BEXBRANDS

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Candy Wizard of JOYRIDE

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We make uncommon candy like gummy bears and licorice that is amazing tasting with ZERO sugar, plant based, non GMO and carb conscious.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire BEXBRANDS to accomplish?

• give our packaging a refresh as we looked too juvenile
• evaluate if we should do a brand name change as well

SOLUTION

How did you find BEXBRANDS?

Referral

Why did you select BEXBRANDS over others?

Great culture fit, Good value for cost, Referred to me, Company values aligned, Other

What was the size of BEXBRANDS’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

we were looking for a consumer products agency that could help us do a packaging refresh as we were getting some criticism that our packaging was "too juvenile" and so we needed to bring things forward. In the process we wanted to evaluate a potential brand change from our name Project 7 that had been alot of various products over the year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• that we would find a design that captured the magic and fun of candy that didn't feel like a healthy food brand but just a great iconic candy brand that happened to be healthy. that we would take the time with a seasoned group to consider the name change and implications that went with that both good and bad. that we would land on a package and name that once we showed to current customers and prospective ones they would say it was an improvement over what we had.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were great all the way around and were incredibly customer-focused. we didn't just get handed off to an acct manager to run the project... we got to work with the principals over and over again and that made a real difference to us. they were fair, hustled and are incredibly humble and good at what they do.

What was your primary form of communication with BEXBRANDS?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

just the top down mindset of lets make really special stuff and have fun doing it. jeremy and becky are a delight to work with and they get design, they get branding and they get the food and beverage space. they have assembled a team of people that compliment this culture well and they have integrity.

Are there any areas for improvement or something BEXBRANDS could have done differently?

no - I don't have any complaints. I added some projects that I should have asked them for some quotes on ahead of time but that was on me. they just answered the bell and were fair in doing so.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO + Founder of The Humble Seed

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We make a seriously seedy snack cracker that is deliciously crisp and perfectly snack-sized.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire BEXBRANDS to accomplish?

• Logo and Packaging Design for a New Snack Brand

SOLUTION

How did you find BEXBRANDS?

Other

Why did you select BEXBRANDS over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

What was the size of BEXBRANDS’s team?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Bex Brands developed a logo and packaging design for a new line of snack crackers. The team at Bex started with just the brand name and took it from concept to finished on-shelf packaging.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Packaging truly stands out on shelf.
• Everyone loves the design and logo.
• Packaging clearly communicates key product attributes.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The Bex Brands team has outstanding project management skills. Deliverables are always on time and exceed expectations. Emails and client requests are handled promptly, the team is always available to discuss the project or provide files when needed.

What was your primary form of communication with BEXBRANDS?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email 
• Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Many packaging agencies have a "look" and much of their work ends up having a similar look and/or feel. Bex is truly unique in that they approach every project with a strategic lens and fresh eyes so your project is right for you and designed specifically with your objectives in mind.

Are there any areas for improvement or something BEXBRANDS could have done differently?

No. I would hire them again in an instant.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder | CEO of Hemp Hounds LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Hemp Hounds: A Healthy Dose of Happy. Adaptogenic dog treats powered by hemp!

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire BEXBRANDS to accomplish?

• core consumer persona
• brand equities
• brand personality
• brand pillars
• brand positioning
• brand promise
• brand essence
• brand pyramid
• brand voice
• logo & tagline
• do & don'ts
• ingredient icons
• typography
• color pallets & proportions
• photography guidelines
• flourishes & images
• packaging photography guidelines
• merchandise guidelines
• social media guidelines

SOLUTION

How did you find BEXBRANDS?

Referral

Why did you select BEXBRANDS over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

What was the size of BEXBRANDS’s team?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Full brand creation, including 5 Pillars:

1. Brand Position
2. Logo
3. Visual Direction
4. Visual Assets
5. Application

Deliverables for each:

• Brand Position: core consumer persona. brand equities, brand pillars, brand positioning statement, brand promise, brand essence, brand pyramid, brand voice, brand voice examples
• Logo: logo, clear space & minimum sizes, do's and don'ts, logo + tagline, logo icon
• Visual Direction: typography, typography examples, color palettes & proportions, production photography (lifestyle, studio, outdoors)
• Visual Assets: ingredient icons, additional icons, flourishes & images, photography on packaging, bar
• Application: social media guidelines, merchandise guidelines, packaging application

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• category differentiation
• uniqueness of packaging
• qualified peer response to results

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Bex Brandsgoes above and beyond. This is my second brand I've taken to Bex Brands specifically for their attention to the market and their ability to differentiate. There is a high level of market research in their decision making. Throughout the process we felt listened to, and even when we weren't able to adequately describe our goals, they used multi tiered approaches to hone in and refine till we found the perfect voice for the brand.

