Ash Rathod

You already know storytelling is essential for your business and brand. But storytelling is much more than the words on your website, content and other communications. The right narrative can inform your short and long term strategy, help align your team, outmanoeuvre the competition and build a tribe of ambassadors.It can help you attract and retain the right customers who are willing to pay you more for a longer period of time and tell others to do the same.It's about high level performance. ie. increasing profits for the business and providing unique value to the people you serve.I specialise in guiding businesses do exactly this. My philosophy centres on a "Story-First Approach," a method that has proven to be the missing link for many who struggle with brand identity and growth.The challenge most people face when building a brand is twofold: either they're paralysed by indecision, never taking the first step, or they jump in headfirst, producing content without a coherent strategy. Both paths lead to a stagnant or unclear identity. The root cause? A lack of strategic direction.  I can help with that.---I studied media and communications specialising in script-writing, where my love for storytelling started. I worked in TV media alongside the London arm of global ad agencies such as StarCom, OMD, PHD Media and many smaller DRTV agencies. My portfolio stretched across global FMCG, (P&amp;G and Unilever) and automotive (Ford and Toyota) brands before moving to Turner Broadcasting (now Warner Bros. Discovery) to work on kids brands (such as Mattel and Hasbro). As the online world began to grow, I moved into Digital Marketing where I helped scale the Manchester office of a Bournemouth based media agency, going from media owner to client side, which consisted of a team of 20+ designers, marketers, copywriters and BDMs.Then after a short sales role at BT, I decided to start my own creative agency, to help start-ups to SMEs with with their communications online.This was almost 16 years ago. I'm proud to say I still run and I own that brand consultancy and design studio in the UK which has focused on serving start-ups to corporations over those years. Right now my focus covers:L&amp;D Training (1:1 &amp; Corporate teams)Speaking at eventsBrand Strategy workshops for start-ups and SMEs.None of these are an overnight fix.But if you are serious about shaping and growing your brand, I can help you do this faster than most.NB. My profile picture has been touched up with AI to change the colour of my shirt and  background

Brand Story Strategist | Managing Director

A brand strategy + design collective specializing in creating compelling content for digital communications. We work with forward-thinking founders, c-suite stakeholders, and marketing teams who passionately strive to lead the change in making the world of work a better place for all.

Our capabilities include:

Brand Strategy

  - Storytelling for brands 
  - Storytelling for leaders

Activation

  - Content Production
  - Media Planning

Randstad Enterprise

Part of the EMEA Talent Marketing Client Partner team. We work with our clients and account teams to understand their strategic goals and challenges and develop comprehensive talent marketing strategies that align to the employer brand and improve the candidate experience.

Talent Marketing Client Partner

Serrala

Serrala provides software solutions for financial automation and B2B payments to medium-sized to large Enterprise customers globally, with a strong footprint across Europe and the US.

Responsibilities:
o Part of the global marketing leadership team
o Budget Responsibility
o Team responsibility for 9 employees
o Brand strategy
o Shareholder management with all external suppliers and internal interfaces
o Responsible for the introduction of a content marketing strategy 
o Responsible for internal communication and employer branding strategy

Global Director Corporate Brand and Communications

Human Marketing

No more BS Marketing speak. It's time to make marketing more human.
Connecting your business with the hearts and minds of your audience is my true passion and what I do.

Human Marketing helps you to create a brand that connects with your audience by telling your stories in a human way.

Content Strategist & Storyteller (Owner)

Sabbatical

Sabbatical year to spend time attending classes and coachings, reading books, building networks and, most importantly, spending time with my daughter. 
Unfortunately I missed out on the travel experience due to Covid.

Kelly Services

• Member of the Global Marketing Leadership team.
• Enhanced and oversaw the global content marketing strategy for b2b and talent marketing.
• Researched, created, and implemented content marketing projects to be distributed globally. 
• Launched award-winning content marketing projects across +25 countries.
• Increased brand awareness, website traffic, and lead generation through effective Content, PR, and targeted marketing campaigns  
• Coordinated and executed national and international events. 
• Delivered sales and operations support with content marketing initiatives.
• Managed a global pool of suppliers to reduce costs and grow productivity.

