Strategic Marketing for Businesses Ready to Shake Things Up
We work with bold, mission-driven founders bringing fresh thinking to stale sectors, adding personality and strategic brand power to industries that desperately need it.
Trusted by 50+ Disruptors |
Melbourne Since 2020 |
Built for Change-Makers |
Trusted by 50+ Disruptors | Melbourne Since 2020 | Built for Change-Makers |
We're Built for the Disruptors
The businesses changing industries. The founders refusing to blend in. The companies adding colour to grey markets (literally & figuratively!)
If you're shaking things up, rather than following the pack, we're for you.
Studio Danu partners with mission-driven businesses disrupting traditional industries through strategic brand positioning, distinctive visual identity and marketing that actually drives growth.
Why Studio Danu Exists
Studio Danu was founded in 2020 on a simple belief: the businesses actually changing industries deserve brands as bold as their vision.
After 15+ years developing brand strategies for Fortune 500 companies - Google, Bank of America, Spotify - first at New York agencies, then in-house as Global Marketing Manager, our founder saw a pattern:
The most innovative businesses weren't always the most visible.
Brilliant founders disrupting traditional sectors, bringing style to construction, transparency to finance, design-thinking to trades and fresh approaches to wellness, were being overlooked. Not because their work wasn't exceptional, but because they lacked strategic brand positioning and marketing visibility.
A female founder in construction said it perfectly: "I know I'm better than my competitors, but they all look more established."
She was better. And she deserved a brand that reflected that.
That's why Studio Danu exists: to give disruptors the strategic brand positioning and marketing power to match their market-changing ambition.
The Name Behind the Mission
Danu (pronounced “da-new”) is a Celtic goddess who represents abundance, wisdom and the creative forces that drive change. She is powerful, creative and transformative.
The name reflects what we believe about the businesses we partner with: bold, distinctive, transformative and impossible to ignore.
If you're bringing fresh thinking to a stale industry, you need a brand that embodies that same energy.
What Makes Us Different?
We Only Work With Disruptors
We're not for everyone. We partner with businesses shaking up traditional industries, not blending in with them. Funded startups disrupting markets. $1M+ businesses challenging norms. Brands refusing to be safe.
If you're trying to fit in, we're not your people. If you're ready to stand out, let's talk.
Strategy for Market-Changers
Generic branding won't cut it when you're disrupting an industry. We develop positioning that makes your difference crystal clear, messaging that challenges the status quo, and visual identity that captures attention in grey markets.
Collaborative Partnership Model
We work with you as partners in disruption. We challenge assumptions, push for bold approaches, and embed ourselves in your vision. This isn't vendor-client—it's strategic collaboration.
Bringing Personality to Boring Sectors
Our sweet spot: industries desperately needing fresh thinking. Finance that's transparent. Construction with style. B2B SaaS that's actually interesting. Wellness challenging medical establishment thinking. We add colour to grey markets.
Shaking Up Traditional Industries
You're not following industry norms; you're challenging them. Bringing innovation to sectors that desperately need it.
Bringing Personality to Boring Markets
You're adding colour, style, and fresh thinking to grey industries. Making the utilitarian interesting.
Mission-Driven, Not Just Profit-Driven
You're actually trying to change something, solve real problems, and build something meaningful—not just make money.
Collaborative Leadership
You know what you don't know. You want strategic partners, not order-takers. You're open to bold approaches.
Ready to Be Bold
Safe branding won't disrupt an industry. You're willing to stand for something and try new approaches.
Examples of Our Ideal Clients:
✅ Funded fintech startup disrupting traditional finance
✅ Female founder bringing design-forward thinking to construction
✅ Hospitality concept reimagining dining experiences
✅ B2B SaaS making boring sectors interesting and human
✅ Wellness brand challenging conventional medical thinking
✅ Professional service firm refusing to look like competitors
Not a Good Fit:
❌ Conservative corporate environments
❌ "Safe" brands focused on blending in
❌ Micromanagers requiring constant approval
❌ Businesses unwilling to challenge industry norms
Our Ideal Clients: Mission-Driven Disruptors
How We Partner With Disruptors
1. Understand What You're Disrupting
We dig deep into your industry, competitive landscape, and what makes your approach different. You can't disrupt what you don't understand.
