A branding expert says small businesses can tell and sell their story without spending a fortune and he's coming to Whanganui to talk about how to do it.

James Hurman is the founder of venture studio Previously Unavailable and the CEO of Storytech, a brand-strategy-in-a-box digital product for start-ups and small businesses.

Whanganui Chamber of Commerce chief executive Marianne Archibald said the Chamber was bringing Hurman to Whanganui to talk about the importance of branding and his solution for small businesses and start-ups.

"James is a New Zealander with a long history of helping brands, big and small, develop better stories and strategies," Archibald said.

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"He will talk about ideas around branding and show us his branding tool which is super-cheap. Usually it would cost about $10,000 for branding which puts small businesses out of the market. He does a workshop online and helps businesses create their story.
This costs $500, with a discount for Chamber members.

"It doesn't impact on local branding companies because the business will already have developed its story from James's workshop and they will do the next bit of the branding process."

Hurman was formerly head of strategic planning at advertising agency Colenso BBDO and has worked with blue-chip companies including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Vodafone, Heineken, Fonterra, Levi's and Burger King.

More recently, he has led the brand thinking across start-ups including Stolen Rum, Simplicity Kiwisaver, Hawker & Roll and Toothcrush.

His work has won more than 50 local and international marketing effectiveness awards, and he was named the world's number 1 brand strategy planner in the 2013 Big Won Report, a global marketing industry publication.

Hurman will talk about Storytech in Whanganui from noon-1.30pm on Tuesday, March 19. The session is free for Chamber members and costs $25 for non-members and includes a light lunch. Registrations are essential. Email ce@whanganuichamber.net.nz