Rise and shine: Meet brand strategy expert Julie Burke
If you’re looking for someone who can elevate your brand, craft a compelling strategy, and help your business thrive, even first thing in the morning, Julie’s your person. This early bird and delightful mixer of metaphors has more than two decades of branding expertise and a seemingly effortless way of helping large groups of decision-makers reach consensus. She brings her sunny personality and a heaping dose of business acumen to every interaction as she helps organizations tell their unique stories and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
Julie grew up on Bainbridge Island and always knew she wanted to help others. “After getting my degree in sociology and a stint in the Peace Corps, I wanted to work in a non-profit or social benefit organization, only to be told I needed experience in the for-profit business world first,” Julie says. “So, I learned PR, branding, and advertising from a team of mentors at Imagio / J. Walter Thompson.” Years later, Julie has been instrumental in shaping GA Creative’s roster of nonprofit and government accounts doing work for good.
Julie’s approach to branding is as insightful as it is impactful, built on deep listening and a phased process to keep things on track. Through brand audits, surveys, and input sessions, she dives deep into what makes an organization unique. She believes that a strong brand is the “secret sauce” to business growth. It aligns messaging with customer experience, builds trust, and enables companies to stand out in competitive markets.
“Your brand is your identity,” says Julie. “It’s how you communicate who you are, what you do, and why you matter. It’s how you communicate your purpose.”
That’s why Julie firmly believes that every project must start with a discovery phase, otherwise known as Client 101—even if we’re working with an industry we know like the back of our hands. “We never make assumptions because every client is different and every project is nuanced,” Julie says. “Taking the time up front to go to school on a client’s unique situation and challenges and truly understand their purpose ensures we can meet or exceed measurable objectives later—and we can execute on time and on budget. Skipping the discovery step is like marrying someone without going on a first date.”
Julie’s career is marked by numerous successes. She has guided companies, both large and small, through everything from logo refreshes to full-scale rebranding efforts. Her work doesn’t just reimagine the look and feel of brands and their stories; it drives measurable business outcomes. Clients who have collaborated with Julie often experience accelerated growth, stronger customer loyalty, and in some cases, secure a higher valuation for their business when it’s time to sell.
She takes pride in developing branding solutions that make a real difference. Whether it’s helping a B2B organization clearly articulate their value proposition or supporting a healthcare provider in expanding its market presence, Julie brings a results-driven approach that leaves a lasting impact.
When she’s not working, Julie’s caffeinating, tossing the ball for her black labs, Marley and Piper, or traveling with her husband and daughter, seeking inspiration from the world around her. She stays focused and efficient with weekly meal planning, a meeting cutoff time of 3:00 p.m., and evening Pure Barre. With her commitment to doing good, and making the most of each day, it’s no wonder that Julie finds inspiration in women like Michelle Obama and Melinda Gates.
When asked how she makes difficult decisions, Julie gave the following advice: “I focus on balancing the head and the heart—a combination of rational reasoning and emotional intelligence.” We think this also effectively sums up our whip-smart and kind partner in crime, Julie Burke.
Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
