Anthem Branding Blog

TVLA YOGA: Building Community and Connection With Custom Headwear and Accessories

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 22:41:00 GMT

TVLA YOGA is a Boulder-based e-commerce company that produces versatile tools and clothing to help every yogi enhance their practice through symmetry and style. Managing partners Janelle Holter and John Gregory Sackett wanted ways to tangibly promote a feel-good vibe from the yoga studio to outdoor adventures and beyond.

Since they partnered with Anthem Branding in 2017, TVLA has launched a number of custom headwear and accessory collections, each possessing eco-conscious materials, durable designs, and versatile components; driving engagement with their audience, boosting sales, and more financial contributions toward helping animals in need.

TVLA wanted to find a tangible way to carry their brand not only to and from the studio but also to those moments in between

Holter and Sackett are both active, outdoor people — and because of this, they wanted to produce custom pieces that were not only worn to and from the yoga studio but pieces that fit any kind of adventure.

“Every [company] that we were clicking on was pretty generic and did not have that custom feel,” says Holter. “Then we found Anthem Branding’s page.”

When TVLA found us, they had their feelers out with multiple vendors to get help with other branded items, yet from their first meeting with us here in our Boulder design studio, TVLA quickly realized that partnering with us meant they could streamline their creative branding needs.

“We realized Anthem was the whole package; a one-stop-shop to get it ALL done,” says Holter, who told us that the development of the TVLA brand identity through our partnership enables it to become clearer and evolve into clean-cut pieces.

How creative design helps TVLA tangibly translate their brand

There are a few ways in which we establish an effective brand ethos including identifying the target audience, establishing a brand tone, and conveying it using design. For TVLA, design played a large part in carrying its narrative into an electric and geometric aesthetic that sparks interest without losing focus on what they do — a critical element for long-term brand sustainability.

“Every aspect of TVLA’s visual identity is centered around symmetry and alignment,” says Lisa Tupy, art director at Anthem Branding. “The core values of TVLA’s mission are beautifully and consistently translated through their identity system.”

When working with TVLA on building out their apparel line, a top priority was to keep it practical and beneficial for all levels of yoga practitioners. “With that in mind I knew subtle designs details and high-quality materials were going to play a huge part in these products,” says Tupy.

TVLA Custom Headwear by Anthem Branding

“We hope you wear our hats to local breweries with friends or on the mountain after a great day of riding powder or hiking above the treeline -- building memories with people you will never forget.” - Janelle Holter, Managing Partner, TVLA YOGA L.L.C.

Boulder Beanie

Coal Camper Hat

TVLA Tools by Anthem Branding

“We create alignment-based yoga goods that help you get out of your head into your body more because we all deserve a few moments in the day where we can just breathe.” - Janelle Holter, Managing Partner, TVLA YOGA LLC

The Align[MAT]

Balance Block

Let’s create something together.

Employee Recognition: 8 Awards and Recognition Ideas

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 21:08:23 GMT

Recognizing your employees has always been an important part of keeping morale, productivity, and loyalty healthy. And this year, employee recognition awards are even more important as we have all been under a new type of pressure we’ve never felt before.

Taking the time to step back and see what your employees have been through this year and spending time to recognize how they’ve prevailed will go a long way.

Plus, a thoughtful award item can help your organizational efforts in keeping engagement in a remote work environment alive and well.

We’ve expanded on the original employee recognition award list we published back in 2017 and paired each with the latest trending brandable custom gear.

Remote Employee Recognition

For the remote warrior who has adapted the best to working in a virtual environment.

Recommended award item: Eureka kit

Includes 5 fun items useful for a (socially distant) weekend getaway!

Best Idea of the Quarter

Recognize that great idea someone had with a branded LED light bulb. Not only is it a great desk accessory, but it’s designed in such a way that makes it feel different, so much so that others may pitch other great ideas just to try and get their own!

Recommended award item: Dimmable LED light bulb

(branding opp is on the top panel of the bulb!)

Employee of the Year

The all-star employee who has outstanding job performance by crushing their goals and setting records.

Recommended award item: Virtual reality kit

Customer Service Award

Goes to the person who never sacrifices best-in-class customer service!

Recommended award item: Bamboo wireless charging pad desktop organizer

Phenomenal Pandemic Parenting Award

Balancing a house with kids who are going to school remotely and maintaining a "normal" work routine is the new parenting challenge.

Recognize the parent at your workplace who has done a phenomenal job at maintaining the right balance, especially, if they made it seem easy. A day off (or two) would be the cherry on top for this one!

Recommended award item: Thermal tumbler

For coffee in the a.m. and something harder by happy hour…

Runner up: Rest and rejuvenate kit

Fearless Leader Award

You know, they do say that true leaders surface in times of chaos and crisis. Has someone at your organization taken this year by the horns and made the team feel well supported and provided unparalleled guidance and wisdom?

