From a young age, I was captivated by the magic of creativity. At just eight, I designed my first “advert” in art class. That was the moment that sparked a my journey into the world of brand building and storytelling.With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree (marketing) from Turku School of Economics, I bring a solid and unique package of both business knowledge and creative expertise to the table. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with world-renowned companies and brands. I started my career working with employer branding collaborations partnering up with the likes of Accenture, PwC, EY, and Nordea, creating tailored partnerships. I have also had the pleasure of working with premium FMCG brands like Finlandia Vodka, Bacardi, and Schweppes Premium Mixers, focusing on delivering impactful, creative solutions that don’t just catch the eye but drive real results.Now, as the creative lead at The Northern Oak, a boutique brand development studio in London, I work with clients to help them tell their stories by blending Scandinavian design principles with a global perspective. Whether I’m working solo or with a small team, I focus on adapting to each project’s unique needs to ensure that goals are not only met but exceeded.I’ve always looked up to Walt Disney and his take on creativity and continual learning. “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” So I do my best to stay on top of emerging trends and technologies, from AI advancements to the latest trends in design. It’s also this curiosity that fuels my passion for pushing creative boundaries and delivering only the best solutions for my clients. After all, curiosity paired with strategic thinking can truly transform brands and inspire people.If you’re looking for someone who combines creative vision with business acumen, let’s connect. Together, we can create distinctive stories / brand identities, drive growth, and bring those big ideas to life.Key Highlights:- Experience in working with big FMCG brands like Finlandia Vodka, Bacardi, and Schweppes Premium Mixers on successful campaigns- Contributed to two successful exits following brand refreshes- Shortlisted for Young Lions Finland 2018, recognising my creative approach- Collaborated with major companies such as Accenture, PwC, EY, and Nordea, ensuring successful partnerships and tailored solutions.
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Head Of Brand And MarketingValosLondon, England, Gb
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Design & Creative Director, FounderThe Northern Oak Jan 2024 - PresentLondon Area, United KingdomIn 2024 I founded The Northern Oak (or Noak), a London-based brand development studio with Nordic roots, specialising in brand strategy, visual identity, and brand & marketing collateral. With a focus on creating results-driven branding solutions, I continue to lead creative direction while working with a small, flexible team or flying solo, depending on the project.- Creative Leadership: I lead a collaborative team that delivers distinctive, modern brand narratives. Our work is rooted in Scandinavian design principles – simplicity, functionality, and elegance – combined with strategies that drive business results.- Strategic Branding: We specialise in helping businesses craft brand identities that connect with their audiences, utilising a global perspective while maintaining a unique Nordic influence.- Results-Oriented Solutions: Our goal is to enhance brand recognition and drive growth. We help businesses stand out by delivering clear, creative strategies that communicate effectively with their target audience.Noak partners with clients across industries to build brands that resonate in the marketplace, enhancing their appeal and ensuring long-term success. -
Design & Creative Director, FounderBranditect Ltd Nov 2020 - PresentTurku, West And Inner Finland, FinlandAfter a successful run at the general ad agency space, I decided to make a move towards a more specific brand development scene. At my studio I combine the roles of Design, Creative, and Art Director. This flexibility allows me to have a holistic perspective on each project, seeing both the broader strategic vision and the fine details. My passion for crafting distinctive brand narratives has made me a trusted partner in helping brands grow and establish their presence in the market.- Brand Strategy: I lead the development of brand strategies, creating cohesive narratives across all customer touch-points to boost recognition and growth.- Creative Direction: I manage the creative process from concept to delivery, covering art direction, copywriting, graphic design (print & digital), website design, and campaign execution.- Brand Identity: I define and refine brand aesthetics, from logos and typography to colour palettes and key visual assets.- Client Engagement: I work closely with clients from diverse industries to understand their needs and deliver tailored branding solutions.- Strategic Planning: I craft actionable growth plans, ensuring brands achieve both short-term wins and long-term sustainability.- Collaboration: As a one-man studio, I partner with external experts like photographers, illustrators, and developers to bring the right skills to each project.- Comprehensive Services: I offer end-to-end solutions, from photography and illustration to web development and design systems.One of the highlights of my work has been contributing to market entry projects in Finland, including successful campaigns for brands like Schweppes Premium Mixers. Through strategic insights and a hands-on approach, I’ve helped numerous brands define their identity and solidify their presence in competitive markets. Notably, two of my brand development clients have made successful exits after a brand refresh that helped enhance their market appeal. -
Creative & Art Director, FounderCloak And Dagger Apr 2016 - Nov 2020Turku Area, FinlandAs the Creative and Art Director of my own business, I partnered with companies across various sectors – including FMCG, hospitality, consultancy, and events – helping them create impactful marketing campaigns that merged creativity with strategic business objectives. A highlight of my work was the successful campaigns developed for leading FMCG brands.- Campaign Strategy & Execution: I led end-to-end campaign development for a diverse range of clients, with notable projects for FMCG brands such as Finlandia Vodka, Koskenkorva, and Bacardi. My role included campaign planning, venue and event selection, promotional material design, production, and post-campaign reporting.- Driving Sales: My campaigns were focused on achieving tangible business results, consistently hitting sales targets by creating promotional efforts that encouraged consumer action and boosted brand visibility.- Creative Leadership: I managed every phase of campaign development, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, budget management, and the fulfilment of marketing goals, working with companies from various industries.- Trend Integration: I continuously integrated the latest marketing trends and technologies to keep campaigns fresh and relevant, tailoring strategies to fit the unique needs of each client and sector.- Collaboration: While managing the creative and operational facets of the business, I also prioritised collaboration with partners such as vendors, designers, and digital marketers to deliver seamless and successful outcomes.While I worked with a wide range of clients, my work with FMCG brands remains a standout, where I helped achieve key sales and branding goals through innovative, results-driven marketing strategies. -
