I am a Creative Director with 20+ years of international experience, leading brand and campaign work at senior levels across Stockholm, London and New York. I specialise in building consumer brands, shaping identities, narratives and creative systems that drive commercial impact and sustainable growth. I translate business challenges into campaigns that travel beyond paid media, earning momentum through PR, organic reach and genuine conversation. I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built brands in tech, FMCG, retail, SaaS and services, with long sales cycles demanding clarity and trust.…

Sasan Faghihi

I am a Creative Director with 20+ years of international experience, leading brand and campaign work at senior levels across Stockholm, London and New York. I specialise in building consumer brands, shaping identities, narratives and creative systems that drive commercial impact and sustainable growth. I translate business challenges into campaigns that travel beyond paid media, earning momentum through PR, organic reach and genuine conversation. I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built brands in tech, FMCG, retail, SaaS and services, with long sales cycles demanding clarity and trust.…

Available to hire

I am a Creative Director with 20+ years of international experience, leading brand and campaign work at senior levels across Stockholm, London and New York. I specialise in building consumer brands, shaping identities, narratives and creative systems that drive commercial impact and sustainable growth.

I translate business challenges into campaigns that travel beyond paid media, earning momentum through PR, organic reach and genuine conversation. I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built brands in tech, FMCG, retail, SaaS and services, with long sales cycles demanding clarity and trust.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Swedish
Advanced