Recommended award item: High-tech watch

Honorary Dog/Cat Support Award

Being at home allows us to spend more time with our furry friends. They’ve not only kept our feet warm throughout the day, but they’ve offered us comfort during a crazy time and helped us manage our stress a bit better. I say that’s deserving of a special treat or two!

Recommended award item: Micro mink sherpa blanket

Tech Titan Award

Goes without saying, if our connectivity wasn’t reliable and secure, this year could have been a more difficult to keep businesses moving and grooving. Our IT teams are always a critical function to making our day run smoothly, technically speaking, but our appreciation is that much deeper this year.

Recommended award item: Bluetooth speaker

Runner up: wireless headphones or earbuds

Let's create something together

Whether you have something specific in mind or you need some more thought starters, our team of brand experts can help to bring your employee recognition program go to the next level!

Fun Holidays 2021

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 22:16:29 GMT

We compiled a laundry list of fun, weird, crazy, wacky, and even bizarre holidays that are happening in 2021. If there’s anything this year has taught us, it’s that the small things make a big difference, especially if it’s in the name of honoring the doughnut 🍩 (June 7, btw).

It can be challenging to find new office holiday party ideas, so we hope this list helps you get some different holiday party ideas and maybe even spur some inspiration for funny gifts!

At the end of the post, don't forget to download a free PDF calendar for a year of successful holiday work parties. 🎉

Fun Holidays - January 2021

Month-long celebrations

National Hobby Month ✨
Hot Tea Month 🍵
National Oatmeal Month 😋
National Soup Month 🍲

January 1: National Hangover Day

January 3: Festival of Sleep Day

January 4: Trivia Day

January 8: Bubble Bath Day

January 10: Houseplant Appreciation Day

January 14: Dress Up Your Pet Day

January 15: National Hat Day

January 20: National Cheese Day

January 24: Beer Can Appreciation Day

Fun Holidays - February 2021

Month-long celebrations

American Heart Month ❤️
Black History Month 📜
Great American Pie Month 😋

February 1: National Freedom Day

February 2: Ground Hog Day

February 9: National Pizza Day

February 14: Valentine’s Day

February 15: Singles Awareness Day

February 17: President’s Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 18: National Drink Wine Day

February 20: Love Your Pet Day

February 21: National Poetry Day

February 22: National Margarita Day

February 24: National Tortilla Chip Day, World Bartender Day

February 25: Mardi Gras

February 28: National Chili Day

Fun Holidays - March 2021

Month-long celebrations

Irish American Month 🍀
National Craft Month ✨
National Nutrition Month 🍎
National Peanut Month 😋
National Women’s History Month 💃
Social Workers Month 💼

March 1: Peanut Butter Lovers Day, World Compliment Day

March 4: National Pancake Day

March 6: Employee Appreciation Day

March 7: National Cereal Day

March 8: International Women’s Day

March 10: International Day of Awesomeness

March 11: Johnny Appleseed Day

March 12: Plant a Flower Day, Popcorn Lover’s Day

March 13: Friday the 13th

March 14: International Fanny Pack Day, National Pi Day, National Potato Chip Day

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day

March 20: International Earth Day

March 21: National Quilting Day, World Poetry Day

March 22: National Goof Off Day

March 23: National Chip and Dip Day, National Puppy Day

March 25: Waffle Day

Fun Holidays - April 2021

Month-long celebrations

National Humor Month 😆
International Guitar Month 🎸
Keep America Beautiful Month ⛰️
National Poetry Month 📖
Stress Awareness Month 😤

April 1: April Fool’s Day (no, really), International Fun Day at Work Day, National Walking Day

April 2: National Burrito Day

April 3: National Walk to Work Day

April 7: National Beer Day, World Health Day

April 10: Golfer’s Day

April 11: National Pet Day

April 12: Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

April 16: National Stress Awareness Day

April 22: Administrative Professionals Day, Earth Day

April 23: Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Fun Holidays - May 2021

Month-long celebrations

National Barbecue Month 🍔
National Bike Month 🚲
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 🌸

Weekly celebrations

First full week of May: Nurse’s Week 🏥
Second week: National Bike Week 🚲
Third week: National Police Week 🚓
Fourth Week: Emergency Medical Services Week 🚑

May 1: Space Day

May 2: Kentucky Derby Day, National Fitness Day

May 4: Star Wars Day

May 5: Cinco de Mayo, National Teacher’s Day

May 6: National Nurses Day

May 12: International Nurses Day

May 14: International Hummus Day

May 15: National Bike to Work Day, National Chocolate Chip Day

May 16: Love a Tree Day

May 21: National Waiters and Waitresses Day

May 25: National Wine Day

May 28: National Hamburger Day

Fun Holidays - June 2021

Month-long celebrations

Candy Month 🍭
Dairy Month 🐄 🧀
Effective Communications Month 💬
Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈
Great Outdoors Month 🏕️
National Adopt a Cat Month 😻

