Barrett Hofherr Names Kyle Duford Associate Partner and Director of Client Strategy & Services

Jan. 14, 2026

Barrett Hofherr today announced the appointment of Kyle Duford as associate partner and director of Client Strategy & Services, further strengthening the agency’s strategic leadership as it continues to expand its full-service offering.

Duford is a seasoned brand strategist and former executive creative director—most recently with The Brand Leader in Greenville, SC—with more than 25 years of experience helping brands clarify what they stand for and show up with confidence. He is widely known for his work in positioning, naming, and identity systems that cut through category sameness and for turning strategy into ideas people remember.

In his new role, Duford will focus on leading Barrett Hofherr’s client strategy and services across account service, creative, data and analytics, AI-powered tools, and thought leadership—ensuring strategy actively drives business results.

Matt Hofherr, partner and chief strategy officer at Barrett Hofherr said:

"His approach blends clear positioning with a conversational, no-BS style that prioritizes memorable ideas over safe choices. He knows how to help brands stand for something—and how to make that belief translate into growth." 

 

Duford brings deep business experience alongside his strategic credentials. He scaled Dr. Martens’ global e-commerce business more than 400% in under three years, served as an interim general manager to launch British company Lovehoney into the U.S. market, and partnered directly with C-suite teams on $500K–$1M brand engagements.

He is the author of The Brand Book, a widely used guide to strategic storytelling that has become a staple for marketers seeking sharper brand clarity and creative conviction. He has also authored multiple brand strategy frameworks used by marketers nationwide and has built AI-powered brand-intelligence tools. Duford is also known for his practical command of archetypes, positioning systems, and go-to-market strategy. 

At Barrett Hofherr, Duford will bring the perspective of a former client to further elevate the agency's strategic rigor and business acumen. Duford's forthcoming book, Branding Without Permission, will be published by Bloomsbury later this year.

Duford said:

"Strong brands win because they’re clear, not because they’re complicated. Barrett Hofherr understands how to turn positioning into action—ideas that create momentum, unlock growth, and move the needle. That’s the kind of work I want to help scale."