humans can't live without
meaning.
humans can't live without
meaning.
We are wired to find it, react to it, lean on it.
In a world that often rewards speed over depth, it's still necessary for brands to slow down. Reflect. Understand their meaning. And use thoughtful design to bring it to life.
What a cool thing.
My name is
Sarah Beck.
I am a brand strategist in advertising, helping brands understand and express what they mean for nearly 10 years.
I focus on the foundational work that gives brands their soul, where strategy and design partner.
Strategy allows companies to know their meaning. Design gives that meaning form. The value they create together is deep, purposeful and lasting.
Brand positioning and purpose
Brand architecture
Workshop facilitation
Audience insight
Trend identification
Research synthesis
Naming logic
Verbal identity
Messaging frameworks
Brand systems
Brand planning
What i bring to the
work
Approach with intention
Before I act, I listen; to my team, to our clients, and to the people we hope to move. I am known for being thorough and attentive, listening for what is said and what isn’t, to pinpoint the problem that needs solving and provide a path to the creative solution.
Make people feel
Emotional resonance is not just a nice-sounding line but something that makes people feel, and further, act. I am a pro research and culture sleuth, bringing forward honest insights that ensures our design stirs up something good in our audience.
Enhance design’s value
I believe the value that intentional design work done by humans is irreplaceable, and I help make that clear to clients. I create strong, strategic foundations for designers to work off of and use this plan to prove effectiveness.
Use authenticity as a standard
Every brand has soul. I bring direction that uncovers what a brand can honestly embody and what audience emotion they are suited to respond to. Authenticity will continue to be something people crave, so I hold brands accountable at the core, foundational level.
What led me
here
My experience spans across Goodyear, Cub Cadet, Furniture Mart, Haribo, Skinny Pop, Intuit QuickBooks, Hormel Chili, Zoetis and more. I adapt quickly to industries, but the category matters less to me than the opportunity for strategy and design to shape one another.
Colle + McVoy | 2022- present
Associate Strategy Director
Senior Strategist
*Minnesota's AdFed 32 under 32 winner | 2023
*Client request to work full time under them; half time with agency and half with their company
BBDOMPLS | 2020-2022
Senior Strategist
Periscope (now Betty) | 2017-2020
Strategist
Associate Strategist
Strategy Intern
Who i am as a
human
I am a strategist based in Portland, Oregon and from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
My two-year old tendencies of asking why haven’t left me, and has led me to a career of learning about people.
Outside of work
Get outside to trail run, bike, ski, hike
Doodle, paint, sew
Rummage for old clothes to flip and resell
Get into YouTube wormholes
Good conversations with my people
Let's meet! sarahbeck2013@gmail.com