June 1: National Trails Day

June 3: World Bicycle Day

June 4: National Cheese Day

June 5: National Doughnut Day

June 10: Ball Point Pen Day

June 12: National Flip Flop Day

June 18: International Picnic Day, Nursing Assistants Day

June 19: Juneteenth

June 20: Finally Summer Day, Record Store Day

June 21: International Yoga Day, National Selfie Day

June 26: Beautician’s Day, National Food Truck Day

June 27: Sunglasses Day

Fun Holidays - July 2021

Month-long celebrations

National Hot Dog Month 🌭
National Ice Cream Month 🍦
National Park and Recreation Month 🏞️
National Picnic Month 🍉

July 1: National Postal Worker Day

July 6: National Fried Chicken Day

July 7: Chocolate Day

July 17: World Emoji Day

July 18: National Ice Cream Day

July 30: International Day of Friendship

July 31: National Avocado Day, System Administrator Appreciation Day (NOT the day to forget your password and lock yourself out…)

Fun Holidays - August 2021

Month-long celebrations

National Golf Month ⛳

Weekly celebrations

Week 3: Friendship Week 👭
Week 4: Be Kind to Humankind Week 🙌

August 1: Campfire Day, National Mountain Climbing Day

August 7: International Beer Day

August 8: International Cat Day

August 9: Book Lover’s Day

August 10: Lazy Day

August 13: Left Handers Day

August 15: National Honey Bee Awareness Day

August 24: Iconic American Restaurants Day

August 26: National Dog Day, Women’s Equality Day

August 31: National Eat Outside Day

Fun Holidays - September 2021

Month-long celebrations

Fall Hat Month 🍁
Honey Month 🍯
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15) 🌞

September 4: International Bacon Day

September 5: World Beard Day

September 6: Fight Procrastination Day

September 8: International Literacy Day

September 19: National Dance Day

September 21: World Gratitude Day

September 22: Business Women’s Day

September 28: National Public Land Day

Fun Holidays - October 2021

Month-long celebrations

Adopt a Shelter Dog Day 🐕
American Pharmacist Month 💊
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀
Cookie Month 🍪
National Diabetes Month ✨

October 1: International Coffee Day, National Homemade Cookies Day

October 2: National Custodial Workers Day

October 3: Techies Day

October 4: National Golf Day

October 6: Physician Assistant Day

October 16: Bosses Day

October 20: International Chefs Day

Fun Holidays - November 2021

November 1: National Authors Day, World Vegan Day

November 3: Sandwich Day

November 6: National Nacho Day

November 13: Friday the 13th, World Kindness Day

November 14: Operating Room Nurse Day

November 15: America Recycles Day

November 16: National Fast Food Day

November 17: Take a Hike Day

November 23: National Espresso Day

Fun Holidays - December 2021

December 6: Mitten Tree Day

December 8: National Brownie Day

December 10: Human Rights Day

December 27: Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day

December 28: Card Playing Day

Download this PDF calendar to plan out 2021 and make some of these fun holidays a yearly tradition at your company.

How Chipotle Is Using Virtual Fundraising for Schools

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:56:08 GMT

Go ahead, get that extra side of guac — it’s for a good cause.

In an effort to create an online experience as close to, if not better than Chipotle’s IRL restaurant experience, the fast-casual chain has launched it’s first-ever virtual fundraising event to raise money for underserved kids going back to school in an online classroom.

The strategic move not only helps brand fans remain engaged and loyal to the company during social distancing and other COVID precautions, but creates an avenue for customers to give back to local communities hit the hardest this year.

In partnership with non-profit organization Kids in Need, Chipotle will donate 33 percent of fundraiser sales back to local educational organizations through the use of promo codes. Customers have the option to round orders to the nearest dollar to donate.

As kids across the country are shifting to some combination or entirely remote education model, going back-to-school calls for supplies not necessarily required in years past, namely a reliable computer with internet access.

Events like these use the heavyweight of a highly recognizable brand and their devout followers to raise awareness and drive real change, while being beneficial to the business.

Virtual fundraising events can help bring your brand values to life. In this event, Chipotle is putting force behind their main company value that food has the power to change the world in a very tactile way while doing great work in areas that are timely and relevant to the communities it serves.

Promotional products can be a part of driving change and using brand equity

This is a brilliant example of how a brand as large and well-known as Chipotle is taking advantage of it’s robust brand equity to live out it’s core brand values. The role of promotional products in this campaign helps to connect intangible ideas and feelings with tangible impacts of the initiative as a whole.

