Christchurch
Laura Fisher
Graphic Designer + Illustrator
Hire a Brand Strategist in New Zealand
Clarify your positioning and messaging to attract the right customers and grow sales with focused research and practical brand frameworks.
Waikato
Tom Dawson
Brand Designer & Website Designer
Auckland
Elise Hopkins
Graphic Designer
Auckland
Kylie May
Graphic & Web Designer
Auckland
Dawn Lodge-Osborn
Logo and Print Designer
Christchurch
Soraya King
FMCG & CPG Packaging Designer
What this service is for
What can a brand strategist help you build?
A brand strategist helps you define who you are for the market, why customers should choose you, and the core messages that drive enquiries and sales.
Clarify market positioning
Define a clear position and value proposition so your offer stands out to the customers you want to reach.
Create messaging and tone of voice
Turn your business benefits into consistent messaging for websites, sales teams and marketing campaigns.
Prepare for a rebrand or launch
Set strategy and priorities for a rebrand, product launch or new service so execution stays focused on business goals.
How Unicorn Factory works
A simple way to find the right freelancer.
Create one project brief, compare applications from relevant freelancers, and choose who you would like to meet.
Step 01
Tell us what you need.
Use the guided brief to explain the outcome, timing, budget, and context. You do not need to prepare a technical specification.
Freelancers in our network
Profiles from our network
The freelancers shown on this page are examples of talent available through Unicorn Factory. To start, create a short project brief — relevant freelancers will apply, you review the applications, and Unicorn Factory makes warm introductions to the applicants you want to speak with.
Tell us about your project
Ideas for your brief
Project ideas and deliverables
Examples of practical engagements you can brief — use them to shape your scope and invite appropriate applicants.
Positioning & Messaging sprint
A focused engagement to map competitors, pick a distinct position, and produce messaging the team can use right away.
- Competitive and category summary highlighting opportunities
- Clear positioning statement and one or more value propositions
- Messaging framework for key audiences (headlines and supporting points)
- One-page brand brief for handoff to designers and copywriters
Full brand strategy for rebrand
Strategic work to guide a rebrand — research, brand architecture and a strategic roadmap for visual and verbal identity.
- Research summary (stakeholder interviews and audience insights)
- Brand strategy deck with rationale and target audience profiles
- Brand architecture and naming guidance where applicable
- Implementation roadmap for rollout across channels and teams
Product launch and campaign planning
Position a new product or offer and create the messaging and brief marketers need to launch effectively.
- Product positioning and target-customer profiles
- Customer journey map and key conversion points
- Campaign messaging and content brief for web and ads
- Measurement recommendations and channel prioritisation
Proof lives in the work
Related project work
Below are real, related case studies from work completed by freelancers and studios in our network. Use these examples to see the kinds of briefs you can create.
See Brand Strategy Projects
Digital Product & UX
Brand Direction and Product Design for an AI Running Coach App Built for Investment Conversations
- UX Design
- User Research
- Brand Identity & Visual Identity
John-Luke Ward
Branding
Luxury Sustainable Brand Design for Mānuka
- Logo Design
- Brand Identity & Visual Identity
- Graphic Design
Debbie Stannard
Marketing & Growth
Project Management for MasterCard Player of the Match Trophy – Women's Rugby World Cup 2021
- Marketing Strategy
- Project Coordination & Workflow Management
- Campaign Management
Jessica Jenkins
Branding
Believe U Can: Gen Z Brand Campaign for University of Canterbury
- Copywriting
- Brand Strategy
Rupert de Paula
Branding
Brand Identity and Logo Design for Epic Electrical
- Logo Design
- Brand Identity & Visual Identity
- Graphic Design
Melanie FordycePricing guidance
How much does brand strategy cost?
Indicative NZ$ ranges to help you plan. Final scope and freelancer rates vary and are agreed directly with the freelancer.
Small / focused engagement
One-off positioning or messaging sprint, a short audit and a concise brief or deck.
NZ$1,000–5,000
Medium / standalone strategy
Broader strategy work with audience research, messaging frameworks and practical implementation guidance.
NZ$5,000–15,000
Large / full rebrand or agency-level programme
End-to-end rebrand or comprehensive strategy tied to visual identity, naming and multi-channel rollout (costs vary with scope).
NZ$15,000–60,000+
What affects the price
- Depth of research and number of stakeholder interviews required
- How many audience segments, products or sub-brands are in scope
- Level of deliverables (strategy only vs strategy plus creative execution)
- Complexity of rollout across channels, teams and markets
Estimates are indicative, may exclude GST and ongoing software or platform fees. Final scope and rates are agreed directly with the freelancer — request a tailored quote after you publish your brief.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions before you hire.
Answers to the questions clients commonly ask before starting a brief.
Still deciding what you need?
Start with the outcome and the context you already have. A polished specification is not required.
How long will brand strategy take?
Timing depends on scope. Small sprints can be a few weeks; medium strategy projects often run 4–8 weeks; full rebrands typically take longer. Agree timing with applicants when you review proposals.
How do I know if I need a strategist or a designer?
If your priority is clarity around who you serve, why you’re different, or what to say, start with a strategist. If you need visual identity only, brief a designer — many freelancers offer both services and will note that in their profiles.
What should I include in my brief?
Include your business goals, current challenges, who your customers are (if known), examples of brands you admire, and a budget or budget range. Clear objectives help freelancers price and apply appropriately.
How does the Unicorn Factory process work?
You publish a brief, relevant freelancers apply, you review applications, and Unicorn Factory makes warm introductions to applicants you want to speak with.
How can I check a freelancer’s fit or trustworthiness?
Review their portfolio and case studies, ask for relevant examples during conversations, check references where offered, and agree outcomes and milestones in writing before work starts.
Ready to get moving?
Ready to brief a brand strategist?
Create a short brief that outlines your goals and budget, then invite applicants — Unicorn Factory will make warm introductions to the freelancers who apply.