Unexpected Thinking
BrandTuitive is a branding agency based in New York City. As branding experts, we say that we don't create brands, but rather, we reveal them. Creativity that is deeply rooted in powerful strategic thinking and our passion for results set us apart.
Focus
Portfolio
Nespresso, Economist Magazine, Simply Wine, ShopKeep, Horizen (cryptocurrency), Eva Fehren Jewelry, MRCE Foundational Engineering, Fulfill (formerly FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties), Axioma, MRCE, Episcopal Relief & Development, Datacolor

BRAND POSITIONING
PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY WITH BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
CHALLENGE:
Formerly ZenCash, this fast-growing blockchain technology project is much more than a cryptocurrency. They needed a new name and brand messaging to reflect their forward-thinking vision.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Including “Cash” in the project’s name was confusing because their vision is to be not only a cryptocurrency, but also a full platform of useful, real-life applications. Their vision includes providing users with complete privacy and control of their digital footprint.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
With a new name and tagline “Bringing privacy to life,” Horizen’s new brand now communicates how it delivers blockchain privacy in a unique way and how their technology will work to offer a platform of products and services that will improve lives.

BRAND POSITIONING
COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITIES TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE
CHALLENGE:
Episcopal Relief & Development facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities worldwide. Having established their program priorities as Women, Children and Climate, they needed to better message their new focus and life-changing work.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Constituents see the work of Episcopal Relief & Development as highly sophisticated and uniquely effective in its approach. They want to be sure their contributions lead to lasting change in communities around the world that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
The new positioning, logo, tagline and messaging platform clearly communicate the organization’s collaborative approach in creating truly life-changing and lasting results. Since launching the new brand, Episcopal Relief & Development has seen noticeably deeper engagement from all of its constituents.

NATIONAL DIRECT MAIL
CHALLENGE:
The Economist magazine has been a highly revered news and human interest publication across Europe for decades. Newer and less well known in the United States, subscription growth for the publication had slowed. They needed a new, bold and on-brand approach to jumpstart subscriptions.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Current and potential readers of The Economist see themselves as just a bit smarter and wittier truth seekers whose thirst for the latest take on world events is nearly unquenchable. They are smart and always seek more knowledge.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
For this campaign, BrandTuitive coined the term INFOLECTUAL to appeal to the smart and motivated crowd that favors the Economist Magazine. This 16-page direct mail piece attracted the highest response rate of any mailing over the previous four years.

BRAND POSITIONING
CHALLENGE:
Formerly The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the agency's name and messaging did not adequately communicate the high quality and variety of services they offer to their clients. Their look and feel was dated and had to better reflect their industry-changing work.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Calling Fulfill a “Food Bank” did not communicate that they do much more than simply distribute food. They also offer food stamp assistance, affordable health care and more. Fulfill’s constituents want an organization that helps the local community and shares their results.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
The new name, Fulfill, communicates the work they do fulfilling ALL the needs of the hungry. Immediately following the rebrand, more media than ever have asked to feature Fulfill in broadcast, print and digital PSAs.

BRAND POSITIONING
MASTERS OF HIGHLY COMPLEX FOUNDATIONAL ENGINEERING
CHALLENGE:
MRCE employs some of the most brilliant engineering minds and has solved some of the world’s most complex underground challenges. However, they were not communicating this extraordinary sophistication in their brand look or messaging.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Clients trust MRCE's innovative solutions to complex engineering problems. MRCE work kept lower Manhattan from flooding after 9/11 due to the foundations they designed beneath the Twin Towers. They also possess unique engineering resources that, when combined, provide an asset that no other engineering firm can match.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
BrandTuitive transformed the brand messaging and tagline of MRCE to reflect their masterful foundational engineering, communicating highly complex services in a meaningful and understandable way.

BRAND POSITIONING
CHALLENGE:
Simply Wine needed a brand messaging platform and visual identity that would convey their unique brand spirit among a growing group of competitive home wine delivery mobile apps.