As a (very proud!) partner of Chipotle’s in designing and producing their custom promotional products, we’ve been able to become an extension of their brand team in a way. Knowing their values on a deeper level by working on a number of various projects together we have as good an understanding of who they are as a brand and their target audience as anyone on their core team.

The use of a custom made backpack here isn't just for the sake of offering a piece of merch. It serves a purpose to those who receive it and it aligns seamlessly with the brand’s values and focus on quality as it does with their products and services.

There shouldn’t be any level of disconnect when one experiences your brand, no matter if it’s with the products and services you offer or the merchandise or promotional products you leverage. And to get your message across in a strategic way, the promotional products you use should be designed to be a powerful conduit that sends the message loud and clear. 📣

Looking for ideas on how to run your virtual fundraisers?

Our team of brand experts can help you ideate ways in which your brand can run a virtual fundraiser using tactile pieces that elevate the company and meet the event’s goals. Give us a call today and let’s chat.

If you hit our VM, it’s because we’re picking up some steak burrito bowls, with extra guac, for lunch.

Promotional Items for Bars and Restaurants

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:05:48 GMT

When it comes to promotional items for bars and restaurants, capturing your brand’s nuances is key to connecting with fans and customers.

And for the establishments that have had to pivot because of COVID and/or temporarily shut down, budget is certainly something that will be more of a factor perhaps than in times past.

We’ve put together this list of creative promotional items for bars and restaurants that don’t break the bank and that allow for a brand to make it their own.

Promotional drinkware and drinkware accessories

Bottle opener, coaster set, and flask

PopThirst Slim

Holds 12 oz skinny cans and bottles while avoiding spills and keeping beverages cool!

Growler sleeve

Send customers home with a growler full of your latest brew and help it stay cool on the way home with a growler sleeve.

Water bottle

We’re really digging these stainless steel thermal bottles. The bamboo lid, glossy/matte dual-tone finish… talk about style!

Stainless steel tumbler

What a classy way to drink a pint of your favorite beverage! And with a cork base, no more worrying about table rings.

Promotional cell phone accessories

We are all on our phones more than ever, whether it’s for work or to stay virtually connected to friends and family. Offer some useful phone gear items to put your brand in your fans’ hands.

PopMount

Face masks and hygiene accessories

Dye-sublimated face mask with adjustable elastic straps

Mask headbands

Brand these one inch dye-sublimated stretchy elastic headbands that have convenient buttons on each side to attach a face mask to. No more sore ears! Are you sensing a new fashion statement here, too?

Single use hand sanitizer packets

Stock a table’s sugar packets, condiments, and sanitizer wipes.

Branded games kit

Includes good old fashioned dominoes, dice and playing cards because sometimes you really do feel like you’ve watched everything on Netflix, twice.

Journal

Quran-journaling is a thing, and good for our mental health. Plus, who ever has enough cool notebooks?

If you’re still looking for more promotional item ideas for your bar or restaurant, would like to start an order, or have something specific in mind, one of our branding experts can help!

Chipotle Continues to Cultivate Better Merch with the Launch of New Custom Swag Line

melissa@anthembranding.com (Melissa Kovach) — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 19:31:48 GMT

Our good friends at Chipotle Mexican Grill have gone above and beyond thinking of unique ways to tell their brand story and live up to its company values: to cultivate a better world.

Chipotle Goods is the brand’s new online merch shop that has a killer line-up of pieces, each subtly designed in a way that highlights the Chipotle brand values such as using real ingredients and maintaining a high level of quality at all times.

“We know people are looking to celebrate their passion for Chipotle, and we set out to create a line of products with the same level of thoughtfulness, care, and attention to detail that we use in our kitchens,” Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s chief marketing officer said in a statement.

The apparel line is dyed with upcycled avocado pits from it’s restaurants and all profits from the Chipotle Goods store go toward supporting organizations whose mission is helping the fashion and farming industries operate more sustainably.

The line is focused on size inclusivity, gender neutral pieces and features unisex sizing on most products.

Chipotle brand values

Chipotle was born of the radical belief that there is a connection between how food is raised and prepared, and how it tastes. Real is better. Better for you, Better for People, Better for Our Planet. It may be the hard way to do things, but it's the right way.

Being real means making food fresh every day.
Being real means we only use 53 ingredients you can pronounce.
Being real means being committed to goals on local and organic produce, using only responsibly raised meat with some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
Being real means fighting for our planet.
Being real means treating our people right.

Chipotle Goods custom merchandise and apparel is a tactile way to bring its values to life

We partnered with Chipotle to create a handful of the custom pieces available for sale in the online shop.

