Naveen Sonne

Opening my diary for freelance brand, cultural and creative strategy work. Available for project‑based, daily strategic tasks or temporary and longer‑term strategic support across the full end‑to‑end strategy process. Open to collaborations spanning early research and insight, cultural decoding, audience understanding, strategic development, creative briefing, comms analysis, measurement and effectiveness, as well as wider strategic support where needed.

Also available for EDI, inclusive marketing and culture‑change consultancy at a specialist day rate, offering end‑to‑end support across policy audits, comms and content reviews, inclusive marketing, sustainability and ESG strategy development, capability‑building (workshop design and facilitation), inclusive AI-prompting training and wider delivery to help organisations meet their full Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging ambitions.

Delivered culture‑change, inclusion and brand strategy for global brands across multiple categories and markets, combining cultural insight, specialist analytical and semiotic expertise, and strategic clarity to guide client teams toward more equitable, effective and culturally relevant work. Worked alongside senior strategy consultants and, towards the end of my time at Creative Equals, operated as part of a dedicated strategy team with the Strategy Director. Reported directly to senior leadership and the CEO on key strategic workstreams and client programmes.

Led Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging audits, inclusive comms reviews and creative reviews, designed research methodologies and coding systems, and built capability‑building workshops, playbooks and guidelines. Delivered client and industry‑body workshops, facilitated strategic sessions, and presented at industry events.

Supported new business and pitch strategy, and led or co‑led client briefing and debrief sessions to shape strategic direction and ensure clarity, cultural relevance and effectiveness. Also published industry‑wide effectiveness research in partnership with Effie UK.

Curated and delivered multi‑stage events for Manchester Pride across five consecutive years, leading end‑to‑end creative conceptualisation, talent curation and project management for shows within the official festival programme. Developed cultural concepts, booked and managed diverse LGBTQ+ and QTIPOC talent, negotiated contracts and logistics, managed budgets and deadlines, and coordinated performance flow.

Collaborated with production, sound, stage teams and Pride staff to deliver high‑impact cultural experiences that connected communities, elevated underrepresented talent, and strengthened the festival’s creative and cultural offering.