CORE INSIGHTS:
Simply Wine’s customers want things simple. They don’t want to overthink wine buying or become wine experts themselves, but they DO want to make sure they are getting amazing quality wines. Simply Wine makes the often complicated wine selection process easy and friendly with a limited selection of great hand-selected wines, all under $25.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
BrandTuitive developed a brand position, messaging platform, visual identity and logo reflecting the fun personality of the brand. Consumers are assured that their life will be simplified in a friendly, easy to understand and approachable way.

BRAND POSITIONING
HELPING RETAILERS MAKE SMARTER BUSINESS DECISIONS
CHALLENGE:
ShopKeep, a cloud-based point-of-sale startup was jockeying for position in a very competitive and well-funded marketplace. ShopKeep needed to differentiate itself and attract venture capital so they could scale quickly.
CORE INSIGHTS:
ShopKeep’s core customers are small retailers such as bakeries and coffee shops. BrandTuitive learned that these shop owners were afraid of making bad business decisions that could put them out of business. For them though, ShopKeep is the technology created by a merchant like them and is designed to help them make smart business decisions.
WHY WE'RE PROUD:
BrandTuitive created messaging for ShopKeep based on the smarter business decision insights. ShopKeep has grown to over 22,000 customers and has received venture capital totaling nearly $100 million.
Reviews
the project
Brand Positioning & Marketing for Global Logistics Company
"They’re extremely collaborative and immersive, making them a really fun team to work with."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the product director for a logistics and supply chain company. We’re a global company, whose main focus in the Americas is logistics, warehousing, fulfillment, transportation services, and freight forwarding.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
We had a new project on city delivery that is like an internal startup. It’s related to urban delivery, focused on our e-commerce type customers. There’s a relationship to the rest of our client base because it’s an extension of our logistics services, but at the same time, it’s a new product from scratch that we want to grow independently.
That’s where BrandTuitive came in. They focused on branding and product positioning. They also assisted with marketing and calendar development.
What was the scope of their involvement?
They walked us through their process, which is a three-part process to determine our strategic advantages and exploitable weaknesses from a marketing perspective. Based on those criteria, they created the product positioning and a messaging presentation which gave different options for how we could proceed.
In addition, they wrote verbiage related to storylines or angles that we could implement for specific marketing exercises. We had them go through naming exercises to help us name the product — although we ultimately came up with the name in-house. They also provided us with an outline for a marketing plan for everything from digital marketing to physical trade shows, created a custom landing page for us, designed sales decks, and more.
What is the team composition?
All in all, we worked with 5–6 people throughout the project, but we had 2–3 consistent focal points.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
We found them on Clutch. We knew we needed to do some positioning and gain a strategic perspective that couldn’t be done internally. We wrote up a request for services and did some research on Clutch. BrandTuitive is highly rated on Clutch so we went forward with them.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent about $150,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began work in August 2019, and most was done by January 2020. In practice, we finished up in April 2020.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
I only have qualitative feedback because we were starting from scratch. However, the quality of their work was very high. Interpersonally, they’re collaborative and immerse themselves in our shoes to understand us.
Their three-tier process really impressed me. They excel at putting themselves in the shoes of the customer and answering the question that they’re posing. They create excellent work through their high-quality word-choice and creativity.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
They had a project manager that was assigned to me. They did a good job and I’m satisfied. They kept me well informed and hit their target dates.
What did you find most impressive about them?
From the first time I spoke with them, I felt that they really put themselves in the customers’ position. They crafted a message based on my needs and understood my needs. They operated as an extension of our team. They’re extremely collaborative and immersive, making them a really fun team to work with.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They’re a little pricey, but you pay for their high-quality. They’re actually right where they need to be price-wise.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be extremely open about what you’re trying to accomplish. They’re very strong at being able to couch a specific brand’s products into the marketplace. To be able to do that, they’re going to need honest feedback from internal stakeholders. You’ll get a very collaborative approach from them so let them immerse themselves in your business.
the project
Brand Positioning & Market Research for Coloration Solutions Company
“Every member of the team is passionate about what they do.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the director of marketing for an electronic manufacturing company. We provide hardware and software solutions to ensure that our customers receive correctly colored workflows. For example, our products include display calibration tools that allow photographers and designers to access accurate colors throughout their work processes. We’re able to service companies from a variety of industries.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
We were nearing the launch of a new product and wanted an external firm to advise our brand positioning. The goal was to refresh and enhance a product line that is familiar to our customer base.
