“Marketing and the C-suite are often two very different worlds, each speaking a different language - convinced that neither really understands the other. I’ve worked with both and have seen remarkable results when the two are connected, when brand is invited in earlier.”

From New York and Paris to Sydney and Shanghai, few strategists have worked across such a wide mix of categories, cultures and boardrooms. Sophie Ayles has seen the disconnect, and the untapped opportunity.

Brand is still too often treated as a wrapper - not a value driver. But when it’s brought upstream, as a strategic and commercial driver, it changes everything: how business grow, how teams align, and how decisions get made.

At the next Strat Chats in Sydney, Sophie will share what happens when brand becomes everyone’s business, not just marketing’s. She’ll explore how brand can be a lever for culture, talent, investment and transformation, sharing real stories from inside organisations where brand made the difference.

Join us on 11 September at 8am at The Commons on George St.