Brand · Growth · Creative Strategist · Founder, RYI5™

PAUL
BURKHART

RYI5™ is my Revenue Yield Index: a five-vital-sign diagnostic that finds what's actually broken in your marketing before I prescribe the fix.

I'm a Fractional CMO and Strategic Marketing Advisor behind $575M+ in documented client revenue and an estimated $1B+ influenced across 600+ brands. In practice, RYI5 turns "we need a new website" into "here's what's really broken and how to treat it."

Remote Fractional + Advisory
Paul Burkhart, Fractional CMO and founder of RYI5
$1B+ Influenced Client Revenue·$575M+ Documented·600+ Brands·Fortune 500 to Founder-Led
5.6x to 30:1 Documented Campaign ROAS·8 Industries, 32 Sectors·Creator of RYI5™ Revenue Yield Index
Location
Greenwood, IN · Remote
Phone
(317) 250-7129
Email
paul@brandingforhire.com
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/burkhartpaul

The Strategist

I built and ran one of Indianapolis's top 10 marketing agencies, leading brand, growth, and creative work for Fortune 500 brands, regional builders, multi-location operators, healthcare systems, and mission-driven institutions. We installed brand platforms, ran integrated campaigns, designed retention systems, and delivered the creative that made all of it stick. More than 600 brands across 8 industries and 32 sectors. Real revenue impact. Real exits.

In July 2024 I formally dissolved the agency to focus on a methodology I had been refining throughout those engagements: RYI5™ Revenue Yield Index. RYI5 is not a new consulting practice. It is the structured workup I had been doing intuitively across hundreds of engagements, made measurable. The same Marketing Strategist who built #ROADNATION for Speedco, "Why My Fave" for McAlister's, and the Final Four Flash Pass for the NCAA. Just with a diagnostic discipline in front of the creative work.

Today I am a fractional CMO and strategic marketing advisor for organizations that want their marketing to actually solve a problem, not paper over one. Brand, growth, creative, demand generation, retention systems, content, and the strategy that ties it all together. I deliver marketing. RYI5 makes sure I deliver the right marketing.

Core Competencies

The disciplines I bring to every prescription. Brand, growth, and revenue leadership from Fortune 500 platforms to founder-led operators.

Revenue Growth Strategy Go-to-Market Strategy EBITDA-Focused Marketing Unit Economics (AUV · CAC · LTV) Brand Strategy & Transformation Brand Identity & Design Systems Creative & Campaign Direction Demand Generation Customer Lifecycle Marketing Customer Experience & Journey Design Franchise & Multi-Location Marketing Portfolio & Multi-Brand Marketing Marketing Automation & Martech Attribution & Revenue Dashboards AI-Enhanced Marketing Operations Events & Experiential Marketing 100-Day Value Creation Fractional & Interim CMO Leadership Executive & Board Stakeholder Management Team Leadership & Talent Development

How I Actually Work

People come to me with their marketing pain. I take their history. I listen to their symptoms. I investigate, research, and run the workup before I write a strategic treatment plan. Most clients arrive with a self-diagnosis. "We need a new website. We need to rebrand. We need more leads. We need TikTok." It's the same instinct that sends a patient to the doctor saying "I need antibiotics." Sometimes the answer really is antibiotics. But a good doctor doesn't hand them out without knowing what is wrong. Most agencies do. They fill the order. I run the workup first.

I run the workup first. The conversation that starts with "Why do you think you need a new website?" usually ends in a different place than where it began. Sometimes the website is fine and the brand position is wrong. Sometimes the brand is fine and your retention system is bleeding lifetime value. Sometimes everything is fine and you're priced as a commodity when you should be a category authority. The symptom the client names is almost never the disease they have.

What Most Agencies Hear
"We need more leads."
They quote a lead-gen program. They run paid ads. They send leads. Three months later, the close rate is the same, the lifetime value is the same, the underlying problem is still there, and someone else gets fired.
What I Ask Instead
"Where are your current leads coming from, and what happens to them after they arrive?"
Then five more questions. RYI5 is the structured workup that turns symptoms into diagnosis, diagnosis into prescription, and prescription into the marketing work that actually moves the right vital sign.

