BrandStory
BrandStory is a privately held, founder-owned strategic marketing agency founded in 2003 that specializes in tourism and destination marketing services across Greater China and Southeast Asia, serving government tourism boards, destination marketing organizations, and travel brands through 8 regional offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BrandStory does
BrandStory Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned strategic marketing agency founded in 2003 by Reene Ho-Phang and Peter Phang, headquartered in Singapore. The company specializes in tourism and destination marketing services across Greater China and Southeast Asia, serving government tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), airlines, hotels, and travel service providers. Its core service offering comprises ten pillars: strategic marketing counsel, trade marketing, public relations, brand partnerships, business events, social media marketing, celebrity and influencer marketing, advertising and campaigns, activations and experiential marketing, and crisis communications. The agency also publishes the Travel Tide Newsletter as a thought leadership content product.
BrandStory has no proprietary technology platform; its value proposition is explicitly human capital-driven, relying on the founders' two decades of relationships with Asian trade, media, and government networks, supported by 8 offices across Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok. The company has represented 76+ brands, achieved 800 million+ campaign impressions, and received 88+ industry awards. Notable long-term clients include Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (since 2008), Hogg Robinson Group (since 2004), and Brand USA (8 consecutive years at ITB Asia).
The business model is a professional services agency operating on bespoke project-based and retainer contracts with no publicly disclosed pricing. Revenue is generated through enterprise sales relationships with tourism boards and travel brands, acquired primarily through industry events (ITB Asia, ITB China), trade marketing, referrals, and direct senior leadership engagement. The company is entirely founder-owned with no disclosed external investment, funding rounds, or institutional backing, and employs 11-50 staff across its regional office network.
BrandStory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BrandStory
- Legal name
- BrandStory Inc.
- Website
- https://brandstory.asia
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BrandStory is a privately held, founder-owned strategic marketing agency founded in 2003 that specializes in tourism and destination marketing services across Greater China and Southeast Asia, serving government tourism boards, destination marketing organizations, and travel brands through 8 regional offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BrandStory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tourism Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Advertising Agencies (54181), Public Relations Agencies (54182), Media Buying Agencies (54183), Advertising Agencies (541810)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Experiential, Event & Sponsorship Marketing (BPAFAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Brand Guidelines, Governance & Brand Management (BPAFAEAF), Product & Brand PR (Consumer & B2B) (BPAFADAH), Experiential Logistics & Tour Management (Roadshows) (MPAAAGAK), Celebrity & Influencer Talent Booking (HSACAHAE)
Keywords
Where BrandStory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices8 records
Markets served
BrandStory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Strategic Marketing and Tourism Marketing Services: BrandStory generates revenue through bespoke marketing service contracts with destinations, tourism boards, and travel brands. Services include strategic marketing counsel, trade marketing, public relations, social media marketing, advertising and campaigns, celebrity and influencer marketing, brand partnerships, business events, activations, and crisis communications. Revenue is project-based and retainer-driven, reflecting a professional services model spanning multiple Asian markets.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
BrandStory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BrandStory is a B2B strategic marketing and digital PR agency that provides bespoke storytelling, trade marketing, public relations, social media marketing, celebrity/influencer marketing, brand partnerships, advertising, activations, and crisis communications for destinations, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, and travel brands across Greater China and Southeast Asia. Services are delivered through ten core service pillars and supplemented by the Travel Tide thought-leadership newsletter, with multi-market execution via offices in eight Asian cities.
Product overview
BrandStory is an award-winning strategic marketing agency founded in 2003, specializing in tourism and travel marketing across Greater China and Southeast Asia. Rather than a software product company, BrandStory offers a comprehensive suite of professional marketing services organized around 10 core service pillars: Strategic Marketing Counsel, Trade Marketing, Public Relations, Brand Partnerships, Business Events, Social Media Marketing, Celebrity & Influencer Marketing, Advertising & Campaigns, Activations & Experiential Marketing, and Crisis Communications. The agency also publishes the Travel Tide Newsletter as a thought leadership content product. All services are delivered by a team of experienced travel marketing professionals with deep Asian trade, media, and government relationships. The company operates across 8 regional offices and has represented 76+ brands with 800 million impressions achieved and 88+ industry awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Strategic Marketing Counsel Provides market entry strategies, consumer research, perception audits and insights, industry and media mapping, profiling, and annual plan development for travel and tourism brands entering Asian markets.
- Trade Marketing Offers product audit and development, industry training and education, airline engagement, and sales and enquiry management services for travel and tourism clients.
