Helping places get chosen

For 30 years I've built brands and marketed places across Europe, Asia and North America. Today I help destinations with AI, with marketing strategy and with the World Cup.

What I do

Three ways I can help

AI strategy and visibility

Show up when AI recommends

People now ask AI where to go. I help places get into those answers and put AI to work inside their teams.

Led Destination Vancouver's AI visitor servicing chatbot. Built GEOrge to measure AI visibility.

AI strategy and visibility →
 A man in a red sweater building a sandcastle with downtown Vancouver behind him, from Recouver in Vancouver
Marketing strategy

Brands people remember

Brand strategy, audience segmentation and creative platforms, built on what makes a place different.

Led the brand work behind Recouver in Vancouver, Destination Vancouver's creative platform.

Marketing strategy →
 Science World in Vancouver lit up as the World Cup match ball at night, with BC Place behind
World Cup marketing

Ready for 2030

Every 2030 host city now faces what Vancouver faced in 2023. I've been through it and can help.

Led Destination Vancouver's marketing through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

World Cup marketing →
Work

Brands I've worked with

NikeJordan BrandConverseMichelinNikonP&GAsicsSony PicturesMercedes-BenzCloroxTELUS7-ElevenVancityBCLCMECClearlyOkanagan SpringDestination VancouverDestination BCTourism YukonTourism WhistlerTourism Tofino

I've led agencies and teams at TBWA, Wasserman, Blast Radius and AKQA, and today I'm Chief AI Officer at Resonance.

YVRVancouverAgency leadership, then VP of Global Marketing at Destination Vancouver.
AMSAmsterdamRan Blast Radius Amsterdam.
SFOSan FranciscoRan a creative and digital agency.
PVGShanghaiAgency leadership, including Nike in China.
BERBerlinHome now, and Hawes.
Stefan Hawes
About

Stefan Hawes

I've spent 30 years helping brands and places get noticed. I've run agencies in San Francisco, Amsterdam, Shanghai and Vancouver, for clients from Nike to Michelin.

Most recently I was VP of Global Marketing at Destination Vancouver. I led a full rebrand, the city's marketing through the 2026 World Cup and the organization's move into AI. Today I'm also Chief AI Officer and Senior Vice President, Marketing at Resonance.

I'm based in Berlin and work with clients wherever they are. I work as one senior advisor who stays with a client for the long run, and I bring in people I trust when a project needs more hands.

Get in touch