What was the scope of their involvement?
BrandTuitive worked with us to review the 18 years of market research at our disposal. Once they understood our background and end-user persona, we asked them to develop a marketing campaign surrounding a product’s launch. They applied a unique approach to a traditional brand positioning exercise. Then, they worked with further to provide some foundational deliverables. That included a microsite and other advertising materials. We developed the microsite internally, but it’s based on their design.
What is the team composition?
Jeanine (President, BrandTuitive) and Todd (CSO, BrandTuitive) were in contact with us throughout the entire process. They introduced us to the account director working on our project, along with a brand marketing specialist, and their creative director as well. So we have access to 4–5 resources in total.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
We found them by searching for agencies on Clutch.co. We’ve had success using the platform in the past, so it was a part of our initial search process this time around. We applied various filters relevant to our needs and ended up contacting six different vendors. After a few rounds of interviews, BrandTuitive rose to the top quickly.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent $155,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with them in October 2018. The product’s launch took place in February 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We have specific targets set regarding sales and customer engagement; however, it’s still too early in the launch phase of the product’s lifecycle to access those metrics accurately.
That being said, we’re incredibly happy with the work BrandTuitive delivered. Their positive company culture and friendly team dynamic make them a pleasure to work alongside. They utilize a simple approach, so it’s easy to translate what they’ve done over to multiple departments within our company. According to our CEO, they’ve helped lead one of the best product launches in company history.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
They were organized enough to balance and complete multiple deliverables within an accelerated timeframe. They used a Gantt chart to provide timeline updates constantly. We appreciate their flexible and proactive approach to communication.
What did you find most impressive about them?
BrandTuitive isn’t afraid to engage with their clients. They function as an extension of staff by not only completed what’s in front of them but also analyzing how they can perform better. Every member of the team is passionate about what they do. They’re one of the best agencies I’ve worked with throughout my career.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, they exceeded our expectations in a lot of areas.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Communicate how the project’s objectives fit into your company’s overall structure. That’ll give BrandTuitive the insight they need to succeed.
the project
Branding for International Humanitarian Organization
"BrandTuitive approaches engagements with a fresh perspective."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the senior director of marketing at Episcopal Relief & Development, an international humanitarian agency for the Episcopal church. We work with partners to collaborate with communities worldwide, finding solutions to hunger, poverty, disaster, and disease. We focus on three signature program priorities: women, children, and climate.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
Since our last brand engagement in 2008, our existing language no longer reflected the subtle, but significant changes in our program methodology. Initially, the project scope focused on refreshing core messaging and organizational positioning with external audiences. We were looking for the right partner with a proven track record in brand development, implementation, and execution.
What was the scope of their involvement?
For BrandTuitive, the goal was to “reveal” not build a new brand identity. They conducted an extensive review of all of our assets and resources. They set up individual interviews and group conversations with staff, supporters and other stakeholders. It was crucial for us to think broadly about who we are as an organization, our long-term goals, and how to make our mission and values clear and meaningful to our audiences.
Their team was responsible for creating new primary and secondary messaging in addition to developing a strategy for how to position ourselves externally. After some consideration, we moved away from a tweaking or modernizing of our visual identity and decided to engage in a full logo redesign.
During the pre-launch phase, BrandTuitive was responsible for collaborating with staff and consultants to refresh our website and help develop new promotional collateral. The team also offered guidance and direction to other consultants while they gained familiarity with the new visuals and messaging.
We continue to work with them on finalizing a few related projects.
What is the team composition?
We worked with several members of the BrandTuitive team, but my primary contact was Todd Brenard (Chief Strategy Officer). I also worked closely with the president and the associate director.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
I researched the top branding firms in the New York Metropolitan area on Clutch’s website and the sites of other rating agencies. BrandTuitive was listed as one of the leading firms. Additionally, I received referrals from other colleagues as well.
