Branding in 2025 demands sharper focus than ever. Artificial intelligence, rapid digital shifts, and customer-centric business models have changed how brands grow. In this environment, strong branding defines visibility, credibility, and long-term trust.
Entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies share one challenge: staying relevant in a crowded market. This is where brand strategists play a decisive role. A skilled strategist does more than design logos or craft campaigns. They shape identity, guide positioning, and build a roadmap that connects business goals with audience needs. Their expertise in strategic branding ensures every interaction reinforces what the brand stands for.
A brand strategist combines market research, brand storytelling, and Brand strategy into a single framework. For startups, this means clarity from day one. For growing businesses, it means consistent expansion. For leaders, it builds authority that attracts opportunities. In each case, the strategist becomes a partner in transformation.
This article highlights ten influential brand strategists who continue to shape industries in 2025. Each one brings a unique perspective on building brands that thrive in a digital-first world. Following them provides more than inspiration; it delivers actionable insights to strengthen your brand journey.
What Does a Brand Strategist Do?
A top brand strategist creates the foundation on which businesses build recognition and growth. Unlike a branding consultant, who often focuses on specific campaigns or visual elements, a strategist looks at the larger picture. They connect business goals with audience perception, ensuring that every interaction reflects a clear identity.
A strategist also differs from a business strategist. While a business strategist focuses on financial models, operations, and market entry, a brand strategist focuses on narrative, positioning, and emotional connection. Together, both roles complement each other, yet the strategist’s strength lies in translating business direction into a brand that people trust and remember.
Key responsibilities include:
- Positioning: Defining how the brand stands out in a competitive market.
- Messaging: Crafting words that reflect values and resonate with audiences.
- Storytelling: Building narratives that make products and services memorable.
- Market differentiation: Identifying unique strengths that separate the brand from competitors.
- Identity alignment: Ensuring design, tone, and actions consistently reflect the brand’s core.
Consider a startup entering a crowded fintech market. A branding consultant refined its narrative by shifting focus from technology features to customer empowerment. This subtle change helped the business secure funding and expand faster, proving the impact of strategic branding done right.
A brand strategist acts as the architect of perception. They transform abstract values into tangible experiences that drive recognition, loyalty, and growth.
Why You Should Follow Brand Strategists in 2025
The landscape of branding in 2025 moves faster than ever. Artificial intelligence shapes how brands connect with audiences, while social-first branding dominates attention spans. Personalization defines customer loyalty, and sustainability has shifted from a value-add to a business essential. For leaders, staying ahead of these shifts is not optional; it is the difference between relevance and obscurity.
Following these brand strategists gives you access to cutting-edge strategic branding insights. The skills of a brand strategist helps you decode trends, adapt faster, and identify the right growth opportunities. They track shifts across industries, experiment with new platforms, and share frameworks that businesses can apply immediately.
Beyond knowledge, following industry leaders creates powerful opportunities. Entrepreneurs and startups gain visibility by engaging in their communities. Established businesses strengthen networks, discover collaborations, and open doors to fresh ideas. Each strategist becomes more than a voice to learn from; they become a source of mentorship at scale.
The right strategist offers clarity when markets feel uncertain. They help you refine positioning, align identity, and keep messaging sharp. In a competitive world, their insights allow you to stay relevant without losing focus on long-term vision.
In 2025, following brand strategists is not simply about inspiration; it is about building an advantage that keeps your brand growing in a crowded, fast-changing landscape.
The List – 10 Brand Strategists to Follow in 2025
1. Sahil Gandhi – Brand Professor & Co-Founder, Blushush
Sahil Gandhi has built a strong reputation as a voice in modern strategic branding. With years of experience guiding businesses and startups, he focuses on clarity, positioning, and storytelling that resonate with audiences. As Co-Founder of Blushush, he combines design, Webflow expertise, and growth-driven strategy to craft identities that stand out online. His ability to simplify complex brand challenges makes him an influential mentor for founders and professionals. He also has his brand professor’s creative outlook to check out what he does is best.
Why follow in 2025: He regularly shares actionable insights on brand design, growth hacks, and founder-led branding. His approach balances creativity with measurable results, perfect for digital-first businesses.
