The Thinking Behind Marketing Decanted
Marketing Decanted was founded on a simple belief: the most effective brand strategies begin with thoughtful conversation, fresh perspectives, and a shared understanding of what makes a brand distinctive.
Drawing on extensive experience in marketing leadership and brand strategy, we bring together strategic insight, practical education, and the art of wine appreciation to create engaging experiences for marketing professionals, executive teams, and boards.
Just as exceptional wines reflect a distinctive combination of place, craftsmanship, and character, exceptional brands are built on a clear understanding of what makes them unique.
Meet the Founder
Valerie Carstens | Founder, Marketing Decanted
With more than 25 years of experience, Valerie Carstens is an award-winning brand strategist, marketing executive, and speaker whose work has earned regional, national, and international recognition.
Throughout her career, Valerie has helped organizations build distinctive brands, navigate transformation, and develop marketing strategies that drive business results. Her expertise spans brand positioning and architecture, integrated marketing, executive communications, digital strategy, SEO, AI visibility, and marketing team leadership.
She has guided brand launches, repositioning initiatives, acquisitions, and organizational transformations, working closely with marketing leaders and executive teams to bring clarity to complex challenges. A past president of the Dallas Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Valerie combines strategic vision with the practical experience of leading teams, developing talent, and executing ambitious marketing programs.
Her passion for wine inspired Marketing Decanted, a distinctive approach to brand strategy and education that pairs collaborative learning with guided wine tastings.
Valerie holds the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world's leading provider of drinks qualifications, and is currently pursuing the advanced WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.
Through Marketing Decanted, she brings together two passions: building exceptional brands and exploring exceptional wines. The result is a fresh approach to strategic learning that inspires stronger teams, clearer thinking, and more distinctive brands.
Let's Start a Conversation
Interested in strengthening your brand, aligning your team, or exploring a workshop paired with wine tasting?
Tell us a little about your goals, and we'll be in touch to discuss how Marketing Decanted can help.