Northbound is a studio of experts across brand strategy and brand expression. We help position complex, feature-heavy companies and turn them into brands people remember.
We exist to uncover the heart of an organization providing clarity, focus, and emotional power to outsize the market.
## Company Information - Minimum project size: $25,000+ - Hourly rate: $200 - $300 - Number of employees: 10 - 49 - 2 Locations: - Seattle, WA (Headquarters) - San Francisco, CA - Founded in 2012 - 1 languages: English - 1 timezones: Pacific Standard Time (PST) ## Services, Focus Areas, Industries, and Clients ### Service Lines - 75% Branding - 15% Logo - 10% Market Research ### Focus Areas - Branding Focus: - 65% Brand strategy - 15% Naming - 10% Brand messaging - 10% Corporate identity - Market Research Focus: - 25% Customer Loyalty Market Research - 25% Market Research Interviews - 25% Market Research Surveys - 25% Persona Development Services ### Industries - 20% Financial services - 20% Medical - 20% Information technology - 20% Telecommunications - 20% Consumer products & services ### Clients - 10% Small Business (<$10M) - 40% Midmarket ($10M - $1B) - 50% Enterprise (>$1B) ## Pricing Snapshot Average rating for cost based on this provider's reviews: 4.8 out of 5 **What Clients Have Said** *(This summary is based on verified Clutch reviews.)*: Northbound offers competitive pricing with strong value for cost. Clients report satisfaction with deliverables and project management, often highlighting responsiveness and timely completion. Specific project costs are often confidential, but engagements range from $23,000 to over $200,000, indicating flexibility for different budgets. **Most Common Project Size**: $50,000 to $199,999 based on 16 reviews *(Pricing information for this provider is based on reviews where the project size was available.)* ### Pricing by Service - Branding: $50,000 to $199,999 based on 14 reviews - Marketing Strategy: $50,000 to $199,999 based on 6 reviews - Market Research: $10,000 to $49,000 based on 5 reviews - Product Marketing: Confidential based on 2 reviews - Logo: $10,000 to $49,000 based on 1 review - Business Consulting: $10,000 to $49,000 based on 1 review - Graphic Design: $200,000 to $999,999 based on 1 review - Web Design: $50,000 to $199,999 based on 1 review - Content Marketing: Confidential based on 1 review - Other Design: Confidential based on 1 review - Other Marketing: Confidential based on 1 review - Digital Strategy: $200,000 to $999,999 based on 1 review - Public Relations: Confidential based on 1 review - Web Development: Confidential based on 1 review ## Reviews Clutch investigates each reviewer's identity and work history. Every review goes through a rigorous, human-led verification process to confirm the reviewer's identity, and reviews that we verify are visibly marked as 'Verified' so you can trust that they come from a real client. [Learn More](https://help.clutch.co/en/knowledge/how-clutch-verifies-reviews) ### Northbound Review Insights Overall Review Rating: 4.9 - Quality: 4.9 - Schedule: 4.9 - Cost: 4.8 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 ### Top Mentions - Timely (19 mentions) - Collaborative (8 mentions) - High-quality work (7 mentions) - Flexible (5 mentions) - Great team (5 mentions) - Communicative (4 mentions) - Unique expertise (4 mentions) - Exceptional results (3 mentions) - Great project management (3 mentions) - Professional (3 mentions) - Well-organized projects (3 mentions) - Creative (2 mentions) - Receptive (2 mentions) - Accommodating (1 mentions) - Easy to work with (1 mentions) - Exceptional performance (1 mentions) - Helpful (1 mentions) - Knowledgeable (1 mentions) - Results-oriented (1 mentions) - Team players (1 mentions) ### Review Highlights **Strong Branding and Naming Expertise** Northbound excels in branding and naming services, delivering impactful brand identities, names, and narratives that resonate with clients and their audiences. Many clients noted increased brand awareness and positive feedback from stakeholders. **Collaborative and Client-Centric Approach** Northbound is highly regarded for their collaborative approach, working closely with clients to understand their unique needs and deliver customized solutions. Their team is described as empathetic, engaged, and invested in client success. **High Client Satisfaction and Recommendations** Clients expressed high satisfaction with Northbound's work, often recommending their services to others. Many noted the agency's ability to exceed expectations and deliver valuable, actionable insights. **Understanding of Client Culture and Industry** Clients appreciated Northbound's ability to quickly grasp their organizational culture and industry nuances, allowing them to deliver tailored branding solutions that align with the client's values and objectives. **Areas for Improvement in Early Executive Engagement** Some clients suggested that Northbound could improve by engaging executives earlier in the process to align on strategic direction sooner. This would help ensure smoother project execution and stakeholder buy-in. **Challenges with Scope and Budget Alignment** A few clients mentioned challenges with aligning scope and budget expectations during projects. They suggested more upfront discussions to anticipate and manage potential impacts on project scope and budget. **Comprehensive Branding Solutions** Northbound offers a comprehensive suite of branding services, including brand strategy, visual identity, messaging frameworks, and market research. Their holistic approach ensures cohesive and effective brand development. **Positive Client Outcomes and Results** Clients reported positive outcomes such as increased brand awareness, improved stakeholder alignment, and enhanced market positioning as a result of Northbound's branding efforts. Their work often led to tangible business benefits. **Effective Project Management** Clients consistently praised Northbound's project management, highlighting their ability to deliver on time, manage scope changes, and maintain clear communication. Their flexibility and responsiveness to client needs were also frequently noted. ### Northbound Reviews #### Branding Services for Microsoft (Featured Review) **The Project** - Services: Branding, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $1,000,000 to $9,999,999 - Project length: Jan. 2021 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: Northbound has been hired by Microsoft to provide branding services. The team is responsible for the day-to-day naming evaluation and strategy, evaluating naming requests and selecting criteria. **Review Rating**: 4.5 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 3.5 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 4.5 **The Reviewer** Director of Naming & Brand Architecture, Microsoft - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review **The Review** — Jul 19, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Thanks to Northbound's efforts, the client's naming approval flow runs efficiently; they've evaluated and approved over 300 names in a year. Moreover, the team is always happy to jump into projects. They're timely, responsive, helpful, flexible, and communicative. Customers can expect great service. ""They have an incredible knack for attracting young talent."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Director of Naming & Brand Architecture of MicrosoftDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.Microsoft is the Copilot company. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Providing strategic leadership in naming and architectureEvaluating all naming requets **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Pricing fit our budgetGreat culture fitReferred to meCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?6-10 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.The role of Northbound's naming strategists is to deeply understand Microsoft’s naming strategy, evaluate naming requests on select criteria, and lead all strategic communication with product marketing managers concerning the content, strategy, and name of each request. Essentially, they run all our day-to-day naming evaluation and strategy. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?With Northbound, our naming approval flow runs both efficiently and rigorously. Last year, we evaluated and approved over 300 names with the Cloud Marketing organization.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound's strategists are happy to roll up their sleeves and jump into projects - they're timely and very helpful.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?For a small Seattle organization, they have an incredible knack for attracting young talent.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Northbound makes a lot of bets on young, new strategists. With that approach, you end up with a mixed bag of talent. Some turn out to be incredible all-stars and others require more hand-holding and coaching. Thankfully, Northbound has been very flexible with swapping in and out strategists whenever there's been a mismatch. --- #### Branding & Messaging Engagement for Software Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Sep. 2025 - Jan. 2026 **Project Summary**: Northbound led a comprehensive brand and messaging engagement for a software company. They facilitated workshops to develop and pressure-test naming, brand architecture, and messaging frameworks. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 4.5 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** VP Product Marketing, NiCE - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Jan 31, 2026 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound's engagement resulted in strong executive alignment, successful large-scale rollouts, and a comprehensive set of documented frameworks. Their project management was very strong. They brought a clear point of view, strong instincts, and the confidence to challenge existing thinking. "“Northbound’s brand philosophy stood out the most.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there.I’m the VP of product marketing for NICE, a software company. We’re a platform where AI agents work together across the entire customer experience to automate, orchestrate, and continuously improve service at scale. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound?We needed help clarifying and strengthening our company’s naming, brand architecture, and core messaging so our portfolio and innovations were easier to understand, more consistent, and more differentiated across markets, buyers, and use cases. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement?Northbound led a comprehensive brand and messaging engagement that included stakeholder interviews, qualitative analysis, and working sessions to assess our existing positioning. They facilitated workshops to develop and pressure-test naming, brand architecture, and messaging frameworks. Northbound also delivered rollout decks, executive presentations, and ongoing steering to help align leadership and teams and support activation across the organization.In terms of deliverables, Northbound provided a set of concrete outputs, including messaging and positioning frameworks, naming and brand architecture recommendations, documented narrative and language guidelines, and supporting rollout materials. This included executive-ready decks, workshop readouts, and reference documents designed to guide internal alignment and enable consistent application across marketing, product, and go-to-market teams.What is the team composition?We worked with 2–5 teammates from Northbound.How did you come to work with Northbound?Someone referred Northbound to me.What is the status of this engagement?We worked together from September 2025–January 2026. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?Northbound’s engagement resulted in strong executive alignment, successful large-scale rollouts with positive feedback from hundreds of stakeholders, and a comprehensive set of documented frameworks and materials that teams could consistently reference and apply, enabling clearer communication and faster alignment across the organization.A key qualitative indicator was the lack of resistance to the work. Stakeholders broadly agreed the effort was overdue and necessary. Feedback consistently reflected relief and clarity, and teams aligned quickly around the outputs with minimal debate, indicating strong acceptance and improved collaboration.How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint?Northbound’s project management was very strong. They adjusted quickly when we asked them to pull the original timeline forward to support SKO in January 2024, kept things moving, and still delivered on time. The work stayed organized, responsive, and easy to engage with throughout. We mainly communicated through virtual meetings.What did you find most impressive about them?Northbound’s brand philosophy stood out the most. They brought a clear point of view, strong instincts around simplification and coherence, and the confidence to challenge existing thinking in a way that felt constructive and grounded in real-world brand building.Are there any areas they could improve?If anything, it would’ve helped if Northbound had introduced an executive-level overview earlier in the process to pressure-test the direction with leadership sooner. That said, the work ultimately landed very well and achieved strong alignment once shared. --- #### Marketing Strategy & Research for Technology Solutions Co **The Project** - Services: Market Research, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $10,000 to $49,999 - Project length: Aug. - Oct. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided marketing strategy and research for a technology solutions company. The team created a storytelling decision tree model with a classification system and workflow to evaluate customer types. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Global Content Manager, Technology Solutions Company - Industry: Information technology - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Dec 16, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered the decision tree model on time, and the client received positive feedback on it. The team was responsive through Webex and email throughout the engagement. Moreover, internal stakeholders were impressed with Northbound's understanding of the company's culture. ""I appreciated how quickly they got up to speed on the project and its nuances."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Global Content Manager, Lifecycle Experiences at a technology solutions company.Describe what your company does in a single sentence.Our company is a worldwide technology leader with the purpose of powering an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Develop a customer storytelling decision tree model, with a clear classification system and workflow that enables consistent evaluation of customer types and a matching bill of materials that will guide execution and use in the customer experience **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?Previously worked togetherWhy did you select Northbound over others?Positive experience working together previouslyHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Overall scope of work: Develop a clear classification system and workflow that enables consistent evaluation of customer types, directing internal teams to a matching bill of materials that will guide executionPhases: Discovery and strategyDeliverables: One deck (3-5 pages) of the final customer story classification, decision criteria, and examples as an appendix **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Positive qualitative feedback on the final customer storytelling decision tree model and associated bill of materialsDescribe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?I truly enjoyed working with the Northbound team! They were very responsive in our Webex Teams Space and delivered materials on time. What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?I felt like they understood our organization's culture well. I appreciated how quickly they got up to speed on the project and its nuances. They felt like an extension of our team! Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?N/A --- #### Branding, Naming & Design for Web Performance Software Co **The Project** - Services: Branding, Graphic Design - Project size: $200,000 to $999,999 - Project length: May - Aug. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided product branding and naming services for a web accessibility and performance software company. The team created the product's name, logo, visual identity, identity assets, and narrative. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Director, Internal Communications, Siteimprove - Industry: Information technology - Client size: 201-500 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Oct 28, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound's efforts resulted in an articulated story for media coverage, field events, and social media engagement. The team managed the project well, provided timely deliverables, and addressed adjustments without losing focus. Moreover, Northbound's expertise in framing ideas was outstanding. ""Northbound grounded every concept and every presentation with systemic, bigger-picture framing."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Director, Internal Communications of SiteimproveDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We build software for digital accessibility and marketing performance for websites. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Brand a new productCompany visual identityCreate a company Mission statement **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationGreat culture fitGood value for costHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Siteimprove partnered with Northbound for the launch of Siteimprove.ai, a product we are literally betting the company on! It was both a product launch and a complete repositioning of the company in several markets. Key deliverables included:Product nameProduct logo and visual identityCompany visual identityProduct Vision creationCompany Mission creationVisual identity assets - design concepts, icons, photos, color style guideBrand narrative **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?I don't have access to specific data points for this survey, but we were pleased with the successful outcomes both internally and externally when launching the new product and visual identity because we could articulate a clear and compelling story:Media coverageIndustry Analyst Relations reports (Northbound's deliverables helped us with pre-briefing analysts as the product vision came together and we ultimately secured a very high ranking in an important report as a result)Social media engagementField events - catching the eyes of prospectsCustomer Advisory Board - enthusiasm from key customersInternal - motivational "launch" to employees with global support and pride in the company's direction. 95-100% adoption of visual identity for internal materials.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound managed our project, and the inevitable scope creep, with aplomb. They met the deadlines we agreed on, made adjustments we requested on the fly without losing sight of the overall project milestone, and were incredibly responsive. Their team clearly worked closely together and each person seemed well-read on the project, goals, and us.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?I was blown away not only by the many, many ideas Northbound generated but also by their expertise in framing the ideas for us. Northbound grounded every concept and every presentation with systemic, bigger-picture framing -- such as the competitive landscape or the realities of trademarking a new name or a key principle in design that would help us understand the color palette or choice of typography. It was fascinating and incredibly helpful. I knew each idea presented came from a smart, intentional, expert point of view.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Two suggestions I have:Create a shared space for documents everyone needed or asked about -- such as the latest version of a deck or the project timeline. Northbound was incredibly responsive and so access wasn't really an issue, but I think they were asked for the things over and over by different stakeholders on the client side. A self-serve approach could have helped with sharing documents that people wanted to view or screen grab for various internal needs along the way.Send summaries of the meetings so there was a written record of decisions made or points of discussion that anyone who couldn't make the meeting could review and follow along with. --- #### Branding for Tax Compliance Solutions Company **The Project** - Services: Branding, Market Research - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: Apr. - Oct. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for a tax compliance solutions company. The team conducted research, developed a new positioning statement and tagline, and created a messaging framework. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Sr. Director, Avalara - Industry: Information technology - Client size: 5,001-10,000 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Oct 17, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered a high-quality project that impressed the client. The team was collaborative, flexible, and prepared, and they adapted their process to meet the client's needs. Northbound was also a good listener and communicated effectively through email and virtual meetings. ""They were prepared at every turn."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Sr. Director, Brand Marketing of AvalaraDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We offer agentic tax and compliance solutions for businesses. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Our challenge was, in the face of ai-based startups, rethink our messaging to focus on the strides we have made leveraging AI and agentic processes for our tax and compliance products.Reposition the company as the trusted leader in agentic tax and compliance, not just for customers and prospective customers, but for partners, employees, and future investors. **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?Online SearchReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Great culture fitGood value for costReferred to meCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Discovery Goal: Uncover best opportunities to resonate with customers and partners through a position based on leadership in Platform + AI. Kick-off workshopStrategic materials and business review.Existing insight analysis.•Competitive/Peer audit.Brand assessment.•Internal stakeholder interviews.Analyst Interviews Partner Interviews Deliverables: Insights findings & brand strategy opportunities report (PPT). Research Goal: Evolve the positioning statement + tagline, building on current leadership stature and aligning with the company manifesto.•Draft and align on sample profile to begin recruit during DiscoveryField qualitative customer research IDIs Northbound will develop stimulus, discussion guides, consult on recruit specifications, review possible interview recruits, moderate up to 24 interviews, and report on findings in partnership with internal Avalara teams and external partners. Deliverables: Primary research insights report (delivered as a PPT and incorporated into the Positioning workshop)Positioning and Tagline DevelopmentGoal: Evolve the positioning statement + tagline, building on current leadership stature and aligning with the company manifesto. Positioning workshop (2-3 hours, integrating discovery insights and positioning hypotheses)Positioning Development (3 rounds)Tagline Development (3 rounds)Finalization of positioning and tagline. Deliverables: Avalara brand positioning, and external tagline in PPT presentation. Employee Training & Co-creation + Messaging Goal: Share the Platform story and co-create concrete ideas that can be used across teams to bring the new positioning messaging to life for external audiences. Training and Co-Creation Workshop (up to 5 departments and 5 roundtables)Develop messaging for each segment/market to ensure resonance and alignment with the overall Avalara brand. Include short/medium/long narrative and copy ready messaging. (3 rounds)3-4 messaging pillars that build to one powerful POV•Reasons to believeDeliverables: Co-Created internal ideas/roadmap. Copywritten messaging framework **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?We have just wrapped up the project, so it is still early -- and not the kind of work that will necessarily be measured through key KPIs. But I will say that everyone who had contact with Northbound and the process was impressed with the quality of level of thinking. Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Deliverly or timeliness was never an issue. They were prepared at every turn. Sometimes we, on the client side, were not particularly prepared for the next step. As a result, we delayed the length of the project. What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?I felt, from the beginning, Northbound was willing to figure out ways to modify their process to fit our particular situation. They were not rigid and very collaborative. They are very good listeners and I never felt like we were reiterating messages so they would hit the mark. Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Not that I can think of. I would definitely work with Northbound again. --- #### Branding & Framework Creation for Networking & Technology Co **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: June - Aug. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for a networking and technology company. The team was responsible for creating brand guidelines and a decision-making framework for the client to leverage AI. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Brand Marketing Manager, Networking & Technology Company - Industry: Telecommunications - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Oct 6, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered a well-researched and practical presentation that was well-received by the client's marketing leadership team. The team was flexible and responsive to the client's needs. Northbound's collaborative culture and ability to accommodate the client's changing schedule stood out. ""I appreciated Northbound's highly collaborative culture and being part of the creative process."" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there.I’m a brand marketing manager at a company that provides AI-powered networking, security, and connectivity solutions. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound?We needed help developing guidelines and a decision framework on how to leverage AI for creative excellence while maintaining trust in our brand. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement?Northbound helped us define what trust means to our team, then identified competitive and comparative brands and use cases to be taken into consideration. The team conducted desk research and interviews with 10 internal stakeholders and additional third-party subject matter experts. Northbound also audited benchmark brands and incorporated the insights to create simple truths, principles, and criteria for maintaining trust across branded and creative experiences. We had iterative collaboration and development on a weekly basis with the core corporate brand team. The final deliverable was a PowerPoint document with actionable guidance and a decision-making framework to be rolled out across the organization.What is the team composition?We worked with four members of Northbound’s team.How did you come to work with Northbound?Northbound has an existing relationship with our company and has worked on many projects for the marketing team over the years. They are one of our go-to agencies for brand strategy projects and research.What is the status of this engagement? We worked together from June–August 2025. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?Northbound's final deliverable was well-received by our marketing leadership team, who immediately started discussing existing use cases and how they could apply the guidance developed. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint?Northbound delivered the project on time. We appreciated their flexibility and responsiveness when it came to accommodating our leaders' busy and constantly changing schedules. Our primary form of communication was via Webex.What did you find most impressive about them?I appreciated Northbound's highly collaborative culture and being part of the creative process.Are there any areas they could improve?N/A --- #### Branding Services for Analytics Platform **The Project** - Services: Branding, Content Marketing - Project size: Confidential - Project length: June - Aug. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding and messaging services for an analytics platform. The team created a messaging framework, a new tagline, an elevator pitch, and value pillars. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Head of Content Marketing, Sisense - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 201-500 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Sep 10, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered a flexible and durable messaging playbook on time. The team was professional and responsive. Northbound demonstrated a profound understanding of the product and the target audience. Their expertise and ability to connect emotionally with the audience were outstanding. "“Their expertise was evident in their in-depth work.”" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Head of Content Marketing of SisenseDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.The Sisense embedded analytics platform enables app creators to make data make sense for their users, embed insight everywhere in their experiences, and inspire their users to take action. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?To create a practical and durable foundation for effective, consistent messaging and communications **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?colleague here had worked with them in the pastWhy did you select Northbound over others?colleague had great past experience with themHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.I don't have the SOW **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?The project's deliverables were a foundational messaging framework, a new tagline, and strategic tools designed to enable future, measurable successDescribe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Items were delivered on time, and the team was timely and professional and went above and beyond in their responses with all comms. What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?In-Person MeetingVirtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?We recently completed a comprehensive messaging and brand identity project with Northbound, and the results have been exceptional. From the start, their expertise was evident in their in-depth work with our ELT, where they masterfully translated our company's core mission and vision into a powerful strategic framework.Northbound demonstrated a profound understanding of our product and our target audience of "Digital Prime Movers" , creating a narrative that connects emotionally with their needs and aspirations. The resulting messaging playbook, which includes a new tagline, elevator pitch, and value pillars, is a single source of truth that is both durable and flexible. Their delivery was equally impressive. They presented this complex, foundational work to our marketing, sales, and product teams, not as a finished product, but as a practical toolkit. They clearly articulated how the new messaging applies directly to each role, ensuring everyone, from product managers to salespeople, can use it to build a consistent brand story and drive business growth.