Employer Branding Specialist, EntrepreneurAllegiantia Apr 2016 - Dec 2018Turku Area, FinlandI established my first company while still studying for my master's degree – I recognised the growing need for businesses to connect with future talent in a meaningful way. My primary focus was helping companies shape authentic employer brands that resonate with university students and recent graduates.- Collaborated with the Turku School of Economics to refine partnership opportunities, crafting sales messages and offerings tailored to business needs.- Contributed to establishing a collaboration between Turku School of Economics and Kesko Corporation, enhancing employer brand visibility for one of Finland’s largest retail conglomerates.- Developed strategies to showcase companies’ core values and culture, helping them stand out in a competitive landscape and appeal to ambitious graduates.- Applied insights from my academic background, leveraging research from my master’s and bachelor’s theses to inform employer branding strategies that emphasize both company values and employee experience.Founding this business allowed me to align brand messaging with the expectations and aspirations of the next generation of talent, while helping companies create a lasting impact in the evolving employment landscape. -
Part-Time Marketing ManagerAb Suomen Herrainpukimo Oy Aug 2015 - Apr 2016Turku Area, FinlandDuring my tenure, I contributed to the development and execution of the company’s marketing efforts, helping to build foundational processes and support various marketing initiatives.- Assisted in launching the company’s email marketing system, contributing to the structure and setup that helped streamline communications.- Supported collaborations with partners and stakeholders on events designed to drive sales, such as “how to dress well” workshops aimed at boosting customer engagement and brand visibility.- Helped draft and refine elements of the marketing strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals.- Created a range of marketing materials, including advertisements and promotional content, that complemented our ongoing campaigns.My time in this role allowed me to deepen my understanding of marketing processes, blending creativity with practical marketing operations and gaining valuable experience in cross-functional collaboration. -
Key Account Sales ManagerAssociation Of Economics Students In Turku - Turun Ky Apr 2013 - Mar 2015TurkuMy task during the 3 years with the Association was to lead the acquisition of new partners (=B2B sales and marketing) as well as to manage the current accounts. In a nutshell, the responsibilities included helping the partners with their employer / product / corporate branding objectives.Positions include/demand the following:* Account Management* Planning of Employer Branding strategies* B2B-sales* Brand Marketing & Management* Negotiation skills* Productization* Handling of CRM-program* Co-leading and later leading a sales team of ~5 peopleDuring my time our team was able to grow the number of the companies in the partner program and deepen the co-operation with them. This led to a major increase in revenue from the corporate relations business. -
Sales RepresentativeAssociation Of Economics Students In Turku - Turun Ky Jan 2013 - Apr 2013Turku Area, Finland
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Head Of Corporate Relations, Kam, Member Of The BoardAssociation Of Economics Students In Turku - Turun Ky Jan 2012 - Dec 2012Turku Area, Finland
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Banking Officer Customer ServiceNordea Jun 2012 - Aug 2012TurkuI had the pleasure of working for Nordea during the summer of 2012. The job gave me a great view of the financial sector.During my time, the workdays were split in half. *The first half I was at cashiers desk as a Bank Clerk, *The other half I was doing customer advisory. This included for example small customer sales, and trading of funds.This multifaceted experience enhanced my understanding of both frontline banking operations and customer-centric advisory services. -
Customer AdviserRauman Energia Oy May 2011 - Aug 2011Rauma, FinlandDuring the summer of 2011, I got an exciting possibility of working within the energy industry. The job was diverse, and gave me great experience working with customers in various situations. My work as a Customer Adviser included: * Advising customers* Clarification and billing of electricity bills* Small customer sales * Updating the customer information system* It was also needed to be able to controll stressful situations (for example in a time of power outage) -
Lance Corporal – Army, Military PolicePuolustusvoimat - Försvarsmakten - Finnish Defence Forces 2009 - 2010Helsinki Area, FinlandMandatory service for Finnish Men. After the service, I got the diploma for laudable and exemplary work performed towards the Military Police Unit.
Ristomatti Vahe Skills
Ristomatti Vahe Education Details
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Rauman LukioNation Wide Standard
Frequently Asked Questions about Ristomatti Vahe
What company does Ristomatti Vahe work for?
Ristomatti Vahe works for Valos
What is Ristomatti Vahe's role at the current company?
Ristomatti Vahe's current role is Head of Brand and Marketing.
What schools did Ristomatti Vahe attend?
Ristomatti Vahe attended University Of California, Berkeley, Haas School Of Business, Turku School Of Economics At The University Of Turku, Rauman Lukio.
What are some of Ristomatti Vahe's interests?
Ristomatti Vahe has interest in Following Stock Markets And Investing, Floorball, Badminton, New Technologies, Overall Corporate Visual Aspects, Working With Photoshop Is Always A Joy, Brand Building, Golf, Graphic Design, Branding.
What skills is Ristomatti Vahe known for?
Ristomatti Vahe has skills like Sales, Marketing, B2b, Project Management, Management, Microsoft Office, Marketing Management, Negotiation, Brand Management, Social Skills, Photoshop, Non Profit Administration.
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