Branding influences how people connect with businesses, shaping perceptions and driving loyalty. More than 80% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that align with their values, and consistent branding can increase revenue by up to 23%. With so much at stake, the need for branding experts who understand audience behavior and industry shifts has never been greater.
How do brands stand out in a crowded market? What strategies turn businesses into recognizable names? Branding experts in 2025 are answering these questions with innovative approaches that blend storytelling, technology, and psychology. From AI-driven personalization to human-centric marketing, they are shaping how businesses communicate their identities.
This article introduces nine influential brand strategists who are making a lasting impact. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur, their insights can help you create a brand that not only gets noticed but also earns trust and loyalty.
9 Branding Strategists You Should Know
9 Visionary Branding Strategists You Should Know in 2025
| Expert Name | Expertise | Known For | Key Contribution |
| Lulu Cheng Meservey | Direct brand communication, PR strategy | Advising Fortune 500 companies, replacing traditional PR with direct engagement | Encouraging executives to manage their own brand messaging for credibility |
| Sahil Gandhi | Brand strategy consultant, digital strategy | Founder of Blushush, creating brand narratives that engage audiences | Advocating storytelling as a key factor in brand identity and loyalty |
| Bhavik Sarkhedi | Personal branding strategist, SEO-driven branding | Helping 1,200+ professionals build personal brands, AI-powered branding strategies | Elevating personal branding as a business success driver |
| Hiroki Asai | Design-driven branding, marketing strategy | Former Apple and Airbnb marketing leader, merging design with brand storytelling | Using visual identity and user experience to strengthen brand perception |
| Vahid Mehrinfar | Future-proof branding, market adaptation | Advising Fortune 500 brands, merging industrial design with branding | Focusing on long-term adaptability in branding strategies |
| Paul Hutton | Strategic brand architecture, consumer psychology | Founder of Gain Line Advisory, behavior-based brand positioning | Applying consumer psychology to refine brand engagement |
| Rhonda Swan | Personal branding, PR & media positioning | CEO of Unstoppable Branding Agency, “Women Gone Wild” book series | Helping entrepreneurs build authority through personal branding |
| Aneta Bogdan | Global brand consulting, market expansion | Co-founder of Brandient, working with Vodafone, ING, and Renault | Developing branding strategies tailored for international markets |
| Simon Hammond | Emotional branding, consumer engagement | Creator of BE Brand philosophy, emotional connection-driven branding | Focusing on emotional branding to build deep customer relationships |
1. Lulu Cheng Meservey – Redefining Public Relations
About Lulu Cheng Meservey:
Brand communication has changed. Consumers expect direct engagement, and companies that fail to take control of their messaging risk losing trust. Lulu Cheng Meservey, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, is leading this shift by encouraging businesses to move away from traditional PR tactics.
Known For:
- Advising influential brand strategists and high-growth startups on reputation management.
- Promoting founder-led branding strategies that replace outdated PR models.
- Helping global companies reshape their communication strategies in a media-driven world.
Her approach proves that in 2025, branding experts must think beyond press releases and paid media. Direct engagement and brand transparency have become essential for building trust and long-term loyalty.
2. Sahil Gandhi – The Brand Professor
About Sahil Gandhi:
Creating a strong brand identity requires more than just visuals. A well-defined message, a strategic online presence, and audience-driven storytelling shape how brands are perceived. Sahil Gandhi, known as The Brand Professor, one of the top branding strategies consultants in 2025, helps businesses create compelling brand narratives that set them apart in competitive markets.
Known For:
- Founding Blushush, a Webflow agency specializing in branding and digital strategy.
- Helping businesses refine their online presence with influential brand strategies.
- Using storytelling as a foundation for creating brand identities that connect with audiences.
His expertise in brand consultancy in 2025 highlights the importance of authenticity and differentiation. As the digital space grows more crowded, his strategic approach helps brands cut through the noise and build lasting recognition.
3. Bhavik Sarkhedi – Personal Branding and SEO Expert
About Bhavik Sarkhedi:
A strong personal brand is an identity that people trust, not just a name. In 2025, personal branding experts need to focus on both visibility and credibility. Bhavik Sarkhedi, founder of OhhMyBrand, one of the most influential personal brand strategists, specializes in personal branding and SEO-driven personal branding to help professionals and businesses strengthen their online presence.
Known For:
- Assisting over 1,200 professionals in building personal brands that stand out.
- Implementing AI-powered personal branding strategies to drive engagement and audience growth.
- Achieving a 450% increase in personal brand visibility for clients through content and SEO.