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?no --- #### Branding & Marketing Strategy for Analytics Company **The Project** - Services: Branding, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: May - Aug. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided messaging framework services for an analytics company. The team interviewed key stakeholders, hosted workshops, refined the language, and created a playbook for the client. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Head of Marketing, Sisense - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 201-500 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Aug 28, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound completed the project on time and with the expected quality. The team facilitated the messaging workshops and company-wide presentations, provided a dedicated project manager, and was professional, friendly, and accommodating to the client's needs, leading to a positive experience. ""I am completely satisfied with every aspect of this project."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Head of Marketing of SisenseDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.Sisense is an embedded analytics company that sells the industry's leading Analytics Platform as a Service solution to technology and software providers. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Build and deliver a messaging playbook that departments across the company can reference to accurately leverage our messaging for their respective jobsRefine and simplify our existing messaging and positioning framework **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?Referralworked with them beforeWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationPricing fit our budgetGreat culture fitGood value for costDomain expertiseHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Northbound helped us unify and simplify our messaging framework by interviewing key stakeholders across our field, engineering, and executive teams; hosting workshops with stakeholders to refine the language we want to use to describe our company; and delivering the final output of the refined messaging in two company-wide presentations that included a playbook for all employees to use to better understand and disseminate our messaging into their own work. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Completion of each project phase as originally defined in our SOW, on time and with the quality we expected; Facilitation of the messaging workshops; and facilitation of the company-wide presentations that delivered our new messaging to all employees, along with a commitment to be available should any additional questions or needs tied to this project arise. Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?They not only delivered projects on time, but committed to weekly check ins where they shared the incremental progress they were making on the work. We had a dedicated project manager in addition to the phenomenal SMEs who supported this work and all involved were professional, friendly, and accommodating to our company's changing needs and priorities. They were flexible in scheduling and incredibly easy to work with! What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?I've worked with Northbound at a few different companies over the years and with each project I've worked on with the team I have received completely unique, considered, and differentiated messaging. This company really takes the time to get to know the personalities behind the brand and infuses their work with the desired tone and company values. They are true branding experts with a unique ability to get to the heart of a business and provide the unique language that helps that business stand out from competitors. Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Truthfully, no. I am completely satisfied with every aspect of this project. --- #### Branding Services for Piercing Jewelry Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Jan. - June 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for a piercing jewelry company. The team was responsible for creating a brand style guide, a new visual identity, and a brand strategy and positioning. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Director, Global Marketing, Buddha Jewelry - Industry: Beauty - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Aug 8, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound's efforts received positive feedback from the client. The team provided timely deliverables, completed the project before the client's event, held recurring weekly progress meetings, and maintained items in a Box repository throughout the engagement. Northbound's approach was remarkable. ""They’ve become students of our business and have a great understanding of our motivations and desires."" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there.Buddha Jewelry is a piercing jewelry company. We design and create high-quality, nickel-free, biocompatible gold body jewelry that celebrates global cultures and self-expression while supporting charitable initiatives and community connections worldwide. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound?We needed help evolving our brand expression. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of work performed?Northbound helped us evolve our brand expression. They created a brand style guide and a new visual identity and crystallized our brand strategy and positioning. The brand style guide included our strategy, positioning, messaging and communication framework, logo, typeface, and visual identity.What is the team composition?We worked with four teammates from Northbound.How did you come to work with Northbound?We were familiar with Northbound because a former colleague went to work for them after we worked together. We felt they really understood our style of work and the direction we wanted to take the brand.What is the status of this engagement?We began working with Northbound in January 2025, and the project completed in June 2025. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?Northbound has helped us have a robust schedule outline and milestones. The outcomes were great, and they met our deadline for an event.How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint?Northbound has delivered on time. We have recurring weekly meetings and a Box content repository.What did you find most impressive about them?Their approach is the most similar to how we like to work, and it feels like they really understand that. They’ve become students of our business and have a great understanding of our motivations and desires.Are there any areas they could improve?No, there’s nothing I can come up with. --- #### Rebranding & Market Research for Packaging Solutions Company **The Project** - Services: Branding, Market Research, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided comprehensive rebranding services for a packaging solutions company. The team conducted a competitive audit, developed a vision statement, and created a brand narrative and tagline. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** President, PAC Worldwide - Industry: Manufacturing - Client size: 1,001-5,000 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Mar 20, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound successfully delivered all the project phases. The team was highly communicative and responsive to the client's needs, and they adjusted the project scope in real time. Northbound took the time to understand the client's company culture and delivered work on time and on budget. This review is an update by the client company. The original content is located below the new review. ""They were excellent listeners who always had our best interest at heart."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the President of PAC WorldwideDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We protect things people care about by providing flexible packaging solutions. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Refresh PAC's brand (re-brand)Reposition PAC as a solutions provider **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?Online SearchWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationPricing fit our budgetGreat culture fitGood value for costCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.To develop a well-researched comprehensive branding strategy that will set us up for the next phase of our company's growth.Phase 1: DiscoveryDeeply immerse in the brand, business and category context. Uncover key insights and opportunities for the PAC brand. Activities include: • Kick off with core PAC team (1hr).• Strategic materials and business review.• Existing insights analysis.• Competitive/Peer audit (5-6).• Brand assessment.• Executive stakeholder interviews (4-6).• Line of Business stakeholder interviews (5).Deliverable: Brand positioning opportunities report (PPT).Phase 2: Vision and ValuesDefine the vision and values for the PAC brand. Activities include: • Vision & Values workshop (Board of Directors, C-Suite, operators).• Development of Vision statement.• Review, revisions and finalization of Vision statement (2 rounds).Deliverable: PAC Worldwide Vision and Values.Phase 3: Customer ResearchDiscover the brand strategy opportunities & define the optimal brand foundation elements for the PAC Worldwide brand. Activities include: · Research planning and preparation to incorporate innovation needs identified internally by PAC.· 6-8 Customer and prospective customer interviews (4-6 U.S./Canada, 1-2 Malaysia, 1-2 Mexico).Deliverable: Research report (PPT).Phase 4: Day of Possibility and Brand CompassArticulate the optimal foundational brand strategy for the PAC Worldwide brand to guide all future brand, marketing and portfolio decision-making. Activities include: · Day of Possibility workshop.· Foundational brand strategy development (Brand Compass incl. brand positioning, purpose, brand narrative and big idea - 3 rounds).· Tagline (2 rounds).· Innovation workshop using the Brand Compass to identify opportunities for PAC.Deliverable: Brand Compass, brand narrative and tagline. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?We worked off of a calendar (Gantt chart). The entire scope was also split into clear phases with specific deliverables. Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound delivered on time every time. They were very communicative throughout the project. They also adjusted in real-time when we added or modified the scope of the project. What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?In-Person MeetingVirtual MeetingWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?Northbound took the time to understand PAC's culture. They were excellent listeners who always had our best interest at heart. Their team is composed of excellent people who always put the customer first. Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Not really. I was excited when we hired Northbound and they overdelivered while constantly adjusting on the fly to meet our changing needs while being under a tight budget. **UPDATED REVIEW** This review was published on March 8, 2025.Kim DonohueMarketing Director, PAC WorldwideManufacturingWest - USA1,001-5,000Nov 2023 - Nov 2024$50,000 to $199,999VerifiedProject summaryNorthbound provided branding services for a packaging company. The team helped redefine the client's brand vision, values, and purpose and recommended an elevated brand strategy.Feedback summaryNorthbound received positive feedback from the client's founders, board of directors, and employees. The team was responsive, timely, and attentive to the client's needs. Northbound's people, culture, and approach were impressive.BACKGROUNDPlease describe your company and position.I am the Marketing Director of PAC WorldwideDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.PackagingOPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGEWhat specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Use research to validate our brandingRe define our brand vision values and purposeDefine our unique position in our marketplaceSOLUTIONHow did you find Northbound?Online SearchWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationGreat culture fitCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.PAC Worldwide will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2025, and we are looking for an agency partner to help us with a branding strategy project that will prepare us for the next phase of our growth. Our partner will recommend an elevated brand strategy that will take PAC from primarily a mailers manufacturer to a full-service solutions provider in the packaging market. We believe it is time to think beyond the mailer into adjacent markets that would benefit from our competencies.RESULTS & FEEDBACKWhat were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?The overwhelming positive reception from our founders and board of directors to our employees.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?The communication and deliverables were on point.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?In-Person MeetingVirtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?The people, their culture and approach. We knew immediately we wanted to work with Sam and her team.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?I can't think of anything,STAR RATINGSOverall rating: 5Quality: 5Cost: 5Schedule: 5Willing to refer: 5 --- #### Branding for Home Care Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Less than $10,000 - Project length: Feb. - Mar. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for a home care company. They helped the client create a messaging framework and a name for their new premium service. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** CEO, Agape In Home Care - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Mar 12, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered a messaging framework and a name that the client liked. The team always delivered on time or ahead of schedule and quickly responded to the client's needs. Their strong dedication to the project was evident in every aspect of their work. Overall, they exceeded expectations. ""They delivered flawlessly."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the CEO of Agape In Home CareDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We care for the vulnerable via in home care. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?New Branding and Messaging **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?Prior Project EngagementWhy did you select Northbound over others?Best in the BusinessHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.We were looking to add a premium level of service that is uncommon to our industry. We reached out to Northbound to assist us with the messaging and naming. I've worked wtih them previously to name Sailbridge as a separate division of Flyhomes and they did an excellent job with that project as well. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?We received the messaging framework and the name we like. We'll continue to monitor effectiveness as we launch the ad campaign. Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Yes, they were always on time or early and they were quick to respond to our needs. They beat our expectations. What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?Their personal involvement and investment into this project. In a world of impersonal corporate engagements, they were a breath of fresh air to work with. Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?They delivered flawlessly. I'm normally one to always come up with constructive criticism but in this case unfortunately I have nothing to suggest. --- #### Product Naming & Branding Services for Technology Company **The Project** - Services: Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Product Marketing - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Mar. - May 2024 **Project Summary**: A technology company hired Northbound to develop their brand foundations and name their new products. The team’s tasks included developing a brand strategy deck and creating a simple truths framework. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 4.5 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Executive, Microsoft - Industry: Information technology - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Jul 16, 2024 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound successfully completed the deliverables, meeting the client’s requirements. The team managed the engagement effectively and was highly responsive and prompt in communicating with the client. Moreover, their resources were professional, collaborative, and quick to deliver results. "“They delivered items on time and always provided proof of execution as needed.”" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I'm an executive at MicrosoftDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We are a technology company that develops and sells software, services, and hardware. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Develop Brand Foundations for our product offeringsNaming for new products **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Great culture fitReferred to meCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?6-10 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Provide Simple Truths framework for ovearching Consumer business which requires identifying core truths for Culture, Customer, Market, Business and Product.Run working sessions to develop Consumer Value Propositions leveraging Simple Truths.Deliverables included Final Simple Truths Framework and Consumer Value Propositions for each line of business (5 in total)Last deliverable was Final Brand Strategy Deck Additional deliverables on separate workstream included Naming for new product exploration **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Completion of documents inclusive of Simple Product Truths, Value Proposition and Final Brand Strategy deck that we could source from for our Brand Foundations to roadshow across the company for various Lines of Business to build Go-to-market strategies from. Our Lines of Business required a refresh to their current foundations.For the Naming workstream, competitive analysis, POV and namestorms. Naming recommendations and rationale.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Yes, Northbound is incredibly responsive and prompt in their communication style. They delivered items on time and always provided proof of execution as needed.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?Northbound is very intuned to the industry we work in, they do competitive sweeps and market research to inform their thinking that they bring to the table. They provide an outsider's perspective but are deeply engrained in our world as well so they offer perspectives from both sides. I like the different perspectives in the room with their team, offering unique skillsets.The team is incredibly professional, positive and very collaborative. They also move very quick and are able to deliver on very quickturn requests to match the pace of our industry and its demands.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Given how close Northbound is to our company I think sometimes the "old way" of thinking can surface. I'd love to see them push or challenge us more to find new ways to become more relevant with a younger demographic we historically haven't talked to. It'd be great to have Northbound provide more Gen Z research analysis and insight to lead us in how to resonate with a younger demographic. --- #### Branding Services for Internet Service Provider **The Project** - Services: Branding, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: July - Oct. 2023 **Project Summary**: Northbound was hired to re-name and position the client's company in the market. **Review Rating**: 4.5 - Quality: 4.5 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Dir of Marketing, Lightcurve - Industry: Telecommunications - Client size: 51-200 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Dec 21, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: The new name was rolled-out in the market and passed trademark searches. Northbound was responsive and worked with the client to carve off substantial time. They were extremely flexible and managed the project well. ""Northbound is very comprehensive and thoughtful in its approach."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Director of Marketing of LightcurveDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We hired Northbound to re-name and position our company. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Develop a new name to support our business strategyHelp us understand our key differentiatorsCreate new positioning for both B2C and B2B markets **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?High ratingsReferred to meTrack record of creating solid brandsHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?6-10 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.I hired Northbound to build a new name for the company as well as a messaging framework that incorporated our key differentiators. They conducted a competitive assessment as well as provided well over 75+ names to choose from that laddered up to suggested key brand pillars.Northbound delivered a comprehensive messaging framework document for both our consumer and business customers, creating unique content for both. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Delivered new name that has been rolled-out in the market and passed trademark searches. Created multiple rounds of a messaging framework document.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound is very responsive and worked with us to carve off substantial time from the process given our desire to launch on a specific date. The were extremely flexible and managed us in the process, ensuring that we hit key deliverables.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?Northbound is very comprehensive and thoughtful in its approach. Extremely creative, buttoned up on the impact of a name/brand and flexible to move quickly.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?No --- #### Branding for Cybersecurity Software Provider **The Project** - Services: Branding, Logo, Other Design - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Dec. 2022 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: Northbound has provided branding services to a cybersecurity software provider. They've developed the client's new name, brand identity, positioning, narrative, related content, and brand assets. **Review Rating**: 4.5 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Advisor, Oleria - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Sep 11, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound has established a unique branding and narrative that captures the essence of the client's mission. As a result, the client has received positive feedback from existing and prospective customers and investors. Moreover, the vendor's talented and creative team delivers outputs on time. ""They have a talented and creative team that works as a partner to us and demonstrates enthusiasm similar to our own."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Advisor of Oleria.Describe what your company does in a single sentence.Security that sets your business free. Introducing a new adaptive approach to security. You don’t have to choose between protection and innovation. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?NamingPositioningVisual Assets **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationGreat culture fitGood value for costReferred to meHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.We worked with Northbound to establish our new company's name, brand identity, overall positioning and narrative, and related content and assets. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?We have had great feedback from our current and prospective customers and investors that our branding and narrative are unique, differentiated, and capture the essence of our mission.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?The project morphed several times due to the evolving needs of our startup business, but overall, the project was delivered on a reasonable timeline that fit our needs.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?They have a talented and creative team that works as a partner to us and demonstrates enthusiasm similar to our own.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?There were times when expected or extended scope and project budget were in need of re-alignment. In these instances, it would have been preferable to have up-front discussions about these potential impacts versus somewhat after the fact. But over time, we developed a more practical way to deal with these issues between us. --- #### Brand Refresh for Nonprofit Theater Company **The Project** - Services: Branding, Logo, Market Research, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $10,000 to $49,999 - Project length: July 2018 - Feb. 2019 **Project Summary**: Northbound refreshed a nonprofit theater company's brand and visual identities. They managed the discovery phase, interviewed the organizational leaders, and provided marketing and competitive insights. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 4.5 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Managing Director, Seattle Rep - Industry: Arts, entertainment & music - Client size: 201-500 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Aug 6, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound significantly increased the client's ticket sales, subscriptions, and contributions. The team completed their tasks within the given timeframe, and internal stakeholders were particularly impressed with Northbound's vast creative prowess and commitment to success. ""Given the resources and the time we had available, Northbound did everything that we could have asked for and more."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Managing Director of Seattle RepDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We are a not-for-profit theater company, producing plays and educational and community programs for our community year-round. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Update and refresh Seattle Rep's brand and visual identity **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Close to my geographic locationPricing fit our budgetGreat culture fitReferred to meCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Northbound began with a kick-off and discovery phase, which involved conversations with our team; a review of our current vision, mission, and strategic plan; interviews with organizational leaders; and development of some competitive and comparative insights. Out of this phase came a schedule, project plan, and synthesis of insights. Next up was a "Day of Possibility," a facilitated board and executive level workshop designed to uncover those elements that are most core to our brand positioning and personality. Out of this exercise came a degree of Board and executive alignment and several hypotheses for potential positioning territory and competitive audit/market white space. Northbound then developed three different positioning territories to be tested with three different groups of current and potential customers. Based on this feedback, Northbound then developed a "Brand Compass," including purpose, brand story, positioning, and personality. Finally, Northbound translated all this into a creative briefing, which we were able to use to redo our brand identity and website. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Guided by the good work that Northbound accomplished for us, we completely remade and updated our brand and visual identity, a project that also coincided with the launch of a brand-new website. In addition, we launched an institutional advertising campaign in our community based on their work. This resulted in growth in single ticket sales, subscriptions, and contributions during the subsequent 2019 - 20 season, generating great momentum (which, unfortunately, was interrupted by the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, which shut our theater down for almost two years).Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?The project was completed on time and on budget. Northbound was incredible communicative and responsive throughout the process and really even went above and beyond what we contracted with them for. They were wonderful to work with, a great cultural fit with our organization, and produced valuable, actionable takeaways.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?In-Person MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?Their sensitivity to the unique needs and quirks of our company and industry. They approached us with all the nuance you'd expect and hope for from a smaller firm and thus were able to tailor and adjust the process and workflow to our singular, real-time needs in a way that would have been impossible for a larger firm. This directly led to an outstanding and valuable final product.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?I can't really think of anything. Given the resources and the time we had available, Northbound did everything that we could have asked for and more. --- #### Branding Services for Emergency Communications Firm **The Project** - Services: Branding, Market Research, Marketing Strategy - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Apr. - Oct. 2022 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for an emergency communications firm. The team was tasked with conducting interviews, market research and analysis, and product and market positioning. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 4.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** VP of Product, Genasys - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 201-500 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Apr 25, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: The client was pleased with the outcome of the project, thanks to Northbound’s efforts. The team delivered their tasks accurately within the given timeframe, and internal stakeholders were particularly impressed with the vendor's vast technical understanding. ""We highly appreciate the empathy they showed for us and our mission."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the VP of Product of GenasysDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.We help first responders and citizens prepare for and act in an emergency. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Help us project a unified brand representing multiple acquisitions as a sum greater than the parts **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?OtherWhy did you select Northbound over others?Great culture fit, Company values aligned, OtherWhat was the size of Northbound’s team?6-10 EmployeesWhat was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Northbound helped us understand our internal value, current employee perception of our brand and offerings, and customer perception of our band and offerings. Northbound did internal interviews, interviewed our customers and potential customers, and a market analysis. Northbound did a deep inventory of our current products and offerings And positioned them against competitors in the market. Northbound helped us understand the unique position we wanted to hold in the market and helped us form a story and plan to get there. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?We had phases, milestones, and shareouts of our findingsDescribe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound was 100% on time and clear about what we and they needed to do to keep the project on time.What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?We highly appreciate the empathy they showed for us and our mission.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?We wish we could’ve gotten a sooner the key deliverables that keep the internal stakeholders, excited, such as the new name, logo, and tag lines. Toward the ends of the project, some stakeholders became inpatient. --- #### Branding, Naming & Consulting for Nonprofit Organization **The Project** - Services: Business Consulting - Project size: $10,000 to $49,999 - Project length: Sep. 2021 - Jan. 2022 **Project Summary**: Northbound worked with a nonprofit organization to rebrand and rename one of their divisions. Their scope included consulting and working with stakeholders on the company’s messaging and positioning. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Experience Design & Marketing Director, Northwest Center - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 501-1,000 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Mar 30, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: The client received a very clear and concise framework for their messaging, helping them create excellent marketing campaigns. Northbound was communicative via MS Teams, and they delivered on time and on budget. Moreover, they were thoughtful, and their rebranding approach was outstanding. "“Northbound is very good at collaborating with clients, helping them understand the value of these types of projects.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I’m the experience design and marketing director for Northwest Center. We have multiple nonprofit mission services and programs that support children and adults with disabilities from birth to retirement and throughout their careers. We also provide tools for teachers to make inclusive classrooms, support for families, and employment services. In my role, I oversee the design and development of our digital platforms, including our website. I also handle our marketing campaigns, optimize our channels for traffic and conversions, support our creative work, and oversee our copywriting and SEO. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? Our janitorial and building maintenance division originally had a different name. We needed to rebrand and rename that division, so we hired Northbound to help us with that. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Initially, we went through a discovery and analysis process based on understanding our janitorial and building maintenance division and its current messaging. During this process, Northbound did interviews with the different stakeholders and divisional leaders within the organization to help develop a brand story and core messaging for the company as part of the overall rebranding project. Then, Northbound helped us with foundational messaging, core messaging, and positioning improvement for said division. We worked together on describing our company as a social enterprise and finding a balance between providing B2B services and conveying our mission of working around disabilities and inclusion. Historically, our messaging was really cluttered. There was so much to the company, and people in marketing and communications struggled with finding clarity in the messaging. Therefore, Northbound helped us with that. We also came up with a series of names to rename the company; we went through a couple of naming rounds. Moreover, Northbound helped us review the redesigns we were working on for our website to go along with the rebranding. Their team provided us with comments and feedback. Additionally, they supported us on how to tie in our messaging throughout the website. What is the team composition? In total, there were 3–4 teammates from Northbound involved in the project. How did you come to work with Northbound? We found them when searching for potential partners. For this project, we went through a formal RFP process and reached out to 5–6 branding agencies. We needed a flexible partner because, as a nonprofit organization, we operate as a startup and invest more in marketing and branding to establish our commercial presence. There were a lot of unknowns in working with internal stakeholders on this project because everything was new to us. Still, Northbound was very collaborative from the beginning. They were also very responsive, understanding, and empathetic during our initial meetings, so we ultimately went with them. How much have you invested in them? We spent around $23,000. What is the status of this engagement? We worked with them on this project from September 2021–January 2022. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? Ultimately, Northbound delivered a framework for clear, more consistent, and concise messaging, and they actually produced the core messaging for our janitorial division. Thanks to their work, we were able to build around that and create clear marketing campaigns. Our website now has a lot of the clear messaging Northbound produced. As a result, it’s easier to understand the company’s proposition and value, as well as how it ties to the mission. Moreover, we’ve been able to take what Northbound produced and reuse it time and time again across different channels for the brand. Our team responded very well to our new branding because they were included in the process. When we were discussing a rebranding and renaming project, there was hesitation because some stakeholders had been working for the company for over 15 years. Therefore, they were attached to the old branding. Those stakeholders were worried about how the process would be done. However, early into the project, Northbound emphasized that working with brand ambassadors and stakeholders was very important because they made the company what it was. Thus, they ultimately were part of the process, brainstorming sessions, and meetings, and they participated in the interviews, so they felt taken care of. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? Northbound was very communicative and on top of everything, so they delivered on time and within budget. Their emails were very clear, and they provided us with deadlines, reminders, and follow-ups. We mainly communicated via email and MS Teams. What did you find most impressive about them? Northbound’s approach to branding and renaming was closely tied to the company’s operational strategy and functions. One of the reasons we went with them was that we were a very diverse and complex organization, so we needed to work with a branding agency that took into account our different channels, audiences, and stakeholders to bring our story to life. Northbound was able to work with us and simplify our messaging, which was very nice. Are there any areas they could improve? There’s nothing Northbound could have improved on. I really appreciated working with them; they were sincere and thoughtful. Do you have any advice for potential customers? Be honest with your needs. Northbound is very good at collaborating with clients, helping them understand the value of these types of projects, and meeting them where they are. --- #### Branding & PR Services for E-Learning Provider **The Project** - Services: Public Relations - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Dec. 2019 - Feb. 2020 **Project Summary**: An e-learning provider was looking to optimize their digital presence, so they engaged with Northbound for their branding and PR services to improve the positioning of their products on their web platform. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** President, Knowledge Anywhere - Industry: Education - Client size: 51-200 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Jan 31, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Thanks to Northbound, the client was able to significantly improve their traffic and conversion rate by 25%. The team was highly communicative and responsive, and internal stakeholders were particularly impressed with the vendor's branding expertise and cunning strategies. ""Their team was made up of bright people who always listened to our problems and came up with immediate solutions."" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I'm the president of Knowledge Anywhere, an e-learning provider. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? We needed someone to help us position and refine the products on our website. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? We engaged with Northbound for their branding and product positioning services. They consulted us on the best branding practices and strategies related to our digital positioning. What is the team composition? We mainly communicated with the principal brand strategists. How did you come to work with Northbound? We were aware of Northbound’s reputation as a recognized leader in branding and PR, so we decided to reach out to them to look at our challenges and develop recommendations. What is the status of this engagement? We worked together from December 2019–February 2020. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? Thanks to the involvement of Northbound, we’ve been able to increase our traffic and conversion rate by 25%. Their team was made up of bright people who always listened to our problems and came up with immediate solutions. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? They were very communicative from a project management standpoint, and we typically interfaced through email and phone. What did you find most impressive about them? I would say their intuition for great branding is unparalleled. Are there any areas they could improve? I don’t have any complaints because they did a tremendous job throughout the project. Do you have any advice for potential customers? I would suggest meeting with them in person to describe your challenges and what you want to achieve clearly. --- #### Branding for Software Development Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: $200,000 to $999,999 - Project length: May - July 2019 **Project Summary**: Northbound was hired to manage the rebranding of a software development company. They conducted customer research and provided a recommendation for a final brand name, including messaging and positioning work. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 4.0 - Cost: 4.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Global Brand Manager, Microsoft - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Nov 2, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: Thanks to Northbound's work, the client witnessed an increase in brand awareness. They aligned their work with the client's standards through a unique approach. Northbound took charge of the project from A to Z, including managing internal communications and hitting all milestones. ""Their approach for how to secure executive alignment was super unique and valuable."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and your position there. Global Brand Manager for Microsoft Advertising **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** For what projects/services did your company hire Northbound, and what were your goals? Naming and re-branding including messaging and positioning work and brand creative. **SOLUTION** How did you select this vendor? We reviewed three vendors after an extensive search. We selected Northbound among the three finalists. Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables. Northbound managed work on a new brand name, conducting customer research and making a final brand name recommendation. Additionally, they led a re-brand with the updated name, new messaging and positioning and new brand creative and a playbook. How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions? We primarily worked with people - the two owners of Northbound and their lead strategist. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success? The Northbound executive team was instrumental in helping us secure executive approval and internal alignment on a new brand name and messaging and positioning. Since the re-brand, we have successfully achieved increases in brand awareness, key perceptions and consideration. Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness. Northbound offered a unique approach to the project. They were our partners in meeting with our executives, securing their input which helped us in finalizing on an approach. They managed the project end-to-end, hitting all milestones and driving internal communications. What did you find most impressive or unique about this company? Bar none they are the top agency on naming. That process was so well done, and we were so pleased with the outcome. Additionally, their approach for how to secure executive alignment was super unique and valuable. It really helped us overcome the typical hurdles faced when executing a re-brand. It made it a super smooth process. Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently? We struggled a bit with taglines and ended up landing one that was created internally. Sometimes that happens but they did provide us with valuable ideas. --- #### Rebranding for Nonprofit Organization **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: June - Nov. 2020 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding services for a nonprofit organization’s partner. After a discovery phase, they created a new name, logo, identity, messaging, and visual guide. They also advised on trademarking. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Lead Partner for EarthGen, Social Venture Partners Seattle - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 1-10 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Oct 25, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: The client’s partner saw positive trends thanks to Northbound’s work; they went from supporting 34 to 131 school districts, and they doubled their funding. The team facilitated excellent collaboration, led an organized process, and delivered on time. Their talent for logo design stood out. "“The Northbound team had excellent listeners and collaborators with a lot of good advice.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I work for Social Venture Partners Seattle, a nonprofit organization. I’m a volunteer and was assigned to be the lead partner for EarthGen, another nonprofit we awarded a grant to. My role is as a go-between for them. I’ve worked side-by-side with the executive director for five years, and over that time, I’ve worked on various capacity-building projects. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? Once we established our partner organization, we decided to go through a branding change, which is why we hired Northbound. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Northbound provided us with branding services. First, they led a month-long discovery phase. Then, they worked on the brand’s positioning and compass for a month. The third month was focused on visual representation, including the brand name and logo. The team delivered a new name, logo, brand identity, messaging, and visual branding guide that included a new logo, visuals, colors, and fonts. They also wrote a new tagline. Additionally, Northbound provided trademarking consulting, and we also used an external lawyer to assist us. What is the team composition? We worked with five teammates from Northbound, including Michelle (Managing Partner), two people who helped with messaging, a creative resource, an account manager, and one more person who assisted the account manager with branding. How did you come to work with Northbound? I knew about them from previous interactions with Michelle, with whom I had worked. We interviewed 2–3 agencies and ultimately selected Northbound. How much have you invested with them? We spent about $60,000. What is the status of this engagement? We worked together from June–November 2020. