Marksteen Adamson
Founding Partner, Chief Creative Officer & Director of Strategy
Marksteen has gained an international reputation for being an inspiring creative strategist and problem solver, advising global companies, governments, countries and charities on brand strategy and brand behaviour. Marksteen was Global Creative Director of Interbrand and joint Director of its worldwide steering committee, building and overseeing the creative teams in London, Amsterdam and New York before making the move to set up ASHA & Co in 2003.
In 2019 Marksteen won the Drum Social Purpose – 'Changemaker of the Year' award.
He is a visiting D&AD college lecturer and conference speaker, writes articles, and is frequently on television and radio.
Marksteen’s award-winning work as Global Creative Director of Interbrand includes: ‘Welcome to Estonia’ (a unique brand identity project commissioned by the Estonian government to re-brand and re-position Estonia); the brand identity for PwC; the global brand refresh for Orange, and the multi-D&AD award-winning Niceday brand identity for WHSmith. He was also responsible for the rebrand of the RaboBank in the Netherlands, The AA, Guinness Mahon Private Bank, and helping set up, brand and name the global movement – We Are What We Do.
The awards have continued for his agency and more recently ASHA & Co was ranked in Design Week’s Top 100 as one of the most awarded agencies in the UK.
As well as overseeing all creative work, brand strategy, innovation and driving the business direction and social objectives of ASHA & Co, Marksteen also has personal projects he works on in-between clients and family commitments. Some of these include:
Co-founder of The New Life Secondary School in Tanzania.
Founder of The Big Cold Turkey Foundation.
Co-founder and Trustee of The Cheltenham Design Foundation & Festival Creative Director.
King’s Coffee House - Community café set up to run effectively as a business that also provides training in the local community.
Behold The Man - Study of addiction and homelessness. The study has been used by national homelessness charities as an example of best practice.
The Stations - Project tracing the emotional journey of refugees and creating significant engagement with public, education, businesses and Government and was instrumental in saving unaccompanied minors trapped in Calais.
PEEL - A study of identity. Enabling young people (and old) explore who they are through poetry and photography with significant positive mental well-being benefits and results.
The Sober Parrot - Alcohol free venue in Cheltenham. Creating a safe and vibrant space for people who don't want to drink alcohol.
Founder & CEO of The Phoenix Village Project - www.phoenixvillageproject.org
