Milsted + Strange, a Bristol-based strategic marketing duo, is celebrating its first year in business after supporting a range of local companies with brand positioning, marketing strategy and better-performing websites.

Founded this time last year by Bristol residents Tom Milsted and Pheobe Strange, the pair offer something unusual in a crowded market. 

They are not another marketing agency and not a pair of freelancers who happen to work together. They’re a hybrid model, working as a team to keep costs down and results rocketing. They give growing businesses agency-level expertise at freelancer costs.

Over the past year, Milsted + Strange has supported hospitality businesses, like Bristol Eats, as well as property firms and even local authors across Bristol. More than half of the duo’s clients sought their expertise because their marketing wasn’t bringing in the business they wanted, but they didn’t know why. In almost every case, the issue wasn’t the marketing tactics but unclear messaging.

Tom Milsted said: 

“Our clients have told us they’re tired of working with expensive agencies that churn through customers without any real care. They want robust solutions, and don’t have the time to manage multiple freelancers, so they pick us. They like that we’re local and genuine, and we don’t let work out the door unless we’re both 100% happy it’s the best it can be – and we know our stuff.”

Pheobe Strange added: 

“We care about Bristol businesses. We’re from here, we started our families here, and we wanted to build something that supports the city in a more accessible way. We’re also proud to be part of the thriving Bristol creatives community. Working locally means we often get to see clients in person, hold brand workshops face to face, and feel more connected to the work we’re doing for them.”

The duo’s story is rooted in Bristol.

Tom’s family has deep ties to the city. During the Second World War, his grandfather survived a nearby explosion that blew him out of his bed above a pub on Gloucester Road. After serving as a tank commander in Italy and North Africa, he met Tom’s Bedminster-born grandmother on a train.

They were soon married in St Mary Redcliffe, his grandfather working in sales for Heinz, and his grandmother teaching children in local schools. Tom’s dad grew up on Woodside Road, Downend, but moved to Marlow Bottom, Buckinghamshire, in the 80s, where Tom grew up. 

In 2017, Tom and his newly married wife, Kate, were looking to buy a house, and had fallen in love with Bristol’s unique mix of urban culture and natural parks, and booming independent business scene through lots of visits to family and friends. After Tom’s grandparents passed away, they decided to continue the Milsted legacy in Bristol, moving into a house in Brislington, near the old Heinz factory where his grandfather had worked.

Pheobe grew up in Downend, raised by her dad, Russell Strange, a Kingswood-based commercial upholsterer, and her mum. She attended a nearby school, then decided to study English Literature at the University of Bristol. This is where she developed a love for words and copywriting. After graduating, she has spent her entire professional career working for Bristol organisations and marketing agencies, writing compelling words and making brands stand out.

Tom and Pheobe met whilst working in communications and marketing at Unite Students. They bonded over a passion for writing and a shared work ethic. Pheobe left Unite to work for a local marketing agency, before feeling an itch to set up her own business whilst on maternity leave with her first child.

Tom, with two young boys of his own, was made redundant at the end of 2024. It wasn’t long before he picked up the phone to Pheobe and asked if she wanted to go into business together, and it took even less time for her to say, ‘yes!’, and Milsted + Strange was born.

Both Tom and Pheobe bring a mix of strategic, creative and narrative-led expertise drawn from their backgrounds, and both care deeply about the work they do and the local businesses they do it for – they truly are a marketing power-duo.

As they enter their second year of business, the pair are expanding their work with Bristol-based SMEs, start-ups and freelance consultants looking to grow in 2026.

They have clearly priced and defined marketing and website packages for any budget on their website, but can also build bespoke packages and work with clients who need ongoing support.

They are currently offering local businesses a free 20-minute call to uncover what might not be working for their marketing, or a free mini-web audit that focuses on actions they can take to convert more web visitors into customers.

For more information or to book, visit www.milstedandstrange.com, or email [email protected] and [email protected].

About Tom Milsted

Co-founder and one-half of Milsted + Strange, helping growing businesses connect with the right audience and convert them into paying customers. We do this by crafting compelling websites and marketing.