SPEL Studios

“Stare, pry, eavesdrop, listen. Die knowing something. You are not here long.” ~Walker Evans

SPEL Studios is a cultural insight, brand strategy, and growth consultancy.

With eyes on the horizon and ears to the ground, we uncover shifts in global culture — from the margins to the mainstream.

Those insights, in turn, are the fuel to create distinctive brands, memorable experiences, and meaningful business innovation.

It’s one part method. One part magic.

SPEL’s Specialties

An evolving offer to meet the moment. Bespoke engagements available upon request.

Trend Spotting

Experience Audits

Consumer Understanding

Competitive Sleuthing

Strategic Roadmaps

Scenario Testing

Product Portfolio Definition

Offering & Range Refinement

Brand Definition & Architecture

Visual & Verbal Identity

Experience Principles

Signature Moments & Hallmarks

Narrative Spaces

Event & Activation Strategy

User & Guest Journeys

Innovation Strategy

SPEL’s Founder

Christina Herbach founded SPEL Studios in 2022 to collaborate other curious minds on creative and commercial projects alike.

Christina brings 15+ years of insight, strategy, and innovation experience to SPEL. She’s worked across the US, UK and Europe and is a WPP and Accenture alum, with stints at the subsidiaries of Bow&Arrow, FJORD, Kurt Salmon, Landor&Fitch, Wavemaker, and ?WhatIf!.

An expert in the field of experience strategy and design, Christina is a contributing author to the Routledge textbook Customer Experience in Fashion Retailing (2023), and she is writing a forthcoming book, Positive Friction. Her commentary appears regularly in The Telegraph, The Times, Metro News, and Courier.

As with most experience designers, Christina is a natural gatherer and previously co-founded Bring Your Own Story, a supper club helping people to skip the small talk via 300+ global storytelling dinner parties.

She holds a dual MBA and MS Design Innovation from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and lives in London with her family.

“SPEL Studios and Christina were brilliant as we refined our brand narrative and mapped out a compelling new growth strategy in a tough market.”

GET IN TOUCH

Interested in learning more?

Drop a note via the contact form - or send an email to hello@spelstudios.com.