Destination Branding Specialists

Steve Chandler

Owner / Brand Strategist
20+ Years of Place Branding
8 State Tourism Conference Speaker on Place Branding
133 destinations

Steve is a recognized speaker and a leading practitioner on the topic of place branding and destination planning. With nearly 25 years of experience in place marketing and branding services, Steve started Chandlerthinks to provide consulting for destinations seeking to discover their most compelling story; and to make their brand, marketing and communications stronger.

Steve has personally worked on over 150 community and destination branding projects throughout 28 states across the United States. His experience in similar projects gives him the nuanced knowledge, skills and diplomacy needed to guide, work with and lead local stakeholders. Some of his more recent project work can be seen in what is taking shape in communities such as: Salisbury-Rowan County, North Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Ennis, Texas; Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Independence, MO; Columbus, Georgia; Gulf County, FL; The Kentucky Wildlands; Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore and many more!

Greg Fuson

Director of Research & Community Engagement, TMP, FEP
25 Years leading Destination Research
160+ destinations
Avid Fly Fisherman and Fly Tyer

Greg has been helping clients understand their market through research for more than 25 years. He has developed his skills in survey design and management for both quantitative and qualitative areas of research. He oversees survey design, group questionnaires and analysis; and has been part of the Chandlerthinks team since the beginning.

Greg has managed studies for a number of national-branded clients, including a stint as the Director of Research for the Country Music Association. But his passion is in marketing research for places. Greg has worked with over 150 communities around the country. Greg is also deeply involved in helping cities determine the economic impact of festivals and events. Leading this effort for Chandlerthinks, he helps cities and organizers understand the value and importance in measuring and tracking those statistics.

Kevin Hinson

Creative Director / Brand Strategist / Design Lead
20+ Years Place Branding
Award-winning Creative Director, Brand Strategist, Designer
Helped launch the Beaches of South Walton Brand (30A)
Was lead creative on the Pigeon Forge Brand for 8 years
Helped renew the aging brand of the Greenbrier Hotel
Created The Kentucky Wildlands Tourism Brand
Created the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Brand

Other Tourism Destination Brand Development:

Allegany County / Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore / Gulf County, FL / Passages of the Western Potomac / Cajun Coast, LA / State of Mississippi Tourism / Petersburg, Alaska

 

Other National Branding Work:

Jack Daniels / Schneider Electric /  Bridgestone Golf / Peabody Hotel / Grand Cypress Resorts

Cindy Sargent

Creative Director / Brand Strategist / Copy, Story Development Lead
20+ Years of Place Branding
Award-winning Creative Director, Brand Strategist, Copywriter
Developed the Music City Tourism Brand
Created the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Brand

Other Tourism Destination Brand Development:

Lake Guntersville, AL / Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore / Gulf County, FL / Independence, MO / Cajun Coast, LA

 

Other National Branding Work:

HGTV / Sony / Tiffin Motorhomes / Dean Foods / Beechcraft / FOX Television Network / Schneider Electric

 

Susan Ewing

Place Branding Project Manager
20 Years of Marketing & Branding
17 Chandlerthinks Projects

Every team has that one person that oversees the timing and attention to details for the entire project. This is Susan. She’s strategic and organized. Exactly what’s needed for a consulting project with deliverables and timelines that need to be met. With more than twenty years of demonstrated success in planning and implementing sound, strong and effective marketing solutions for clients, she is now leveraging her expertise to help Chandlerthinks place branding projects. 

Combining relevant classic branding experience and efficiency in project management is Susan’s passion. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong work ethic, flexibility, and extraordinary attention to detail. 

Susan is a classic brand builder out of Memphis, working at some of the regions top advertising agencies. She applies big idea thinking to on-the-floor implementation. She keeps the team focused on results.

Kaylyn Bruehl

Operations & Marketing Manager
20 Years in Marketing, Fundraising and Executive Recruiting
husband, 2 sons & 1 golden doodle daughter

Kaylyn may be new(er) to the Chandlerthinks team but she is no stranger to knowing Steve as they first met on The Hill at Western Kentucky University. Kaylyn supports the hardworking Chandlerthinks team through marketing, operations and project management. Her professional background includes past roles in executive recruiting as well as marketing, event planning and financial development.

 

Michaela Marchardt

Senior Brand Strategist
20 years in Strategic Brand Planning and Marketing Research
Sourdough Savant & Tomato Whisperer

Michaela brings over 20 years of expertise in strategic brand planning, marketing research, and place branding to the team. Her ability to translate insights into actionable strategies has helped numerous destinations establish distinct identities. Michaela collaborates closely with the project team on research, insights development, and the creation of final brand recommendations for projects. Her prior place branding experience includes working with destinations like Shafter, CA; Beaches of South Walton, FL; Currituck County OBX, NC; Macon, GA; Danville, KY; and Cedarburg, WI. Known for her strategic thinking, client-focused approach, and commitment to quality, Michaela is a key contributor, ensuring the successful delivery of top-tier brand solutions.