Sam Dolan is the dynamic owner and founder of Jazz Hands, a one-woman brand strategy agency with a unique approach to resolving challenges. She believes in humanising every problem and opportunity, combining 25 years of experience with solid brand values and a pragmatic mindset. With her trademark Northern grit and a heavy dose of realism, Sam ensures that her work is not just effective but also fun—because, as she says, what’s life without a smile?
With a wealth of experience across diverse sectors, including technology, beauty, and food and beverage, she has successfully led award-winning teams and delivered transformative results for her clients. Sam has built and nurtured some of the industry's most iconic brands, drawing on her deep expertise in brand architecture, marketing strategy, and leadership. One of her career highlights was winning ITV’s Ad of the Year with Cravendale’s unforgettable "Cats with Thumbs" campaign.
With a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult, Sam’s talks are an inspiring mix of practical advice and personal stories. She brings invaluable insights into building future-proof brands to the table, all delivered with her signature energy, wit, and focus on making the process as enjoyable as possible.
An agency is only ever as good as the brief its given, and great agencies will agonise over a brief that’s not clear, concise or provides a marketing objective instead of a commercial one. Briefs should be a conversation, a joint effort, and an anchor for the whole project or campaign.
In her talk, Sam Dolan starts at the beginning with a single minded objective and works through how the brief should evolve and how it has to live and breathe throughout the whole journey.
Participants will learn how to create dynamic briefs that enhance agency performance and ensure successful outcomes, all while benefiting from Sam's engaging and insightful style.
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.
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.
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.