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? Since working with Northbound, we’ve seen positive trends for the organization, and the branding has helped quite a bit. Their mission is to serve schools in Washington state; in 2018, they were helping 141 schools, which increased to 351 in 2020. They also went from serving 34 school districts in 2018 to 131 in 2020. In terms of funding, they started at $500,000, and now, they’re a million-dollar organization. Northbound was really clear with their directors and facilitated excellent brainstorming sessions. They were able to draw our team’s ideas and vision about the organization, including our executive director and director of advancement. The Northbound team had excellent listeners and collaborators with a lot of good advice. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? They were very collaborative, and the process was well-organized. We had a clear timeline with various milestones, so we understood what we needed to do each step along the way. Moreover, the team met their timeframe. We communicated virtually because we worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our project management tool was a platform we used to brainstorm and share information, though I don’t recall its name. What did you find most impressive about them? Northbound’s graphic design was top-notch. Their designer had a unique gift for logos. Many people have commented on the logo; it has been really powerful and galvanized the organization around the mission. Are there any areas they could improve? I can’t think of anything they needed to improve. --- #### Branding & Strategy for Marketing & Advertising Agency **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: $200,000 to $999,999 - Project length: May 2012 - Dec. 2014 **Project Summary**: An advertising and marketing agency hired Northbound for brand strategy, naming, and supplemental expertise with client challenges. They also assisted with positioning and marketing plans. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Former Executive, Marketing & Advertising Agency - Industry: Advertising & marketing - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Oct 24, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: The client was delighted with Northbound's work, and found them to be a trustworthy and reliable partner. The client was beyond impressed with their work and thought the team from Northbound was excellent with collaboration, highly knowledgeable, and extremely experienced. "“They were wonderful collaborators that we trusted fully.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I’m a former executive for an advertising and marketing agency. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? We needed strategic expertise around brand strategy, naming, and strong supplemental guidance in the strategic challenges our clients were facing. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Northbound assisted us with a few separate projects, which included naming, brand refreshes, new designs and color schemes, and positioning. Northbound also helped us with marketing plans for our clients. What is the team composition? We primarily worked with Michelle (Managing Partner) and Samantha (Company Brand Officer). How did you come to work with Northbound? A mutual colleague introduced us. How much have you invested with them? We invested close to $500,000 with Northbound. What is the status of this engagement? We worked together between May 2012–December 2014. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? We had very high client satisfaction, and they produced extraordinary work. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? They always stayed on time and within budget. We communicated via phone calls, emails, and text messages. What did you find most impressive about them? We were separate entities, but they acted like a partner, and we always appreciated their integrity. Their output was extraordinary, and they were wonderful collaborators that we trusted fully. What they delivered always delighted us. When we worked with them we got their knowledge and experience, which was invaluable. Are there any areas they could improve? There’s nothing they could have improved upon. Do you have any advice for potential customers? They’re the right agency to work with regardless of the size of your company. Ask any and all questions that you have. --- #### Branding Services for Technology Solutions Provider **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Sep. 2017 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: A technology solutions provider hired Northbound to handle their branding needs. They've helped with the client's brand architecture and developed the brand strategy and messaging for their product portfolio. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Director of Brand Strategy, Technology Solutions Provider - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Oct 19, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound has had a significant role in defining some of the client's most important names, and their work has led to an increase in brand awareness and perception. The flexible and accommodating team leverages their expertise and creativity into innovative solutions that match the client's needs. "“Northbound is a smaller company but brings the best in class of thinking and expertise.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I’m the director of brand strategy at a technology solutions provider. We provide enterprise software globally. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? We needed a company that could help us with our brand architecture and our products’ and services' meaning. We also needed someone who could handle the brand strategy and messaging development for certain portions of our product portfolio. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? We usually start our engagements by trying to understand what we’re trying to achieve, getting aligned on objectives, and asking the right questions to make sure that we’re on the same page in terms of our needs. Northbound would then develop solutions and provide concrete recommendations based on their expertise. We then provide them with feedback as needed and then deploy the recommendations once we agree on everything. They’re really good at staying flexible to changes along the way. As we learn something, they’re not rigid in saying that what they’ve recommended is the only and right answer. The deliverables are hard to quantify because there are so many different kinds. But whether it's a product name, a piece of strategy, or some messaging, it's usually in the form of recommendations that then we as a company deploy. What is the team composition? We’ve worked with 10–15 people from Northbound, depending on our needs. How did you come to work with Northbound? They were already working with the company at the time that I joined, but I found, during my own evaluation, that not only were they great, but they were someone I wanted to work with more. Based on my experiences, I increased their engagement a considerable amount based on their performance and the way the manner in which they work. What is the status of this engagement? We started working together in September 2017, and the engagement is ongoing. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? We’ve seen an increase in our brand awareness and brand perception. We now also have a clearer understanding of our product portfolio, thanks to Northbound’s work. Aside from that, they had a significant role in defining our strategy and the messaging, which are market-leading solutions. In addition, they had a very clear and strong role in some of the prime names for major global products and services. They are the engine behind many of the company's most important names. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? Northbound has performed well in terms of project management. One of the strengths of northbound is that there are never any surprises. We always know they will come at or under budget, and if we do need to go over, it’s something we will discuss before and agree on what is appropriate. We typically communicated through Microsoft Teams, phone calls, and email. What did you find most impressive about them? Northbound is a smaller company but brings the best in class of thinking and expertise. It's that unique combination that makes them different. Another thing that we love about working with Northbound is that they are adaptable. Our company has its own methodologies and processes, but Northbound is flexible enough to work within our system, augment it, and help us build it out. Some companies will try to imprint their own process on us, but Northbound does a great job of adapting to our needs and processes whilst still being able to bring their best thinking. Are there any areas they could improve? Constantly improving creative quality is something that they can do and are doing. Do you have any advice for potential customers? It's important to understand your own needs before you start working with them. Having a very open and transparent conversation with Northbound at the beginning, letting them into the problem, and not holding hold any information back is essential because by trusting them, you get the best of their thinking. --- #### Web Design & Branding for Transportation Solutions Company **The Project** - Services: Branding, Web Design - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: Jan. 2015 - Sep. 2016 **Project Summary**: A transportation solutions company hired Northbound to provide web design and branding. They thoroughly examined the client's market and competition to deliver a new and unique brand identity. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Former CMO, INRIX - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 1-10 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Sep 26, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: The client was satisfied with Northbound's deliverables, which caught everyone's attention thanks to their brilliant team. They committed to deadlines and used multiple tools to maintain organized project management. The client also praised their cost-effectiveness versus other providers. "''their level of attention to me as a client was great — they were invested in ensuring we were successful.''" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I was the CMO at Inrix, a transportation solutions company that works with major automotive manufacturers worldwide. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address Northbound? We had not updated Inrix's brand strategy for several years, and sales were stagnant. We wanted to change our brand story and become much broader about new technologies like autonomous vehicles and the shift to electric cars. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Northbound spent a lot of time with our team, including board members and customers, to help us redesign our website based on the brand guidelines and identity we asked for them. We wanted that the language they used, the positioning, the phrasing, the taglines, and the brand identity could reflect the new thinking that we needed to bring to the table to position Inrix at the forefront of this revolution. In addition, they provided us with a complete brand identity and how we would describe ourselves as a company in our marketing in a dynamic way. They did mock-ups of how presentations would look and change, new templates, and new go-to-market materials and collateral. Moreover, they looked at some of our competition and companies in the space to understand what we wanted. They did this to learn how we would look compared to them and how we could tell a unique story. They also worked with us in places where we needed to make changes providing their honest feedback. What is the team composition? We worked with around six members of their team, including their two principals and a design team. How did you come to work with Northbound? I had worked with them on a previous project. When I had the opportunity to do this redesign and take on a completely new look for our website, I offered them the opportunity to participate in the RFP we put out. We had every major agency bidding and pitching us different ideas and different concepts, but in the end, Northbound was the best solution. How much have you invested with them? We spent $50,000–$200,000 on this project. What is the status of the engagement? We worked together from January 201–September 2016. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? They hit all their scheduled dates, and our customers and internal teams received their deliverables well — everything started to feel new for everyone, which certainly caught everyone's attention. Overall, they're amazing, and the entire team is brilliant because everyone I worked with was awesome. Northbound is a great organization that I've recommended to several people in my network. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? We used multiple tools and documents for project management, including email for communication, shared Excel spreadsheets on deliverables, to-do lists, and a deliverables calendar with what they'd complete by certain dates. We also had shared folders we used in which we were sharing and making notes and comments in the docs. In addition, when things didn't land right, they were willing to push a little bit, let it sink in, and talk it through. What did you find most impressive about them? They're a small agency, and when we compared the quality of their work and the value they provided to other international agencies, Northbound was more cost-effective than many of them. Additionally, I had Northnbound's two principles in my office regularly. Hence, their level of attention to me as a client was great — they were invested in ensuring we were successful, and that's not something we always get from a partner. Are there any areas they could improve? I didn't think there was anything they could improve — everything was a process that kept improving as we moved forward. Any advice for potential customers? Be clear about what you want and be flexible; if you have a goal, be clear and crisp, but don't be afraid to consider radical ways to get to that goal that you might not have otherwise considered. --- #### Web Development & Branding for Nonprofit Organization **The Project** - Services: Branding, Web Development - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Jan. 2018 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: Northbound has developed a WordPress site for a nonprofit organization. They've also designed a new logo, helped determine their new language and messaging, and updated their branding collateral. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Executive Director, Nonprofit Organization - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Sep 19, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound's support has boosted the client's earned media efforts and number of donors. Their work has also helped attract new board members. Efficient and organized, the team leads a seamless workflow. They impress with their strong understanding of the client's organization and goals. "“Northbound goes above and beyond to understand our organization and where we’re headed.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I’m the executive director at a nonprofit environmental organization. We work to connect people around Washington State to solutions for environmental issues that they can do at home and in their community. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? We wanted to improve and update our brand and assets, including our logo and website. We were poised to take the next step in the organization, and we needed something that captured who we are and what we do. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Northbound designed a new logo for us and helped us describe the brand and determine the language that we should use to address our donors and community. They developed a WordPress site from scratch and updated the designs of our business cards and letterhead. Our logo and other assets were also updated across all social media. Right now, they’re helping us with a campaign. What is the team composition? I’ve worked with six people from Northbound, including a brand specialist, copyeditor, and creative director. How did you come to work with Northbound? We found Northbound through a referral. What is the status of this engagement? We started working together in January 2018, and the engagement is ongoing. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? Some of the benefits have been earned media, including news stories, different publications, and radio. We've also seen an uptick in the number of donors. They've also helped us attract new board members and solidify our position in the environmental community in the greater Seattle area. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? Northbound has performed well in terms of project management. They’ve been fantastic at keeping a tight timeline and organizing our schedules so that we can achieve our goals in a timely manner. We typically communicate through email, phone calls, and Microsoft Teams. What did you find most impressive about them? Northbound goes above and beyond to understand our organization and where we’re headed. They dive deep into all of the available information to ensure that the products they create reflect the mission and goals of our organization. Are there any areas they could improve? No. Do you have any advice for potential customers? Make sure to give them the creative freedom to come up with different options related to imaging, graphics, copy, and messaging so that you have a suite of different opportunities and options to choose from. --- #### Market Research, Strategy & Branding for Wellness Product Co **The Project** - Services: Branding, Digital Strategy, Market Research - Project size: $200,000 to $999,999 - Project length: Mar. - Aug. 2021 **Project Summary**: Northbound conducted a market research and discovery process to support the new product launch of a wellness brand. Then, they created the logo, name, and entire branding and brand identity for the product. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Director of Product Strategy, Dawn House - Industry: Manufacturing - Client size: 51-200 Employees - Review Type: Phone Interview - Verified **The Review** — Sep 19, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: The client is excited about the entire branding developed by Northbound, and they now use the assets daily to promote the product launch. The team was collaborative and proactive in taking the lead, helping facilitate the process. Additionally, they were understanding, personable, and talented. "“Everyone I worked with was smart and engaged, and they seemed to have the same passion for our project as us.”" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I’m the director of product strategy for Dawn House, the first product and brand that has come from the wellness division of a larger company. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge were you trying to address with Northbound? We were developing a new product in a new space, so we needed help with defining who our ideal customers were and how to address them. Additionally, we needed to develop a brand name and brand identity. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement? Northbound helped us launch our new brand and product. This process included a discovery phase, quantitative insight discussions, brand composition discussions, user personas definition, message development, and naming and brand identity development. First, Northbound helped us with market research. For this part of the process, we did focus groups and external interviews, and they helped us with qualitative and quantitative research. Then, they created the entire branding, including colors, names, color schemes, and creative assets, and they included us in the process along the way. In addition to their branding work, Northbound recommended a partner they had previously worked with to develop our website. This partner helped implement Northbound’s branding designs into a website UI/UX, making the process seamless. What is the team composition? We worked with around six people from Northbound on a regular basis, including the two partners and an account director, who was our main point of contact. Still, they brought in additional resources as needed. For example, towards the end of our engagement, they brought in design partners to work on the branding. How did you come to work with Northbound? I got referred to Northbound. When I was looking for a partner, I reached out to several people I had worked with in the past and got many recommendations. We interviewed those companies, narrowed down our options, and ultimately decided to hire Northbound. How much have you invested with them? We spent over $200,000. What is the status of this engagement? We worked together from March–August 2021. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? The way we measured the success of the engagement was that we all felt very excited by the end of the project with our new name, branding, and logo. We haven’t changed any of the work that Northbound delivered. To this day, we’re using the assets and materials they developed on a daily basis. For example, whenever we bring a new partner, we share the research, target personas, and brand guidelines that Northbound helped us develop. Now, we’re in the process of launching our business digitally through marketing, and we’ve received very positive feedback about how well our brand looks. We’ve also received compliments from partners about the quality of Northbound’s work and how easy it is to use and implement. This has made our jobs easier because we don’t need to explain our model and target audience to every new partner, helping us move forward easier. How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint? Northbound led the entire process by asking the right questions along the way and defining the next steps. We worked very closely with them, and their collaborative approach helped keep us on the path of building the brand as we were simultaneously developing the product internally. Additionally, they were very good at recognizing if something we asked for would take us off budget or time so that we could make that decision together. Overall, Northbound stayed on time and within budget, and this was one of the most satisfying business relationships we’ve had. Northbound used a platform to share information about the project, and we had weekly meetings, which were very important to keep everything on track. These meetings allowed us to keep abreast of project updates from previous weeks. What did you find most impressive about them? One of the things we really liked about working with Northbound was that the partners got involved in the project upfront. They really understood our project and the market we were going after, as well as the complications the project might entail. Additionally, I really liked Northbound’s team size and quality. Other companies were much larger, so I felt we wouldn’t be a relevant client of theirs. Moreover, everyone I worked with was smart and engaged, and they seemed to have the same passion for our project as us. They had the right resources with the right talents, which we really appreciated. Are there any areas they could improve? No. Northbound asked us the same question at the end of our engagement, and we didn’t identify anything we weren’t happy with. They worked with us throughout the project, and they understood and adapted to our needs, so there was nothing they could have done better. Do you have any advice for potential customers? Be as transparent as possible upfront in every aspect and share everything you know about your business so that they have the best tools to work with. Additionally, meeting deadlines and getting work done is a two-way street. Be very engaged in every meeting and make decisions quickly to allow the project to move forward and hit your deadlines. --- #### Branding for Accounting Automation Platform **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Aug. - Nov. 2025 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided naming and branding services for an accounting automation platform. The team created a new name, logo, and color palette for the client to use going forward. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Acting CFO, Accumatic Inc. - Industry: Information technology - Client size: 11-50 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Dec 4, 2025 **Feedback Summary**: Northbound delivered on time and within budget. The client was pleased with the final deliverables and received positive feedback from end customers. The team was well organized and communicated effectively through virtual meetings. The client praised Northbound's energy and enthusiasm. ""The team was incredible and brought incredible energy."" **BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there.I’m the acting CFO of Accatic Inc. We automate accounting tasks for auto dealerships by converting reports from PDFs, Excel, TXT, and CSV files into ready-to-post files for dealership management systems, eliminating manual data entry and streamlining financial processes. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish for your accounting automation platform?We hired them to coordinate a process with the senior leadership team that identified best-in-class names for the automotive and technology industries. We also needed to apply a logo that was a transition from the existing names and logos of the company. **SOLUTION** What was the scope of their involvement?Northbound provided a new name, logo, and color palette for the company to use going forward. The goal was to provide as seamless a transition for the market as possible.What is the team composition?We worked with 2–5 teammates from Northbound.How did you come to work with Northbound?They asked us to fill out a survey on Clutch.How much have you invested with them?I'm keeping the amount confidential.What is the status of this engagement?We worked together from August–November 2025. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?Northbound delivered on time and on budget. Client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.How did Northbound perform from a project management standpoint?They were very well organized. We mainly communicated through virtual meetings.What did you find most impressive about them?The team was incredible and brought incredible energy. Samantha (Founder & CEO) and Eric (Founder & COO) were rockstars.Are there any areas they could improve?There's nothing they need to improve.Do you have any advice for potential customers?I recommend them. --- #### Branding Services for Microsoft **The Project** - Services: Branding, Marketing Strategy - Project size: $1,000,000 to $9,999,999 - Project length: Jan. 2021 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: Northbound has been hired by Microsoft to provide branding services. The team is responsible for the day-to-day naming evaluation and strategy, evaluating naming requests and selecting criteria. **Review Rating**: 4.5 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 3.5 - Cost: 4.5 - Willing to Refer: 4.5 **The Reviewer** Director of Naming & Brand Architecture, Microsoft - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review **The Review** — Jul 19, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Thanks to Northbound's efforts, the client's naming approval flow runs efficiently; they've evaluated and approved over 300 names in a year. Moreover, the team is always happy to jump into projects. They're timely, responsive, helpful, flexible, and communicative. Customers can expect great service. ""They have an incredible knack for attracting young talent."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Director of Naming & Brand Architecture of MicrosoftDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.Microsoft is the Copilot company. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Providing strategic leadership in naming and architectureEvaluating all naming requets **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?Pricing fit our budgetGreat culture fitReferred to meCompany values alignedHow many teammates from Northbound were assigned to this project?6-10 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.The role of Northbound's naming strategists is to deeply understand Microsoft’s naming strategy, evaluate naming requests on select criteria, and lead all strategic communication with product marketing managers concerning the content, strategy, and name of each request. Essentially, they run all our day-to-day naming evaluation and strategy. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?With Northbound, our naming approval flow runs both efficiently and rigorously. Last year, we evaluated and approved over 300 names with the Cloud Marketing organization.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Northbound's strategists are happy to roll up their sleeves and jump into projects - they're timely and very helpful.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?Virtual MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?For a small Seattle organization, they have an incredible knack for attracting young talent.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Northbound makes a lot of bets on young, new strategists. With that approach, you end up with a mixed bag of talent. Some turn out to be incredible all-stars and others require more hand-holding and coaching. Thankfully, Northbound has been very flexible with swapping in and out strategists whenever there's been a mismatch. --- #### AI Positioning & Messaging for Technology Infrastructure Co **The Project** - Services: Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Other Marketing, Product Marketing - Project size: Confidential - Project length: Jan. 2020 - Ongoing **Project Summary**: A service technology infrastructure company has hired Northbound to create data-driven AI positioning and messaging. They've conducted research, shared recommendations, and made content and statements. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Owner, Full Stack Strategies - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 501-1,000 Employees - Review Type: Online Review **The Review** — May 1, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: Thanks to Northbound, the internal stakeholders have supported the finalized company positioning and messaging. The final outcome has also been used by the sales department, increasing pipeline and market understanding. Overall, the team's strategic thinking and culture have been impressive. ""We are impressed with their skills and knowledge in the technology domain."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and position.I am the Owner of Full Stack StrategiesDescribe what your company does in a single sentence.Design, manufacture and service technology infrastructure for business. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What specific goals or objectives did you hire Northbound to accomplish?Develop company AI positioning and message platform **SOLUTION** How did you find Northbound?ReferralWhy did you select Northbound over others?High ratingsGreat culture fitWhat was the size of Northbound’s team?2-5 EmployeesDescribe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.Develop data driven AI positioning and messaging that correctly articulates company strategy, technology and differentiation. Research, recommendations, positioning statements, messaging content. