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Available to book

Brand strategist & agency founder

Sam Dolan

Build brands that truly connect and develop creative courage with award-winning brand strategist and marketing expert, Sam Dolan. Sam works with businesses to develop emotionally-driven brand strategies, create compelling marketing briefs, and convert employees into brand advocates. Creator of ITV's Ad of the Year "Cats with Thumbs" campaign.

Trusted by Zenith Media, ITV

Sam Dolan, Speaker | Brand Strategy Expert
Sam Dolan

Sam Dolan

Leeds, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Book Sam

Leeds, United Kingdom

Starting from

£2k–5k

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+44 203 835 2929

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Sam Dolan's biography

At a glance

  • Brand strategy expert and marketing specialist
  • Founder of Jazz Hands brand strategy agency
  • Winner of ITV's Advert Of The Year
Sam Dolan is the founder of Jazz Hands, a people-first brand strategy agency. With 25 years of experience spanning the technology, beauty, and food and beverage sectors, she helps organisations solve business challenges through clear, effective brand strategy. Sam has led award-winning teams and built recognisable brands throughout her career. Her work includes winning ITV's Ad of the Year for Cravendale's "Cats with Thumbs" campaign. She has developed expertise in brand architecture, marketing strategy, and leadership across multiple industries, working with agencies and clients to create commercially successful campaigns. Sam shows organisations that effective brand strategy starts with clear communication and service-minded thinking. She teaches marketers how to write briefs that inspire creative work, shift focus from price to value, and build emotional connections with consumers. Her approach addresses the reality that 95% of purchasing decisions happen subconsciously, making emotional engagement more valuable than promotional tactics. Audiences learn how to develop creative courage that aligns with brand values and build agency-client relationships that produce better results. Sam shares frameworks for transforming employees into brand ambassadors and creating emotional connections that secure long-term customer loyalty. Book Sam for practical brand strategy advice delivered with humour and real-world experience that teams can implement immediately.

Sam's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Service Please!
In this session, Sam Dolan explores the critical need for a service mindset in brand strategy, illustrating how prioritising value over price can foster emotional connections and brand loyalty. Attendees will gain insights into shifting their perspective towards service, alongside strategies for long-term success amidst inevitable change. Sam’s dynamic approach promises to ignite fresh thinking about the future of branding.
An Army Under Your Nose
Sam Dolan highlights the untapped potential within every organisation, asserting that every employee can be a powerful influencer. By understanding their roles and key messages, employees can add real value as brand advocates. Sam will discuss how fostering internal engagement can enhance your marketing strategy and improve employee’s sense of agency. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on empowering their teams, leveraging internal advocates, and creating a unified brand message, all delivered with Sam's distinctive flair.
You've Got 12 Weeks To Make It Work
Sam Dolan tackles the pressure of launching new products within tight deadlines. She offers practical strategies to ensure success, highlighting both built-in processes and creative approaches for standout product launches. Sam’s engaging style will motivate attendees to embrace the excitement of new developments as well as equipping them with tools to drive repeat purchases. Participants will learn how to navigate challenges with confidence and invigorate their product strategies.
Where Is The Love?
Sam Dolan explores the profound impact of emotional advertising on brand loyalty. He highlights that when consumers express love for a brand without knowing why, it signifies true success. Sam emphasises that feelings drive sales more effectively than promotions or packaging. With 95% of purchases occurring subconsciously, brands that adopt an emotion-focused strategy can achieve an impressive 82% loyalty rate. Attendees will learn how to cultivate lasting emotional connections with their audience for sustained brand success.
A Guide To Agency Client Harmony
Sam Dolan argues that brand marketers often struggle to master every aspect of their role, leading to unrealistic expectations. Agencies, as experts, can effectively support these marketers, but success hinges on clear communication and well-defined briefs. Attendees will learn how to foster better collaboration with agencies, ensuring a harmonious partnership that enhances marketing effectiveness and drives results.

Why we recommend booking Sam

Sam’s 25 years creating award-winning campaigns across tech, beauty, and FMCG give her unique credibility when it comes to conversations about brand growth and commercial impact. Clients value her practical frameworks for activating internal teams as brand advocates and shifting focus from price to emotional value during critical launch windows.

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Trusted by Zenith Media, ITV

Testimonials

I couldn't recommend her highly enough - she's knowledgeable, with an invaluable breadth of experience in FMCG marketing, is a great leader and importantly, a great human being.

Anthony Laurence Marie

Zenith Media

Sam's a dream to work with - one of the greatest. A top marketer, leader & communicator.

Madison Bolton

Senior Account Director, Elvis London

Her experience and knowledge in marketing is second to none, everything she does is with passion and commitment.

Louise Grace

Cluster Marketing Manager, Goodfella's

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Sam Dolan for my next event?

What is Sam Dolan's speaking style like?

Sam Dolan structures her sessions around practical frameworks drawn from 25 years of brand strategy work, using real-world case studies — including award-winning campaigns such as Cravendale's Cats with Thumbs — to illustrate how emotional engagement and service-minded thinking drive commercial results.

What topics does Sam Dolan specialise in?

Sam Dolan speaks on service-led brand strategy, employee advocacy as a marketing tool, and product launch execution under time pressure. She is the founder of Jazz Hands, a brand strategy agency, and won ITV's Ad of the Year for the Cravendale "Cats with Thumbs" campaign.

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There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

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You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.