Deliverables were on time and below estimates and responded to our needs in a timely and sincerely thought out approach. Each step of the process ensured us that they truly understood our brand and goals for our particular sector of the market.

What was your primary form of communication with BEXBRANDS?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email
• Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The market research and ability to differentiate the product for any particular category in the market. Some times it can be hard for us CPG brands to adequately explain where we are trying to go with the brand and the voice. Bex Brands asked all the right questions and honed in on where we were trying to go with the brand.

One look at our product and you know right away you've never seen any other product in the category like it, anywhere. it feels genuine, nostalgic, and couldn't be more proud of their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of Brand Marketing for Sambazon. We’re a consumer packaged goods company that provides açai and organic açai products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

We were no longer happy with our current packaging partner – a creative agency – so we wanted to find a new partner who specialized in packaging.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re our packaging design agency of record so they’ve helped us launch a couple of product lines. They’re currently helping us as we undergo a logo optimization process. We start every new project by putting together a brief on our side and then having a collaborative kick-off call. Then they’ll go into ideation and creating a first draft, which leads to us deciding on a design together. They also walk everything through the printing process.

What is the team composition?

There are a couple of designers that they bring in, but one of their co-founders has been my main point of contact. They’ve also brought on a project manager as of late.

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

We first heard about them through word of mouth and liked the fact that they were local enough to visit in-person if we needed to. Someone who used to work here actually went on to work with them, and we’d seen the work that they’d done with other brands. They’d partnered with other natural foods companies so they knew the space well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent somewhere in the range of $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

At the customer level—the retailers and grocery stores we work with—we’ve had comments about how our packaging has improved and how it helps them sell our products. We’ve also had end-customers say the same things.

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

I can pick up the phone at any point and called the co-founder, who is also the lead designer. They always make time for us and it never feels like it’s a burden on them. They’ve had to hire quickly as a small company growing rapidly, so they added a project manager. That really streamlined things since they were trying to do it all at one point.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve bent over backwards for us—in terms of design—so many times. We’re a notoriously complicated brand, but they deal with all of our opinions very well. They take feedback really well and will tell us if what we want to do isn’t actually in our best interest. They’re also accommodating and allow us to have the final say. They always give us a couple of versions and try to guide us in the right direction.

Their quality of work and creativity stand out to us. A lot of brands in the natural foods space look the same and everyone in the industry tends to follow the same design trends. BEX’s packaging is also different and customized. They always come out with something that feels really well-done, beautiful and true to our own identity.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Bringing on a project manager has really streamlined the process. Any downside I would have mentioned was addressed by bringing on the staff that they needed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and founder of Enlightened Brand Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in multiple start-ups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

Initially, we wanted to rebrand a restaurant that we were getting ready to launch, because we weren't happy with our original branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the first project BEXBRANDS worked with us on, their team rebranded one of our restaurants, which included designs for a logo, menu, and advertisements.

We've also worked with BEXBRANDS on other projects, including a complete branding package for Suja Juice, a multi-hundred-million-dollar company. They helped us develop Suja's identity, name, and various designs. They work on countless iterations as needed as the company evolves, which has included the designs of all of its beverage labels for over 150 SKUs.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Becky and Jeremy (Partners, BEXBRANDS).

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

I knew of BEXBRANDS from my previous experience in the hospitality industry, so someone had introduced me to them initially. When we were getting ready to launch one of our restaurant concepts, I thought they'd be a good partner to work with on branding.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their services over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since 2009.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We were able to buy 30% of our company at a $300 million valuation, which lends credibility to the work BEXBRANDS has done.

