Michelle Hagen, Omaha, Nebraska. A woman with long blonde hair smiling wearing a colorful patterned dress at a festive celebration with pink and gold decorations in the background.

creative direction for brands reimagining how people experience them.‍ ‍

- start a conversation -

Through story-driven creative direction, partnerships, and brand experiences rooted in brand personality that feels like your brand.

Michelle Hagen Creative. Woman with blonde hair smiling, holding a glittery disco ball in front of her face, wearing a denim jacket and light-colored top.

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i believe the strongest brands are story-driven.

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Not campaigns. Not content calendars. Stories that make people feel invested — emotionally, culturally, intuitively.

I believe marketing works best when it builds a world people want to step into. A brand universe with a point of view, a voice, and a sense of presence that feels intentional rather than loud.

I believe creative direction isn't about doing more — it's about knowing what not to do. Clarity creates confidence. Restraint creates trust.

I believe people don't connect with brands because they're polished. They connect because they're human, consistent, and unmistakably themselves.

And I believe leadership in this space means having taste, conviction, and the courage to stand out — not blend in.

I don't fit neatly into an agency box. I am the box. And the brands who see the value in that understand exactly why they're here.

I work best with:

Michelle Hagen. A woman sitting by a pool on a patio, smiling, with colorful paper decorations hanging above her. The pool is partially filled, with inflatable rings floating on the surface, and there's a scenic view outside the screened-in area.

Founders and teams who value story and long-term brand equity
Brands ready to be intentional, not performative, so that growth is strategic
People who trust creative leadership and don't need to micromanage it

This isn't for brands looking for volume, virality, or trend-chasing without purpose.

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Where I focus

Good marketing doesn't happen by accident. The businesses I work with are great at what they do — they just needed someone who's equally great at marketing making sure they are being found by the right people in a way that fits their business.

Executive-level marketing strategy, built around your business

Fractional CMO + Strategic Advisory

I come into your world as your strategic marketing partner — reviewing your plans, coaching your team, and being the person you call before you make a decision that costs you time or money.

Perfect for: business owner who is good at what they do and knows their marketing needs to match it.

Monthly strat sessions + marketing plan reviews | Ongoing sounding board for ideas | Coaching for in-house marketing teams | Campaign launch + feedback | Honest, direct perspective

Retainers starting at $1500/month

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Turn what your brand stands for into something people remember.

Creative Direction + Brand Storytelling

I turn what your brand stands for into something people remember.

I bring a creator's eye and a strategist's brain to every project. The work doesn't just look good — it connects, converts, and actually sounds like you.

What this looks like:

Campaign concepting and creative direction | Brand voice development and messaging | Launch strategy and execution | Full brand overhauls — story, visual identity, positioning, branding, website, brand photos

Project based work starting at $2,000 - Full rebrand starting at $3,500 a month with a 3 month commitment

strategic connections that make impact, not just impressions.

partnerships + Experiential marketing

The right collaboration or the right room can do more for a brand than six months of content. I design the strategy behind partnerships, sponsorships, and experiences that actually move the needle — then help build the moment that makes it memorable.

If you need:

Strategic brand partnerships and sponsorship development | Experiential marketing and event strategy | Brand activation | Midwest market expertise and local partnerships

Starting at $1,750/month or project-based rate

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The most hands-on way to work with me.

full brand management

My team and I run the whole marketing operation — social planning, content shooting, editing scheduling, and platform management. This is full execution, not just strategy.

Pricing on inquiry.

Every engagement starts with a conversation. Let's figure out what you actually need. →

[let's talk]

Michelle Hagen. A woman with long blonde hair wearing a purple glittery Mickey Mouse ears headband with a shiny blue bow, smiling and holding her head with one hand at Disney World.

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Colorful balloons with Disney characters and themes, outdoors with trees and blue sky in background.

(YEP, THAT’S ME ↓)

I’m Michelle

… a creative director and strategist with a background in marketing, partnerships, and storytelling.

I don't believe in fitting into the traditional agency mold. I believe in shaping it — bringing taste, clarity, and a point of view that feels both grounded and imaginative.

My own creative work lives on my personal platforms and often informs the way I approach client strategy by testing concepts in real time.

Let’s connect.

She Connected Us With National Brands

Hiring Michelle to manage our partnerships and sponsorships was honestly one of the BEST decisions I made for our events — and I don't say that lightly! She tripled our sponsorships for our largest event and has connected us with national brands that have taken things to a whole new level. She's strategic, incredibly well-connected, and genuinely invested in our growth. We are so grateful to have her in our corner!
Amanda Owner of The Barkday Planner
I finally have a strategy that actually feels like me.

“Before working with Michelle, I was copying what everyone else was doing — and it just didn’t feel right. She helped me create a plan that fits my voice, my time, and my energy. Now I post with confidence (and yes, people are noticing 👀).”

Dana, brand designer & creative entrepreneur