We managed a closed RFP process. We identified agencies to submit proposals and interviewed them. In the end, our team selected BrandTuitive because they had a unique approach and strategy. We were intrigued by their overall approach and the specific focus on engaging audiences at an emotional level. Additionally, there was a great deal of alignment and synergy between our institutions.
What is the status of this engagement?
In April 2017, we started working with BrandTuitive. Our public launch happened in early September 2018.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Since the launch took place a few months ago, we only have initial results so far. That said, we have received a lot of positive feedback both internally and externally.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
BrandTuitive has a strong team of seasoned project managers and leaders. They are very organized, conscientious about deadlines and focused on results.
The team is also incredibly responsive, flexible and patient. When there are challenges, BrandTuitive works to find solutions. Throughout the engagement, they were always mindful of the needs, interests, and desires of our audiences.
In general, BrandTuitive’s insights were invaluable. And, they were supportive and open to hearing our feedback
What did you find most impressive about them?
A central part of BrandTuitive’s strategy is gaining a deeper understanding of clients. While there are firms that specialize and work exclusively with nonprofits or relief and development organizations, BrandTuitive partners with both nonprofit and corporate clients to “reveal” not build the brand. Because they work with clients from a variety of industries, they are able to provide a fresh perspective and unique insights into your core business and how to create messages that are relevant, clear and compelling.
After the devastating 2017 hurricane season, we decided to put the brand project on hold temporarily so we could focus on responding to the emergency. During this period, BrandTuitive was understanding and supportive.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Nothing comes to mind. Of course, it takes time for an agency to learn your organization/company’s style and develop a working healthy relationship. The team was great, and we are very excited about our new brand identity.
the project
Naming & Messaging for Cryptocurrency Company
“It feels like they give us 100% of their attention and effort all the time.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
My organization is named Horizen Cryptocurrency. As a senior marketing manager, I was responsible for this rebranding project.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
Our previous name wasn't differentiating us from our competitors. It sounded too similar to other companies in our industry. Equally detrimental was the image it gave our customers. It only conveyed a small fraction of what we do, which limited people's conception of our services.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Our goal was to find a name that better represented our vision and the services we provide. We wanted one that differentiated us both verbally and visually. BrandTuitive took several steps to achieve these objectives. As part of the rebranding, they also helped us create a set of messaging guidelines.
First, they held a thorough meeting with our 10-person leadership team that lasted between 2–4 hours. The team helped us interview 50 of our stakeholders. Based on the responses, they compiled results to share with us.
Lastly, they conducted one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders outside the leadership team that ranged from 30 minutes to an hour. In addition, they analyzed six of our closest competitors to determine their messaging strategy so we could differentiate ourselves.
What is the team composition?
We worked directly with the two owners. One of their understudies was also partially involved.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
I originally found BrandTuitive on Clutch. We decided to work with them because they were a small company. It seemed easier to develop a more personal relationship with the team and less likely they would hand off the project to someone else.
Our prediction turned out to be precisely the case. The two owners worked with us the entire time and went above and beyond. They were very accessible and attended every meeting.
How much have you invested with them?
We've spent $150,000 on their services.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project started this year, in June 2018. It took about three months to complete most of the work. We still have one deliverable left, so our engagement is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our CEO is much more comfortable pitching projects to partners with the new name BrandTuitive helped us select. Now, he takes pride in the name and the project. It's helped increase the number of people that want to work with us. The project appears much more professional and organized. Our rebranding has generated many partnerships we could never have formed otherwise.
Our marketing team regularly uses the new messaging guidelines. That asset has dramatically streamlined the amount of time and effort it takes to get newsletters, blogs, or social media out the door. Having that in place has probably cut down our need to create new content by about 50–60%. Our new messaging is much more streamlined and seems to resonate with readers.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
BrandTuitive has performed very well. The team is highly organized and quick to turn around deliverables. They always have the deliverables ready and are willing to accommodate our schedule whenever we need.
What did you find most impressive about them?
I'm most impressed by how BrandTuitive has embedded themselves within our team. They feel like a part of the family. Unlike big organizations, they genuinely care about the success of our project. We can tell that they're personally invested in every project that they take on. It feels like they give us 100% of their attention and effort all the time.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I'm happy with their work.
the project
Branding Strategy for Large CPG Corporation
"BrandTuitive has an exceptional first-class team. They're a joy to be around and they work their tails off."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We're a large CPG [consumer packaged goods] company. I am in charge of trade marketing for the company.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
The primary challenges or ongoing needs we face are around the brand and promotional communications towards our customers.
