Cynthia Ferngren

Founded Brandsol, a Los Angeles brand strategy and fractional CMO firm built on one law: you can't target your way into being loved. I have led more than 1,000 brand strategies across 25 years, from IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Dell Software, and Botox to funded startups, using my method, The Recognition Code. The work has earned 12 industry awards, a Forbes Business Council seat, a top 1% ranking among strategic consultants worldwide, and guided two startups to exits.

Function: Strategy • Industry: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) • Type: Consultant

Served as strategic lead for launching Peace Out Skincare, DwellBeing, GigUp, AltroSmart, Brochu Walker, and hundreds more, taking founders from positioning through go-to-market. My launch work led to a mentor seat at Make In LA, a hardware-focused incubator, and a place among Upwork's top 1% of earners.

A prescription acne gel sitting in last place. I repositioned it around an underserved segment, adult women with hormonal acne, with scientific messaging for dermatologists and a segmented national consumer campaign. Result: from last place to #1 in one year with a six-point market share increase.

Led brand and marketing strategy for PETRA, translating positioning into a full acquisition system across channels. The program built a pipeline of 40,000 investors, and the client publicly recommends Brandsol to anyone looking to take their company growth to the next level.

Served as strategic lead within J&J's medtech commercial brand strategy practice, carrying projects from insight mining and opportunity identification through strategy and activation. Elevated the Stratafix brand and improved STELARA One-Press training outcomes, navigating the complexity of a large organization while building trust across internal teams, clients, and vendors.

An Australian wellness brand needed to scale globally and position for acquisition. I repositioned it from a planner into a life-transformation brand and opened B2B corporate channels alongside DTC. Result: a multiple seven-figure business selling in 135+ countries, culminating in a successful acquisition.

Two first-time founders entered the crowded US skincare market with no guaranteed shelf space. I built a playful, Instagrammable brand and the "Live a Life Without Filters. You Be You." campaign with a digital-first, influencer-led launch. Result: sold out at Sephora nationwide within two weeks and named Teen Vogue's Best Acne Product of 2018.

Function: Marketing • Industry: Pharmaceuticals • Type: Employee

Function: Strategy • Industry: Healthcare & Medical • Type: Employee

Function: Marketing • Industry: Pharmaceuticals • Type: Employee

Function: Marketing • Industry: Pharmaceuticals • Type: Employee

Function: Marketing • Industry: Advertising & Marketing • Type: Employee