Strategic Advisor
Helping organisations maximise the
return on significant marketing investment
Hadleigh Averill
Clarity and direction
at critical moments
I work with founders, CEOs and leadership teams as a strategic advisor, stepping in when significant marketing investments and commercial decisions carry real weight.
Whether launching something new, repositioning a brand or navigating organisational change, I provide an independent commercial perspective that helps organisations make better decisions before, during and after major marketing investment.
About
I've spent more than two decades working directly with founders, CEOs and leadership teams on brands where the margin for error was zero.
That includes working with the world’s biggest brands across Europe and American and locally helping Smirnoff become the number one spirit brand in New Zealand, turning The Poolhouse from decline to growth through a recession, and delivering sell-out retail launches across New Zealand, Australia and Europe.
Today I work directly with leadership teams, helping organisations maximise the return on significant marketing investment through better commercial decision-making.
How I Work
Independent strategic advice and creative leadership for organisations making important brand and marketing decisions.
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Before significant marketing investment is committed.
Independent commercial perspective before major brand, campaign or marketing decisions lock in.
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Senior creative leadership without a full-time hire.
Creative direction, mentoring and leadership during periods of growth, change or increased workload.
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Keeping teams, agencies and brands moving in the same direction.
Independent oversight that improves alignment, consistency and decision quality across complex creative programmes.
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Independent strategic judgement when the decisions matter most.
A trusted sounding board for leadership teams navigating growth, transformation and high-stakes brand decisions.
When to call me…
…and you want senior judgement before work goes into market.
When the organisation has outgrown founder-led or ad-hoc creative
When you’re navigating change
…such as a launch, repositioning, leadership transition, or period of complexity where clarity and restraint matter.
When creative decisions carry real or reputational risk
…and needs clearer direction, standards, and leadership - without a permanent hire.