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

They're great at immersing themselves into the culture of the company and the direction we want to go, even when venturing into unchartered territories. They really embed themselves in our team and become and extension of our internal resources. Always on time and responsive in communications, we continue to work with them again and again.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're a very involved, boutique-style agency. The level of personal, detail-oriented attention they offer us sets them apart from other vendors. I really love the fresh, creative ideas they're able to bring to the table that go beyond the normal branding protocol.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the VP of marketing and GM for bioClarity, an indie beauty brand. Our skincare line includes a unique ingredient that’s based on chlorophyll. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

BEXBRANDS came onboard to help us with our branding. I initially hired BEXBRANDS to help us tighten up our brand story and messaging, both from a visual and copy perspective. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BEXBRANDS produced a brand book for us. The assets they designed included an enhanced logo, brand voice, and copy manifesto. The team created a set of iconographies to mark us as distinct in our marketplace. BEXBRANDS helped us write and tell the story we wanted to convey to consumers. 

What is the team composition? 

I worked with both Becky (Partner, BEXBRANDS) and Jeremy (Graphic Designer and Partner, BEXBRANDS). 

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

I found BEXBRANDS by asking my network which teams do great brand and creative work. I chose them over others because my first phone call with Becky how passionate they are. Based on the examples they provided, they did incredible work. 

How much have you invested with them?

The brand work for our first project cost $45,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and completed our initial project by that August. Our partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I enjoy partnering with skilled people that love what they do. BEXBRANDS instilled a sense of energy and passion into our thought process. Their work provided the foundation for what our business needs. They helped cultivate our brand story and lifestyle we wanted to convey. 

Plenty of metrics show how much business has grown since we've deployed the foundational elements into the market. Creative efforts can be hard to measure, but I guarantee that companies who work with BEXBRANDS will find themselves in a better position after the engagement than before. 

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

They're excellent. They anticipate my questions before I even ask them. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

BEXBRANDS is highly skilled at their line of work in the "better for you" brand space. They are truly unmatched. They see a lot of brands in the industry and are so talented that they can be selective about clients.

I appreciate the team’s transparency around their beliefs for what brands need to be successful. As a testament to that, if a brand isn't willing to make a necessary update or change, BEXBRANDS will have those conversations up front. This level of honesty keeps everyone on the same page. They never begin engagements that won't succeed. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

BEXBRANDS is my favorite partner to work with. I have very little to comment on in the improvement area.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

We are introducing a new brand and product line and needed help with branding and packaging to showcase a unique product in the industry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They joined us during our conceptual phase and were very detailed and thoughtful. They took time to understand our business plan, differentiation factors, demographics, target markets, and what we were trying to achieve. They had a well-structured brainstorming process and helped us assess a variety of brands in the space.

They developed an entire brand voice for us, assisted with all of our packaging and labels, and consulted on social media and other branding elements.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with Becky (Partner, BEXBRANDS) and Jeremy (Partner, BEXBRANDS).

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

We found them through a colleague and through some research we did on branding agencies in the juice industry.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2016 and completed the project in April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We haven’t launched yet, so we don’t have metrics from the market. The branding was very important in our capital raising and response from new customers has been very positive. They provided a significant visual boost and we’ve received excellent feedback.

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was very structured. Deliverables occasionally took longer than we would have preferred but they always exceeded our expectations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their availability and responsiveness and the commitment by the partners was excellent. They think outside the box and their deliverables were always well-received.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They were limited on internal resources when we worked together. The partners often had to do some of the lower-end branding efforts that could have been done by an entry- or mid-level team member. The partners’ higher hourly rate affected our billing but they’ve since taken steps to bring more people into their organization.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the brand manager for an organic coffee brand. I oversee our packaging design, shopper marketing programs, and day-to-day marketing activities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

The category of cold brew coffee products began to get crowded with new competition emerging regularly. We needed to refresh our packing so that it not only stood out on the shelf but also communicated our key messaging points. Overall, we wanted to improve our brand positioning.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BEXBRANDS led us through an extensive self-discovery process to begin the rebranding and package design effort. They weren’t familiar with our brand initially, so we filled out a thorough survey to establish our brand’s essence. Then, they worked on our brand positioning, visual ID, brand statements, the tone of our brand voice, and our marketing copy. This project was meant to be a transformational process for our brand, so they used those insights to create a brand identity that could inform the packaging refresh.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked closely with both executive partners. Two graphic designers act as our primary points of contact.

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

One of our marketing consultants had worked with BEXBRANDS previously and recommended them. We considered quite a few agencies but felt that BEXBRANDS could provide a fresh perspective. They aren’t afraid to push boundaries and go out of what people traditionally do with packaging design.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2015 and the packaging officially launched in March 2016. We’ve worked with them consistently since then.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Since working with BEXBRANDS, we’ve experienced significant annual growth. Our packaging resonates with consumers as the logo is recognizable and relatable. They even won several awards for the innovative designs they delivered.

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always on-time and frequently go the extra mile. We constantly have last-minute projects and we're always shifting the scope and pushing them to do more. They rise to the occasion and work incredibly hard finish things quickly, but still deliver high-standard products.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They look at each project holistically. While we engaged them solely for packaging design, they’re also able to work on POS development and really embrace the brand. They’re willing to try new things and create something special. We see them as part of our team and they act as an extension of our brand.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We've had a great experience with them. They've grown significantly over the past two years and have managed to maintain that growth efficiently. As clients, we haven’t experienced any adverse effects from that and we’re excited to see them continue that trajectory.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a startup beverage company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

We created a new brand in a crowded marketplace and wanted our packaging and logo label to stand out on store shelves.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BEXBRANDS helped define our brand identity and provided package design materials. We had quite a few in-person meetings with them to refine our key messaging and work on delivering something unique. They came up with multiple design approaches for us to choose from. With a direction in mind, we continued to collaborate with them and produced polished packaging. Specific deliverables include a customized barcode and a hand-drawn logo emblematic of our central product. They continue to provide packaging materials for us as needed.

They also have a programmer that built our website. We created most of the copy and they formatted everything and picked out the stock photos. Ultimately, they designed and developed the entire site.

What is the team composition?

Their company has grown tremendously as they continue to work with highly successful brands. As a result, they’ve brought in more people to our project as the relationship evolves. Initially, we only interacted with their two executive partners, Becky and Jeremey. At this point, however, we’ve worked with two other resources as well.

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

We looked for design vendors and found them online. They were readily accessible to us and we liked their work, so hiring them was an easy decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve likely spent just under $50,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2015 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

There’s always going to be people who don’t like our brand voice or the rustic designs of our products. For the most part, everyone loves our branding and packaging.

How did BEXBRANDS perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re professional and frequently update us with relevant information. They’re a bigger team now than when we started working together, but they do an adequate job delegating work and communicating internally. They provide accurate timelines of materials so we can plan around significant deliveries. We primarily interact via phone or email but also text occasionally.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very professional but are also down to earth. It's great not having typical office meetings. A lot of times we can be outside and talk more casually than if we were each sitting behind a desk in a more formal setting. They’re more relaxed in their approach and that’s how we are too. We also appreciate their attention to detail.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They're not cheap, but good things aren't usually cheap. We're firm practitioners of paying a little extra to get the results we want.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Keep communication open. Their partners are great at facilitating that as it consistently leads to better experiences.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the cofounder of a ready-to-eat breakfast product. I lead sales and marketing for our business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BEXBRANDS?

I wanted a team to completely revamp our packaging, overall look and feel, and all our design components.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They have a comprehensive approach to the branding and design process. We started with brand strategy and framework. They did a brand audit to explore how we fared against our competitors and how we wanted to grow. They got a good idea of the messaging we wanted and started working on design elements. They came up with additional options that we adjusted until we agreed on the final packaging. They established brand guardrails and a style guide that would help us develop our look and feel across all our channels, our website, and all our paper materials.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with Jeremy (Partner, BEXBRANDS) and Becky (Partner, BEXBRANDS).

How did you come to work with BEXBRANDS?

I was the marketing director at another company they worked with. I knew they could deliver and felt confident they would give us what we wanted.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We kicked off the project in September 2017. We finished all the components by February 2018 and they delivered everything within the promised timeline.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The work we did is just now going to market. Their ability to deliver on their promises and quickly respond to one-off requests is strong. They’re very proactive and responsive to our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a great understanding of the food and beverage space. They have a good eye for design and know our needs. They know what works in the industry and have a specialized level of expertise.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve had no issues with them at all.