Emilie Hitch is a cultural anthropologist with extensive experience in brand strategy and business development, supported by degrees from Yale and the London School of Economics. Her work focuses on anthropological research methods and community-based strategies, collaborating with various clients including major brands and organizations. Thinkers & Makers, which she co-founded, emphasizes human-centered design and strategic consultation to inform advertising and product development.

2. Hello. We are Thinkers & Makers.
We see the world differently than you do.

3. Cultural Anthropologist
Research Specialist
Brand and Business
Strategist
Yale, Bachelor of Arts
Anthropology 2001
London School of
Economics,
MSc & PhD (ABD)
Anthropology 2006
University of Minnesota,
Humphrey School of
Public Affairs, MPA
expected 2015
www.linkedin.com/in/
emiliehitch/
Emilie Hitch

4. Passion
Eat for Equity; Board of Directors, Vice Chairman
YMCA Camp Warren; Board of Directors, Chairman
Quetico Superior Foundation; Board of Directors
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition 2011, 2012;
Selected Exhibitor in Photography
Accolades
MSP Magazine's Volunteer Hall of Fame 2012
Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal, 25 Women to Watch 2012
Effie Awards for Effectiveness in Advertising
Bronze, Bauer Hockey, 2010
Bronze, Lee Jeans (Lee.com), 2010
GOLD, Nike Bauer Hockey, 2009
Silver, Nike Bauer Hockey, 2008
AAA's Jay Chiat Awards for Strategic Planning
Bronze, Nike Bauer Hockey, 2009
Emilie Hitch

5. Our approach to strategy is rooted in
anthropological theory, cultural immersion
and collaborative analysis.

6. Research Design and Execution
Ethnography
Online Ethnography and Social Mining
Participatory Methodologies (HCD, etc)
Listening Research (community based)
Qualitative Immersion (ethnography, IDIs, etc.)
Story Gathering
Focus Groups
In-Depth Interviews, Panels and Surveys
Secondary Research (literature reviews, etc.)
Cultural Analysis
Community Needs Audit
HCD
Immersive Participation
Strategic Planning
Competitive Review
Solution Development
Think

7. Make
Application
Insights and Strategy
Patterns & Themes
Narrative Storylines
Research Insights & Recommendations
Deliverables
Cultural MeaningMap
Segmentation and Personas
Communications and Brand Strategy
Human-Centered Design Solutions
Strategic and Project Briefs and Recommendations
Creative and Design Briefs and Recommendations
Strategic Consultation

8. Client Examples

9. Workshops
Insight and Innovation Workshops
The Minnesota Wild
3M
Vanity Fair, Inc.: Jeanswear Coalition
MillerCoors
Pepsico
Business Development and Entrepreneurship
social deviant
Eat for Equity
Appetite for Change
Strategic and Brand Planning
The Quetico Superior Foundation
The University of Minnesota
Lee Jeans
Land O’Lakes, Inc

10. Agency
Clients
Thinkers & Makers often works in partnership with
advertising agencies as a hybrid research and
planning lead (design, execution and application of
learning) on projects for current and prospective
clients. We see the project through from research
design and the application of distilled findings to
creative briefings and production.
OLSON
MRM Worldwide
SolutionSet
BBDO
Fallon
Lucid
Barrie D’Rozario Murphy (BD’M)
SOLVE
Haberman
Colle + McVoy
social deviant

11. Research
Design, Execution
& Application
Bespoke Qualitative Research
Purina
Alcatel Lucent
Amway
Fifth Third Bank
Nike Bauer Hockey
AmeriPride Services, Inc
CPP and Generation Flux
Organic Valley
Ace Hardware
MRM Worldwide
SolutionSet
Humana
The University of Minnesota
Midwest Supplies: Homebrewing and Winemaking

12. Research Design Example - A Rubric of Objectives
And 3 Research Options
Community Based Research-
Food Insecurity
Research