Want to light your audience’s fuse?
Give them a bonafide Branding Muse.

She’s been called a Brand Therapist, a Master Provocateur, Interpreter of Clues and a leader and innovator in the global branding space.

But Mary van de Wiel (alias: Van) is best known for her idiosyncratic views on the emotional clues that beckon audiences to lean in closer – hearts beating, eyes gleaming.

As the CEO, Founder & Brand Anthropologist of Zing Your Brand & Co., a NYC-based consultancy, laboratory & workspace for serious play – where brand anthropology, design & magicintersect, Van wears many hats.

On stage, on air, and in the boardroom, Van’s modus operandi is all about zeroing in on that irresistible spark that attracts business like crazy — with a synergistic blend of expertise, intuition and visceral questions that cut to the quick.

As a speaker, moderator & workshop leader, Van invigorates audiences from coast to coast with stories, strategies and just the right amount of emotionally-charged provocation – and her live, on-the-spot Brand Audits are the stuff of legends. Think: ten minutes in the hot seat, with your business website beamed onto the big screen, while a visual storytelling expert unpacks & critiques with dazzling speed. When Van asks, “who’s my next volunteer?” the hands go flying.

“Van’s unique point of view and infectious energy greatly inspired the audience of women entrepreneurs at my SHINE conference. Her gift for helping business owners show up in the marketplace like they mean it is exceptional. I was delighted to have Van on my speaker roster, and I offer my recommendation of her as a stellar guest speaker at your next event.”
–– Ali Brown, Entrepreneur Mentor www.AliBrown.com

BRING ON THE ZING | Recent speaking gigs
• NAFE Women’s Leadership Summit, Bank of America – New York City
• Nestle Nespresso Global Brand Community Workshop Panel – Lausanne, Switzerland
• Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) – New York
• American University’s MBA Program – Washington, DC
• Pacific Magazines – Sydney, Australia
• Ali Brown’s Shine Conference – Las Vegas
• Fashion Group International Annual Regional Conference (FGI) – New York
• Tory Johnson’s Spark & Hustle Conference – New York
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) – New York
• San Francisco State University – San Francisco
• Capital Communicator – Washington, DC
• Cornell Club – New York
• Ladies Who Launch – New York and Washington, DC

Seeking some on-stage talent for your next conference, corporate seminar or global summit? Bring on the Zing.

Van’s most popular speaking topics include:

• Dead Brand Walking 7 Strategies: How to Avoid Falling into this Deadly Trap

• Zing Your Brand Or, Your Brand Won’t Sell a Thing if It Ain’t Got that Zing

• Why Brands Fail Online 7 Creative Principles on Showing up Like You Mean It

• 21C Business Unusual Why Wearing the Hat of Brand Provocateur is Top Priority Today

• When’s the Last Time You Checked Your Brand’s Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

• Minding your Brand’s Behavior Your Brand is Sending out Subliminal Messages 24/7
(Whether You Know it or Not)

Applause for Van + Zing Your Brand

“Nimble, imaginative, passionate, expert, curious, evangelist, truth teller – all things that elevate a brand engagement with Mary van de Wiel (Van) from utterly effective to truly fabulous. Van looks at life through the lens of an artist, consultant and philosopher – and looks at brands in a similarly dynamic way that is just right for our hectic times. From the heart, her energy and creativity infuse all her work with brands, and the communities they serve. Her outlook is shaped by a career of amazing leadership appointments and learning experiences. I have only had outstanding experiences working with Van directly and with our clients. I think any brand will be the better for meeting her.”
–– Nick Stravs, Executive Vice President International Consulting EMEA, Weber Shandwick Switzerland

“Van is without question the most creative, energizing, and brilliant communication, marketing and brand visionary I know. She is able to zero in on on a core message and make it sing. She gets whatever the “point-of-pain” your audience might be experiencing and knows how to speak to it. What’s more, with her uncanny ability to engage, connect and captivate audiences, she invites them to co-create an unforgettable experience. Her visual and highly-individualistic acumen has a flair that captures eye and mind, at the same time. In addition to being highly talented – she’s fun and entirely pleasurable to work with. I love working with her, pure and simple.”
–– Janet Wigfield, Vice President, Executive Director, Conferences + Events, Working Mother Media

Van dares her audiences:– “Wear the Hat of Brand Provocateur!”

Of course, Van makes the branding process fun even though we all know this is serious business. As a speaker, she dares the Brand Guardians in the audience to wear the hat of Brand Provocateur and Master of Serious Play, because it’s what works in business today: Bring meaning, intention and a sense of play to the table, and you’ll have an irresistible and highly-captivating brand on your hands.

“Van is one of the most energizing and engaging personalities I know. What’s more, as a speaker, interviewer or radio host, it turns out she’s an uncommonly engaging natural storyteller. It’s a gift as rare as it is wonderful. On radio, she was able to zero in and roam around my messy brain, and work so intuitively and empathically – that she extracted insights even I didn’t know were there. I give her stratospheric high points for her business acumen, style and chutzpah. Oh yes, and best of all, her contagious optimism makes her a delight to hang with and I look forward to doing again soon. Like, very soon.
–– Brian Collins, Chairman/CEO, Collins Agency, NYC ”

FYI Fortune 500 clients and entrepreneurs of all stripes, from all over the world, long to have captivating and irresistible brands and, along the way, Van’s worked 1:1 with them developing hugely stand-out and successful brands.

“I knew that all our editors, all 25 of them, would walk away thinking totally differently about their brands. As always, Van, you are full of ideas and insights. Thanks for challenging us to be Brand Provocateurs of our own mags. What a sheer inspiration you are.”
–– Julia Zaetta, Editor-in-Chief, Better Homes & Gardens, Pacific Magazines, Sydney, Australia

Van knows intuitively what makes people and brands tick:

“Van is a highly original thinker about branding who helped revitalize the NAFE brand by heightening its vitality. On stage, her unexpected and often provocative insights as a brand anthropologist challenges listeners to see differently. She sparks your imagination as she surprises you, whether she’s speaking on stage or working with you one-one-one–and that’s a rare and very good thing!”
–– Betty Spence, Ph.D., President, National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), NYC