Hi, I’m Zane.
Your brand is an asset.
Let’s grow its value.
And have some fun.
Through research, strategy, and storytelling, we'll dial up the effectiveness of your brand.
Before freelance, I spent 10+ years at agencies and in-house.
Nowadays, I partner directly with startups, scaleups, and small businesses.
From branding to content—all under one hat.
Need visual identity or design? I’ll connect you with one of my talented partners.
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Research and brand strategy help you make clear, consistent, and compelling marketing decisions—setting the stage for naming, visual identity, and subsequent marketing strategies.
This foundation makes your value accessible to the most possible people, increasing your fame and fortune. In the short term, it shows stakeholders and investors you mean business.
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Names are like empty boxes, waiting to be filled with your brand story. But naming is tricky–it can lead to concepts you can't even own. Before choosing a name, we collaborate to ensure it's distinctive and fits your business while considering existing domains and trademarks.
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The nuts and bolts of your brand’s identity. Verbal identity sets the stage for visual identity, logo design, and creative marketing. We create a messaging framework that's distinct from competitors and connects with your target’s unmet needs.
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A framework based on our strategy that inspires your designer and the brand's visual identity, guiding logo design, color palettes, typography, and imagery for a distinctive and consistent brand experience.
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To capture market share your content needs to have an edge. My POV is that it must entertain! Too often content is cookie-cutter, feature-focused and boring. We won't let that happen to your brand. We'll make a bold, creative plan.
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The right words and concepts can make or break your brand story. Whether it's your website, a catchy ad campaign, or a product video, my copywriting makes your content clear, consistent, and uniquely yours.
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With experience leading teams and crafting successful campaigns for brands like State Farm, Blue Diamond Almonds, and Philips, I'm ready to step in and help your team reach its full potential.
I'm adaptable and results-oriented, whether you need a temporary boost or ongoing guidance. Let's connect and discuss how creative direction can help you achieve your goals.
Featured Work
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Case Studies
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Featured Work
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Case Studies
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Featured Work • Case Studies • Featured Work • Case Studies •
Reclaim your rest. A new digital product with deep roots.
Dwellspring transformed the world's #1 sound machine podcast into a personalized app, empowering users to create their ideal sound environment for sleep, focus, and relaxation.
Research, positioning, and a unique message set Dwellspring apart from competitors, attracting a dedicated community of rest-seekers and establishing the brand as a leader in the sleep and wellness space.
Gear for adults with children. Not baby stuff.
Winner of a Time Magazine Best Invention award, Guava Family was looking to rebrand and stand apart from its baby gear peers.
I helped them connect their innovative brand story with their audience's unmet need: Getting outside to recharge.
Together we thrive. This is the Long Beach way.
A historic Long Beach district with a historic set of problems: vacancy, safety, and identity. For decades, a lack of pride haunted this eight-block mixed-use space.
A new name and verbal identity would inspire belonging and award-winning branding.
They don’t make belts like they used to. But Lejon does.
An American classic known within the industry as the artisan makers behind such labels as Shinola and Saks, but relatively unknown to most Americans.
I helped them connect with a new audience, consolidate their products, and tell a new story about their family-owned, Made in the USA roots.
Bigger than brick and mortar. UCLA is Here.
A story about the many ways that UCLA is present around the world, from Antarctica to astronauts.
The UCLA is Here campaign highlighted the school’s positive impact on society. It was also an invitation, welcoming anyone (anywhere) to join them.
Ready to chat?
A quick call will help us determine a path forward, whether that's working together or pointing you in the right direction.
Past Work
FAQ
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Brand strategy is the blueprint for your brand's success. It defines your unique value, target audience, and competitive advantage, providing a clear path for growth. Unlike marketing strategies, which focus on tactics and execution, brand strategy is the foundation.
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Your brand book is an actionable guide that clearly defines your brand: its strategy, identity, and messaging. Share it with anyone—investors, employees, freelancers—to instantly convey your brand's story and ensure everyone's efforts consistently contribute to your growth.
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A well-crafted brand increases acquisition and revenue, making it an essential investment for achieving your business goals.
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I specialize in strategy, messaging/copywriting, and creative direction. Although I'm not a designer, I partner with talented designers and can help you find someone to create a visual identity inspired and guided by your brand strategy.
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A strong brand foundation now saves you time and money in the future. It helps you make short-term and long-term decisions about your product and business structure, strengthening your business plan and pitch.
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Yes! We'll analyze what's working and what could be improved, ensuring you have a competitive plan and an emotional story. This includes positioning, brand architecture, pricing, and much more. It's a collaborative process that results in a stronger business.
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Yes! A strong brand strategy foundation means I understand the heart of your business and what will resonate with your audience. Plus, I'm a copywriter who has created entertaining campaigns for household names and small businesses alike.
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Absolutely. I'd love to learn more about what you've created and provide any tips. Just let me know ahead of time what you plan to share so I can come prepared.