CV

Joakim Lind (PhD)

Senior Researcher & Strategic Communication Consultant
Place Branding • Narrative Placemaking • Technology & Innovation • Public Sector & Policy Communication • Public Relations • Public Affairs

Stockholm, Sweden
LinkedIn · ORCID

Summary

Senior researcher and strategic communication consultant with a PhD in International Marketing from Åbo Akademi University and more than 25 years of professional experience working at the intersection of place branding, regional development, and technology-driven societal change. My research and advisory work focus on how narratives, storytelling, and cultural meaning shape place identity, establish stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation, with particular emphasis on narrative capital as a strategic resource.

Alongside my academic work, I have spent more than two decades as a senior consultant, partner, and agency leader at a Stockholm-based communication consultancy, advising public institutions, municipalities, regions, and international technology companies. I combine analytical depth with hands-on strategic leadership, supporting organisations in navigating the complexity of digitalisation, AI governance, urban development, and innovation-led transformation.

Education

PhD in Economics and Business Administration (International Marketing)

Åbo Akademi University, Finland — 2025
Dissertation: Exploring the Narrative Capital of the Place: Value Dynamics in Place Identity and Branding

Bachelor of Social Science (Social Anthropology)

Lund University — 2007

University Diploma in Education (Upper Secondary School)

Stockholm University — 1996

Additional university studies (1989–1995) in economics, political science, ethnology, philosophy, history of ideas, and gender studies at Lund University.

Research Profile

Narrative placemaking • Place branding • Regional development & urban governance • Cultural economy • Storytelling & place identity • Media analysis • Soft power • Digitalisation and emerging technologies

Employment

Cloudberry Communications AB*

Senior Consultant, former Partner and Agency Leadership | 2002–present

Docere Intelligence, Stockholm

Head of Education, Business Intelligence & Competitive Intelligence Analysis | 2000–2002

Informa Group, Stockholm

Conference Producer / Researcher | 1998–2000

École Française de Stockholm

Upper Secondary School Teacher (Social Studies, Geography, Psychology) | 1996–1999

Botkyrka Komvux, Stockholm

Upper Secondary School Teacher (Philosophy) | 1996–1997

Danish Tourism Board, Stockholm

Marketing and Administration | 1995–1996

* Professional Focus and Experience (Cloudberry Communications)

Over more than 20 years at Cloudberry Communications, I have worked as a senior consultant, partner, and member of the agency’s leadership team, contributing to its long-term strategic development and positioning. My work has combined research-led analysis, senior advisory roles, client leadership, and agency management.

Consultancy focus and assignments

Place Branding, Regional Development & Public Sector Communication

Advisory work for cities, regions, national agencies, and publicly owned organisations on place identity, narrative positioning, and stakeholder engagement. Assignments have addressed urban development, sustainability transitions, business attraction, cultural profiling, film tourism, and regional branding.

Organisations and clients include, among others:
Stockholms stad, Stockholm Business Region, Business Sweden, Svenska institutet, Naturvårdsverket, Region Skåne, Region Gotland, Helsingborgs stad, Linköpings kommun, Kista Science City, Stockholm Science City Foundation, IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet, Veidekke Bostad, Ystad kommun, Aarhus Kommune, Copenhagen Capacity, Creative Iceland, Visit Skåne, and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Technology, Innovation & Digital Transformation Communication

Strategic communication and thought leadership for international technology companies and Nordic scale-ups within areas such as AI and analytics, enterprise software, healthcare IT, cybersecurity, adtech, and digital infrastructure.

Companies and brands include, among others:
SAS Institute, Microsoft, Salesforce, The Trade Desk, InterSystems, Unit4, Citrix, Dassault Systèmes, Symantec, Yahoo!, Zendesk, Box, Skype, Nagarro, Bolt, and other technology-driven organisations operating across the Nordic and European markets.

Agency management and partnership

As a long-term partner at Cloudberry Communications, I have been actively involved in agency leadership, business development, and organisational strategy. This has included responsibility for strategic direction, client portfolio development, team leadership, and integrating research and analysis into consultancy offerings. I have also served as CEO during part of this period, with overall responsibility for agency operations and positioning, alongside continued senior client advisory work.

Selected Publications

Doctoral thesis

Peer-reviewed articles (selection)

Teaching, Lectures & Professional Engagement

Guest lecturer and speaker at universities, conferences, and professional forums in Sweden and internationally, addressing topics such as place branding, cultural economy, narrative strategy, media analysis, and the societal implications of digitalisation and emerging technologies.

Languages

Swedish (native) • English (fluent) • German (basic)

Digital Competences

Strategic and applied use of digital technologies for communication, analysis, and research, with particular expertise in large language models and generative AI for content strategy, narrative development, research support, and teaching. Extensive experience with content management systems and digital publishing workflows, media analysis and evaluation, and professional visual and audiovisual content production.

Missions of Trust

Board member and advisor in professional and civic organisations within communication, entrepreneurship, and sports.

Licences & Certificates

  • Driving licence (car and motorcycle)
  • Hunting licence
  • Diving licence (SSI)

Continuing Education

Professional training in journalism, media logic, and crisis communication, including the Course in Journalism at Poppius School of Journalism.

Additional continuing education in business intelligence, project management, defence communication, and crisis media training for professional communicators working with public authorities and security-related organisations. Ongoing participation in professional seminars and international conferences within communication, media, and strategy.

Media Mentions

My research and consultancy work have been cited and featured in local and international media over several years on topics such as place branding, cultural economy, film tourism, and regional development. Read more.

Talks & Trainings

I work as a speaker, researcher, and adviser on issues related to place, culture, technology, and strategic communication. My talks and training sessions draw on academic research and professional experience to address how narratives shape identity, perception, and long-term development in organisations, regions, and innovation ecosystems. Read more.