- Public Relations Delivers media outreach, coverage tracking and pitching, press office and distribution, media training, spokesperson interviews, CEO profiling, and broadcast and film opportunities for travel destinations and tourism organizations.
- Brand Partnerships Sources and secures high-impact partners including airline and OTA co-ops, government organization collaborations, non-travel brand marketing alliances, digital platform partnerships, media partnerships, and stakeholder buy-in programs.
- Business Events Manages sales and lead generation, RFP submissions, client training and education, media coverage tracking, and attendance building for travel industry events and exhibitions.
- Social Media Marketing Provides storytelling and content creation, community building and engagement, platform and channel management, and content partnerships and amplification for travel and tourism brands.
- Celebrity & Influencer Marketing Offers concept and asset creation, talent engagement and contract negotiation, livestream and promotions, and programming and project management for celebrity and influencer campaigns in Asian markets.
- Advertising & Campaigns Provides media planning and buying, campaign execution and management, creative asset optimization, and audit and KPI reporting for tourism marketing campaigns.
- Activations & Experiential Marketing Delivers sales missions, roadshows, seminars and workshops, press conferences and media roundtables, airline launches and embassy events, trade and industry exhibitions management, consumer activations, and destination familiarization trips.
- Crisis Communications Offers issues management framework, in-market crisis response team with media training, customized response plans and statements, and recovery action plans for travel and tourism organizations.
- Travel Tide Newsletter A newsletter bringing the latest trends and insights from Southeast Asia and China to travel professionals worldwide, covering topics including wellness, sustainability, digital content, SHEconomy, and outbound travel trends.
Quantifiable outcome
- 800 million+ impressions achieved across client campaigns
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BrandStory
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BrandStory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BrandStory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Las Vegas Convention and Visitors AuthoritycoreBrandStory has served as Las Vegas CVA's PR and communications firm for China since 2008, working with Chinese trade to promote Las Vegas as a premium destination emphasizing non-gaming attractions such as Grand Canyon and the scenic Southwest.
- Hogg Robinson Group (HRG)coreBrandStory has been HRG's appointed PR agency for Asia-Pacific since approximately 2004, with a particular focus on Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Australia. The relationship began as a one-off project and developed into an eight-year ongoing engagement.
- American Institute in Taiwan / Discover America CommitteecoreBrandStory operates in a tri-partnership with American Institute in Taiwan and Discover America Committee to present a major U.S. presence in Taiwan, supporting Brand USA's mission in the region.
- Brand USAcoreAs Brand USA's representative in Southeast Asia, BrandStory hosted an exhibition space at ITB Asia for 8 consecutive years to promote the United States as a travel destination to Asian markets.
- Luxury Media Partners (Qatar)minorBrandStory collaborated with a luxury media outlet in a brand alliance to promote Qatar as a world-class premium travel destination, highlighting authentic Qatari characteristics and culture.
- CHENZAO (Millennial Women's Network)minorBrandStory partnered with CHENZAO, the founder of a leading Millennial women's network, author of best-selling motivational books, and fitness social influencer, for celebrity influencer FAM trip campaigns.
- ITB Asia / ITB ChinacoreBrandStory participates as an exhibitor and representative at ITB Asia and ITB China trade shows, hosting exhibition spaces for clients such as Brand USA, Azerbaijan, and Egypt Tourism Authority to connect with Asian travel trade professionals.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BrandStory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BrandStory social profiles
Digital presenceBrandStory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BrandStory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
BrandStory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BrandStory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BrandStory
What does BrandStory do?
BrandStory is a B2B strategic marketing and digital PR agency that provides bespoke storytelling, trade marketing, public relations, social media marketing, celebrity/influencer marketing, brand partnerships, advertising, activations, and crisis communications for destinations, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, and travel brands across Greater China and Southeast Asia. Services are delivered through ten core service pillars and supplemented by the Travel Tide thought-leadership newsletter, with multi-market execution via offices in eight Asian cities.
Is BrandStory a public or private company?
BrandStory is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BrandStory founded?
BrandStory was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BrandStory based?
BrandStory is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does BrandStory make money?
One revenue line is on record: strategic Marketing and Tourism Marketing Services.
Does BrandStory have an API?
No public API is recorded for BrandStory.
What industry is BrandStory in?
BrandStory's product category is Tourism Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAAAH, Experiential, Event & Sponsorship Marketing, with a secondary code of BPAFAEAF, Brand Guidelines, Governance & Brand Management. Its NAICS code is 54181 and its SIC code is 7311.