helping clients refine their positioning, evolve their messaging, or guide internal implementation over time.

  • Yes - I offer ongoing brand consultancy to help ensure your strategy is applied consistently and evolves with your business. Whether you need support adapting your messaging, refining your positioning, or aligning internal teams, I’m on hand to provide continued strategic guidance as your brand grows.

Client Testimonials

"I’ve worked with Marc on multiple branding projects in both Dubai and London, often supporting clients as they prepare for expansion or move into franchising. What really sets him apart is his ability to turn complex business goals into clear, confident brand positioning. He combines strategic insight with creative thinking, shaping brand narratives that feel both commercially sound and visually engaging. Every project has gone above and beyond, and I always look forward to the next collaboration.”

Charlie Mander - Co-Founder / Presman & Colard

“Marc has been a key branding partner for me over the past six years, helping to develop hospitality brands like KOA, Myra, and most recently HAZAL. His approach is thoughtful and strategic, ensuring each brand is grounded in strong positioning and brought to life with clarity and creativity. From naming to identity design, he knows how to make a brand resonate in the Saudi market. His work has been instrumental in creating concepts that feel both authentic and commercially strong.”

Amro Bagedo - Founder & CEO / KRAIV & KAB Holding

“Working with Marc on the rebrand for Global Academy International - a group of successful schools with a rich history, founded by my father - was a brilliant experience. He brought clarity to our thinking, helping reposition the brand with confidence while respecting its legacy. From our founding schools in Qatar to our expansion into Saudi Arabia via franchising, Marc’s insight, strategic focus, and collaborative approach made a lasting impact on the outcome.”

Omar Al Sheikh - Vice Chairman / OWMNYA Holding

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