What makes your approach different from other brand strategists?

Many modern brands have begun to feel artificial and disposable, a symptom of a fast-paced, online culture where algorithms funnel an overload of identical content, causing a disconnect with customers. My approach is different. I work with you to build a brand that is a genuine reflection of your unique passion—the very thing that first drove you and has kept you going since the beginning. Remember that relentless drive that kept you up late into the night? That's what I'm talking about—it's infectious, inspiring, and relatable. If you've lost sight of this and are now working for a brand you no longer connect with, you may as well be working for someone else.

Why does this approach work?

We achieve this by diving deep into your core essence and strategically aligning that unique human energy with your brand. This passion is what makes a brand relatable. In a world of digital noise, relatability builds trust, and trust is the ultimate shortcut to a purchase. It's not about artificial intelligence; it's about emotional intelligence. This kind of connection allows your brand to resonate with people, creating an emotional pull far more powerful than any fleeting trend.

I believe that after generations of influencers and generic digital noise, we're creating a society that craves and misses real craft, passion, and genuine human connection.

I'm investing into a future of generational heirlooms, not disposable, short-lived products.

What is your professional background?

Since 1997, I've honed my skills at top-tier, award-winning agencies such as King James and The Jupiter Drawing Room. This experience has given me a track record of international awards and exposure to global clients and markets.

I've also served on the judging panel for the South African Loerie Awards and ran my own design studio for six years. Since 2020, I have focused on strategic brand consulting, helping businesses of all sizes find their unique voice.

How do you collaborate with clients?

I act as your dedicated creative partner. I work closely with you to develop your brand strategy, corporate identity, and communication materials. While I can call on a network of top-tier professionals if a project requires something specific, my main focus is being a strategic partner. I'm available to work remotely with clients worldwide and can also be on-site with your team when a project requires it.

Who are your ideal clients?

• Start-ups looking to build a strong, distinctive brand from the ground up.

• Established businesses that have lost touch with their core message or feel their brand is becoming unrelatable. I help them refine their strategy or streamline their visual identity.

• Marketing agencies that need help with a new brief, understanding a new client, or refreshing an existing client's brand.

What is your fee structure and why do you use a value-based pricing model?

My rates ensure that your investment is directly proportional to the value a project creates for your business, rather than simply paying for time or a set fee. Unlike a fixed-cost approach, which can lead to over or under-resourcing, this flexible structure allows us to align our plan precisely with your unique needs.

For example, a marketing budget might be determined by the revenue growth you want to achieve, while a project to solve a specific business problem would be priced based on the financial cost of inaction. This approach, where I typically engage in projects between R50k to R500k (ZAR), ensures that the resources allocated are a direct response to the problem you need to solve, providing clarity and a clear return on investment. A simple phone call is always free and the first step to figuring out how we can create value together.

What are your own passions?

I have a profound love for nature, which I experience through daily walks in the reserve on my doorstep with my partner, Maike, and our Africanis dog, Olive.

This appreciation extends to aesthetics, particularly mid-century and modernist influence in graphic design, architecture, and products. I'm fascinated by a bygone era when people created lasting heirlooms that continue to inspire us today. This led me to create the Werdmuller Resource, dedicated to preserving South Africa's architectural and cultural heritage, aiming to safeguard interest in these sites before they are lost.

For 11 years, I lived in Swellendam, a town with a country lifestyle that we’re planning to return to. Since 2019, I've served on the Swellendam Municipality Aesthetic Committee, and in 2016, I founded the Friends of Marloth to assist CapeNature with the Marloth Nature Reserve.

Beyond this, my German roots give me a deep appreciation for detail, technology, and performance—and what can be achieved with this. Whether it's the strategy of Formula 1 or the thrill of airshows and flying, I'm always ready to have a heated discussion about Max Verstappen or talk your ear off about airplanes!