“What is really great about these pieces and working through each and every detail of them is that every one of those details serves a function and plays a pivotal role in helping the brand work towards living out its mission,” says Lindsey Strayer, Anthem’s account manager for Chipotle.

“The strategic use of tactile design and premium item selection, allows for Chipotle brand fans to be stoked about the gear, but also gives opportunity to display brand pride and loyalty while giving back to the greater good and helping to shape the future conversation around sustainable fashion and farming,” says Anthem’s Co-founder and Principal Ted Church.

Here are the items we helped to curate and custom design alongside the Chipotle team:

Chipotle 5 Panel Hat Collection

Foil Weekender and Gym Bag

Reusable Chipotle Lunch Bag

Baby Blanket

Phone Cases

Beach Sliders

Shop the full collection!

Let’s create something together

This project is one of our best recent examples that showcases how your brand’s ethos — the backbone of what stands your brand up — can be brought to life in creative and tangible ways using custom apparel, hats, and premium promotional products.

It’s a struggle sometimes to share exactly what that kind of message actually means given that every brand is unique. We don’t take a formulaic approach when it comes to tactile design and it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all logo-centric approach; it’s as nuanced as your brand is.

The Chipotle Goods project, however, is the epitome of design thinking, pulling out those core authentic threads in engaging ways that build your brand and excite your consumers.

Connect with our brand experts to learn how we may help you!

3 Rebranding Best Practices with Examples

christi@anthembranding.com (Christi Valicenti) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:01:33 GMT

The idea of rebranding can be a daunting idea, we get it.

Your brand has already been created, what is the point? It can be a big investment with seemingly no (immediate) payoff. It’s an understandable assumption that we hear often — after all, your consumers don’t pay you because of the way your logo looks, right?

They are paying you for the products, services, and/or expertise you have to offer.

Yet, this is a very common misconception of rebranding — or even branding for that matter. Of course, your consumers won’t be paying you directly for your logo.

A logo is the face of your brand, and arguably your most important long-term strategic investment. The visual mark is what your customers will come to recognize the company by and how it takes shape in the market.

Your brand identity should work for you

Starbucks. Volkswagen. Target. UnderArmour. MasterCard.

When you read each of these brand names, we can almost guarantee that you also visualized their brand mark.

That is the beauty of a truly well-done and iconic brand — it is easily recognizable and distinguishable amongst the rest, and that’s often due to the investment and strategy put into creating a truly unique logo and brand toolkit.

For these large well-known brands brand recognition isn’t a challenge they face. They’ve worked hard to become market leaders in their space.

And that has a lot to do with the work of their brand and identity staying relevant and consistent.

Branding is equally important for small and large companies

What if your company is just starting out? Or maybe your business has had to recently pivot due to the pandemic? Or your branding hasn’t been updated in so long you can’t remember exactly when?

What should you be looking for when turning to a creative branding agency to help you build the critical visual assets you need to grow? How do you know you can trust someone else with the company and business ideas that you have put your heart and soul into?

Here are some best practices that we apply here at Anthem, and what I have learned as a professional designer who has worked on many branding and rebranding projects.

3 best practices for rebranding your company

While rebranding can be very intimidating, it doesn't need to be once you understand the parts that make up the bigger picture. Here are my favorite three tips for making any rebranding project much more approachable, and frankly, more appealing!

Provide a thorough company brief to your agency partner

No detail is too small here! Be as meticulous as you can be.

You never know what detail about your brand is going to give the designers a creative spark. If you created the company in your mom’s basement in your pajamas at 2 a.m., there’s no shame.

That random fact about your company could be the key to unlocking a truly unique brand mark and contribute greatly to your overall brand story and ethos. Ever heard of that computer company, Apple, for example?

Give your agency all the deets. You have to remember that creatives are right-minded people, and our brains are constantly connecting ideas to visual cues.

Let the creatives do the heavy lifting

This company is your baby and you probably have a million ideas of how it could live in the world. Creatives love to hear all of that info — pass it along! As visual storytellers, those details help us shape the art direction in the most impactful way.

Remember when you engage with an agency to make sure your entire visual system accurately embodies the company and its values, that it fosters connection with your target audience, and to stand the test of time.

Custom typography has a key role in your visual system

That’s a lot to fit into one brand mark and it has a lot of work to do on the company’s behalf.

Let’s be honest, any average Joe Schmoe off-the-street can type a company’s name in the computer, change the font, and call it a word mark. A brand’s logo typography should go much further than that.

The word mark itself is another fantastic place within a brand book to customize to the company

This can be done in a multitude of ways, some common adjustments could be:

Changing an existing shape of a letterform
Adjusting the kerning (the space between the letters of word/name)
Altering ligatures (the ways different letterforms connect with one another)
Implying letterforms

The capabilities with customization of your wordmark are literally endless — so make sure in one way or another, your agency is providing you with a custom mark that stands out amongst the rest, and clearly not created using Word Art.