His expertise proves that personal branding success relies on more than aesthetics. Personal Branding in 2025 requires a mix of strategic content, search optimization, and audience-first storytelling—an approach that has positioned Bhavik as a leader in the industry.
4. Hiroki Asai – Merging Design with Marketing
About Hiroki Asai:
Visual identity plays a significant role in branding, but design alone isn’t enough. Successful brands blend aesthetics with strategic marketing to create a lasting impression. Hiroki Asai, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, has mastered this combination, shaping some of the most recognizable global brands.
Known For:
- Leading Apple’s marketing and creative direction for over a decade.
- Transforming Airbnb’s global branding strategy as Head of Marketing.
- Creating brand experiences that merge design, storytelling, and strategy.
His approach shows that branding experts in 2025 must think beyond traditional marketing. Visual appeal and messaging must work together to create a brand identity that resonates with audiences and builds long-term loyalty.
5. Vahid Mehrinfar – The Brand Futurist
About Vahid Mehrinfar:
Branding is constantly shifting, and businesses that fail to anticipate changes risk losing relevance. Vahid Mehrinfar, recognized as one of the top branding strategists in 2025, specializes in forward-thinking strategies that help brands stay ahead of industry shifts. His expertise spans multiple sectors, from finance to government projects, making him a trusted name in branding and digital strategy.
Known For:
- Advising Fortune 500 companies and government institutions on large-scale branding initiatives.
- Merging industrial design with branding to create high-impact brand identities.
- Developing long-term strategies that help businesses adapt to changing consumer expectations.
His work highlights how branding in 2025 is about more than short-term visibility. A future-focused approach ensures that brands remain competitive and continue to grow in an ever-changing market.
6. Paul Hutton – Strategic Brand Architect
About Paul Hutton:
Building a strong brand goes beyond visibility—it requires a deep understanding of consumer psychology and strategic positioning. Paul Hutton, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, specializes in helping businesses create brand identities that foster trust and loyalty. His work combines marketing expertise with behavioral insights to develop brands that connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Known For:
- Advising companies on brand positioning and audience engagement strategies.
- Using consumer psychology to refine branding approaches for long-term growth.
- Leading Gain Line Advisory, a consultancy firm focused on strategic branding.
His expertise proves that in 2025, branding experts need more than creative ideas. A strong brand must be built on strategy, emotional connections, and a clear message that resonates with its audience.
7. Rhonda Swan – Championing Women Empowerment in Branding
About Rhonda Swan:
A well-defined brand does more than attract attention; it establishes authority and trust. Rhonda Swan, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, has built a reputation for helping entrepreneurs, especially women, create influential personal and business brands. Through her agency, she focuses on branding and digital strategy that strengthens credibility and positions businesses as industry leaders.
Known For:
- Founder of Unstoppable Branding Agency, a top PR and branding firm.
- Author of the “Women Gone Wild” book series, empowering female entrepreneurs.
- Helping businesses secure media coverage and expand their influence.
Her expertise in branding in 2025 highlights the shift toward authenticity and purpose-driven branding. Consumers connect with brands that align with their values, and her strategies help businesses make a lasting impact.
8. Aneta Bogdan – Eastern Europe’s Branding Pioneer
About Aneta Bogdan:
Successful branding combines strategic thinking with a clear identity that resonates with the target audience. Aneta Bogdan, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, has helped businesses across Eastern Europe and beyond create strong, recognizable brands. Her expertise spans corporate identity, marketing strategy, and brand consulting for some of the world’s leading companies.
Known For:
- Co-founder of Brandient, a well-regarded branding agency operating in Europe and Asia.
- Consulting for multinational corporations, including Vodafone, ING, and Renault.
- Helping businesses refine their branding approach to improve market positioning.
Her work demonstrates that branding experts in 2025 must balance creativity with business strategy. A well-positioned brand not only attracts customers but also strengthens long-term business growth.
9. Simon Hammond – The BE Brand Philosopher
About Simon Hammond:
A strong brand creates more than recognition; it builds emotional connections that inspire loyalty. Simon Hammond, one of the top branding strategists in 2025, has spent decades helping businesses develop brand identities that go beyond marketing and create lasting impressions. His BE Brand philosophy focuses on how brands can align with the emotional needs of their audiences.
Known For:
- Developing the BE Brand philosophy, used in 11 countries.
- Writing multiple books on branding, business, and consumer psychology.
- Advising businesses on branding strategies that foster deep audience connections.