What was the scope of their involvement?
BrandTuitive has been used extensively for creative development, be it for email, direct mail and point-of-sale materials, sales collateral, radio scripts and so on. We've also used BrandTuitive for planning and strategy work, as well as secondary research and program and event execution. BrandTuitive has worked as an extension of my team, helping me drive projects at times when we needed help. They're willing to jump in and do whatever it takes to help us win.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
BrandTuitive is the agency with which I began working in my current role, so they were already associated with my company when I joined.
How much have you invested with BrandTuitive?
The cost of BrandTuitive's work has been around $500,000 per year.
What is the status of this engagement?
I started working with BrandTuitive in the first quarter of 2016. The work has been growing over time.
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
There aren't many business results that we can directly point to, given the nature of our company, but we've had generally positive feedback for BrandTuitive's work, both internally and externally, from customers and consumers. They've reacted positively to the pieces produced by BrandTuitive, and to the experiences which we delivered at events. Most of our work is new, not just legacy material.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
As far as project management and client service go, BrandTuitive is in the A+ category. When it comes to proactive tracking, I would rate them an A-, but that's more to do with me wanting more than the norm in that regard. One of BrandTuitive's strengths is that they're buttoned-up on these issues.
What did you find most impressive about BrandTuitive?
BrandTuitive has stood out through flexibility. The team is good at what it does, which is being a general marketing agency. Whether I need a big or a small project, or whether I need it done fast or more strategically, BrandTuitive is on top of it. They deliver things on time, in full, without excessive revision rounds. We occasionally push BrandTuitive to the limit, but more often than not, they've been able to accommodate us. For an agency of its size, BrandTuitive is surprisingly nimble and able to adapt. Having worked in the agency space myself for 10 years, I know that setting client expectations is important. BrandTuitive does this very well.
Are there any areas BrandTuitive could improve?
I can't critique them in any way that would be fair. Everybody has developmental issues; as BrandTuitive learns about our company more, they will adapt better. I've been very happy so far, and I wish that BrandTuitive had even more capacity.
the project
Brand Strategy for Executive Search Firm
"BrandTuitive was always upbeat, positive and excited about what we were doing together, and there was never an aspect of stress or negativity."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We are a New-York-based executive search firm dedicated to the tax profession. We recruit CPAs and MSTs for public accounting firms, and also conduct searches for banks', hedge funds', and media companies' tax departments. We were founded in 2013, and have 2 employees, in addition to myself.
I am the founder and president of the company.
What challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
We had a lack of awareness around what branding was, and what value it could add to a startup business. We needed help getting off the ground, identifying opportunities for improvement, and benefiting from the monetary result of this.
What was the scope of their involvement?
BrandTuitive worked with us from the beginning, adding a lot of value around the branding and marketing around our website, business cards, and so on. BrandTuitive provided website development, strategy consulting and logo redesign. BrandTuitive also conducted customer and accountant interviews and provided valuable feedback to us. The investigation revealed what was being said about us, why it was being said, and who we were as a brand. We were at the 101 position so, when it came to strategic consulting, BrandTuitive was very patient, accessible, and took our firm from the ground level, helping us push things forward. There was a lot of advising done on an hourly basis, in addition to the brand work done by BrandTuitive. Rather than a branding or marketing agency, I see BrandTuitive as business consultants. The work ended up being much bigger than I thought it would be, and BrandTuitive has remained on a shortlist of people whom I call for advice. At times, they've cared equally as much as us about our results and success. This is profound, and I haven't seen it often.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
I found BrandTuitive through proximity. Their company shares office space with ours, along with other startups and small businesses on the same floor. We started building a relationship and gained an understanding around what BrandTuitive did. We developed a trust factor, and I felt more comfortable going to BrandTuitive, rather than finding someone online or asking around. It was smooth sailing from there. Trust is a big issue, and we already had it. We have a vibrant relationship, and I was attracted by the fact that BrandTuitive's people love what they do, and they're good at it.
