Laura Leatherberry

Branding Consultant

My unique background working across various roles allows me to seamlessly connect the dots between brand strategy and creative execution, providing you full service agency output without the overhead.

The hats I wear include: brand strategist, researcher, storyteller, producer, creative director/copywriter, content creator, project manager, and account director.

I’m also well-connected with a talented network of art directors, designers, analysts, production companies, and more that I can recommend or enlist should your project require expertise beyond what I directly provide.

A Dozen Declarations

1: Simple is hard.

Most brands struggle with simplicity because they simply know too much. I bring a fresh, outside perspective that helps me streamline and hone in on one clear brand message. I am particularly skilled at making the complex easy to understand and pacing messaging so you are saying the right thing to the right audience at the right time. 

2: Relevance is key.

Relevance is what compels people to act. That’s why I start by unlocking how your audience feels. Only then do I know how to speak to them. I also look at what’s happening in culture so we can determine your place in it. Using insights, I will help you build a stronger emotional connection that inspires action while also solidifying your brand’s place in the world.

3: Consistency is contagious.

Inconsistency causes confusion, which leads to brand dilution. But if you show up consistently, your audience is more likely to understand you, remember you, and spread your message. I will set brand guidelines and develop a plug-and-play toolkit that enables your teams to easily and accurately implement your brand consistently across all touch points.

4: Storytelling is connection.

Humans understand the world through the stories we tell. I’m not just a writer. I’m a translator. I translate people’s stories and experiences into content that gives your brand meaning. By identifying unique ways to feature your audience’s stories, we can unleash a new sense of pride that strengthens your community and connection to the world.

5: Inclusion creates trust.

I bring stakeholders at all levels together and make them feel valued and part of the process. I come in as an “outsider” who authentically cares about what they think. My inclusive approach leads to trusting relationships, faster approvals, and an eagerness to implement the collective brand vision.

6: Efficiency, never duplicity.

I get you from point A to B with as little interference as possible. Because wasted time is a waste of money and opportunity. As a lean team of one, I lead the process from strategy to execution with zero risk of “lost in translation.” I’m your single senior point of contact and take a nimble and ego-less approach to solving problems and getting things done.

7: “We” not you and me.

I serve as an extension of your team, because I can’t do what I do without you. When we team up, every presentation will include words like “we” and “our” and “us.” While I recognize I wasn’t part of the great work that got you to where you are today, I hope by becoming part of your team, I can foster a “we culture” that shapes the brand’s tomorrow.

8: Right direction over perfection.

I don’t burn hours trying to make “tada” happen. Instead I share my “ahas” as I have them to make sure you’re tracking too. I thoughtfully build your team into the process because your input makes the work stronger. Sharing “almost complete” work leaves room for growth and allows us to get better results more efficiently.

9: Breaks lead to breakthroughs.

I never rush you in the process. If you need more time to provide feedback, you got it. If you need to pause to accommodate complex schedules, I provide that flexibility. If I need more time to come up with the right solution, I’ll let you know. Deadlines are important but not at the expense of inclusive collaboration and quality output.

10: You deserve dedication.

I only take on one main client at a time so I can give my full focus and energy to your team and the project at hand. You will always have a direct line to me. No junior team. No admins. And you will always have my complete attention, passion, and dedication because I believe that’s what you deserve.

11: Pricing should be fair. 

Unlike most, I don’t submit hard bids. I submit “soft” bids, meaning I only bill hours incurred. If I complete a project faster than estimated, you will see that reduction on your final bill. If I need more hours to complete the work, I will discuss it with you in advance. I believe this is the fairest way to conduct business and leads to the best work.

12: The work must work. 

When it comes to branding and marketing, it’s not a good idea if it doesn’t positively impact how your audience thinks, feels, and acts. I will work with you to set measurable benchmarks up front so you can track the impact of the work, and I can help you make optimizations if needed.