Success:
- Continued development of the content marketing strategy and realignment of the
development process, including the establishment of new design guidelines
- Annual implementation of diverse global research projects
(+ 50 content materials per year, increasing the PR clippings, client events, e-mail and
social media campaigns)
- Implementation of a global content supplier and distribution strategy
(500 recipients, cost savings through the centralization of all content marketing
projects)
- Implementation of the "Talent Leadership in Action" events in Germany
(4 events per year, 20 participants per event, positioning as an HR solutions provider)

Director, Global Content Marketing

• Developed and implemented a global content marketing strategy across 3 continents.
• Planned and produced b2b and talent marketing content initiatives, including white papers, eBooks, blog posts, case studies, videos and podcasts to drive content awareness and leads.
• Compiled research regarding market opportunities, potential clients, competitors and external trends. 
• Identified and leveraged relevant topics and stories to maximize engagement. 
• Directed relationship management with third-party institutions, writers, publishers and event organizers while maintaining cross-functional communication and meeting operational goals. 
• Oversaw social media profile management including post scheduling and engagement analysis.
• Researched, commissioned and developed content across +25 countries. 
• Assessed new market opportunities.
• Collaborated with key stakeholders including marketing operations, eBusiness, PR, and marketing information teams.

Success:
- Implementation of a uniform content marketing strategy and aligned process for 31 countries within the first 12 months
- 100 leads per month
(through external content marketing platforms)
- + 30% website traffic
(due to regular promotion of content and the introduction of a global blog program)

Sr. Manager, Global Content Development

Provided leadership and direction for 16 Country Marketing Managers as part of the European Leadership Team. Responsible for the European Marketing budget.

• Part of global marketing team. 
• Established the European marketing strategy.
• Developed and implemented marketing objectives for 16 countries.
• Developed and implemented employer branding strategy.
• Post-merger integration marketing (Randstad Portugal)
• Internal and external communications, PR and Events across Europe.
• Developed and executed European lead-generating online marketing campaigns.
• Vendor Management.

Success:
- 4,500 monthly client contacts with regular European-wide thought leadership newsletter
(website in 16 languages used for the monthly European e-mail campaigns)
- 50% cost savings through the centralization of contract management
- 5,000 sales leads per EMEA Sales Day - two times per year
- + 50% press clippings through the implementation of the Kelly Global Workforce
Index
- Brand integration in Portugal - 6 months instead of 12 months

Regional Marketing Manager EMEA

Provided leadership and marketing strategy for +15 branches across Germany. Part of the German Leadership Team. Responsibility for the countries marketing budget.

• Set up the German marketing strategy.
• Developed and implemented marketing objectives for the country.
• Managed internal and external communications. 
• Responsible for all external & internal events.
• Developed and implemented local and national sales activities.
• Launched and maintained country websites and social media channels.

Success:
- + 50% website traffic through website re-launch
- 30% cost savings through vendor consolidation
- 200 leads per Sales Day (planning, coordination and implementation of 2 national
Sales Days p.a)
- 10% successful meeting appointments through the marketing call center
- + 70% press clippings via the Kelly Global Workforce Index PR strategy
(annual national survey given to HR Managers to identify new HR trends)

Marketing Coordinator/Manager Germany

Implementation of a training program across 16 locations in Germany.

Project Manager Germany

Office Assistant

Deutsche Shell AG

Marketing Assistant

Marketing | Brand | Communication | Fintech | SaaS

Here is what I have learned in all my years working in marketing: If one thing can make your brand more relatable to other humans, it's telling stories.

Hi, my name is Michael, and I am on a journey to help others make their marketing more human by telling authentic stories that help solve problems and inspire humans to connect with them.

This came after a nearly 20-year-long career with one of the largest recruitment companies in the world, where I held several marketing leadership roles.

After that, I ran my own solopreneur business for two years before I joined a Fintech company to run their Global Brands and Comms department.

I am now fortunate to work for Randstad Sourceright, the world's leading partner for talent, where I help our clients to develop  recruitment marketing strategies that connect them with the best talent in their industries.

Over the years, I lived in Switzerland and Australia before moving back to my hometown, Hamburg, where I enjoy time with friends and my daughter, a good game of football, or reading a great book.

I am driven by sharing stories openly and honestly with others. It's the best way to connect with other humans, and the one thing I enjoy most is precisely this: connection.

taplio

The Battle

Ash Rathod

Michael Kirsten

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?