DAIS

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of a law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DAIS?

We were operating under another brand and needed support to identify a new brand and develop it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DAIS has helped develop our brand identity. First, we met with all the key stakeholders and did an identification and brainstorming session to determine our identity and who we are. Then, once this was cleared up, the team got to work. They have created the new brand from scratch, including the name, colors, collaterals, print materials, and digital elements.

They've presented, developed, and helped us implement these deliverables. On the other hand, DAIS has supported the development of a website and built the required wireframes.

What is the team composition?

We have worked with the principal, a project manager, and someone from the design team.

How did you come to work with DAIS?

Once we decided to rebrand, we had to do a vendor selection to identify a branding company. We talked with a specialist who helped us with that process. This consultant recommended DAIS; he said they were the best, so we engaged them. We got in touch, and DAIS did an introductory session with us.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2024, and the engagement is ongoing, although we're in its final stages.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They have delivered all the branding elements we requested, and we have largely accepted what they have created. However, we’ve only just launched, so there are no metrics yet.

Nevertheless, we have liked how DAIS has established our brand's name and their reasoning behind it, given that it is consistent with who we are and matches all the exploratory work we’ve done and our identity. Basically, they have successfully done everything we engaged them in; it has been a big project.

All base work is completed thanks to their efforts to get our brand running. We have now contacted specialist lawyers to handle the brand's trademark application itself.

How did DAIS perform from a project management standpoint?

So far, DAIS has met deadlines and stayed on budget. We have used Smartsheet to manage the project. Regarding communication, we have had both in-person and virtual meetings.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I’d like to shout out Jack and Mataya.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The design concept and name they have crafted are inspiring and fit our company's identity well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They have had a few internal staffing challenges and occasional communication challenges. Otherwise, the experience has been good; I have no suggestions.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be really clear about your company's identity and what it stands for to ensure your desired brand is suitable and fits your needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director of Recrevi Group

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We recruit lawyers for private practice law firms (globally). 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Design look & feel of the brand
• Logo, messaging around brand, how to deliver the brand message
• Website

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

Referral

Why did you select DAIS over others?

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

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Brand strategy development which included: 

• a discovery process
• hypothesis presentation
• a brands strategy presentation

Development of: 

• the brand personality, ethics, language
• the brand promise and campaign language
• technical descriptors
• solution streams
• credential structures
• brand theme
• whiteboard diagram 
• sales scripts

Brand visualisation, which included: 

• presentation of the new logo/corporate identity
• the visual identity system and info graphics
• colour palette system
• typography styles system
• brand design inventory of foundational brand elements and rules

Application concepts, which included a roadmap to effectively create further marketing collateral and sales resources 

Brand assets, which included: 

• brand guidelines
• rules for application and use
• colour palette guide
• visual identity rules for application
• supply of jpeg
• communication matrix
• EPS files 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We came with the name, they did the rest and created a visually appealing and impactful branding stategy/look/feel. 

Feedback on the look and feel of the logo, colour scheme and website has been overwhelmingly positive. 

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

Yes, they delivered items on time and they were very responsive (going above and beyond) throughout (and they are still responsive if we have follow up questions!). 

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They were exceptionally professional from the outset, with experts at every stage (the sales pitch, the brand strategy discovery & presentation stage, the design / visual design stage, and the account / client management throughout). 

Everyone, from Jodie, Jack, Natalie, Mataya (and beyond), was exceptional. It felt like they really wanted to know the people within Recrevi and what we stood for/what was important to us/our DNA, and they came up with a design/strategy/look/feel which we feel so proud of. 

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

N / A

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the COO of an insurance brokerage.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DAIS?

We were celebrating 50 years in business, so we wanted to do a full rebranding to update our assets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DAIS helped us go through a full rebranding, which included redoing our logo, website, and marketing materials to convey a new look and feel while acknowledging our 50 anniversary. Initially, we had a workshop to generate our sales pitch and describe why we were unique and different from our competitors.

Then, we worked together with DAIS and our internal group to define who our customer base was and what type of brands resonated with them. After that, DAIS created a more design-focused image of our brand, as opposed to a traditional community brokerage image. The process was iterative so that our internal group could see that what DAIS created aligned to what we wanted.