Peep some of these custom word marks we’ve developed that are pure eye candy!

Alter Brewing Company

Do you notice that the letters read "Alter" whether you read it upside down or right side up? Genius use of typography and subtle design work for Alter Brewing Company that will help the brewery visually differentiate itself in the craft beer market.

Rêverie Fields

Oh, my heart swoons over the custom, hand-drawn serif/vintage-inspired typography that sings elegance for the Rêverie Fields brand. It pairs fantastically with the illustrated wreath that is both feminine and dreamy for this Boulder-based flower farming shop.

Pact

With parts of the serif letterforms missing, while still implying connection, this wordmark for Pact inspires individuality and authenticity — the primary goal behind Pact and their everyday clothing.

Comet Brews

This craft brewery that hit the scene in Littleton has a very organic yet deliberate approach to brewing — so we mimicked just that in the letterforms themselves.

The custom type references Comet Brews' dedication to artisanal craftsmanship, with its classic old-school vibe that evokes a feeling of nostalgia.

Examples of successful rebranding/branding

So now you know the three best practices that make up a successful rebrand or initial branding. Here are some examples of those tips applied so you can see how our approach is then used in context throughout our creative process.

Camber Outdoors

As I mentioned, the most successful logos are the ones that combine visuals within the brand mark itself, like FedEx for example, making the craftsmanship that much more valuable to the brand. It’s this approach we used when the team at Camber Outdoors came to us to partner on their rebranding initiatives.

Camber Outdoors promotes leadership opportunities for women in the active outdoor industry. They came to us under their previous moniker Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition, and were looking for a compelling new name and brand mark to match.

We developed this logo for them to communicate their positive energy, emphasis on professional development, and community leadership. The icon combines the beloved Colorado state monogram, which doubles as the initials of the brand, and an infinity symbol that symbolizes a clean, never ending, and promising path.

Sunflower Market

Sunflower Market was established in 1978 and is a family-owned and operated health market in Woodstock, NY.

We partnered with their crew in the midst of a store remodel and expansion to explore the next evolution of their logo. We modernized their logo with a simplified sunflower icon, and custom expressive typography that reinforces the natural goodness sunflowers are known to resemble.

Designers will work with letters by breaking them down to their individual parts as if they are an interlocking puzzle — we call this type anatomy. When building Sunflower Market’s word mark, as a further nod towards the sunflower, we transformed what us designers call the “ear” of the “r” into the center of the sunflower icon. Take a peek at the highlight ear in pink below.

As we further developed their brand toolkit, we also designed a secondary sunflower design element that could live all on its own without the need for type. By mimicking the shape of the “r” in the word mark, we created a stem and center of the flower to be paired with the pedals. Clever, huh?

Mahalo Wellness

Ok, in all honesty, this logo makes me design nerd-out HARD CORE. I did not design it myself but it is from the beautiful, genius minds on my team here at Anthem.

Designed to empower chiropractors to spread wellness, Mahalo Wellness offers CBD products to help patients feel stronger, calmer, and fulfilled. More than just CBD oil, Mahalo inspires gratitude and combats lifestyle predicaments so patients can live their best lives.

The creators of Mahalo came to us in search of a cohesive visual system that communicated the rejuvenation and wellness possible with their supplements.

We created three icons to embody “Balance. Rejuvenate. Optimize.” — the core values that make up Mahalo Wellness.

The icon itself is in a circular holding shape emulating a drop, and the three icons that make up the core values of Mahalo Wellness were combined in a unique way that communicates a great deal, while still maintaining cleanliness and reflecting the holistic benefits of the Mahalo lifestyle.

The icon is almost symmetrical, with the wave and the leaf mirroring one another on either side of the palm tree, there’s just enough variance in the line work to keep the viewer’s eyes continuing throughout the icon.

Paired with some custom, sans serif and lowercase type to communicate approachability, this logo is a prime example of multiple visual cues being combined within a mark in an effective way.

Looking for an agency partner to help your company rebrand?

Our branding team will take the time to get to know your business, its goals and audience, and so much more to help create a lasting and impactful visual identity.

Can Gifting Be a Strategic Sales Tool?

ted@anthembranding.com (Ted Church) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:51:26 GMT

We’re tactile strategists here at Anthem Branding.

What I mean by that exactly is no matter what project we are working on, whether that is custom apparel or a thoughtful promotional product or package design, we are continuously thinking with the sense of touch in mind.

Our focus tactile design is all to bring people, ideas, brands, and even objects together through tangible and emotional feeling.

That’s the foundation that Anthem Branding is built on.

