Meet Our Experienced

Marketing Strategists

Smart. Strategic. Fun to Work With!

Marketing Shouldn’t Be Complicated (Or Boring)

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You’ve heard it all before—“data-driven strategies,” “omnichannel execution,” “synergistic media approaches.” (What does that even mean?)

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Marketing should be clear, effective, and—dare we say—fun. We make paid advertising smarter, not harder, so you get real results without the jargon, confusion, or wasted spend.

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You don’t need another agency that throws acronyms at you. You need a team that gets it, gets you, and gets results.

Meet Carissa Richardson:

Founder, CEO, & Go-To Marketing Strategist

Lover of paid media, efficiency, and cuddling her pug, Penny.

I didn’t plan to start an agency. But after nearly 20 years in media planning and buying—working at top agencies in Chicago and Columbus—I saw the same thing over and over: businesses weren’t struggling because they weren’t running enough ads. They were struggling because they didn’t have a real strategy.

So, I built Kindred Strategy to be the anti-agency agency. No overcomplicated reports, no fluff—just smart, effective advertising that actually works.

What I Bring to the Table:

20 years of paid media experience. Traditional? Digital? Social? I’ve planned and bought it all.
A strategic, human-centered mind. Marketing isn’t just about algorithms, it’s about people.
A no-BS approach to advertising. We don’t just run ads, we make them work.
A belief that great work shouldn’t come at the cost of work-life balance. I’m a business owner, a mother, and someone who values a full, happy life. I bring that same mindset to my clients, helping them scale their businesses in a way that feels right for them.

Beyond work, you can find me chasing after my two boys, Graham and Brooks, exploring new restaurants in Historic Dublin with my husband, or trying (and failing) to keep houseplants alive.

At the end of the day, my job is simple: Make your advertising work harder, so you don’t have to.

Meet Jessica Burchard:

Media Assistant & Data Whisperer

Jessica is the one making sure your campaigns run flawlessly behind the scenes. With a sharp eye for detail and a borderline obsessive love of analytics, she makes sure that every ad dollar is spent wisely.

Fluent in Google Analytics, Meta Ad Manager, and spreadsheets that make sense.
Turns raw data into clear insights that drive better decisions.
Loves a well-structured campaign almost as much as she loves a good iced coffee.

If you like knowing exactly what’s working (and what’s not), you’ll love Jessica.

Penny—Chief Happiness Officer
(and Office Pug)

Penny is the real boss around here. She believes in work-life balance, daily naps, and keeping meetings under 30 minutes.

Expert at reminding us to take breaks (for belly rubs).
Strict enforcer of the 5 PM dinner time.
Thinks digital marketing would be better with more treats.

She may not know PPC, but she keeps the Kindred Strategy team running at peak happiness levels.

What is a

Marketing Strategist?

(And why do you need one?)

A marketing strategist makes sure that your advertising actually works. An excellent marketing strategist analyzes, plans, and optimizes every dollar to bring in real results. You need one because a marketing strategist will:

Understand your audience: who they are, what they need, and where they spend their time.

Build a custom strategy: no cookie-cutter plans, just smart, tailored advertising that fits your goals.
Optimize for real ROI: not just clicks, but actual conversions, leads, and sales.

How a Marketing Strategist Helps You

Marketing without a strategy is like driving without directions. Yikes. A marketing strategist takes the guesswork out of advertising so that you’re not just running ads, you’re running ads that work. That looks like:

Create a clear, data-backed plan so every ad dollar is spent wisely.

Identify the best platforms (Google, socials streaming, or traditional media) to reach your audience.

Track, analyze, and adjust so your campaigns keep improving over time.

Make your life easier by handling the complexity of paid advertising—so you can focus on running your business.

Marketing Strategist Frequently Asked Questions

What is paid ad strategy?

A paid ad strategy is a data-driven plan that ensures your advertising budget is spent efficiently to drive real results. It includes choosing the right platforms (Google, Facebook, TikTok, streaming), defining the best audience, crafting compelling messaging, and optimizing campaigns to maximize return on investment.

What does an advertising strategist do?

An advertising strategist develops and manages paid media campaigns to ensure businesses get the most out of their ad spend. They handle market research, media planning, campaign execution, and performance tracking to ensure ads reach the right people and drive measurable results.

What is paid advertising strategy?

A paid advertising strategy is a structured approach to running and optimizing digital ads for businesses. It focuses on targeting high-intent audiences, selecting the best ad platforms, and continuously refining performance to achieve business goals like increased leads, sales, or brand awareness.