Heidi Brauer is a brand builder, creative strategist, marketer, thought-starter, collaborator and explorer of what’s practical.  A deep believer in the power of brands and humans, she is the proud creator of the idea that ‘it takes a village to raise a brand’. As an entertaining and dynamic speaker, she speaks mostly about Relationships, Cake and Grace – the essential ingredients to creating and sustaining differentiated brands in a world of product parity. Because, as she says” we really all do sell pretty much the same stuff as the next guy”. She share insights, stimulate thinking and co-creates possibilities with teams large and small, from C-suite execs to marketing students – and all with a touch of delightful quirkiness.

Her workshops help teams think together in a generative way – about strategies, brands, collaboration and more, so they can share possibilities and conversations and emerge informed, connected and energised with ideas. Her style is light and inclusive and conveys theory in a way that’s both easy to grasp and use.

Known fondly as the Brand Mama, she is a seasoned consultant and CMO. Although she holds the title of Chartered Marketer (SA), Heidi’s journey encompasses a rich tapestry of roles, from from delivering babies and market research programmes, to designing aircraft interiors and exteriors, to re-designing insurance brands, and consulting in just about every category of business in SA and beyond.

Heidi co-created what have been hailed as “the best airport lounges in the world” – SLOW, demonstrating an innate talent for sculpting world-class customer experiences. She also co-created, researched and published a book on Johannesburg’s Villa Arcadia, showcasing her passion for storytelling and provenance.

She has orchestrated events and campaigns that have brought smiles (and tears) to thousands, run loyalty programmes, and pioneered customer and employee engagement initiatives. Her belief that brands can and should add value to society is a guiding principle, and she has helped organisations understand their purpose, facilitated ‘shared value’ journeys, and managed purple speedo races to raise awareness for male cancers.

Heidi and her teams have won numerous awards, among them Gold and Grand Prix Loeries, PRISMs and Effies, Bookmarks, MMAs and international DandAd awards.

In her own right, she’s been a ‘Marketer of the Year’ finalist in the Marketing Achievement Awards, named in multiple years on SCOPEN ‘SA’s Most Admired Marketing Professionals’ list, and nominated for a PRISM lifetime award for PR.

Boardroom stints include years with organisations like the Marketing Association of SA, Mobile Marketing Association, Naked Insurance, and Reach for a Dream Foundation.

Creativity and marketing are Heidi’s true passions and her voice resonates in industry discussions, offering a unique perspective that stems from her diverse experiences. Her ongoing involvement in award juries which over the years have included APEX, Prisms, AdFocus, Smarties, Marketing Achievement Awards, Sports Industry Awards, Business and Arts SA, the Loeries and the Jewish Achiever Awards is borne of a dedication to being in service and fostering creativity in thinking in various spheres of business.