In Ayaz Nanji’s article from MarketingProfs “Boost Your Sales With Strategic Gifting”, he shares an interesting approach to using gifts as a sales tool. Nanji goes as far as sharing Postal.io’s infographic that supports the tactic’s effectiveness with data.

A man who is speaking my language!

Here are some stats from the infographic:

94% of top executives believe that gifts facilitate a deeper personal connection and are important to business success
88% of marketers who used personalization saw a measurable lift in business results
Over 80% of C-suite executives believe that business gifts generate positive measurable ROI in addition to intangible benefits
95% or more of millennials want their brands to actively court them

“A gift can serve as a tangible connection between the giver and recipient, helping to strengthen relationships and build goodwill,” writes Nanji.

Gifts are measurable business tools

Calculating the ROI of any promotional product, whatever its intention — used as a gift, a trade show giveaway or as incentive at a special event — can be somewhat challenging.

But take some tips from our friends over at Axion Health, who can confidently say that they have measurably added $1-2 million to their pipeline thanks to the use of promotional products.

"We know that when we show up with anything from Anthem [Branding] that it's going to be highly-desired, people are going to want it, and they're going to come to our booth specifically for that," says J.P. Lind, executive vice president of marketing and business development at Axion Health.

A brand is an experience

We’ve long said that consumers connect with brands that provide a unique and authentic experience.

And the way for the experience to be felt is to bake in tangibility to it.

Whether you are trying to attract new customers, convert someone on the brink of decision, or retain a customer, they’re hungry for their hook, they’re hungry for an experience that surprises and delights them. That's what builds memory and emotional connection and eventually, loyalty.

I started in the industry when promotional products were an industry floating on top of a sea of plastic, logo-slapped tchotchkes — back when I first started getting traction in the space out of college — it was a race to the bottom for the best bang for your buck.

Measuring ROI, crafting an exceptional experience, connecting deeper with your consumers — not a thing then.

Yet, we’ve always looked through a different lens here at Anthem Branding when it comes to promotional products and custom merchandise, especially, in the sense of gifting.

Strategic gifting is about knowing your audience

Sure, anyone can hop online and order a great looking gift box full of things that the receiver would be happy with.

But if you can do that, so can your competitors.

What makes gifting strategic, is when the items say to the recipient that they are heard, they are known, and the brand gets them.

Meet them where they are in your sales funnel

Postal.io’s infographic is spot on: “Gifting is a tangible connection between the giver and the recipient that makes a more memorable impression and can be leveraged in every stage of the sales funnel.”

Yes, this is GOLD.

You can carefully craft your approach here to curate the experience you want to deliver throughout the sales process at your company and align each critical touchpoint with an appropriate gesture. Maybe it’s something small or a collection of specific items, or just something you know the prospect will appreciate.

Ideally, you want to show what it’s like doing business with your brand by leveraging your values and what you stand for using tangible items and remind current customers why they should continue to work exclusively with your company.

For example, say your company stands on a corporate social responsibility platform and that is at the heart of everything you do. Show your prospects what that means through each gift you provide during the sales cycle perhaps through eco-friendly items that help narrate the brand’s CSR story.

The more detail-oriented you can get, the more the recipient will feel important to the company and begin to humanize it.

Use strategic gifting as a way to amplify your brand ethos

Let’s take this model one step further.

Not only is gifting a great way to strategically boost sales and court your audience by establishing a deeper and lasting connection, but it’s a channel that you can use to share your brand message.

By choosing useful, relevant, and unique gifts, not only will the thoughtfulness already seep through, but it will showcase more of your brand in a tangible way.

Think about ways to incorporate your brand colors and typography differently, source items that go hand-in-hand with what your company does and deliver it in a packaged experience that is unexpected.

Crafting each step is something that requires some unique thinking, total understanding of your brand and goals, and knowledge of the right items to work with. That’s where an agency like Anthem can fit in.

Learn how we may be able to help make strategic gifting a major player in your sales toolbox.

Creating a Color Story in Merch Collections

rachel@anthembranding.com (Rachel Justice) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:55:36 GMT

Color visually communicates a brand’s values and personality.

Color can create an emotional connection between a brand and its target audience.

A color story is a collection of colors that compliment each other.

When used correctly, a color story can look aesthetically pleasing while simultaneously evoking a brand’s unique qualities and differentiators.

Why use a color scheme in merch collections

A consistent color palette throughout an entire merch collection guarantees a few things:

Instant outfit: All items in the collection will be wearable together.
Shelf appeal: Apparel will look cohesive at the store front.
Consistent online presence: The color story created in the apparel will translate into aesthetically pleasing promotional imagery (hello, beautiful Instagram grid!)
Fosters deep connections: By thoughtfully picking a color story, you’ll evoke the right emotions with your consumers that reflect the brand’s values/ethos.