Some clients walk in knowing exactly what they want: a website refresh, a new logo, a campaign. There is a place for that. It is immediate care, the over-the-counter work that does not need a full workup. It just is not what this practice is for. The clients I take on here want diagnosis, treatment, and a maintenance plan, the way you'd want a real doctor to handle a recurring condition. Not unnecessary lab work, not bills padded with tests you didn't need. A proper workup, an honest plan, and the ongoing care that keeps the symptom from coming back. In marketing terms, that looks like a retainer relationship: an embedded fractional CMO who installs the system, runs it, and adjusts the treatment as the business evolves.

What RYI5 Is and Is Not
RYI5 is a marketing diagnostic. It uses business-financial vocabulary (yield, margin, utilization, durability, position) because that is how operators measure their world. Every prescription it produces is brand, demand, lifecycle, content, creative, or marketing-systems work. RYI5 is not financial consulting, not CFO advisory, not capital restructuring. It tells you what is wrong in marketing and what marketing intervention will fix it.

Revenue Yield Index · 5 Vital Signs

The diagnosis comes before the prescription. RYI5™ scores five vital signs of marketing-led revenue health: Efficiency, Profitability, Utilization, Demand, and Position. Each scores zero to one hundred. The weighted aggregate is the RYI Composite Score. Before-and-after comparison shows whether the treatment actually moved the needle, not just individual KPIs.

The score exists so operators, PE partners, boards, and franchisors can see the same picture. Each audience views different KPIs. All five vital signs are always measured.

See how the RYI5 method works →

Left Brain + Right Brain

Once the diagnosis is locked, I build the plan and the patient education. Course of action across the five vital signs, sequenced for highest leverage. The plan is co-designed with the client so the operator understands what is being treated, why, and in what order. Most strategists analyze. Most creatives create. I do both, in the same head, on the same project, every time. The discipline of structured diagnosis feeds the brand and creative output, so the strategy becomes an actual brand platform, an actual campaign, an actual customer experience. Not a slide deck handed off to someone else to execute. The integration is the differentiator.

Left Brain · The Diagnosis
Structured Thinking
  • RYI5™ five-vital-sign marketing diagnostic
  • Composite Score modeling and before/after measurement
  • Conservative attribution and benchmark discipline
  • Executive KPI design and board-cadence reporting
  • Operating-partner literacy: AUV, CAC, LTV, EBITDA
  • Multi-location and franchise system architecture
Right Brain · The Prescription
Brand Storytelling
  • Brand platform development and identity systems
  • Creative direction across campaigns, content, video, design
  • Integrated multi-channel campaign development
  • Customer experience and journey design
  • Cause marketing and mission-driven storytelling
  • The art-school sensibility that makes the strategy stick (BFA, IU Herron)
The integration is the work product · The deck is the byproduct

The Prescriptions · Tactical Executions

RYI5 names the problem. These are the marketing treatments I plan, deliver, and execute. The same craft, sequenced by which vital sign the diagnosis identifies as the highest-leverage move. Treatment does not end at launch. Every engagement includes monitor, follow-up, and adjust: website maintenance plans, ongoing Google Business Profile and reputation management, lifecycle and retention cadence, dashboards, and quarterly re-scoring against the original Composite Score to confirm the prescription is still working.

