Max Ottignon

Co-Founder

London, England, United Kingdom23 yrs 8 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Co-founder of a successful branding agency
Keynote speaker at global branding events
Judged D&AD branding jury in 2023

Stackforce AI infers this person is a branding expert with a strong focus on creative strategy and brand development.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Brand DevelopmentCreative DirectionCreative Strategy

Other Skills

Corporate IdentityBrand strategyVisual CommunicationArt DirectionTypographyGraphic DesignAdvertisingWeb DesignLogo DesignImage ManipulationOnline AdvertisingIllustratorUser ExperienceConcept DevelopmentBrochures

About

I’m the co-founder of Ragged Edge, a London branding agency that builds brands globally. I’ve spent my career fighting to change how people think about our industry. From brands as logos and typefaces, to brands as ideas with the power to change perceptions, behaviour, categories, industries and - just occasionally - the world. At Ragged Edge, a B-Corp, we’ve ripped up conventions to help brands like Wise, Zoe, Papier, Monzo, Mindful Chef, and Grey Goose redefine their industries. I write about branding for Fast Company, Campaign, Creative Review, It’s Nice That, The Dieline, Creative Boom and more. I speak about branding, with keynotes at OFFF Festival, Gab, Glug, Brand New and more. This September I'll be doing a range of talks across the US. And sometimes I get to judge branding, including as part of the D&AD branding jury in 2023. I’m here to share what I’ve learned. To challenge conventional thinking, to fight for braver thinking, and bigger ideas. To learn from others, and to support those who care as much about this industry as I do.

Experience

Ragged edge

Co-Founder

Aug 2007 – Present · 18 yrs 7 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

Matt Bland and I started Ragged Edge to use brand to create change.
Today, we're surrounded by some of the most inspirational, creative, talented people I have ever met. Together, we built a branding agency for people trying to achieve the improbable. People who believe branding has the power to change organisations, change industries, change perceptions, and change behaviours.
We've created brands that have gone on to become unicorns, redefined their categories, achieved extraordinary growth and ridiculous levels of advocacy. All by breaking the rules. Today we're focussed on creating brands that drive change at scale, globally.

Corporate IdentityBrand DevelopmentCreative DirectionBrand strategy

Freelance

Freelance Brand Strategist & Designer

Jan 2004 – Jan 2007 · 3 yrs

With no formal training, I realised that if I was going to make my living as a creative, I'd have to do it the hard way. I worked for loads of small businesses you've never heard of, and a few big ones you have. I also helped raise money for what turned out to be one of the worst reviewed films of all time on IMDb. Needs must.

Tbwa\ggt

Account Executive

Jan 2002 – Jan 2004 · 2 yrs · London Area, United Kingdom

Two week's work experience turned into two years working in client services for this snappily-named Omnicom agency. Accounts included Unicef, GM, M&S - that sort of thing. This taught me about the power of a strong brand, and but also how big lumbering agencies aren't the ideal breeding ground for creativity.