Hi, I am Jan,
your brand's best friend from Bali, who's working while you snooze.

You’re leading a brand, running a business, or working in a creative agency, and got tons of great ideas. But with all the meetings and never-ending side tasks, you feel buried in to-dos, struggling to focus on what really matters.

Believe me, I’ve been there. I’ve been you. That’s why today I’m here to step in, lighten the load, and help you bring those ideas to life without sacrificing your own. As a Brand Strategist with 20 years’ experience, I build and grow brands, bringing clarity and creativity to your Brand Strategy, Identity, and Marketing.

Being based in Bali puts me a good four to seven hours ahead of Europe and the Middle East. This time advantage lets me stir things up while you wind down, achieving progress almost magically overnight.

I help brands achieve sustainable success overnight. Literally.

My work focuses on three key areas essential for building and growing any brand:

We align your brand strategy with your overall business goals.
We unearth your brand’s authentic story and the positive impact it wants to make.
We leverage market research and competitor analysis to pinpoint your value prop.
We develop a long-term vision that anticipates industry shifts and ensures brand relevance.
We create a growth plan with clearly defined milestones and actionable tactics.

(…)

Brand Strategy

We leverage storytelling principles to create a captivating brand narrative.
We translate your brand essence into a cohesive visual language that connects with your audience.
We infuse your brand with a unique voice that resonates with your target audience and stands out in the market.
We develop brand styleguides to ensure consistency and coherence across all assets and touchpoints.
We design identities that are distinctive, relevant, and salient – ensuring your brand stands out, resonates with your audience, and is easily remembered.
(…)

Brand Identity

We craft targeted campaigns that tell impactful stories, generate interest, and drive engagement.
We leverage idea platforms to connect your brand and creative strategy.
We implement data tracking and analytics to measure and optimise campaign performance.
We foster a loyal audience by creating engaging communities around your brand.
We craft a comms plan that maps the most effective messaging across each touchpoint of the customer journey.
(…)

Brand Marketing

check out my portfolio here

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check out my portfolio here ⋆

Overnight Alchemy

As Time Zone Titans, we turn hours into opportunities. Here’s how we make it work like a charm.

1. Evening Handover

As your day winds down, relax – knowing I’m here to take over. Whether it’s finalizing an urgent task or crafting that killer pitch: I’ve got you covered. Think of me as your behind-the-scenes brand wizard, picking things up right where you left off – so nothing stalls while you rest.
2. Overnight Alchemy

With up to a +7 hour time advantage I dive into your projects while you’re recharging. Want things to move on even when you’re off? Absolutely. Need a fresh perspective? You bet. It’s like having a creative genie at work while you sleep – only this one is real, and 100% human.
3. Morning Miracle

Ding dong. Good morning – your package just got delivered. What felt like a late-night mountain yesterday evening looks like a smooth path in the morning. You’re not just starting another day – you’re stepping into a fresh rhythm. After a quick check-in, everything’s lined up and ready to make a strong impression.

What I can help you with on an operational level.

Clarity & Context

I help you gather the right input: from understanding markets and cultural shifts to analyzing competitors and uncovering your customer personas.

To go deeper and speed things up, I use AI research agents, always curated through a human lens.

Concepts & Ideas

In a world where AI can spit out endless ideas in seconds, taste is the real differentiator. It’s the filter that turns raw generation into meaningful direction.

I use AI to explore the territory, and my experience to recognise the idea that truly resonates and moves your brand forward.

Text & Storytelling

I help you find the right words: from naming and taglines, tone of voice, to whole comms frameworks that capture attention and stay in people’s minds.

Everything crafted to express your brand’s personality and spark genuine connections.

Decks & Pitches

I make your thinking shine: creating pitch decks, brand playbooks, and C-level slides that pair visual punch with didactic flow.

Because strong ideas deserve structures that make decisions easy.

Showreel.

Ever wondered what goes into crafting a captivating brand story? My showreel is your backstage pass. It showcases the brands I've partnered with as a Brand Strategist and Creative Producer over the last two decades, providing a glimpse into my creative journey.

Brands & agencies I have worked with…

… and what some kind humans say about it.

Andrea Foth // Head of Marketing JobRad Loop

I love working with Jan. My first thought was "Hm, this is difficult as we don't have much time to align and meet." Now I am more than happy he has time to keep on working while I am getting some sleep. But the best: Bali vibes and the perfect mix of high efficiency and relaxation throughout the whole process.
Kathrin Schneider // Teamlead Brand Strategy o2 Telefónica

Working with Jan was a pleasure. Our collaboration was like the left and right parts of the brain working together. His reliability and strategic expertise were evident throughout the project. Beyond his professional skills, Jan's sense of humor made the experience enjoyable. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and fun-to-work-with professional."
Nadia Schmitt // Founder FRANZFLORIAN

Jan’s strategic strength is unrivaled – he combines experience with an exceptional feel for brands at the highest level. He effortlessly pulls ideas out of his hat. The fact that he often delivers them almost overnight not only makes the collaboration incredibly efficient but also invaluable for time-critical projects. For me, the most important thing is that it is always fun to think, develop, and discuss with Jan – he is constructive, relaxed, humorous, and incredibly productive.
Peter Greve // Co-Founder Looping Studios

Jan is one of the best Project Managers & Consultants I have ever worked with. I recommend him highly, especially for highly complex and demanding projects. He's great with clients as well as with creatives and admin.
Jana Schumacher // Managing Partner PARADOX Studios

Whenever I thought there were still steps to complete, Jan had already delivered the next stage of our rebranding project by morning – his ability to move projects forward overnight was incredibly fast and efficient for us.
Dirk Evenson // Director NMW & IAA Conference

Jan comes in, takes charge, manages all tasks with perfection, while being a delight to work with. Jan was instrumental in getting New Mobility World and IAA Conference up and running for three times in a row - and I'll work with him again in a heart
Astrid Messmer // Head of at Lufthansa & Founder bambooo.movement

Working with Jan has been the most amazing journey, co-creating in Bali and across time zones. He pushed me continuously in an inspiring way, capturing the spirit of my idea and turning it into a brand and logo that perfectly express my business idea. As a newbie to all of this, I felt completely supported by him. He took care of everything so I could focus on my journey, managing every step, including communication. The result: an amazing brand and a wonderful friendship.
Jeremy Roye // Co-Founder Austin Music Video Festival

Need a trusty leader for an impossible mission? Better call Jan! Jan is an incredible collaborator and colleague, always pushing the envelope both creatively and logistically. I'm honored to have worked hand in hand with Jan across borders and especially boots on the ground in Austin on some of the 'most visionary activations we've ever seen!'
Carsten Menne // Managing Partner co:listic

I appreciate working with Jan as he always delivers. Together we executed a big event for 5.000 people and Jan owned the whole content creation part steering our interdisciplinary teams. Not only that he brings a huge benefit at any stage of the project, it is always a pleasure working with him.

Let’s work together, too?

Overnight Alchemy is all about making real progress while you sleep. Curious how this could unlock exactly the kind of momentum your team needs – both strategically and in the day-to-day? Book your 15-min Discovery Espresso here and let’s talk – no strings attached, just ideas brewing.

Book 15 min check-in

I’m Jan Berndt, a freelance Brand Strategist helping companies, founders, and creative teams develop strong brand strategies, craft distinctive brand identities, and shape effective brand marketing. Based in Bali and collaborating closely with clients in Germany / Europe, and the Middle East, I work through my Overnight Alchemy approach – advancing strategic thinking, creative direction, and content development while my clients’ teams wind down. My work blends clarity, creativity, and operational precision to help brands move forward with confidence and momentum.