2. Position You for Distinction
We develop strategic positioning that makes your difference unmistakable. Messaging that challenges norms. Brand personality that stands out in grey markets.
3. Build Bold Visual Identity
We create visual systems that capture attention and communicate innovation, not generic design that blends in.
4. Execute Marketing That Drives Growth
Strategy without execution is useless. We create and implement campaigns that build visibility, attract ideal customers, and support your disruptive mission.
5. Push for Bold, Not Safe
Throughout the partnership, we'll push you toward distinctive approaches. Safe won't disrupt an industry. Bold will.
How We Help You Shake Things Up
Brand Strategy & Identity: Positioning for Disruptors
Strategic brand foundation that positions you as the innovator, not the imitator. Complete visual identity that makes your difference visible.
Launch & Campaign Strategy: Go-to-Market for Bold Moves
Whether launching a disruptive product or entering new markets, we develop campaigns that create noise in traditional sectors.
Fractional CMO: Marketing Leadership for Growth
Strategic marketing direction for businesses scaling disruption. Senior leadership without the full-time cost.
Experience Driving Disruption
15+ Years Brand & Marketing Strategy
New York agency experience, global SaaS marketing leadership, Fortune 500 brand development.
Worked With Industry Leaders
Google, Bank of America, Spotify (agency client work) and 50+ Australian disruptors since founding.
Recognition
Finalist, Mumpreneur Awards 2025
Industries We've Disrupted:
Fintech & Financial Services | Construction & Specialised Trades | Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting) | B2B SaaS & Technology | Hospitality & Food Services | Wellness & Healthcare | Creative Services
What We Stand For
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Disruption Over Imitation
We partner with businesses changing industries, not copying competitors.
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Bold Over Safe
Safe branding disappears. Distinctive positioning drives disruption.
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Mission Over Profit
We work with businesses solving real problems and building something meaningful.
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Collaboration Over Control
We challenge, push, and partner with you - not just execute orders.
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Personality Over Vanilla
We bring colour to grey markets. Style to utilitarian industries. Fresh thinking to stale sectors.
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Change Over Comfort
Disrupting industries isn't comfortable. We work with founders ready to challenge norms.
Meet the Founder
Michelle McCarthy founded Studio Danu in 2020 after 15+ years in brand strategy and marketing, working with global brands at New York agencies and leading marketing for a B2B SaaS company in Melbourne.
Passionate about helping mission-driven businesses gain the visibility they deserve, Michelle created Studio Danu as the go-to brand partner for disruptors—founders bringing fresh thinking to traditional industries and refusing to blend in.
Originally from Ireland and now based in Melbourne's Western Suburbs, Michelle combines global brand experience with a deep understanding of what it takes to shake up established markets.
What We Believe About Disruption
The Best Disruptors Aren't Always the Most Visible
Innovation doesn't automatically equal visibility. Strategic brand positioning and marketing make your disruption impossible to ignore.
Generic Branding Can't Disrupt Industries
When you look like everyone else in a traditional sector, you're not disrupting—you're conforming. Distinctive positioning is essential for change-makers.
Mission-Driven Builds Stronger Brands
When you're solving real problems with purpose beyond profit, your marketing resonates authentically. Customers know the difference.
Personality Wins in Grey Markets
Traditional industries are often boring, corporate, vanilla. Adding personality, style, and fresh thinking makes you stand out instantly.
Bold Beats Safe Every Time
Playing it safe might feel comfortable, but it won't change an industry. The businesses we work with are willing to stand for something.
50+
Disruptors Partnered With Since 2020
15+
Years Brand & Marketing Experience
$1M+
Typical Client Revenue
3
Continents
Ready to Shake Up Your Industry?
If you're bringing fresh thinking to a traditional sector and ready for a brand that matches your disruptive vision, let's talk.