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?Internal stakeholder approval and agreement to proceed, driving earned media and narrative into the market. Use by sales teams in market. Increased pipeline and understanding in the market.Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?Responsible and responsive. Active, engaged. Excellent listening skills. Comfortable in debating approaches, interpreting data. Always on time, agile in approach.What was your primary form of communication with Northbound?In-Person MeetingEmail or Messaging AppWhat did you find most impressive or unique about this company?We are impressed with their skills and knowledge in the technology domain. Strategic thinking. Great approach, great culture. Was comfortable putting Northbound team in front of senior leadership in the company w/out any concerns.Are there any areas for improvement or something Northbound could have done differently?Nope, nothing. --- #### Branding Services for Social Monitoring Service Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: Feb. - July 2016 **Project Summary**: Northbound provided branding and naming services for a social monitoring service company. After defining the client's current brand, they offered strategies for name creation and acquisition. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 5.0 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 5.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Founder, Young Consulting - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 1-10 Employees - Review Type: Online Review - Verified **The Review** — Jan 27, 2023 **Feedback Summary**: The client was satisfied with Northbound's work. Thanks to the team, the brand had a clear structure as they advanced. Through weekly meetings and constant communication, they executed a seamless workflow. They were insightful and responsive to questions. ""The collaboration felt like family."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and your position there. At the time, I was CMO at Sysomos. Sysomos was the leading Social Monitoring service. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** For what projects/services did your company hire Northbound, and what were your goals? We were on acquisition spree and needed a strategy branding and naming. Goal was to make sure we had a strategy for how we'd integrate. **SOLUTION** How did you select this vendor? I know their work and reputation Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables. Define our current band and naming strategy Build new strategy for acquisition, based on fact Parent name wasn't changing How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions? 3, two founders and day to day AE **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success? We walked away with clear structure going forward Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness. Best thing about Northbound is not just weekly coms,, but immediate reach out on serious questions so they could keep moving. The collaboration felt like family. What did you find most impressive or unique about this company? Optionality, reasoning, insight Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently? NO....went great --- #### Brand Positioning for Software Development Company **The Project** - Services: Branding - Project size: $50,000 to $199,999 - Project length: Mar. - July 2020 **Project Summary**: Northbound developed a messaging framework and tested researched-based concepts for a software development company, to be used by the internal marketing, social media, and sales team. **Review Rating**: 5.0 - Quality: 4.5 - Schedule: 5.0 - Cost: 4.0 - Willing to Refer: 5.0 **The Reviewer** Former Brand Strategy Director, Software Development Company - Industry: Other industries - Client size: 10,001+ Employees - Review Type: Online Review **The Review** — Nov 3, 2022 **Feedback Summary**: Qualitatively, the product that Northbound delivered was immediately utilized at one of the company's largest customer and partner events. The team was highly flexible, and internal stakeholders were particularly impressed with the vendor's strong leadership skills. ""Northbound was able to dedicate a team to our project to minimize conflicts."" **BACKGROUND** Please describe your company and your position there. I was the brand strategy director assigned to drive a positioning and messaging project for a legacy product and brand that was part of large portfolio of business to business products from one of the top 4 most valuable brands in the world. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** For what projects/services did your company hire Northbound, and what were your goals? We needed to define a new position for a legacy product and create messaging to support and bring that position to life. When we started the project, little did we know that COVID would be a major factor in not only doing the project, but on the outcomes of the project. **SOLUTION** How did you select this vendor? Two criteria were important. First, discipline expertise was critical to doing a project like this. Northbound has a number of high quality individuals with great knowledge and experience doing this kind of work. Second, they had pre-existing experience with our company and the audience and subject matter. This helped shorten the learning curve and go deeper without retraining an agency. Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables. Northbound was asked to help with the following: review existing research and develop a list of known truths that we could use to create a baseline of knowledge and insight review competitive offerings, positioning and messaging consult with research team/agency to develop a research plan for testing positioning and messaging. develop and present positioning concepts and stimulus for testing develop and present messaging concepts and stimulus for testing develop a messaging framework that combined all of the learnings from qualitative and quantitative research that would be used by marketing, social media teams, sales, etc. How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions? 3-6 people depending upon the phase of the project, that included: project manager who managed process and next steps two brand strategists who collaborated on the various phases, concept development, writing and stimulus creation copy writer who assisted in the development of stimulus and final outputs. agency leadership (2) who provided key insights and expertise at various milestones of the project **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success? Due to the proprietary nature of the work and company, specific metrics are not available. Qualitatively, the work was used immediately at one of the company's largest customer and partner events and Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness. Northbound did an excellent job of providing weekly updates in writing project updates and driving regular review meetings. They were flexible when it came to meeting the needs of our research schedules, executive review schedules and pre-reviews with numerous stakeholders. What did you find most impressive or unique about this company? Northbound has strong, steady leadership that provides a critical foundation to the individuals who they staff for various projects. They have and regularly demonstrate an open, growth-oriented mindset that helps them adapt to the subject matter, audience types, and business needs. Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently? Nothing of consequence. --- ## Portfolio & Awards ### Microsoft: Strategy, Naming, Design for Ind. Sol Services Day of Possibility Brand Compass – Positioning & Vision Naming Messaging & Tagline Identity Brand Expression Digital Guidelines and Toolkit ResultsRapid adoption of the unifying Industry Solutions narrative in both internal and external communications, and supremely positive response to the updated look and feel in defining the creative expression for the brand. ### HPE: Brand Strategy & Identity for HPE AI Challenge Correct customer misperception of HPE as primarily a hardware provider. Help customers successfully navigate the entire AI journey from proof of concept (POC) through deployment. Solution Change the story to focus on what customers can achieve with AI. Reinvent the HPE AI adoption journey map to better articulate customer needs. Craft overarching outcome-focused messaging, plus targeted messaging to different audiences and verticals. Produce new communications. Result Converted a complex, multi-layered technical story into compelling benefit-oriented messaging. ### Dawn House: Defining a Category Ergomotion is the world’s largest producer of adjustable beds. With a revolutionary new product poised to make a real difference for millions of people, they needed a way to reach the aging population and their children in a way that is easily understood and shows benefits beyond what a bed is traditionally known for. Northbound created a positioning and identity that became what our team named as Dawn House to compete across the aging, wellness, sleep, and technology categories, while rising above them all. ### Magic: The Gathering - Brand Identity & Naming Poised for growth following the acquisition by Hasbro, the Magic: The Gathering franchise wanted to evolve its brand to address an expanding market, and simplify the expression of its many properties, channels and touchpoints. Northbound developed a franchise architecture supporting the breadth and depth of the game and evolved the Masterbrand identity. An evolved and contemporary Magic visual identity and Magic: The Gathering ARENA. A place where epic battles across planes, skill levels and characters take place, testing the mettle and mental agility of all who enter. ### Impinj: Positioning & Ingredient Branding Northbound worke with Impinj to expand its brand’s value, reach, and relevance by defining the ingredient brand strategy and updating the Impinj positioning to best drive demand for a technology that continues to gain traction with partners and end customers. By pivoting from the RAIN RFID category to the IoT category, Impinj will leverage its connectivity expertise in a buzzing and burgeoning technology category, extending its customer base. The result is a brand platform that enables Impinj to proliferate its unique connectity technology to the trillions of items across industries and use cases that have yet to be connected. ### Sailbridge Flyhomes had a unique problem: lots of demand, with no supply. Their breakthrough mortgage product that allowed buyers to purchase a home with the terms of a cash offer for the seller, but with the payment structure of a traditional 80/20 mortgage for the buyer. They needed to create a separate brand, one not bound by the brokerage brand, that could serve Real Estate agents from every brokerage. They called Northbound. Through a nimble process that drove to a positioning around simplicity for the broker, buyer, and seller alike, Northbound created a foundation for naming and design. Packed with meaning, Sailbridge launched in Fall 2022, and has already begun to help brokers and buyers close more deals in a highly competitive marketplace. ### SimpliFi by Bank of Hawaii Challenge: The Bank of Hawaii had a bigger vision for its online mortgage application platform, SimpliFi, but lacked clarity about how to translate their brand values authentically within a digital space. Solution:Building on SimpliFi’s success in streamlining a mortgage application process, Northbound saw an opportunity to extend its simple, easy-to-use experience across other service areas. Leveraging the trusted heritage of Bank of Hawaii to lend the sub-brand credibility, we defined a modern digital banking experience for customers that felt fresh yet familiar. Result:A defined brand strategy and guidelines for SimpliFi - a digital experience sub-brand anchored in the trust and heritage of Bank of Hawaii. ### Taylor Shellfish - Ekone Challenge: Taylor Shellfish Farms acquired Ekone and wanted to bring the brand identity into the family of brands. There was a strong desire to keep the brand distinct and separate, but still feel a part of the same family. Solution: Northbound created an identity that leaned on what makes Ekone and Taylor Shellfish unique – legacy, process, quality – and framed that in a way that was ownable in the category, true to the product, and meaningful to our audiences. Result: Embracing the spirit of process and signaling quality with a sophisticated logo, eye-catching and purposeful color palette, all positioned alongside branded copy that tells the story of the brand in short, quick lines. ### Microsoft: Naming, Strategy, ID for MSFT Advert. Reinventing a signature brand Challenge: Instead of competing as a search brand or as a social network, Bing Ads needed to emphasize the things that set Microsoft apart. Solution: After recommending the name change to Microsoft Advertising, Northbound delivered a multi-layered strategic product to convey the power of the brand. Result: We launched a new brand and helped build momentum and advocacy around it by demonstrating how it advances the overall Microsoft mission. ### Clutch Awards - [Clutch Award Badge](https://shareables-prod-static.clutch.co/badges/top_clutch.co_branding_company_san_francisco_2026.svg) - [Clutch Award Badge](https://shareables-prod-static.clutch.co/badges/top_clutch.co_branding_company_seattle_2026.svg) - [Clutch Award Badge](https://shareables-prod-static.clutch.co/badges/top_clutch.co_branding_company_washington_2026.svg) - [Clutch Award Badge](https://shareables-prod-static.clutch.co/badges/top_clutch.co_brand_strategy_company_2026.svg) - [Clutch Award Badge](https://shareables-prod-static.clutch.co/badges/top_clutch.co_brand_strategy_company_2025_award.svg) ### Industry Recognitions - Best Visual Identity by a Charity, NGO or Not-For- - Best Brand Development Project to Reflect a Change - Hermes Platinum Award 2025 - Hermes Platinum Award 2024 - Best visual ID from lifestyle &wellbeing sector - Best naming strategy (new name) - Oleria - Best strategic/creative development of a new brand ## Packages ## About the Team ### Our Story Core senior team of 10. We work in a hybrid/distributed model that allows Northbound to flex and build bespoke teams through a deep network of strategist, designers, and subject matter experts with each engagement. ## Verification Premier Verified means Clutch independently confirmed Northbound is a legally registered business, financially sound (Creditsafe: Moderate Risk), and backed by 26 verified client reviews averaging 4.9 stars. - Verified Client Reviews: 26 - Overall Review Rating: 4.9 Last Updated: 2026-08-10T09:09:11Z ### Business Entity - Business Entity Name: Northbound Brand, Inc. - Source: Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System - Jurisdiction of Formation: Washington - Date of Formation: March 5, 2011 - Status: Active - Last Updated: May 11, 2024 - ID: 603 092 920 ### Credit Report Results - International Credit Risk Assessment: Moderate Risk - Source: Creditsafe - Last Updated: January 1, 2022 ## Locations (2) ### Seattle, WA (Headquarters) - 2101 4th Avenue - Seattle, WA 98121 - United States - 10 - 15 employees - Phone: 206 257 5084 ### San Francisco, CA - 524 Kansas - San Francisco, CA 94107 - United States - 10 - 15 employees ## Connections - John Livengood (Avalara) - Tyler Young (Buddha Jewelry Official) - Andy Traba (NiCE) - Ben Goux (Pioneer Venture Partners) - Erin Amstrup (Sisense) - Jessica Coffman (Siteimprove) ## Contact Northbound [Send a message](https://clutch.co/profile/northbound-0) ### Connect on Social - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/northbound-llc) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/northboundbrandstrategy) - [X](https://twitter.com/northboundbrand) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/northboundbrand/)