A great company name can tell a story. It’s why Ampersand Collective, a new Nashua-based marketing and branding agency that helps businesses tell their stories, chose the curly character—the ampersand—for its name as it is the symbol for “and” that lets a story continue.
Founded in August by industry veterans Nick Delyani and Holley Cameron, who most recently served as marketing and communications executives at Merchants Fleet, Ampersand Collective brings 50 years of marketing experience.
“We love the ampersand symbol because it demonstrates that connection between all of an agency’s needs coming together,” says Delyani, co-founder and chief brand strategist. “It represents the twisting and pulling together of one beautiful thing, which would be your marketing strategy. The ‘collective’ part is that we’re working with a wide variety of strategic-minded individuals, depending on the client’s needs.”
The company’s approach emphasizes both strategy and story. “It’s not just about one-off creative or a flashy video,” says Cameron, co-founder and chief storyteller. “For us, storytelling ties through everything. You’re creating something you can build on. It’s not a one-off, it permeates the entire strategy.”
That cohesion is especially relevant as organizations face tighter budgets. Delyani, who worked for brands like Brookstone and New Balance, notes that businesses are being asked to “do more with less,” and Ampersand’s fractional model helps maximize resources. The company also offers AI hybrid solutions as part of their marketing strategy. “Take those dollars and put them to work in places that make sense,” he says.
Adds Cameron, “Marketing plays a very important role in culture, growth, and even recruiting. When strategy and story are aligned, you don’t just get attention, you build something that lasts.”