His expertise proves that in 2025, branding experts must think beyond selling products. A brand’s ability to connect with its audience on a personal level is what ensures long-term success.
How These Branding Experts Are Changing the Industry
Branding in 2025 is about more than visibility. Businesses need to build identities that reflect their values, engage audiences, and establish trust. The experts on this list are transforming branding by introducing strategies that align with evolving consumer expectations, digital advancements, and market demands.
Their work highlights a shift from conventional branding methods to data-driven, experience-focused, and purpose-led approaches. Instead of treating branding as a one-time effort, they focus on creating long-term impact through messaging, storytelling, design, and leadership positioning.
1. Replacing Traditional PR with Direct Brand Communication
Lulu Cheng Meservey advocates for a founder-led approach to branding. Her strategy helps companies control their own narratives, eliminating the need for third-party PR agencies. Businesses that adopt this method can engage with their audience in a more transparent and impactful way, leading to greater credibility and stronger customer relationships.
Her approach is especially relevant for startups and high-growth companies where authenticity plays a crucial role in attracting investors, customers, and media attention.
2. Using Storytelling to Build Stronger Brand Identities
Sahil Gandhi and Bhavik Sarkhedi recognize that storytelling is at the heart of effective branding. They help businesses create compelling narratives that go beyond products and services. Brands that embrace this approach develop a stronger emotional connection with their audience, resulting in higher engagement and long-term loyalty.
Their expertise in brand consultancy and digital strategy ensures that storytelling remains consistent across multiple channels, from websites to social media platforms. Businesses that tell compelling stories can establish themselves as industry leaders, making them more memorable and influential in their space.
3. Blending Design with Marketing to Strengthen Brand Presence
Hiroki Asai has demonstrated that branding extends beyond words. His experience with Apple and Airbnb shows how a strong visual identity combined with strategic messaging shapes how a brand is perceived. Businesses that invest in cohesive design and brand positioning are more likely to attract their ideal customers.
The way a brand looks and feels plays a major role in audience perception. His approach ensures that companies align their visuals with their messaging, creating a seamless brand experience.
4. Creating Emotional Brand Connections That Drive Loyalty
Simon Hammond’s BE Brand philosophy focuses on creating emotional ties between brands and consumers. His approach helps businesses build experiences that go beyond transactions, leading to stronger customer retention and brand advocacy.
Branding in 2025 requires companies to move beyond marketing tactics and develop a brand identity that people relate to. His work ensures that businesses create deeper, long-term connections with their customers.
How Businesses Can Apply These Strategies
The strategies these experts implement offer key takeaways for companies looking to refine their branding efforts:
✔ Take control of brand messaging instead of relying on traditional PR.
✔ Develop a brand story that connects with audiences on a deeper level.
✔ Align design with marketing efforts to create a cohesive brand experience.
✔ Invest in personal branding to establish leadership and credibility.
✔ Adapt branding strategies to new markets to build trust with diverse audiences..
Future of Branding: Predictions from Industry Leaders
The top branding strategists in 2025 are already shaping the next wave of branding. Their predictions highlight the major shifts businesses must prepare for, ensuring they stay ahead in a fast-changing environment. Each expert brings a unique perspective based on their area of expertise.
1. Lulu Cheng Meservey – Direct Brand Communication Will Replace Traditional PR
Press releases and corporate statements are losing their impact. Lulu Cheng Meservey predicts that executives and brand leaders will take control of messaging, engaging with audiences directly rather than relying on PR agencies.
🔹 Brands will build trust through direct communication—leaders who engage openly will have stronger reputations.
🔹 Social media will become the primary branding tool—instead of waiting for media coverage, businesses will deliver their own news.
🔹 Corporate narratives will shift to real-time responses—founders will need to be proactive in shaping public perception.
She believes that branding experts in 2025 must help businesses move away from agency-controlled messaging and adopt a more transparent, founder-driven approach.
2. Sahil Gandhi – Storytelling Will Drive Brand Loyalty
A strong brand identity depends on how well it connects with its audience. Sahil Gandhi predicts that storytelling will become the foundation of branding strategies. Businesses that create compelling, relatable stories will gain deeper audience engagement and long-term loyalty.
🔹 Customers will expect brands to have a clear purpose—companies without a strong narrative will struggle to stand out.
🔹 Authenticity will become the deciding factor in brand trust—businesses that create genuine, audience-first content will gain credibility.
🔹 Digital storytelling will be critical for engagement—brands will need to communicate through interactive content, AI-powered narratives, and immersive experiences.