Audience
For operators: These treatments deliver against AUV, ticket size, ROAS, per-location productivity, customer LTV, and unaided brand awareness.
For PE-backed platforms: These treatments deliver against CPM efficiency, contribution margin lift, LTV:CAC improvement, NRR, RYI Composite Score movement, and EBITDA-tied accountability against 100-day value creation plans.
For nonprofits and mission organizations: These treatments deliver against cost per dollar raised, donor LTV, recurring giving conversion, supporter NPS, mission visibility, and downstream service-line revenue (RVU-attributed where applicable).
For franchisors and multi-brand operators: These treatments deliver against AUV, system same-store sales, ROAS, royalty-fund efficiency, co-op-deployment effectiveness, attach rate, and franchise advisory council alignment.
Rx · 01
Conversion & Revenue Systems
Speed-to-lead automation, sales-conversion and quote-to-close workflows, intake and online-booking capture, and landing-page and funnel optimization that turn the demand and capacity you already have into booked, closed revenue.
When Efficiency is weak
Rx · 02
Pricing & Mix Strategy
Service-line repositioning, premium brand work that supports pricing power, mix reweighting campaigns that move higher-margin service lines to the front.
When Profitability is weak
Rx · 03
Capacity Activation Campaigns
Daypart, season, and capacity-targeted demand generation that fills idle production hours, off-peak windows, and underutilized locations.
When Utilization is weak
Rx · 04
Demand & Lifecycle Marketing
Lead generation systems, CRM-integrated email, lifecycle and retention programs, loyalty mechanics, and the funnel infrastructure that converts attention into recurring revenue.
When Demand is weak
Rx · 05
Brand Strategy & Positioning
Brand platform, value proposition, messaging architecture, identity standards, and the creative system that brings them to life across every touchpoint.
When Position is weak
Rx · 06
RYI5™ Diagnostic Assessment
Standalone executive-level diagnostic. The five-vital-sign workup, the Composite Score, the prioritized opportunity model. For boards, operating partners, and CEOs who want clarity before they commit to the next marketing investment.
When you need the diagnosis alone

Selected brands · Fortune 500 to founder-led

The Instruments

Marketing is built on tools. These are the platforms I use to install, run, and measure the treatment plan. The list grows with the engagement, but this is the standing kit a fractional CMO walks in with.

Creative & UX Design
Adobe Creative Suite · Figma · Sketch · Adobe XD · Canva Pro
Web, SEO & CMS
WordPress · Google Search Console · Google Tag Manager · SEMrush · Ahrefs · Moz
Analytics & Data Visualization
Google Analytics 4 · Tableau
CRM, Automation & Email
Mailchimp · Constant Contact · Drip · HubSpot · ActiveCampaign
Advertising & Paid Media
Google Ads · Meta Ads Manager · LinkedIn Campaign Manager · Propellant · Display & Video 360 · Simpli.fi · Nielsen · Arbitron
Social & Content Management
Hootsuite · Sprout Social · Buffer · Later · SOCi · Brandwatch
PR & Reputation Management
Cision · Muck Rack · Meltwater
CX, Engagement & Surveys
Qualtrics · SurveyMonkey · Woobox
Fundraising & Events
Eventbrite · Cvent · GiveSmart · DonorPerfect · RallyUp
Collaboration & Workflow
Microsoft Teams · Slack · Basecamp

Portfolio & Case Studies

Live and in-development case studies. Each shows the same arc: diagnosis → marketing prescription → outcome. The format reference is the Speedco / Bridgestone Americas case study, live below. The others are in build using the same template.