How much have you invested with BrandTuitive?
The cost of BrandTuitive's services was between $10,000 and $50,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our consulting project ran for 2-3 months in the summer of 2015. Our design project for the website and branding materials was a much larger project. It ran in 2 phases, from August to October 2016. I continue to go to BrandTuitive with questions, and use them as business advisors.
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
The website project was wrapped up 2 weeks ago, so it's tough to say if it translated to sales. Our business cycle is longer, given that placing CPAs and MSTs into jobs takes some time.
From a business standpoint, results go to the "who we are" aspect of the brand that BrandTuitive helped reveal. BrandTuitive brought an element of pride into what we're doing, by showing us in what our clients are saying, what the keywords are, and so on. We couldn't get better than that when it comes to building a foundation for the business. We were able to integrate this into our website, business cards, and so on.
What did you find most impressive about BrandTuitive?
I expect a lot from vendors, but I give BrandTuitive a lot of credit for their patience and ability to work collaboratively with me. Their team is very detail-oriented, and they care deeply about the work. This is impactful for adding value to the clientele. I also liked the overall vibe: it was a fun project, BrandTuitive was always upbeat, positive and excited about what we were doing together, and there was never an aspect of stress or negativity. Working with an agency which operates like this is contagious.
Are there any areas BrandTuitive could improve?
I really can't think of anything. I was thrilled with how BrandTuitive revealed our brand, and with how they collaborated with us. I couldn't ask for anything more.
the project
Brand Positioning for Luxury Jewelry Company
"[BrandTuitive] took a lot of time to understand us and understand the market."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Please describe your organization.
We're a luxury jewelry manufacturer and wholesaler based in New York. We also manufacture our goods in New York. We have a large wholesale business with high-end luxury accounts such as Barneys, Jeffrey, as well as smaller stores like Hirshleifers, Neapolitan, and Forty Five Ten. We have been in business five years. We launched in October of 2011.
What is your position?
I'm the Chief Executive Officer.
What business challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
We were the winners of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund in 2014. As a result, we were paired with a mentor, John Idol, the Chairman of Michael Kors. He really had us spend a lot of time working on our brand, and figuring out who our target customer was so we would represent ourselves properly. We were going to be reworking our website, taking next steps after quite a bit of success early on. Someone introduced us to BrandTuitive, and it seemed like a good time for us to get a third-party perspective on our brand image and how we were viewed in the market.
Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.
They did brand positioning, customer reaction, and messaging for us. They also have recently helped us redo our bio and “about us” copy on our website, as well as in our look-book. Most recently, they've helped us work on our elevator pitch, an even briefer way for us to communicate our brand.
While their work has been great for our marketing efforts, it’s also been tremendously useful for our internal team, and how we view the company.
Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?
It was in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.
What is the status of this engagement?
We’ve been working with BrandTuitive for over a year. Most of the work happens on an as needed basis.
Could you share any results or metrics from this engagement?
Recently, we’ve been conducting more interviews in the media and we are using a lot of the language and themes that BrandTuitive developed for us. I'm not sure if there's a quantitative metric that I can use, but it's definitely helped us with the overall voice of the company. We have been told that we are very consistent within the marketplace, so it is being recognized.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
They were great. We have limited resources here, and they dove right in and continued to push us along by checking in but not being overly intrusive by any means.
What distinguishes BrandTuitive from other providers?
They're very genuine, and I definitely felt like they were fully committed to the work. I think we might be the first jewelry business they’ve worked with, but they were incredibly supportive and dove right into the industry. They took a lot of time to understand us and understand the market.
Overall, it’s been a very positive experience. We've also recommended them to other design companies that are looking for consistency across their brand.
Is there anything BrandTuitive could have improved or done differently?
No, I can’t think of anything.
the project
Brand Messaging Project for New Jersey Foodbank
"I always felt very well taken care of by Jeanine [Debar, president at BrandTuitive] and the rest of their team."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Please describe your organization.
The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, is a primary provider of food and other services in central New Jersey. With our fabulous network of more than 300 partner agencies we have a combined reach of about 131,000 people. We've been around for more than 30 years and, in the last five years, our interpretation and programming of how to best address the problem of hunger in our community has evolved.
