When your brand is clear, everything else works.
The invisible parts of your business—your positioning, message, and direction—become clear so everything else works.
Chase + Coral the ‘79 Bus | Pacific City, OR
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When it's not aligned.
When the message no longer reflects the work, things start to break down.
Not just in marketing — in how the business is understood, trusted, and chosen.
The issue isn’t more activity. It’s misalignment.
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Ways to work together.
The right starting point depends on where you are.
Brand Audit
A focused assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and where opportunities are being missed.
Brand Strategy
Define your positioning, audience, and messaging so your business has a clear direction.
Brand Identity + Systems
Make sure your brand shows up consistently — visually, verbally, and across your marketing.
Meet Maria.
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Maria Ekstrand
Founder
I’m Maria Ekstrand, founder of Ekstrand Creative.
For more than 25 years, I’ve worked with organizations ranging from global brands to independent businesses. That experience shaped a clear point of view.
The most effective brand and marketing work begins with understanding the business behind it.
My work focuses on that understanding—asking the right questions, uncovering what’s already there, and translating it into clear direction.
Positioning. Messaging. Direction that holds.
From there, the right decisions become easier. What to say, how to show up, and where to focus.
Ekstrand Creative is an independent practice based in the Pacific Northwest, partnering with founders and teams who are ready for their brand to match the level of the work they’re doing.
Not sure where to start?
A free Brand Spark Call is a great place to begin.
A Brand Spark Call is a free 30-minute conversation — no pitch, no pressure. Just a chance to talk through where you are, what isn't connecting, and whether working together makes sense.
Clients I’ve partnered with.
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ADR Business Services
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Alaska Airlines
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Casler Financial
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Curt Faus Construction
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Hard Rock Cafe
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Gates Corporation
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HP
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City of Oregon City
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JumpCloud
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Washington Dairy Commission