Work Experience

Brand and Communications Advisor at Various international B2B and B2C organisations
January 1, 2018 - Present
Brand and communications advisor to B2B and B2C organisations, working directly with founders, CEOs and boards across international markets. Work spans brand strategy, positioning, identity, campaigns and communication across multiple sectors, including technology, fintech, consumer electronics, FMCG and sustainability, including clients such as Google, Nike, Klarna, Pureit (Unilever) and Kry (Livi in the UK). Translate business strategy into clear brand positioning, messaging and communication used across marketing, sales and external channels. Build messaging frameworks and communication systems that scale across teams and markets. Advised founders, CEOs and boards on brand, positioning and communication during periods of growth and transformation. Worked both directly with companies and as a strategic advisor to agencies on high-stakes pitches, positioning and concept development. Built and led creative and marketing teams on a project and interim basis.
Brand Lead & Senior Communications Consultant at River
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2024
Brought in to build and lead River’s brand offering alongside its advertising business. Part of the management group. Built brand strategy, positioning and identity work across lifestyle brands, FMCG, consumer electronics, sustainability, greentech and fintech. Led brand and communication work for global and regional brands including Nike, Klarna, Stora Enso, Pureit (Unilever’s global water purification brand rolled out across Asia) and Blueair (air purification brand across the Nordics and the US). Led a national marketing campaign for Truecaller ahead of its IPO, supporting brand visibility and market readiness. Created and launched new brands and products from scratch, including Legendz (youth-focused drinks brand), Volta Greentech (first methane-reduced meat product launched in grocery retail) and Curb (nationwide ghost-kitchen food delivery brand). Built River’s brand offering from the ground up, growing brand work from 0% to over 40% of total agency revenue within the first
Head of Communications (Consultant) at Norrsken Foundation
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Joined at launch to define and lead communications for a non-profit mental health platform backed by Norrsken, a Nordic impact foundation supporting mission-driven technology companies. Defined brand narrative and messaging across product, marketing and partnerships. Led the public launch, driving 40,000+ app downloads and reaching #1 in the App Store Education category. Planned and executed an influencer-led launch that generated national attention. Built and ran communication across digital, social, performance marketing and PR. Supported partner and investor communication within the Norrsken ecosystem.
Creative Director at Cheil Nordic
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Creative Director and member of the management group within Cheil, a global South Korean agency network. Senior client lead across brand, retail and campaign work for international consumer brands. Led integrated brand, retail and omnichannel work for Samsung across mobile, consumer electronics and home appliances, across retail, pop-ups, always-on social and campaigns. Improved in-store engagement across Samsung Shop-in-Shop environments in the Nordics, contributing to a 22% increase in customer dwell time. Expanded the NIVEA relationship from digital-only to a full-service account within four weeks. Established Hankook Tyres in the Nordic market, expanding distribution to over 200 resellers in Sweden. Campaign work for Hankook Tyres awarded at Epica and Eurobest (Glass: The Award for Change category) for PR-driven brand communication addressing social impact.
Creative Director at Hilanders
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Creative Director and client lead at a strategic B2B communications agency focused on technology, telecom and industrial sectors. Led global brand and marketing campaign for Telia Carrier (now Arelion) ahead of its US market entry, increasing US awareness by 34%, doubling web traffic, and lifting the brand from #17 to #2 in US rankings. The work won Telia Group’s Grand Prize for Best B2B Brand and was nominated for 100-Wattaren , Sweden’s top effectiveness award (B2B). Led brand and communication work for global B2B and industrial companies including Scania, Sandvik, Canon, CGI and Rockwool. Translated complex technical services into clear positioning and messaging for companies operating with long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers across global markets. Played a key role in Hilanders’ international expansion, including early brand and messaging work supporting the launch of the Shanghai office.
Founder & Creative Director at The Study
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
Independent B2B agency focused on strategic communication for complex services in tech, telecom and IT, working with multinational clients including Ericsson. Led strategy, communications and campaign work for Ericsson to launch and communicate a new mobile advertising platform across Europe, the US and Asia, covering the full ecosystem of agencies, media agencies and mobile operators. Worked directly with CEOs and CMOs to define positioning and build messaging frameworks that made complex services easier to understand and easier to buy. Won every client pitch during the agency’s first two years, including Ericsson. Built brand and messaging platforms used across sales, marketing and recruitment.
Senior Art Director at BBDO Worldwide
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010
Senior Art Director at Sweden’s oldest and most established B2B advertising agency, part of the global BBDO network. Led creative work for major Swedish export brands including ABB, Sandvik, FLIR Systems and Nynas (industrial oils and infrastructure materials). Played a key role in developing the agency’s digital offering, modernising how traditional B2B clients communicated beyond traditional media. Worked closely with senior client teams on campaign direction and brand communication.
Senior Art Director at Gyro New York
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
US office of an international B2B agency network focused on integrated marketing for global clients. Led concept and campaign direction for clients including GE Healthcare, Océ, LifeCell and ITT. Won every client pitch while spearheading the pitch process at the agency. Helped establish creative processes during a formative period for the New York office.
Art Director at Gyro
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2008
Joined as Gyro Stockholm’s first Art Director and helped grow the agency from 4 to 40 people within three years. Led creative work for clients including Google, Adobe, Panasonic and Oracle. Deeply involved in new business, winning every pitch while spearheading the pitch process. Awarded Creative of the Year and Campaign of the Year within the Gyro network.
Creative at TheFishCanSing
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2005
London-based creative PR and communications agency known for non-traditional brand campaigns for leading consumer brands. Created concepts combining PR, experiential and non-traditional advertising for brands including Nike, Motorola, Absolut and Yahoo across tech, fashion and lifestyle. Worked closely with journalists, planners and strategists to shape ideas designed for earned media and cultural relevance.
Freelance Creative at Various agencies
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2004
Early freelance and junior creative roles at internationally recognised agencies, building foundational experience in brand and campaign work. Freelance work with Grey Stockholm and Wieden+Kennedy London. Contributed to creative work for global brands including Nike and Red Bull.
Brand Strategist and Creative Consultant at Independent brand consultancy
January 1, 2018 - Present
Brand and communications advisor to B2B and B2C organisations, working directly with founders, CEOs and boards across international markets. Lead brand strategy, positioning, identity, campaigns and communications; collaborated with brands including Google, Nike, Klarna, Pureit (Unilever) and Kry (Livi in the UK). Creative direction across communications strategy, brand and advertising, including narrative and messaging development, and long-term brand development. Built identity systems, led integrated campaigns from concept to execution, and designed work to earn attention beyond paid media through PR and organic reach. Led multidisciplinary teams and agencies, turning business challenges into campaigns that travel beyond traditional channels.
Head of Communications (Consultant) at Mental health platform (Norrsken-backed)
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Joined at launch to define brand narrative and messaging across product, marketing and partnerships. Led the public launch, driving 40,000+ app downloads and achieving #1 in the App Store Education category. Planned and executed an influencer-led launch, built and ran communications across digital, social, performance marketing and PR, and supported partner and investor communications within the Norrsken ecosystem.
Senior Art Director at BBDO Worldwide, Stockholm
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2010
Senior Art Director for major Swedish export brands; helped modernise digital B2B communications and collaborated with senior client teams on campaign direction and brand communication.
Art Director at Gyro Stockholm
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008
Art direction for key clients including Google, Adobe, Panasonic and Oracle; contributed to the office’s growth and to a high pitch-win rate; awarded within the Gyro network for Creative of the Year and Campaign of the Year.
Early Career / Freelance Creative at Various agencies
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2004
Early freelance and junior creative roles at internationally recognised agencies, building foundational experience in brand and campaign work; contributed to work for global brands including Nike and Red Bull.
Brand Strategist and Creative Consultant at Independent / Numerous clients
January 1, 2018 - Present
Brand strategy and communications advisor to B2B and B2C organisations, working directly with founders, CEOs and boards across international markets. Responsibilities include creative direction, positioning, narrative and messaging development, identity systems, and integrated campaigns designed for visibility beyond paid media, with emphasis on PR and organic reach. Led multidisciplinary teams and partnered with agencies to deliver high-impact, scalable brand work.
Head of Communications (Consultant) at Norrsken
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Joined at launch to define and lead communications for a non-profit mental health platform backed by Norrsken, a Nordic impact foundation supporting mission-driven technology companies. Defined brand narrative and messaging across product, marketing and partnerships. Led the public launch, driving 40,000+ app downloads and reaching #1 in the App Store Education category. Planned and executed influencer-led launches and built communication across digital, social, performance marketing and PR.

Education

Master of Arts in Graphic Design at Konstfack, University of Arts and Design, Stockholm
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Visual Communication at University of Central England (UCE), Birmingham, UK
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2001
Master of Arts in Graphic Design at Konstfack University of Arts and Design, Stockholm
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Visual Communication at University of Central England (UCE), Birmingham, UK
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2001
Master of Arts in Graphic Design at Konstfack, University of Arts and Design, Stockholm
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Visual Communication at University of Central England (UCE), Birmingham, UK
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2001

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Telecommunications, Consumer Goods, Financial Services, Energy & Utilities, Non-Profit Organization

Skills

Experience Level