What is your position?
I have the pleasure of serving as the executive director of the FoodBank.
What business challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
Our biggest challenge is people hear "foodbank" and they immediately assume "food," but there's much more to what we do. For example, we feed the people who wait in line outside our building, but we're also working to make those lines shorter by attacking root causes of hunger through various programs we're enacting. However, it can be difficult to articulate those programs in a clear and concise way without losing the framework that is at the core of who we are.
Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.
So far, BrandTuitive has provided a complete analysis and study of what our current brand is in our service area. They took a very methodical approach, and were exhaustive in interviewing a number of different stakeholders from donors to government partners to staff members to agency partners to board members and even our clients to get an understanding of how we are perceived in the marketplace. From that, they developed a messaging guide and gave brand recommendations.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
We had a full RFP [request for proposal] process with a number of agencies. We ended up inviting a couple of agencies who have experience doing nonprofit work, and who had worked with organizations we were familiar with. I think we originally found BrandTuitive because they were recommended by a colleague but, ultimately, we went with them because they came out on top in the bidding process.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started the initiative in the late summer [2015], after our budget was passed and funding was approved for the process. We tried to wrap things up in January [2016] but, because of winter scheduling problems, we didn't end up presenting to the board of directors until March.
Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?
I would say the results were overwhelmingly positive. They were able to capture and translate the approaches of a wide range of constituents and stakeholders and distill those into a common message that resonates on both ends, externally and internally, to the point where we had board members who were close to tears after the brand reveal.
We knew messaging was key for us. From this focus on messaging, BrandTuitive ended up recommending a full change in brand, name, and logo. We're in the very early stages of the rollout, so it's hard to talk about results, but we are very hopeful and excited about the possibilities.
What distinguishes BrandTuitive from other providers?
Again I would say BrandTuitive's ability to get consensus across such a wide range of people is what stands out to me. You have board members who are more analytical, and then you have those who are very creative. They were able to zoom in on one, and then the other, in a way that created a very comprehensive experience.
Also, their ability to articulate a methodology and stick to it, but not to the point where it stifled creativity, was impressive. I always felt very well taken care of by Jeanine [Debar, president at BrandTuitive] and the rest of their team. They were very conscious about letting me know what was going on every step along the way, which made me comfortable. The project was high touch and low touch as needed, and that translated into a tremendous experience.
Is there anything BrandTuitive could have improved or done differently?
They were amazing in their ability to read the room. No matter who's speaking, you can tell that they are listening intently, and figuring out how to guide the conservation. Occasionally, that process can be a little time-consuming. That's the only feedback I have.
the project
Branding for Software Solutions & Wine Delivery Startups
"I knew [BrandTuitive] would give me the time and attention I wanted."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Please describe your organization.
BrandTuitive has worked with two of my companies. The first is ShopKeep, a software and cloud-based solutions provider for small businesses. The other company is Simply Wine, a wine delivery, and subscription company.
What is your position?
I'm a co-founder of ShopKeep, and a co-founder and CEO of Simply Wine.
What business challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
It's the same one everyone faces – how do you distinguish your company from everyone else's? Every business should use a branding agency, but many aren't willing to spend the money, which is their loss.
For example, it's very important to give your team members the correct titles, depending on the type of business you're in. At ShopKeep, BrandTuitive helped us make the decision to call our sales' people, Sales Specialists. The name fits because their work is so much more complex than a traditional sales job. Our Sales Specialists take a very consultative approach, and coming up with a name like that helps sharpen the focus on our end, and differentiate us in the eyes of our customers.
Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.
First, they helped us come up with a tagline based on what the brand is. What I like about their approach to any branding problem is, they actually talk to customers – a lot of customers. They have a very neat method where they ask customers a range of different questions, and they look into the words that the customers use to decide what our problem was solving for them. They listen for similar words and similar ways that people are talking about it because branding is all about what other people think when they hear your business. It's a really great method because they end up with a really get a good picture of what the business is about, instead of just coming up with a plan based off what I told them I want to be.