After the workshop, we went through a branding image that really didn't work out or resonate with our customer base. Thus, we went through a second branding image, from which all the new branding collateral emerged, such as the new logo and website. Other materials included letter, communication,  and PowerPoint templates, all of which were designed by DAIS. The new website was built in WordPress.

Throughout the process, we also looked at renaming the company. However, we wanted to trademark the new name, and the options we wanted were already taken. After looking at alternative names, we ended up retaking our existing name.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four of their teammates, including Mataya (Senior Account Manager).

How did you come to work with DAIS?

We had seen some of their previous work. Additionally, we saw that DAIS was based in the same state where our core group was running the project, so we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $100,000 AUD (approximately $66,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them around March 2023, and the project was completed in May 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

DAIS' work was fantastic, and the outcome was very positive. We've used external parties to test our new branding, and we know that the launch will be very positive. Moreover, the new website worked well, as we didn't experience any crashes.

How did DAIS perform from a project management standpoint?

DAIS' project management was exceptional. They offered really efficient turnaround times and were always available. We predominantly communicated via email, but we also had a few Zoom and face-to-face meetings. They've even flown to us to present some things in person. about 70% of our communication was via email, 27% was via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and the rest was in person.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I would like to give a shout-out to Mataya.

What did you find most impressive about them?

DAIS made sure that they really understood our business before doing the rebranding, so the brand concepts they created matched our business strategy. Moreover, their turnaround times and effectiveness were impressive. Overall, DAIS really walks the talk as to what they do. Their own brand is fantastic, and their presentations had nice touches. What they try to install within their clients' businesses, they do it in their own business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was nothing DAIS could have improved on. As mentioned, we weren't happy with the first concepts, but they never tried to push us, make us accept them, or get offended. They were happy to start over again because it wasn't the right fit for us.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Ensure that you put an adequate amount of time into the project. If you want to outsource someone to do it all, they first need to understand your business, so you need to share that information to get the right result. Understand that you'll be working together and that no one is going to do the whole process on their own.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the General Manager of Nestworth Financial Strategists

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provides financial planning, investment advice and lending services to everyday Australians.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Create a new brand to assist with the merger of two businesses.

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

Referral

Why did you select DAIS over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Research the market and provide a new company name and presence, together with a story acknowledging the history of our businesses.
• Provide all graphic and digital content, along with client facing tools.
• Liaise with specialists as required and oversee launch of new website.
• Provide all supporting collateral and client change communications.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Brand change was successfully delivered with minimal client disruption. All supporting collateral and a new website was delivered on time and has received very positive feedback.

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

Communications were great and milestones were clear. Input was sought regularly, and they confirmed all understanding before proceeding. Everything was delivered on time despite tight deadlines.

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

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

Wonderful people communicating well. They went to extensive efforts to understand what was important to us and delivered an outstanding result. They have great technical capability but bring that to life in a way that gave us great confidence.

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

Not really, we were happy with all aspects of their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head of Marketing of a manufacturing company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Our company creates innovative louvre and screening solutions that enhance the appeal and performance of iconic Australian buildings, by offering tailored, high-quality exterior outfitting products manufactured from Australian aluminium, to bring architectural visions to life.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Identify and refine our USP
• Establish solid brand foundation for future growth
• Define our solution streams

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select DAIS over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Brand Strategy Development 
• Internal and External Stakeholder Liasion and Research 
• Brand Assets Summary 
• Style Guide 
• Communication Matrix

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Clearly defined USP 
• Elevated brand identity 
• Consistent and effective brand messaging strategy 
• Positioned brand to align with business growth

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

Great project management, had a key contact assigned to us the whole way, who looked after the process for us and ran the project smoothly.

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

DAIS is simply excellent at what they do. It runs pretty much like clockwork, they have been doing it for so long and clearly understand their craft from the top down.

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

Could have more detailed project programs upfront of how the project is going to play out.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Communications Executive Manager of a positioning technology provider.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide automation and positioning technology to customers working in construction, mining, and infrastructure.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Research current brand and market positioning
• Recommend new brand architecture and structure
• