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Award-Winning Boutique Branding Agency

5.0
4 reviews

Bartlett Brands is a boutique branding agency based in San Francisco. From cosmetics to consumables, we bring the all-girl power to developing brands that challenge the status and cut through the quo. 

 
$10,000+
 
Undisclosed
 
2 - 9
 Founded
2011
Show all +
San Francisco, CA
headquarters
  • 977 Valencia St
    San Francisco, CA 94110
    United States

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Williams-Sonoma, Kendo, Crabtree + Evelyn, Michael Mina Group, Rodan + Fields, Biossance, Colada Shop, Camp Collection, Patchology, The Wine Group, Ipsy, Greenleaf

Biossance

SERVICES: BRAND STRATEGY, POSITIONING, IDENTITY, PACKAGE DESIGN, WEB DESIGN, FIXTURE DESIGN, IN-STORE DISPLAY, COLLATERAL, MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, BRAND GUIDELINES

 

Biology by Nature. Human by Design.

Bartlett Brands took Biossance from an average “nature meets science” brand into a standout concept. Sephora called their launch

…
“unprecedented.”

Our strategy tapped into the power of simplicity. Using a single ingredient brand story, we introduced squalane oil to the millennial beauty customer in a way that she could instantly understand and remember.

Biossance holds themselves to the highest standard of sustainability. Likewise, we didn’t compromise when designing chic packaging in highly recyclable primary components and eco-friendly outer cartons made from sugarcane. Waste? Not.

An immediate disruptor, Biossance became one of the top skincare brands in Sephora after just a few weeks.

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Colada Shop

SERVICES: POSITIONING, BRAND DEVELOPMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, IDENTITY, PACKAGE DESIGN, COLLATERAL

 

Come curious. Leave Cuban.

The coffee ritual is one of the most beloved Cuban traditions. The Colada Shop team ordered an add-shot of creativity from beyond the Beltway, and Bartlett Brands delivered—concepting a brand meant to be as admired as the tradition

…
itself.

The intrigue of Cuba provided rich inspiration for the brand’s concept. When designing the space and identity, we borrowed visual language from both the Cuban home and the colorful, distressed streets of Havana—referencing tradition, but with a modern sensibility. We curated a lively interior with colorful tiles, distressed textures and authentically Cuban materials. Then, we whipped up menu designs, packaging and collateral with extra foam and a dash of heart. #ColadaLove

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First Day

SERVICES: BRAND DEVELOPMENT, POSITIONING, IDENTITY, PACKAGE DESIGN, SHIPPING EXPERIENCE

 

Rise Healthy. Shine Strong.

Not all vitamins are created equal—and neither are all wellness brands.

We brought our A+ game with a brand designed to make the grade for today’s perceptive parents. Packaging that pops and doubles as a kid’s cup after your 30 days is up. A

…
cool coloring brochure that creates an immediate Insta unboxing moment. And names like “Daily Enrichments” for the multivitamin Yummy Gummies, so parents feel super smart about their choice.

Everyday should feel like a first.

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Freya

SERVICES: POSITIONING, TAGLINES, IDENTITY, TEXTILE DESIGN, COLLATERAL, PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Trek boldly. Wander wildly. Explore boundlessly.

Freya believes that what you carry with you is as important as the places you go. So they created luggage that colors your travels and styles your journey.

We brought the bygone elegance of their modern hat boxes into the

…
Insta-era with branding that speaks to women with a lust for experience. An iconic identity, colorful textile designs for the inside of the hat boxes and scarves, and a photoshoot on SF’s infamously foggy beaches with just the right amount of tasteful nudity. Adventure, let’s get it on—carried wherever the wind and untamed imagination takes us.
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Bamboo Asia

SERVICES: POSITIONING, BRAND STRATEGY, POSITIONING, IDENTITY, INTERIOR DESIGN, COLLATERAL

 

East Eats West.

Bamboo Asia had made its name as a Fi-Di staple for the grab-n-go lunch crowd. But when they were ready to start expanding, they realized the brand wasn’t as fresh as the food.

We started with strategy, diving deep into the customer expectations and

…
Bamboo Asia’s unique value proposition. Then we reinvented everything but the food to create a buzz-worthy new concept: Bamboo Asia Far Out Market—a mashup of Far East flavors and West Coast vibes. The new heart-worthy identity and hip interior design have customers lining up—literally. And everyone is hella’ welcome.

Love, peace and far out food.

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Ao Skincare

SERVICES: BRAND STRATEGY, POSITIONING, IDENTITY, PACKAGE DESIGN, WEB DESIGN, COPYWRITING, COLLATERAL, PHOTOGRAPHY, BRAND GUIDELINES

 

Raw Nature. Refined Skincare.

Imagine your skin in its native state of health—perfectly pristine, naked, raw, untouched by the elements.

When Ao originally launched, the doctor-led brand focused on the science behind their

…
formulations, but their story didn’t stand out and connect with consumers in a compelling way. Our strategy elevated the raw elements—cold processed active ingredients sourced in the New Zealand wild—and surfaced founder Dr. Gray’s evolutionary approach to skin health. A provocative visual expression and product communication strategy work together to create a brand that’s both wild and cultivated.

This is beauty and branding from the brink.

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Reviews

5.0
4 reviews
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Branding for Biotech Skincare Product

"I attribute a lot of the success we’re seeing currently to their flexibility and nimbleness."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
May 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bartlett Brands provided an initial burst of rebranding and repackaging and is now an ongoing marketing partner. Focusing on identifying a concise brand message, they deliver print and digital collateral.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Miki Alioto
Creative Director, Biossance
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Due to the new brand experience, products have been ranked at higher levels than before Bartlett Brands’ involvement. The small team is nimble and hands-on, willing to jump to action suddenly or deliver materials on short deadlines. They approach every project with a can-do attitude.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The parent company is Amyris, and it’s a publicly-traded biotech company. Biossance is just a commercial division within Amyris. My role is the creative director for Biossance, a consumer-facing brand of a line of plant-derived, squalene-based skincare products which we just recently launched in Sephora.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bartlett Brands?

When I joined the company about a year and a half ago, Biossance was still fairly new. There was only one product. Since then, we've launched multiple products; we now have five. The challenge was that the technology and the formulation were fantastic, but there was something missing about the branding and the packaging. As we were progressing with meetings with big retailers, we got feedback about the need for a stronger brand presence. That’s what I got to work on when I joined the company, which led to bringing in multiple agencies to find a long-term partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The project was twofold. The first part was quickly diving into the rebranding and repackaging, while maintaining the formulation of our products. Once we developed our partnership with Bartlett, the second part of our project transitioned into an ongoing relationship with them to utilize their creative services and expertise.

They were great in coming up with brand strategy and repositioning. Our old branding was okay but still kind of convoluted, with a lot of mixed messaging. Bartlett Brands was able to really whittle it down to very clear and concise positioning. They helped us overall with brand strategy, brand development, package design, and other marketing collateral and creative.

Rebecca Bartlett is the owner and creative director, and then there’s an associate art director with whom I worked very closely. There was another person who did most of the copywriting and helped a lot with the positioning. It was really those three that I and my team interfaced with on a regular basis.

How did you come to work with Bartlett Brands?

I knew Rebecca from way back when I used to work at Sephora myself, and the beauty industry is pretty small in the Bay area. We had wanted to work together at my previous job so I immediately thought of her. I wanted to bring them in and let them do their pitch and then it just worked out from there.

As we were meeting with multiple agencies, Bartlett really stood out. They’re a pretty small team, and they hit the floor running with a can-do attitude, at a reasonable rate. This was very attractive to us. Another thing that stood out is they have a small but mighty team, like ours, so it seemed very compatible. They all have beauty backgrounds. A lot of the team at Bartlett comes from Sephora, or they have similar experience, so we were able to immediately speak the same language. They got us and immediately knew what needed to be done.

How much have you invested with Bartlett Brands?

We’ve invested $50,000-200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I believe we started working together around May or June of 2016, and the relationship is ongoing. We’ve done the branding project in phases. They helped us get into Sephora, and once we launched there in late February, we then signed a monthly retainer. The work has slowed down a little since we switched over to the new branding. They’ve been an excellent partner for ongoing creative projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

I don’t have the numbers off the top of my head. Since we launched in Sephora in late February or early March, one of our products is currently being ranked the number one eye product in all of Sephora. I think that has a lot to do with the overall branding experience and the packaging, especially knowing that it was nowhere near as successful as last year with the same product but different packaging. We recently found out from Sephora that our oil is ranked number three of all oils in Sephora currently.

How did Bartlett Brands perform from a project management standpoint?

I think they did a really good job. I really enjoyed their flexibility. Once we signed the retainer, it was easier to work with them. Before I felt more constrained because it was project-based and there was so much work that needed to be done. After signing the retainer, I think we’ve been able to accomplish more and get more bang for our buck. We were trying to be as strategic as possible, but once in a while, we would have an emergency project or fire drills. They were willing to jump in and help us along with that. Overall, I would say they were excellent.

What did you find most impressive about Bartlett Brands?

I really love their nimbleness, their ability to react very quickly. I’ve worked with other agencies, and I find that it’s sometimes difficult to get the work done at a faster pace because of the size of the agency. With Bartlett, because they’re such a small team, they’re very hands-on, very involved at every level. Rebecca herself is very involved. Their turnaround time is just amazing. When we relaunched our branding, usually it would take up to a year-and-a-half to two years to do something like this. We were able to do it in eight to nine months with their help. I attribute a lot of the success we’re seeing currently to their flexibility and nimbleness to get us what we need to go to market within a very short time frame.

Are there any areas Bartlett Brands could improve?

Overall, we’re very pleased with their work. Sometimes we want to do more than what we can handle, so we reach out to them. I think that, because of their small size, they can’t handle everything. So, if anything, it would be good to maybe increase the size of their team in the future so we can give more projects to them. We’ve been very happy with them so far.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Branding for Cuban Social Outpost

"Our team and our customers could not be happier with our image and identity."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Jan. - June 2016
Project summary: 

Bartlett Brands facilitated a discovery process that clarified the company’s identity and purpose. The project team continues to provide design input for the logo, website, and other visual elements.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Washington, DC
Partner, The Colada Shop
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The launched brand has been nominated for several design awards, which is credited to Bartlett Brand’s impressive creativity and passion for excellence. Other highlights include timely results, professionalism, and a special visual touch. Bartlett Brand’s fees are comparatively high, but worth it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Colada Shop is a Cuban concept, what we call a Cuban social outpost. We offer products such as coffee and Cubano sandwiches, but we also have cocktails. Beyond being just a coffee shop, we’re a “come many times a day and experience Cuba” place. My role in the organization is on the business side, as a managing partner. I’ve partnered up with some extremely creative people, and I focus on anything related to building the business and growing out its concept.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bartlett Brands?

Rather than a challenge, we needed to come up with an identity for our concept. We already knew what type of concept and product we wanted to sell, and we also had a name, but there was no full-on identity in terms of branding and all the other required elements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I wasn’t the main point person for this project, but I saw the deliverables and provided a lot of feedback. My partner was the day-to-day contact for Bartlett Brands. They took us through an interview process to understand who we were and what we were looking to accomplish. Bartlett Brands determined the different things we needed to design, such as a logo, elements for the website, paper packaging for retail products, and so on. Bartlett Brands provided different ideas and went through a few iterations with us. By the time the results got to me, my partner had weeded out many of the options we didn’t want.

Bartlett Brands took a wide approach and developed numerous elements that we needed for our concept, including menu boards, digital designs for the website and social media, and so on. Bartlett Brands worked hard to come up with a comprehensive branding for us from all perspectives.

How did you come to work with Bartlett Brands?

I interviewed many firms along with my partner, who was instrumental in looking for the right company for our job. We came across Bartlett Brands, looked at some of their previous work, and worked directly with them in order to build the identity of the Colada Shop. One or two of the websites they’d built in the past caught our eye. Out of the six to ten companies we interviewed, Bartlett Brands seemed to be the best fit.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Bartlett Brands in January 2016. The project was completed in June, before we opened our first store. The work is never really complete, and we have gone back for menu revisions and other small things. We’re still working with Bartlett Brands today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We’ve been up for design awards, and I’ve heard about how great our branding is on a daily basis. I was recently in a meeting with a venture capital firm that is interested in working with us, and they’ve been blown away by the work. Everything has been A+ in terms of feedback, and the customers love it.

I’ve built many companies from a sales and marketing role, and nothing I’ve seen previously came out as well, compared to the requirements we set. It has shown in the market, with the material being loved by investors and customers alike.

We’re getting a lot of social media attention because people are sharing our products. Not only did Bartlett Brands meet all of our branding requirements, but they also put something special out there, which we almost didn’t expect. The awards we’re up for are attributable to Bartlett Brands’ creativity.

How did Bartlett Brands perform from a project management standpoint?

Bartlett Brands was clear with timelines and budgets. They were transparent, and I have no complaints in terms of how the project ran and how they delivered. Bartlett Brands was always on time and had great explanations when we needed to make adjustments.

What did you find most impressive about Bartlett Brands?

I was impressed by their level of creativity. I’ve worked with many marketing firms, and Bartlett Brands was well and beyond many of the other firms I’ve used. I’ve recommended them to other people who are now in discussions with Bartlett Brands, and I’m ready to do it again because of their professionalism and work output.

Are there any areas Bartlett Brands could improve?

The pricing could be improved. You get what you pay for in life, and, if we had gone for a cheaper route, we would have gotten a cheap result. The cost definitely went a lot higher than I expected, but every penny was worth it, now that I’ve gotten the results.

5.0
Overall Score I don’t like giving perfect scores across the board, but, as it relates to our project, Bartlett Brands couldn’t have done a better job. It would be tough to poke any holes in what they did.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were always available in general. We probably missed more meetings since we were building the company at the same time, but Bartlett Brands was there for us and delivered on time.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I wasn’t happy about the cost initially.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Our team and our customers could not be happier with our image and identity.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve already done it several times.

Rebranding for Startup Skincare Brand

"They have a very good pulse on what’s hip and what’s happening now in the industry."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Aug. 2016 - Jan. 2017
Project summary: 

With a shift in their target audience to a younger generation, the client looked to Bartlett Brands to update their branding efforts, including the renewal of their website, messaging, and packaging.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Boston, Massachusetts
Chris Hobson
CEO, Patchology
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Bartlett Brands was selected over other providers because of their domain expertise in the beauty industry. Since their rebrand, business has doubled and consumers' reactions have been extremely positive.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of Patchology. We are a startup skincare brand, and our products are sold at major retailers around the world, as well as online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bartlett Brands?

We had our original branding done by a local firm who did a good job. We realized that our target consumer was younger than our original plan. We were also trying to target retailers that are focused on younger audiences. We realized that we needed to update the look and feel, the packaging, and the website for our brand. We wanted to talk in a less technical and more lifestyle way with end consumers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The process included a lot of interviews and strategy discussions with our team and me. Rebranding involves a lot of stakeholders, both inside and outside of the company. Bartlett Brands wanted to make sure we covered all those bases. They arranged a lot of internal conversations and helped set up our objectives. From there, they did a bunch of research. They talked to consumers, retailers, and people in the industry in general. Then there was a workshop phase, during which we revised the positioning and the branding. Once we had the strategy set, they created a brand platform document, which was great, and then executed on it. They did an update to all our packaging, our website, email templates, etc.

How did you come to work with Bartlett Brands?

Rebecca, the Creative Director from Bartlett Brands, was a judge on a beauty industry awards panel, and we ended up winning. We connected through that, and that was great. We looked at various firms, and a couple of things set Bartlett apart. In the beauty industry, they are super-connected and have a deep domain expertise in beauty, which was key for us. Rebecca herself has tons of energy. She’s very well-spoken and very good at what she does. We felt confident we were getting the right person in working with her.

How much have you invested with Bartlett Brands?

We’ve invested around $30,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in August of 2016, and it was completed in January of 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

When people look at our presence online, our packaging or even the trade show booth designed based on Bartlett Brand’s work, the excitement, and the reaction has moved from "That’s nice" to "Oh my gosh, that is amazing!" It’s hard to measure that, but it has been extremely meaningful for us. Our business has doubled since we rebranded the company. That’s not solely due to Bartlett’s work, but they definitely played a part.

How did Bartlett Brands perform from a project management standpoint?

Bartlett Brands was very good on certain things, like getting things done on time. Some of the web stuff was a little slow, and some of the packaging stuff took longer than we thought it would. Overall, they were solid.

What did you find most impressive about Bartlett Brands?

Rebecca herself is phenomenal. She has done a good job with surrounding herself with people who are really top-notch. They have an amazing copywriter and several designers who are very good. They have a very good pulse on what’s hip and what’s happening now in the industry.

Are there any areas Bartlett Brands could improve?

The turnaround time on the web stuff could have been improved.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    There were a couple of things around project management where we would have loved to push a little harder. Overall, they’re really good.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    A board member couldn’t believe what we spent. She thought it would be five times that amount.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Bartklett Brand's quality was excellent.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would highly recommend Bartlett Brands, and I would use them again.

Brand Platform for Beauty Company

"The brand platform earned a strong positive response."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Sept. 2017 - Feb. 2018
Project summary: 

Bartlett Brands created and implemented a brand platform across multiple teams. Deliverables included a style guide and voice guide.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
San Mateo, California
Stephanie Lin
VP of Marketing, ipsy
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Positive feedback made the implementation effective. The team was responsive and assertive. Their collaborative approach ensured quality results.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the VP of marketing for ipsy, a beauty company that targets millennials.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bartlett Brands?

We needed them to define our brand platform.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to codify our visual identity and voice.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had worked closely with Rebecca (Creative Director, Bartlett Brands).

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Deliverables included a brand platform, style guide, and voice guide. After the CEO approved the materials, we rolled out the brand to all teams at ipsy.

What was the team composition?

In addition to Rebecca, we worked with leads for design, production, and editorial and strategy.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The brand platform earned a strong positive response.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team was very responsive. We talked frequently and fluidly throughout the project, and course corrected the timeline as needed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They weren’t afraid to push back and challenge us. Bartlett Brands wanted to achieve the best possible outcome for the project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

5.0
Overall Score I would work with them again.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We didn't have any issues.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The prices were reasonable.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They were creative, relevant, and fresh.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I'm likely to refer them.