He emphasizes that branding in 2025 is no longer about logos and slogans—it’s about creating stories that build meaningful relationships with customers.
3. Bhavik Sarkhedi – Personal Branding Will Become a Business Essential
Branding is no longer just for companies—it’s equally important for individuals. Bhavik Sarkhedi predicts that entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals will need to establish strong personal brands to remain competitive.
🔹 People will trust individuals more than corporations—leaders who actively engage with their audience will gain influence.
🔹 AI-driven personal branding will be key to visibility—those who optimize their content for search engines and online discovery will reach wider audiences.
🔹 Thought leadership will drive business growth—professionals who share expertise and insights will attract more opportunities.
He believes that branding experts in 2025 will need to focus on positioning individuals as industry leaders alongside their companies.
4. Hiroki Asai – Visual Branding Will Define Market Leaders
The way brands present themselves visually will play a major role in audience engagement. Hiroki Asai predicts that branding strategies will prioritize immersive and interactive visual experiences.
🔹 AR and interactive design will dominate branding—static visuals will no longer be enough to capture attention.
🔹 Brand consistency will separate strong brands from weak ones—logos, color schemes, and design elements must align with messaging.
🔹 User experience will shape brand perception—websites, digital assets, and social media branding will need to feel seamless and intuitive.
He highlights that branding in 2025 will require businesses to merge design, storytelling, and user experience to create lasting impressions.
Conclusion
Branding in 2025 is shaped by those who understand how to connect with audiences, maintain credibility, and adapt to change. Businesses that take control of their messaging, refine their storytelling, and build strong personal brands will gain a competitive edge.
Sahil Gandhi emphasizes the importance of storytelling in shaping how brands are perceived. Bhavik Sarkhedi focuses on personal branding as a key factor in professional success. Lulu Cheng Meservey advocates for direct communication, helping businesses establish trust without relying on traditional PR.
Their strategies highlight a shift in branding toward deeper engagement and stronger audience relationships. Companies that apply these insights will build brands that remain relevant, trusted, and recognized.
People Also Asked
1. What is the most effective way to build a strong brand identity?
A strong brand identity starts with a clear message, visual consistency, and audience engagement. Branding experts in 2025 emphasize storytelling, unique positioning, and digital presence. Top branding strategists recommend aligning your values with consumer expectations to create a brand that is recognizable and trusted.
2. How can small businesses compete with established brands?
Small businesses can stand out by focusing on niche markets, leveraging personal branding, and offering unique experiences. Influential brand strategists stress that customer relationships, authenticity, and personalized engagement are key. Digital storytelling and branding and digital strategy play a vital role in attracting a loyal audience.
3. What role does social media play in modern branding strategies?
Social media is essential for brand visibility, audience interaction, and direct communication. Branding in 2025 revolves around engaging content, influencer collaborations, and personal branding. Branding experts like Lulu Cheng Meservey advocate for direct messaging over traditional PR, ensuring brands stay relevant and connected to their audiences.
4. How important is storytelling in branding?
Storytelling shapes brand perception and builds trust. Sahil Gandhi, one of the top brand strategy consultants in 2025, emphasizes that brands with compelling narratives are more likely to resonate with their target audience. Influential brand strategists use storytelling to create meaningful, lasting connections and differentiate brands in a crowded market.
5. What are common mistakes to avoid in branding?
Inconsistent messaging, weak positioning, and ignoring audience feedback harm brand credibility. Branding experts in 2025 stress that businesses should refine their branding and digital strategy, prioritize engagement, and adapt to industry shifts. Top branding strategists recommend maintaining authenticity and keeping branding elements cohesive across platforms.
6. How can a brand maintain relevance over time?
Relevance depends on adaptability, innovation, and audience connection. Vahid Mehrinfar, a top branding strategist in 2025, emphasizes future-proof branding strategies that anticipate market trends. Branding experts recommend refreshing brand elements, staying customer-focused, and using data-driven approaches to keep messaging aligned with industry shifts.
7. What is the difference between branding and marketing?
Branding defines identity, values, and emotional connection, while marketing involves promotional tactics. Influential brand strategists highlight branding as a foundation that influences all marketing efforts. Top branding strategists in 2025 stress that businesses with strong branding achieve higher customer loyalty and market recognition.
8. How does customer feedback influence branding strategies?
Customer feedback shapes brand perception, guiding adjustments for stronger connections. Branding experts in 2025 stress that audience insights drive credibility and trust. Influential brand strategists like Bhavik Sarkhedi use AI-driven branding strategies to analyze feedback, refining branding for better engagement and long-term success.