Your Unfair
Advantage
When Your Positioning isn’t Working, Everything is Harder
You’ve built something genuinely good, but the market isn’t seeing it clearly.
Your pitch lands differently every time someone on the team delivers it
Prospects take too long to get it. Investors nod politely and move on.
This is fixable and it won’t take 6 months!
30+ years. Both sides of the table.
I’ve built brand and go-to-market strategies for Vodafone, P&G, Diageo, Mastercard, Microsoft, Selfridges, Sainsbury’s, and 3M.
But I’ve also been inside a 5-person agency and helped build it to 120 people. Most consultants have done one or the other.
Who I Work With
Ambitious businesses where the product is complex and the stakes are high such as FinTech, B2B tech, consumer brands, and scale-ups at a critical moment.
I don’t churn out decks. I get into the problem with you and stay until it’s fixed.
Book a Free Discovery Call
Where do you Want to Start?
Every engagement begins with a free Discovery Call. From there, we work out what you actually need.
FREE Discovery Call
Click to read more
FREE Discovery Call
Strategy Sprint
Click to read more
Strategy Sprint
Strategic Transformation
Click to read more
Strategic Transformation
Strategic Advisory Retainer
Click to read more
Strategic Advisory Retainer
How I Work
Rapid Diagnosis (Weeks 1-2)
I figure out what’s actually broken across your brand positioning, go-to-market approach, and commercial model. A proper diagnosis of what’s blocking revenue, what’s confusing your market, and what’s already working that you should be doubling down on.
Quick Wins (Weeks 3-4)
You’ll see tangible results in the first month. Messaging that converts better. Positioning that resonates with investors. A clearer pitch for your sales conversations. These are implemented changes, not recommendations sitting in a document.
Strategic Roadmap (Months 2-3)
A 12-18 month plan with clear priorities, sector-specific messaging, and a multi-channel go-to-market strategy. Practical, executable, and built for your team — not for a boardroom presentation that never gets opened again.
Execution (Months 3-6+)
I work alongside your team to implement, optimise, and make sure you hit your targets. I’m in the work with you, not watching from a distance and invoicing for advice.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
TSW (FinTech) – Built the brand and go-to-market strategy for Africa’s first government-licensed stablecoin – from positioning and messaging architecture through to a clear narrative for institutional partners and investors.
Shrap (FinTech) – Strategic positioning and go-to-market strategy for a payments business in a crowded market. Sharpened the message so the sales and partnerships team had something clear and consistent to take into every conversation.
YOHO (AI Workplace Specialists) – Strategic advisory on brand positioning and market entry – helping define who they were for, what made them different, and how to show up in a fast-moving category before it got even more crowded.
3M (Safety Division) – Strategic positioning and campaign development to maintain market leadership in hearing safety and workplace safety across the UK.
Diageo (FMCG) – Strategic positioning and campaign development for Smirnoff and Guinness – working at the scale of two of the world’s most recognised drinks brands.
Marketing Agency Scale-Up – Joined the leadership team of a 5-person agency and helped build the strategy, structure, and commercial model that took it to 120 people and £7M+ in fee income.
Every Month of Unclear Positioning Is a Month of Revenue You Didn’t Capture
The deals going to competitors who tell a cleaner message. The investor conversations that don’t go anywhere. The sales cycles that drag because your team can’t tell a consistent, compelling version of what you do. These aren’t bad luck. They’re the cost of a positioning problem that hasn’t been fixed yet.
What People Actually Say
“Oliver is unabashedly himself. Which, trust me, is a good thing. He’s transparent, hilarious, extremely knowledgeable and experienced. Having Oliver in your corner will be a great thing, as a consultant, sounding board, strategist, and guiding hand to help you get to grips with your business journey.”
“I really enjoy working with Oliver. He brings a wealth of experience, clarity, and candidness that is hard to achieve independently when you’re stuck in the day-to-day running of an agency. Highly recommend.”
“Oliver is a great sounding board, a real creative talent, and has filled several key gaps in our knowledge. I know he will be an asset and great mentor to any organisation whether to provide help formulating business strategy, planning a new media campaign, developing a pitch to prospective clients or investors, or just to sanitise or refine an idea.”
“Oliver embodies unapologetic confidence. With a knack for wit and humour, he effortlessly lightens the mood while imparting valuable insights drawn from his extensive expertise and years of experience. He is the ideal ally to have by your side. His role as a consultant extends beyond mere advice. He becomes a steadfast sounding board, strategist, and mentor.”
“I met Oliver and took advantage of one of his Launchpad sessions. His perspective and knowledge on how I could build my business, from overall strategy to the way my business becomes a brand, was evident. Now, we are working together with weekly sessions to move the plan forward. I felt like my business was stuck in the mud and I wasn’t enjoying it, but Oliver’s enthusiasm, ideas, and support have given me a new lift. My motivation now is through the roof for what the business is capable of achieving!”
“Oliver is one of those rare people who just ‘gets it,’ balancing big vision and pragmatism. He’s a great listener who offers sound strategic advice and a healthy dose of positivity in any situation. Oliver has been instrumental in clarifying our ideas, structuring our value proposition, and preparing our service for launch.”
“Oliver delivered great results for me at the ATP and in Abu Dhabi. The work is creative, good value, and delivers results. Oliver isn’t precious and is a pleasure to work with.”
“Oliver is the real deal – capable of immediately adding value to any project that he’s involved with. He’s a creative and strategic marketer. On top of that, he’s also a top guy, great company, and a mean bass player!”
“Our messaging and core USPs were the biggest part of our recent rebrand that needed work. They were simply not clear enough and were costing us potential clients. We would have struggled to rectify this without the amazing services of fellow creative and strategist extraordinaire, Oliver Russell, whose advice and direction were invaluable. I can’t recommend his Launchpad sessions highly enough!”
“Working with Oliver to shape Together Co’s strategy for our 25th anniversary has been an absolute pleasure and a transformative experience. Oliver has a remarkable ability to draw out creative ideas and inspire fresh perspectives. His engaging, dynamic approach created a space where our team felt energised and confident to explore bold, innovative concepts.”
“Oliver has provided me with clarity and direction on how I can improve my business, leveraging his expertise and understanding. As a business owner, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether your approach is right or wrong. Oliver has helped me better understand my own ‘message’ and how my customers perceive my brand.”