Josie Ellerbee

About Josie Ellerbee

Josie is a brand strategist, researcher, writer, creative collaborator, and trusted sounding board for leaders, helping brands find themselves and their people.Over the last 15+ years she’s led brand-defining work for icons like Coca-Cola, Hershey’s, Motel 6, and Red Lobster (yep,*that* turnaround) with clarity that cuts through complexity, audience insights that reframe the job to be done, and a practicality that makes her strategies highly actionable. Whether partnering with the board behind a healthy soda comeback, helping a legacy brand rethink its future, or riffing with creatives on how to bring it all to life, Josie’s built a reputation as both the calm in the storm and the spark that gets things moving. Over the years her work has received multiple awards, including Cannes Lions, Jay Chiat Awards, ANA Reggies, and Effies for strategic excellence.

Experience

1. Independent Strategist

   Lrb Strategy

   May 2018 — Present

   I’ve led brand and strategy work for Nike, Apple TV+, YouTube, P&G, Kimberly-Clark, Samsung, Verizon, JetBrains, Atlassian, U.S. Bank, Justin’s Nut Butter, and Tony’s Chocolonely, partnering both directly with brands and alongside agencies including R/GA, CPB, Leo Burnett, Instrument, SMALL, and Born & Bred.

Education

• Grand Valley State University

  Bachelor's degree

• John Cabot University

  Music & Art History