Speaking with purpose

I’m an experienced public speaker and can often be found on stage, usually talking about marketing or design, at technology conferences worldwide.

Showing up is more important than showing off. And if your audience walks away thinking “yes, I can do this,” then we’ve all won.

Jonas Strandell on stage speaking seen from behind
Jonas Strandell on stage speaking seen from behind
Jonas Strandell on stage speaking seen from behind

How I can help

How I can help

Whether in-person or online, my talks are built to connect with anyone trying to build something. From founders and creators to teams and leaders.

Whether in-person or online, my talks are built to connect with anyone trying to build something. From founders and creators to teams and leaders.

Podcasts

Open and candid conversations about the messy reality of B2B marketing, scaling teams, and the creative process.

Conversations about the reality of B2B marketing, creating great work, and how to determine if you should quit your job.

Team coaching

Roll-up-your-sleeves workshops and coaching sessions to help marketing and design teams level up their game.

Conference talks

I’m known as an engaging and story-driven speaker. Audiences leave with ideas they actually want to use.

Let’s work together

B2B marketing is gloriously messy, and sometimes just plain weird. Anyone who says differently is selling something. Public speaking has become a huge part of my life and career. Getting to share what I know is one of the better parts of this job.

Jonas Strandell of Sailors & Mermaids with a microphone on stage at an event

Find a photo of yourself speaking where you don’t look like an idiot. It ain’t easy.

Photo of Jonas Strandell smiling with headphones on and microphone in the foreground
Photo Jonas Strandell with microphone in hand on stage
Photo of Jonas Strandell from behind on stage with an audience in the background

Not all talk – accolades and metrics too

It’s not always about being clever, it also takes willpower, tears, and being tenacious as hell.

Experience that matters

I was previously CMO at Pingdom (acquired by SolarWinds), and at Dooer and Besedo, and I was CMO/CPO at Lavendla. I have created websites and content for brands like:

The MTV Logo
The Sega Logo
Ben Sherman Logo
Chupa Chups Logo
Uppsala Stadsteater Logo

Topics I love talking about

I’ve spoken at conferences, podcasts, and industry panels on topics like:

  • Creative marketing that moves numbers.

  • Building brands that people actually care about.

  • Why the best marketers are also great storytellers.

  • From Designer to CMO: Career transitions.

  • The art of failing spectacularly (and learning from it).

“Not only is he a man of class and wit, but also a great designer and collaborator. When Jonas managed our marketing team, his skill and guidance consistently helped elevate our work to the next level. In short, Jonas knows what he’s doing!”

Pingdom Logo
Photo of John Karlsson

John Karlsson, Lead Designer

“Not only is he a man of class and wit, but also a great designer and collaborator. When Jonas managed our marketing team, his skill and guidance consistently helped elevate our work to the next level. In short, Jonas knows what he’s doing!”

Pingdom Logo
Photo of John Karlsson

John Karlsson, Lead Designer

“Not only is he a man of class and wit, but also a great designer and collaborator. When Jonas managed our marketing team, his skill and guidance consistently helped elevate our work to the next level. In short, Jonas knows what he’s doing!”

Portrait photo of John Karlsson

John Karlsson, Lead Designer

Pingdom Logo

My work has been featured in some great publications

TechCrunch Logo
The Verge Logo
The New York Times Logo
Mashable Logo
Wired Logo

My work has been featured in some great publications

TechCrunch Logo
The Verge Logo
The New York Times Logo
Mashable Logo
Wired Logo

My work has been featured in some great publications

TechCrunch Logo
The Verge Logo
The New York Times Logo
Mashable Logo
Wired Logo

Hello there, a quick introduction might be in order

I’m Jonas, a designer at heart that, through a series of events, ended up as an award-winning marketer. My childhood dream was to draw comics, like Frank Miller, and that sparked a love for storytelling and layout.

I have what managers call a t-shaped profile. I go deep on marketing, content, and brand, and wide enough to speak the language of both engineering and sales.

In my previous life I did creative work for Ben Sherman, Sega Games, MTV, Chupa Chups, SVT, and many more. I’ve held roles as CMO, Chief Product Officer, and Designer at Pingdom, Dooer, Lavendla, Besedo, and Cosafe.

When I’m not marketing (that really ought to be a verb), I spend a lot of time on music and movies, almost to an unhealthy, obsessive level.

My wife and I dream of one day living on a vineyard in northern Italy. If you’re going to dream, it might as well be big enough to need really complex irrigation systems.

That’s me outside London Design Museum

Arrow pointing downwards

Hello there, a quick introduction might be in order

I’m Jonas, a designer at heart that, through a series of events, ended up as an award-winning marketer. My childhood dream was to draw comics, like Frank Miller, and that sparked a love for storytelling and layout.

I have what managers call a t-shaped profile. I go deep on marketing, content, and brand, and wide enough to speak the language of both engineering and sales.

In my previous life I did creative work for Ben Sherman, Sega Games, MTV, Chupa Chups, SVT, and many more. I’ve held roles as CMO, Chief Product Officer, and Designer at Pingdom, Dooer, Lavendla, Besedo, and Cosafe.

When I’m not marketing (that really ought to be a verb), I spend a lot of time on music and movies, almost to an unhealthy, obsessive level.

My wife and I dream of one day living on a vineyard in northern Italy. If you’re going to dream, it might as well be big enough to need really complex irrigation systems.

That’s me outside London Design Museum

Arrow pointing downwards

Hello there, a quick introduction might be in order

I’m Jonas, a designer at heart that, through a series of events, ended up as an award-winning marketer. My childhood dream was to draw comics, like Frank Miller, and that sparked a love for storytelling and layout.

I have what managers call a t-shaped profile. I go deep on marketing, content, and brand, and wide enough to speak the language of both engineering and sales.

In my previous life I did creative work for Ben Sherman, Sega Games, MTV, Chupa Chups, SVT, and many more. I’ve held roles as CMO, Chief Product Officer, and Designer at Pingdom, Dooer, Lavendla, Besedo, and Cosafe.

When I’m not marketing (that really ought to be a verb), I spend a lot of time on music and movies, almost to an unhealthy, obsessive level.

My wife and I dream of one day living on a vineyard in northern Italy. If you’re going to dream, it might as well be big enough to need really complex irrigation systems.

That’s me outside London Design Museum

Arrow pointing downwards
Monoline illustration of a merman, the symbol or logo of Sailors & Mermaids
Monoline illustration of a merman, the symbol or logo of Sailors & Mermaids
Monoline illustration of a merman, the symbol or logo of Sailors & Mermaids
A cartoon splash from a droplet landing in liquid
Sailors & Mermaids Flag

Copyright

© 2009–2026

Sailors & Mermaids. Oh, look, a Privacy Policy.

A cartoon splash from a droplet landing in liquid
Sailors & Mermaids Flag

Copyright

© 2009–2026

Sailors & Mermaids. Oh, look, a Privacy Policy.

A cartoon splash from a droplet landing in liquid
Sailors & Mermaids Flag

Copyright

© 2009–2026

Sailors & Mermaids. Oh, look, a Privacy Policy.