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Karim Syed

Senior Brand Strategist | Positioning, Messaging & Brand Architecture | B2B & DTC

About Me

I help companies build the strategic foundation that everything else, design, content, campaigns, sales enablement, is built from. Brand positioning, messaging architecture, brand platform development, go-to-market strategy, and multi-entity brand architecture are my core services. The common thread across my work: translating complexity into clarity. Over 20+ years I've operated across agency networks (DDB, Ogilvy, McCann, FCB, TracyLocke/Omnicom), a corporate VP of Branding role managing a $58M portfolio, and independent consulting through my firm Incito Mentis. My clients range from PepsiCo, SC Johnson, Nestlé, and Xfinity to venture-backed startups and DTC brands building from scratch. What I deliver: brand positioning and strategy decks, messaging frameworks, tone of voice architecture, competitive analysis, persona development, naming strategy, content strategy, and go-to-market plans. I have built unified brand narratives for multi-entity businesses, repositioned legacy brands for new audiences, and created full brand platforms for startups going to market for the first time. I work on a project, retainer, or fractional basis. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, working remotely with clients across North America, the Middle East, and Europe. Recognized as one of the Top 14 Marketing Experts in Dallas by Influence Digest.

Jurisdiction

United States

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Strategy Consultant & Chief Ignition OfficerIncito Mentis
2020 - Present

Independent brand and marketing strategy consultancy. Partnering with startups, Fortune 500 companies, and agencies on brand strategy, positioning, go-to-market strategy, and pitch deck development. Key clients include PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, SC Johnson, Canon, Bosch, and JBL. Built investor pitch decks, led strategic pitches for new business, and developed brand platforms across fintech, e-commerce, education, CPG, and luxury sectors.

VP Strategic PlanningFCB Chicago
2019 - 2020

Led Xfinity's Retail Strategy, delivering strategic thinking to elevate retail communications and activations. Guided store redesign and refined customer interactions to create a brand-driven environment.

Global Planning Director TracyLocke Chicago
2017 - 2019

Led Global Planning on SC Johnson across Home Cleaning, Pest Control, and Air Care brands. Developed shopper marketing strategies for Walmart, Target, Sam's Club, Home Depot, and Dollar General. Collaborated with TracyLocke offices in UK, Singapore, and Argentina.

Strategy ConsultantIncito Mentis
2016 - 2017

Led brand strategy and cultural insight projects for Fortune 250 companies and global food brands. Developed strategic frameworks and client-facing presentations translating consumer research into actionable brand direction.

VP BrandingMobily
2013 - 2015

Led all brand building initiatives for a major telecom operator, managing a $58M budget. Guided brand turnaround strategy post-audit crisis, launched the largest integrated campaign in company history, and managed sports marketing partnerships including FC Barcelona. Built and led the branding department across brand strategy, communications, content, and sports marketing.

Strategic Planning Director DDB Worldwide
2005 - 2013

Led strategic planning and new business development across the Middle East and Africa for 8 years. Directed pitches and strategic presentations for clients including Zain, PepsiCo, Clorox, VW, Unilever, and Emaar. Published thought leadership on telecom branding for DDB Worldwide. Built the agency's planning capability through training and workshops across the region.

Strategy DirectorLuciola Consulting
2009 - 2011

Led a pioneering telecom brand consultancy focused on helping operators manage growth without diluting brand value. Applied proprietary branding tools to client business challenges, led insight-mining projects, and conducted executive training on industry and consumer trends.

Strategy DirectorOgilvy Worldwide
2003 - 2005

Led 360 Brand Stewardship across the Ogilvy Group, enabling integrated strategic thinking for key clients including Unilever and PepsiCo. Drove group synergy and built agency capability through training programs. Also led strategy for the brand activation agency within the Ogilvy Group.

Brand StrategistBulls Eye DDB
2002 - 2003

Co-founded Pakistan's first strategic marketing agency, delivering media-neutral, problem-centric brand solutions. Led strategy development on brand planning, activation, and experiential marketing projects, primarily for Unilever.

Strategic PlannerOgilvy Worldwide
2000 - 2002

Responsible for new business pitches and strategic planning for beverages (PepsiCo) and telecom. Contributed to the largest food study with Ogilvy Asia Pacific, recognized as the best among 14 countries. Led agency training on brand stewardship and leadership.

Education

Masters of Business AdministrationInstitute of Business Administration
1998 - 1998
Degree of Business AdministrationInstitute of Business Administration
1995 - 1997

Skills

Core skills0
Languages2

Languages

English
Urdu