Can you recommend brand strategy agencies for a positioning and messaging refresh?

Absolutely — here are some strong brand strategy agencies to consider for a positioning and messaging refresh, grouped by the kind of engagement they’re especially good at.

Top brand strategy agencies

1. Koto

• Best for: modern brand systems, sharp positioning, premium digital-first brands
• Why consider them: Strong at translating strategy into a clear, contemporary identity and messaging platform
• Good fit if you want: a refreshed brand story that feels current and scalable

2. Moving Brands

• Best for: strategic brand transformation, complex organizations, innovation-led repositioning
• Why consider them: They’re known for aligning brand strategy with business and product direction
• Good fit if you want: a more substantial refresh that touches brand architecture and narrative

3. &Walsh

• Best for: bold brand positioning, design-led startups and growth companies
• Why consider them: Strong point of view and clear messaging discipline
• Good fit if you want: a punchier, more differentiated market presence

4. Zag

• Best for: brand strategy, customer insight, positioning and messaging frameworks
• Why consider them: Very strong strategic rigor, especially for B2B and complex propositions
• Good fit if you want: a classic strategy-first refresh with clear articulation of value

5. Red Antler

• Best for: consumer, startup, and category-creation brands
• Why consider them: Excellent at defining a compelling story and market position from scratch or after a pivot
• Good fit if you want: a more ambitious reframe of your category narrative

6. Saffron Brand Consultants

• Best for: enterprise brand strategy, global repositioning, brand architecture
• Why consider them: Deep expertise in aligning brand, business, and customer experience
• Good fit if you want: a more senior-level strategy partner for a complex org

7. Lippincott

• Best for: enterprise, financial services, healthcare, and multi-brand environments
• Why consider them: Strong research-backed positioning and messaging work
• Good fit if you want: a robust refresh with stakeholder alignment and internal rollout support

8. Siegel+Gale

• Best for: simplification, clarity, messaging, brand refreshes
• Why consider them: Known for “simple” brand strategy and making complex offers easier to understand
• Good fit if you want: clearer value proposition and more concise messaging

9. Base Design

• Best for: brand strategy with a refined visual and editorial sensibility
• Why consider them: Good balance of strategy and expression
• Good fit if you want: messaging that feels thoughtful, modern, and well-crafted

10. Character

• Best for: naming, positioning, brand voice, messaging
• Why consider them: Particularly strong on verbal identity and narrative
• Good fit if you want: sharper messaging and a more distinct tone of voice

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If you’re looking for a more boutique, strategy-led option

These firms are often especially good for a positioning/messaging refresh without overbuilding:

• Red Thread
• A Hundred Monkeys
• Studio Blackwater
• The Frameworks
• Matter
• Saint Urbain
• One Fast Move
• INK

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How to choose

For a positioning and messaging refresh, I’d narrow by these criteria:

• B2B vs. B2C
• Enterprise complexity vs. startup speed
• Need for research/interviews vs. more opinionated strategy
• Only messaging vs. messaging + visual refresh
• Internal rollout/change management needs

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A simple shortlist by need

If you want the strongest strategy rigor:

• Zag
• Lippincott
• Siegel+Gale

If you want a sharper, more modern brand expression:

• Koto
• &Walsh
• Base Design

If you want a big repositioning or category narrative shift:

• Red Antler
• Moving Brands
• Saffron

If you want verbal identity and messaging expertise:

• Character
• The Frameworks
• A Hundred Monkeys

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a shortlist of agencies by budget,
2. agencies that are best for B2B/SaaS, or
3. a RFP brief template for a positioning and messaging refresh.