Where to find him: LinkedIn, Blushush blog, Webflow tutorials, brand workshops, and live sessions where he breaks down real brand transformations.
2. Bhavik Sarkhedi – Founder, Ohh My Brand
Bhavik Sarkhedi blends creative storytelling with SEO-backed strategies that elevate digital visibility. As the founder of Ohh My Brand, he focuses on building powerful personal brands for executives and entrepreneurs. His work as a branding consultant integrates content strategy with reputation management, ensuring leaders establish authority across industries. Bhavik has also authored several books on branding and marketing, making him a trusted thought leader for professionals looking to sharpen their narrative.
Why follow in 2025: His insights into credibility, storytelling, and positioning help businesses and individuals stand out in a competitive digital landscape. One of the best personal branding experts across the globe.
Where to find him: LinkedIn, Ohh My Brand blog, interviews, podcasts, and published books on branding and business growth.
3. Martin Roll – Business & Brand Strategist
Martin Roll is a global authority in brand strategy, advising Fortune 500 companies, family businesses, and Asian enterprises. His expertise lies at the intersection of branding and leadership, making him both a business strategist and brand architect. With over two decades of consulting experience, he delivers frameworks that align vision, strategy, and execution. Martin has authored influential books such as Asian Brand Strategy, which showcases his deep understanding of global markets.
Why follow in 2025: His work demonstrates how long-term strategic branding drives business transformation and shareholder value.
Where to find him: LinkedIn, global business conferences, leadership articles, and his books on branding and strategy.
4. Rita Clifton – Branding Icon & Speaker
Rita Clifton, often referred to as the “Brand Guru,” has decades of leadership experience at Interbrand and other global firms. She has championed the importance of sustainability, culture, and purpose in brand strategy. As a respected branding consultant and advisor, she works with boards and executives to connect business growth with positive societal impact. Her role as a speaker and author further cements her place as one of the most influential voices in branding.
Why follow in 2025: Her guidance shows how brands can balance profit with purpose, creating lasting impact in markets and communities.
Where to find her: Books, keynote speeches, LinkedIn updates, and advisory roles in major global organizations.
5. Marty Neumeier – Author & Design Thinker
Marty Neumeier is a legend in the world of branding. His books, including The Brand Gap, Zag, and The Designful Company, remain required reading for anyone serious about brand building. He focuses on simplifying strategy and making strategic branding accessible to both designers and executives. Through his workshops and talks, he provides tools that help businesses create brands that are clear, memorable, and relevant.
Why follow in 2025: His frameworks remain timeless while addressing new challenges like AI, digital platforms, and fast-changing consumer behavior.
Where to find him: Books, LinkedIn, conference talks, and collaborations with creative agencies.
6. Laurence Vincent – Author & Branding Scholar
Laurence Vincent brings an academic and research-oriented approach to branding. His book Brand Real explores how authenticity and promise alignment shape strong identities. He focuses on storytelling and customer experience as core pillars of brand growth. As a branding consultant, Laurence has worked with major companies to refine narratives and ensure their values align with market perception. His teaching and writing make complex branding concepts digestible for leaders at all levels.
Why follow in 2025: He offers deep, evidence-based insight into brand authenticity and the psychology behind consumer trust.
Where to find him: Books, scholarly articles, LinkedIn, and university lectures.
7. Hiroki Asai – Creative Leader & Strategist, Airbnb
Hiroki Asai is a creative powerhouse who has redefined brand storytelling at global companies. Now leading marketing at Airbnb, he integrates culture, design, and narrative into cohesive brand experiences. His leadership style shows how a strategist can bring creativity and strategic branding into harmony. With a background at Apple, he understands the importance of design-led strategy in shaping customer perception.
Why follow in 2025: His approach proves that creative leadership drives identity and market relevance, not just metrics.
Where to find him: Interviews, keynote panels, LinkedIn updates, and design-focused podcasts.
8. Dorie Clark – Strategist & Reinvention Coach
Dorie Clark specializes in helping professionals reinvent themselves and build lasting credibility. As a brand strategist and author, she teaches leaders how to stand out with clarity and authority. Her books, like The Long Game and Entrepreneurial You, guide professionals on building reputation and staying relevant. Her work integrates career growth with strategic positioning, making her one of the most practical voices in branding today.
