Our story.
We are a purpose-driven marketing agency.
But we start with strategy FIRST!
Story Strategist is guided by Stuart and Jeanette Harris, a dynamic duo with over 60 years of combined experience in marketing, technology, and leadership. Throughout their careers, they’ve worked with prestigious organizations including Apple, Nestlé, Homebase, Foxtel, Compassion and more. Stuart’s expertise lies in innovation and screen media, having led transformative projects that blend technology with compelling storytelling. Jeanette, a strategic powerhouse, excels in aligning brand vision with measurable marketing outcomes, helping businesses achieve sustainable growth.
Together, they’ve driven high-impact initiatives across industries, from technology to media and beyond, enabling clients to navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Their combined insights ensure that every Story Strategist client receives the same level of strategic thinking that fuels global brands, tailored to their unique business goals.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your positioning, refine your messaging, or develop a strategy-first approach to marketing, Story Strategist’s expertise is a game-changer for achieving lasting success.
We keep it real.
We seek clarity.
We love to win.
We see around the corners others don't.
We are honest, grateful and accountable.
We are life-long learners.
Like What You See?
Our people.
Stu Harris
Managing Director
Jeanette Harris
Marketing Director
Chelsea O'Neill
Marketing Co-ordinator
Josh Marshall
Video Marketing Producer
Ben Jones
Digital Consultant & Web Developer
Catherine Bedio
Content Marketing Producer
Holly Day
Graphic Designer
Our why.
Vision
Where every business finds their purpose and reaches their potential.
Mission
To navigate the marketing journey with businesses, deploying strategy-first solutions that drive purposeful growth and lasting success.
FAQ
Why should we work with Story Strategist instead of a local marketing agency?
Because most “local agencies” focus on creative output or digital tactics.
We’re a strategy-first marketing agency. We clarify your positioning, messaging and marketing priorities before a single campaign or design is produced.
Our process is grounded in evidence-based marketing principles and proven frameworks that have driven measurable growth for mid-sized organisations across Australia.
We’re not just local; we’re a strategic partner with both Australian and international experience giving your business a competitive edge beyond the postcode.
We already have a marketing person or agency. How would you fit in?
That’s great. Our work often begins by aligning and empowering existing teams.
We provide the strategic direction, frameworks, and accountability that help internal teams or existing vendors perform better.
You keep your resources — we make sure everyone is working from the same roadmap.
We’re not sure we have the budget.
Our services are designed to scale with your needs.
For context, data from research analyst Forrester states the average B2B firm invests 8% of revenue.
We help you use that budget more effectively focusing on clarity, not clutter.
Our retainers start from $2,490 per month and scale to suit most small and medium sized businesses.
We’ve tried strategy before. Nothing changed much.
Many strategy exercises fail because they stay theoretical.
Our Strategy Explorer workshop turns insight into clear action. It’s a great starting point and a way of creating clarity to help move ahead more confidently.
We’d also say, greatness takes time. Are you prepared to stay the course to see strategy produce expected fruits?
Can’t we just focus on digital marketing or social media?
Digital and social tactics are essential, but only if they’re serving the right strategy.
Without clear positioning and a marketing plan, most businesses waste time and money on disconnected activity.
We ensure your digital, brand, and campaign work align to business goals, balancing long-term brand building and short-term activation
We don’t have time to do another big marketing project.
That’s precisely why clients hire us.
We take the heavy lifting off your plate by managing both the strategic and creative delivery, keeping projects moving while you stay focused on running the business.
Our structured process keeps engagement time-efficient and results-focused.
We’re not sure what we really need yet.
Perfect! That’s where we start.
Our first step is discovery: a quick 15-20 minute call to see if we sound like a good fit, i.e. do you like us?
Then, we’d suggest joining us for our Strategy Explorer workshop. In just 2.5hrs we’ll start to clarify what’s working, what’s not, and where growth opportunities exist.
Even if you don’t proceed, you’ll walk away with valuable insights.
What industries do you work best with?
We work across tech, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, media, and nonprofit sectors.
Our clients typically have $2M–$20M in revenue, are growing fast, and need a marketing partner who can bring structure, focus, and strategic clarity to complex offerings.
We’re thinking of waiting until the new year to get started.
That’s completely understandable. The end of the year can feel like a natural pause point.
But in marketing, momentum rewards early movers.
If you wait until late January to begin, it could be March or April before your message reaches your audience in any meaningful way, and by then, competitors who planned earlier are already visible and active.
Starting now gives you a head start.
It means you enter the new year with strategy, content, and campaigns ready to launch, not still in planning mode.
It’s one of the smartest ways to maximise the first quarter and build confidence in your 2026 marketing direction.