RYAN COMBS / BRAND STRATEGIST
         
Howdy!
My name is Ryan Combs. I’m a creatively wired, commercially savvy strategist with a strong vision for the role of brand building in value creation.

Prior to my career, I learned about myself to compete as a college distance runner, then enough about other people to make a humble living playing poker.

Eventually, learned that I don’t know jack about squat, but that I could maybe, just maybe channel some of that competitiveness, deep thinking, and a lifelong passion for design into a career in brand strategy.

So far, so good.

EXPERIENCE


Since joining Rivers Agency as the first member of a brand new strategy team, I’ve formalized our strategy offering and led the development of all internal documentation, processes, and frameworks. In addition, I founded our newsletter, Upstream, which you should see on the right.

Splitting my time between our home office in Chapel Hill, NC, and an outpost in sunny London, England, I’ve helped to win over seven 7 figures in new business, facilitated 4 brand transformations, completed 3 naming projects, and contributed to the launch of 2 new companies. Both biotech, but cool enough, right?

I’ve also spent a hell of a lot of time digging on Reddit, and consequently, a lot less time than I’d spend researching elsewhere. Not always the right approach, sure, but different hats for different cats.

Throughout this time, I’ve been fortunate to pick up a toolkit that includes:

  1. Mixed-method research — ethnography, category analysis, opportunity-spotting
  2. Positioning and brand architecture
  3. Creative brief development and delivery
  4. Writing and designing slide decks
  5. Shortening, and shortening, and shortening said slide decks  

    ...and on a more limited level:

  6. Communications planning
  7. Product and innovation strategy


If you wanna talk shop, you can always contact me at ryandavidcombs@gmail.com or shoot me a DM on LinkedIn.




RETURN

Background


Founded by the late naturalist and entomologist dubbedt “the heir to Darwin” and “the father of biodiversity,” the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity’s sweeping mission is to reimagine the way that we care for our planet by fighting against species extinction. While conservation is an ever-trending topic, most discussions center around climate and human consequences, rather than wildlife. The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation works to ensure biodiversity isn’t left out of that conversation.

PROBLEMDespite achieving great recognition and impact at the policy level, the Foundation had yet to gain much grassroots traction. They sought to build momentum and make a name for themselves on social media, but after years of trying, still couldn’t crack the code.

WHAT I DIDUpon kickoff in early 2024, I put together a comprehensive — but practical — audit focused on opportunities and processes rather than critiquing the current state. I presented the audit to win the approval of the Foundation’s stakeholders, including highly-engaged conservationists and ultra-high net worth individuals. After a successful pitch, I got to work planning, writing copy, creating content, and establishing points of contact across the organization.

STRATEGY Shift social media from a catch-all for organizational updates to a catalogue for all lovers of conservation and biodiversity.

RESULTSJust two months after taking over social media, we had established a cadence, content buckets, tone of voice — all that good social media stuff. Importantly, we were beginning to see visible, exciting results.

377%

Impressions
(+137,409)

993%

Engagement
(+16,146)

267%

Net audience growth
(+1,503)