★ Live Case Study
Speedco #ROADNATION & The Productivity Rebuild
DxCommodity brand, broken retention
RxProductivity platform, loyalty rebuild, B2B fleet stack
OutAcquired by Love's Travel Stops · Nov 2017 · RYI 47 → 78
Position Demand
★ Live Case Study
Huntington Bank × Humane Societies Cause-Marketing Platform
DxCommoditized bank, no warm acquisition channel
RxCommunity cause-marketing platform: Petacular & Yappy Hour
OutModeled 4 to 8x lifetime ROMI · warm, trusted branch traffic
Position Demand
★ Live Case Study
Barkefellers Three-Year Commercial Growth
DxPremium resort, idle capacity, siloed service lines
RxBrand rebuild, value-based yield pricing, lifecycle & cross-sell
Out$700K to $1.1M incremental · +22% revenue per customer
Utilization Demand
★ Live Case Study
FIDO Digital Presence & Donor Growth
DxStrong mission, weak digital, growth left to chance
RxBrand rebuild, storytelling, donor & volunteer systems
Out+65% online donations · +80% volunteer applications
Position Demand
★ Live Case Study
Arby's Hyperlocal Traffic Program
DxNearby demand going uncaptured
RxFive-mile push, proximity ads, incremental-visit optimization
Out-57% cost per visit · +25% walk-ins · +15% promo sales
Demand
★ Live Case Study
Edward's Transmission High-Value Repair Demand
DxSpend chasing low-value calls, weak close
RxReallocate to high-value demand plus intake sales training
Out+220% high-value jobs · close rate 25% to 40%
Profitability Demand
★ Live Case Study
Ascension Care Beyond Walls Demand Engine
DxNo funnel to reach underserved communities
RxMobile screening, geofenced media, HIPAA SMS, bilingual, attribution
Out+38% screenings · $6.4M secured
Demand Position
★ Live Case Study
Buffalo Wild Wings Hoops Hooky Weekday Program
DxWeekday dayparts idle, capacity already paid for
RxMulti-channel weekday-traffic program timed to the NCAA tournament
Out+42% weekday traffic · $4.2M incremental revenue
Utilization Demand
★ Live Case Study
Plato's Closet Owned-Audience Build
DxReliant on ad spend, no owned community
RxOrganic social, SMS shortcodes, local creators, VIP events
Out+24% sales · +35% awareness · +48% engagement
Position Demand
★ Live Case Study
Edible Arrangements Seasonal Gifting Precision Media
DxHigh-intent gifting demand, short seasonal windows
RxMeta plus local streaming to high-intent seasonal buyers
Out2.8x return ($200 to $560) · +34% direct traffic
Demand Position
★ Live Case Study
Kindred Healthcare Grand-Opening Event Engine
DxNew facilities need patients fast, awareness not converting
RxGrand-opening events with a built-in conversion path
Out30:1 return · 190 qualified leads · +420% response
Efficiency Demand
★ Live Case Study
Bridgestone Fleet Advantage B2B SaaS Launch
DxMid-mix segment underdeveloped, sales tools dated
RxB2B SaaS sales-enablement tool plus go-to-market
Out$18M year one · 55% adoption · 40% close-rate lift
Profitability Demand
★ Live Case Study
McAlister's Why My Fave UGC Campaign
DxEngagement flat, talent fees ballooning
RxCustomer testimonial program with social voting mechanic
Out$7.9M chainwide · +45% engagement · regional pilot to national
Demand Position
In Development
NCAA Final Four Flash Pass
DxPremium ticket inventory undermonetized
RxMobile-only drop with dynamic-yield mechanics
Out$16.5M · 52% sales spike · sub-30-second checkout
Position Efficiency
★ Live Case Study
University of Indianapolis Personal-Attention Enrollment Story
DxReal differentiator absent where students decide
RxSequential YouTube "personal attention" video program
Out+196% inquiries · 8.2% inquiry-to-applicant conversion
Position Demand
In Development
Alzheimer's Association Purple Power Hour
DxDonor conversion friction in digital match windows
RxText-to-give plus rapid-response email plus paid social
Out$11.4M raised · 39% conversion lift
Demand Position
See Live Case Study →

Giving Back

Operating practice, plus board service and volunteer roles across central Indiana. The mission sector and the operator sector are the same audience, just measured differently. The board work shapes how I think about brand authority, donor lifecycle, and the long arc of supporter value.

Board Membership
  • ALS Association · Indiana Chapter
  • Alzheimer’s Association · Indiana Chapter
  • American Cancer Society · Indiana
Volunteerism
  • American Red Cross
  • Catholic Charities USA
  • Gleaners Food Bank

Hire Me · Refer Me · Talk Shop

Available for fractional CMO engagements and project-based strategic advisory with PE-backed, founder-led, and multi-location operators across Real Estate-Construction, Transportation-Logistics, Food-Beverage, and Healthcare-Wellness. Also available for standalone RYI5™ diagnostic assessments. Remote only. References from operating and board-level contacts at Rolls-Royce, IBM Services, Eco Parking Technologies, PACE Air Freight, NCAA, and Indianapolis International Airport available on request.

Direct
Direct email goes straight to me. Phone is best for senior conversations.