Hi there,
I am a highly skilled branding professional with over 20 years experience. I help clients build better brands. An expert in brand & business strategy, naming, visual identity & logo design. Experienced with blue chip international brands and agencies across multiple markets & industries including SC Johnson, Mars Foods, Allied Domecq, BAT, Bates Dorland, GPY&R, Fitch and more.
"David combines freelancer flexibility with quality strategic thinking rooted in years of corporate experience” - US Fortune 100 Client.
I specialise in new brand development, re-branding & ongoing brand guidance, I have held senior roles both client and agency side responsible for large teams and budgets in Australia, the UK and Europe.
A seasoned professional experienced working with enterprise businesses worldwide, I also have significant experience with start-ups and new business development. I love working with founders and entrepreneurs in the critical early stages of business & brand development. My experience is built from both supporting start-up clients as well as having set-up, run and sold a number of business myself.
"David guided us in the right direction even when we weren't quite sure on how to move forward" - Tech Start-up Client.
Please take the time to read my reviews. I have been identified and selected by Upwork as an Expert Vetted Pro (top 1%), an interview based accreditation offered to top performers only. I also sit on multiple Private Upwork Talent Clouds.
I have a special love for helping businesses and brands become environmentally sustainable. To help and guide the rapid transformation of businesses into sustainable environmental leaders from the inside out.
I am supported in my work by my partner Susie, a highly skilled and internationally experienced graphic designer in her own right. Susie and I work as a team as part of our own consulting firm Blue Swimmer Group Pty Ltd, a business we have owned and operated for many years. We bring both strategic and creative expertise to all our projects.
We are committed to ensuring all our clients, both large and small, benefit from our skills and experience and are 100% satisfied with our services. We are trustworthy, professional, reliable & efficient.
Credentials
Former senior marketing and brand manager at blue chip multinationals and international design & advertising agencies. Hands on experience launching, developing and managing brands and businesses. Board level strategy through to in-field implementation.
Current Positions
Owner & Director, Blue Swimmer Group Marketing Agency, Australia
Owner & Director, Name Shakers Naming & Identity Agency
Direct Industry Experience
- FMCG (food, household, alcohol, tobacco, confectionary, beauty, cosmetics, haircare, healthcare, supplements, more)
- Fashion & Textiles, Eyewear, Watches, Jewellery & Accessories, Swimwear
- Retailing, Wholesaling and Agency.
- Real Estate, Development, Construction
- Investment & Funds Management
- Tech & Digital Disruption (products, services, apps, platforms, marketplaces, AI, IoT, 3D etc)
- Removals, Storage and Logistics
- Travel Retail, Airlines, Hotels & Tourism
- Building, Engineering, Hardware, Landscaping, Horticulture
- Education & Training
- Recruitment & Staff Development
- Consulting & Agency Services
- Crypto, Blockchain and non-fiat currencies
- Charity and NFP
- Medical, Dental, Healthcare, Allied Health
- Legal, Compliance and related
- Sports, Active Lifestyle, Health and Wellbeing
- High Net Worth Individuals
- Data
- Design & Creative Services
- Facilities Management, Cleaning, Painting and Commercial Trade Services
- Global Art Industry
- Innovation
- Sustainable Products and Services
- Security
- Risk & Insurance
- Mindfulness
- Fishing & Outdoors
- Short-term and holiday rentals and accommodation
Marketing & Sales Skills
- Brand Strategy & Management
- Business & Brand Naming, Descriptors, Tag-lines & Slogans
- Logos, Corporate Identity & Trademarks
- Graphic Design, Photography & Art Direction
- Copy Writing (Ad, Web, Print, Pitch)
- Advertising, PR & Media Strategy & Creative
- In-store & Field Communications Strategy & Creative
- Online, Web, eCommerce & mCommerce Strategy
- Print & Production
General Management
- Business Strategy
- Business & Product Development
- Vision & Mission Development
- IP Protection & Management (Design & Trademarks)
- Domestic & International Trade & Shipping
- Distribution & Warehousing
- Agents & Distributors
- Contract Manufacture
Market Experience
- Australia & New Zealand
- United Kingdom & Western Europe
- Russia & Nordics
- North America
- Canada
- UAE, Saudi and Middle East
- Israel
- India
- Hong Kong, Singapore, Myanmar & China
- PNG & Pacific Islands
Please reach out with any questions you have.
PS - Many are now engaging me for short, video based brand coaching and business soundboarding sessions. Please enquire if interested. They are often a great way to get started