I think brand strategy is they're best at, but they're also really strong in design. They did the logos for my new company, Simply Wine and have done some advertising work for me. They do have digital capabilities, but I don't think that's their focus as much.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
I found them through some basic Internet searches. What I really liked about BrandTuitive was that they understood classic branding and classic psychology around branding. They were the only people I talked to who had read the book "Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind." They knew the book, and they lived it. That stuff hasn't changed. It seems old fashioned to most firms, but it's the core of branding strategy and they got that. What pushed me over the edge was their size and the fact that I knew they would give me the time and attention I wanted.
Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?
For Simply Wine, I've spent more than $100,000 so far. ShopKeep's work was probably more than that.
What is the status of this engagement?
For ShopKeep, they worked with us for two or three years. Eventually, I had a marketing team in-house who took over all of it. At Simply Wine, they've been working for me for slightly less than a year, and we're about to start ramping up even more work with them.
Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?
BrandTuitive was with us from the beginning, before we even launched the products. ShopKeep now has 250 employees, and more than 18,000 customers. The company has been an amazing success, and is still growing quickly. In our early days, I'm not sure if we could have gotten the venture funding we did, without BrandTuitive's work. It really allowed us to stand out from our competition. A lot of tech firms can build technology, but they don't understand anything about marketing, branding, and sales. With BrandTuitive's work we looked a lot more well rounded.
What distinguishes BrandTuitive from other providers?
BrandTuitive's strength is their strategy work. They don't get tied up in the new or cool thing. Branding is not all about hot design. It's about the emotion the design evokes, and you can only get to that through a solid brand strategy. Their work is more solid, and has a long-lasting quality about it. It's not the kind of work that's going to be hot for a little while and then you're going to have to redo it.
Is there anything BrandTuitive could have improved or done differently?
I would say an opportunity for improvement on their end is beefing up their digital capabilities. They're not strong in that capacity, and I ended up using other agencies to do that work.
the project
Branding and Marketing Campaign for Global News Publication
"Brandtuitive is always very responsive and works well under pressure."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Please describe your organization.
The Economist newspaper was established in 1843 in the United Kingdom. It is published weekly and covers global news and events.
What is your role at the company?
I am the head of the North American circulation, an $85 million revenue business.
What business challenge were you trying to address with BrandTuitive?
The first time we approached BrandTuitive was to find an alternative acquisition direct mail package for the United States market. Since then, they have worked on online creative campaigns, copywriting for offline acquisition campaigns and assisted with brainstorming an experiential marketing campaign to target new subscribers.
How did you come to work with BrandTuitive?
Jeanine [Debar, president at BrandTuitive] and I have known each other for some time, and actually worked at the same company for several years. When I was looking for an agency partner at The Economist, I knew I didn't want to hire one of the large New York City firms. When you work with the larger agencies, you get the same quality of work but with much less customer service than you get at a small boutique agency. With that in mind, the choice to go with BrandTuitive was a no-brainer.
Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?
The projects rates have varied depending on the needs. The fees ranged from $3,000 to $25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Timelines have been between two days and six weeks, depending on the project. However, no matter how little notice we give them, BrandTuitive is always very responsive and works well under pressure.
Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?
Their direct mail package came slightly ahead of our control package, which was the first time another format performed this way. The online campaigns had a combination of winning creative as well as softer creative that performed very well in our tests against the control banners. The experiential campaign is still in the works.
How did BrandTuitive perform from a project management standpoint?
What we most appreciate about BrandTuitive is the real investment they make in understanding our brand. We have a very unique and valuable brand, and we needed an agency that could seamlessly connect our brand with our marketing. Few agencies could give us the same level of brand strategy and creative marketing we get with BrandTuitive. Lastly, BrandTuitive needs very little hand holding, and the quality and integrity of their work is brilliant.
In hindsight, are there areas in which they could improve, or things you might do differently?
The success of any project is heavily dependent on the quality of the briefing, it is imperative to be specific and outline the parameters in as much detail as possible.
The quality of the work was very high, as their three-tier process impressed and they met every deadline. The team at BrandTuitive is extremely creative, collaborative, and immersive, going the extra mile to understand their clients' business to better create for them.