By Anwar Abdoh
Published on 14.01.2025
The Story of Olives & Heather:
From Inspiration to Global Impact
At Olives & Heather, our story is rooted in two things: a personal journey of transformation and the powerful symbolism of the olive tree and the heather flower. We are a marketing agency born from one woman’s passion to drive change and create a meaningful impact across the globe.
Kathrine's Journey: From Denmark to Palestine
It all began in 2018 when Kathrine Tinggaard Nicolaisen, originally from Denmark, took what seemed like any other holiday to Palestine during Christmas. Her younger brother was completing a semester abroad in Jerusalem, and Kathrine thought it would be just another holiday. But as soon as she tasted the rich Arabic coffee at a tiny café by the Damascus Gate, wandered through the bustling streets of Ramallah, and stuck her feet in the clear waters of Akka, she felt an unshakeable connection to Palestine’s culture and people.
However, what truly struck Kathrine wasn’t just the beauty of the place. It was the visible inequality, the checkpoints, the towering walls, and the stark division of daily life. She couldn’t shake the sense of injustice, and when she returned to Europe, the memory of those experiences lingered. Kathrine felt a call to action but knew she wanted to contribute in a meaningful way.
After six months of volunteering remotely with Disarming Design, Kathrine quit her agency job in Amsterdam in 2020 and booked a one-way ticket back to Palestine. After collaborating with local organisations like Disarming Design, the Danish House in Palestine, and Gaza Sky Geeks, she discovered her true passion. In 2021, Olives & Heather was born, a marketing agency dedicated to creating impact both in Palestine and around the world
The Olive Tree: Resilience and Growth
The olive tree, one of the core symbols behind our name, represents resilience, growth, and endurance. In Palestine, the olive tree is more than just a source of sustenance; it is a symbol of strength, community, and survival. Just as olive trees have deep roots and grow even in difficult conditions, Olives & Heather aims to provide global marketing strategies that are built to last.
Through our work, we strive to support businesses, especially those with a social impact focus, in finding their voice and growing sustainably. Whether it’s a startup, nonprofit, or tech corporation in Europe, the US, or the Middle East, we believe that with the right marketing, businesses can reach their potential and stand the test of time much like the enduring olive tree.
The Heather Flower: Strength and Beauty in the Harshest Conditions
While the olive tree represents growth, the heather flower, which blooms in rugged, harsh landscapes, symbolises strength and beauty. It holds personal significance for Kathrine, as it also connects her to her Scandinavian roots. And much like the olive groves, a field of heather evokes the same profound feeling of serenity, strength, and resilience. A resilience that mirrors Kathrine’s own journey and its delicate yet unyielding nature inspires the way we approach our marketing strategies.
A Global Mission
Although our inspiration comes from Palestine, our work extends far beyond. We support global businesses and organisations looking to make an impact. Whether through social media strategy, content creation, or digital marketing, our aim is to help these businesses grow while creating positive change in the world.
At Olives & Heather, we believe in creating marketing campaigns that are not only powerful but also beautiful and thoughtful. Our work blends strength with creativity, helping businesses share their stories in ways that resonate and inspire across cultures and geographies.