It’s ok to stray from your color scheme a little bit — that can add some excitement! Just make sure the colors you’re introducing compliment your existing color story and align with your brand’s vibes.

Finding your brand’s color story

Color is a powerful tool that can be used to provoke feelings.

By understanding the meaning behind colors, you can utilize a palette that reflects your brand’s unique qualities and ethos.

Common color palettes found in apparel collections

Neutral and muted tones

Effortlessly chic, understated, and reliable — these tones are guaranteed to look good and are always wearable.

Think creams, heathered greys, and muted down tones (mauves or sage, anyone?)

Versatility and low-key confidence is your mantra.

Example: Hangar 1 Vodka custom apparel collection

Bright and vibrant

Energizing, optimistic, and courageous.

Your brand isn’t afraid of color, in fact it embraces it!

You’re all about self expression. While loud at times, your audience loves the playful and vibrant colors of your brand and proudly wears it.

Example: HopTea

Modern and bold

Timeless, edgy, and minimal.

A simplistic palette of black, white, and greys grants an opportunity for bold contrast or an unexpected splash of color.

Maintaining a cool and minimal presence is key within this aesthetic.

Example: Cocktail Squad

Earth tones

Organic, warm, and approachable.

This palette is designed specifically for the adventurous at heart and outdoorsy folk.

Earth tones pertain to all colors found in nature, from rich mineral tones to deep forest shades.

Let the great outdoors be your inspiration!

Example: Founder Brewing Company

Incorporating your brand colors

Pick a color story that compliments your brand colors and enforces your ethos.

Create a moodboard like the one below to capture the colors that work together and that speak toward your brand.

The best method to highlight your brand colors is through decoration. This guarantees a near perfect pantone match.

Examples of decoration methods that can showcase brand color:

- Screen print
- Embroidery
- Patches
- Woven clamp tags

We can incorporate your brand color as the item color as well.

Keep an open mind as that can be tricky. Luckily our team is up to the challenge and has the knowledge to make the perfect product!

Utilizing your color story

Once your color story is sound, it’s time to incorporate it in a tangible and tactile design approach using different apparel items and promotional products.

Think t-shirts, hats, water bottles, duffels, Bluetooth speakers — all these items (and more) can be thoughtfully selected and designed with your brand's color story in mind.

Our team of branding experts can find products that fit within your desired palette and that work with your brand, industry, and target audience.

Ways To Nurture Social Wellness

Justine Talling — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:48:20 GMT

In the age of COVID-19, many of us feel more disconnected from co-workers, friends, and loved ones than ever.

It’s imperative for our social health to learn how to stay linked to the people in our lives that we care about most. Social health means nurturing yourself and your relationships. It means giving and receiving social support — ensuring that you have friends, family and even co-workers to turn in times of need or crisis to give you support.

Research shows that a strong social well-being can offer benefits such as lower stress levels, greater self-esteem, and a healthier, longer life.

Building successful relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and others can have a positive impact on not only social health, but also overall social well-being. When social health is at its best, social support networks become one of the important benefits.

July is Social Wellness Month

Many steps can be taken to help improve and maintain social health. Here are a few ideas to cultivate social wellness as a whole.

Connecting: Studies have shown having strong social connections can help protect overall health and lengthen life. Connect with others who share similar interests or pursue new hobbies. Trying new things opens the door to meet like-minded individuals, gives the opportunity to interact, and builds social circles.
Communication: Communication is a critical component to build healthy relationships. The ability to share feelings, desires, and needs with one another sets the foundation for greater social wellness.
Virtual Team Building: Remote work is new to nearly everyone, and although many businesses are reopening, some are sticking to working from home for the remainder of the year. And for those with little experience in this form of work, it can be difficult to remain a tight-knit team and keep motivation as high as it is in the office. Virtual lunches and happy hours, health and wellness challenges, and collaborative playlists are a few ways to help your team stay connected to one another.
Investing: It’s easy to let daily life and routines take over, and feel like there is not enough time to invest in fostering relationships. Check in often and make plans with friends, family, and others to maintain healthy relationships and optimal social health.
Be thoughtful: Send a customized WFH kit to let your employees know they are valued. Take time to socialize, whether it be socially-distanced or digitally. By strengthening a social support system, this will provide help when difficult situations arise.
Self-Care: Social health is critical to maintain at home and in your work environment. Whether you’re a caregiver, raising a family or managing a team, it is necessary to care for yourself in addition to others. Take breaks, maintain hobbies and interests, and ask for help when needed.

As we navigate the ever-changing world during COVID-19, being isolated from co-workers, friends and family, we hope these ideas will help you nurture and maintain your relationships, and create space for yourself as well.

We’d love to create a custom kit based on your needs. Reach out to one of our branding experts to see what we can create together.