Why follow in 2025: She shares step-by-step methods on how individuals can establish influence and maintain consistent growth in a competitive environment.
Where to find her: LinkedIn, books, Harvard Business Review articles, speaking events, and online courses.
9. Dan Schawbel – Personal Branding Educator
Dan Schawbel has built his reputation as one of the leading educators in personal branding. He combines research, market trends, and storytelling to help executives gain visibility and influence. As the founder of Millennial Branding, he has worked with global organizations and professionals looking to sharpen their identities. His podcast and LinkedIn Learning courses remain go-to resources for leaders.
Why follow in 2025: He shares data-driven frameworks for credibility and growth, perfect for anyone seeking modern personal branding strategies.
Where to find him: LinkedIn, podcast, books, and professional education platforms.
10. Fakhir Ali – CEO, Bluelinks Agency
Fakhir Ali has positioned himself as a trusted guide for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking digital credibility. As CEO of Bluelinks Agency, he focuses on personal branding and company services such as SEO-driven storytelling, reputation building, and online visibility. His approach combines practical marketing with long-term brand building, helping businesses become memorable in the right markets.
Why follow in 2025: He provides entrepreneurs with actionable strategies to establish strong online authority while scaling brand visibility.
Where to find him: LinkedIn, agency blogs, online guides, and branding webinars.
What We Learned from Studying These Brand Strategists
A close look at today’s leading brand strategists reveals clear patterns that define successful brand building in 2025. Each expert highlights clarity of positioning as the foundation for visibility. Strong storytelling transforms abstract values into narratives people remember. Authenticity remains the common thread; brands that stay genuine build trust faster than those chasing trends.
Every top branding consultant emphasizes customer experience as the new brand currency. From startups to global firms, the way audiences feel after engaging with a brand matters more than traditional advertising. Consistency across platforms ensures that trust compounds over time.
These strategists also show how to balance creativity with direction. The business strategist mindset defines market goals, while the creative strategist delivers narratives and design that bring those goals to life. The result is an identity that feels both aspirational and practical.
Strategic branding today is about agility and human connection, not just visuals. Leaders must listen, adapt, and deliver experiences that reflect evolving customer needs. Actionable insights from these strategists include building flexible positioning, investing in storytelling skills, and aligning brand identity with long-term vision.
For businesses in 2025, the lesson is clear: treat brand strategy as the engine of growth, not a finishing touch.
How to Apply Strategic Branding in Your Business
Strategic branding works best when treated as a core part of growth, not an afterthought. Startups and growing businesses benefit from a structured approach that combines vision with execution. The first step is clarity, defining positioning, target audience, and the values your brand must stand for. With this foundation, every decision becomes easier and more consistent.
Working with a branding consultant accelerates this process. A consultant brings expertise in messaging, design, and storytelling, helping you avoid costly mistakes. For lean startups, applying lessons from leading brand strategists also works. Study their frameworks, adopt their methods, and use them to craft identity from day one.
A business strategist also plays a key role. While the brand strategist focuses on perception, the business strategist ensures that operations, finances, and growth plans align with brand promises. Together, they create a model where identity matches delivery, building trust at every stage.
Practical steps include:
- Build a brand playbook with positioning and tone.
- Audit your customer touchpoints for consistency.
- Invest in storytelling skills across the team.
- Align business metrics with brand goals to measure impact.
Applying strategic branding this way ensures your identity grows with the business, creating a brand that feels strong, credible, and future-ready.
Conclusion
The journey through these leading brand strategists experts shows how much clarity, storytelling, and authenticity shape success in 2025. Each strategist proves that brands grow faster when identity feels intentional and strategy drives every decision. From startups to established businesses, the lessons remain the same: strong positioning, consistent narratives, and customer-centric experiences create brands that last.
Following these experts provides more than inspiration. It gives leaders actionable insights to apply in real time. By learning from their frameworks and adapting their methods, any business can stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
If you are ready to take the next step, expert support makes all the difference. Ready to refine your brand strategy? Connect with Brand Professor, your go-to branding consultant for 2025 and beyond.
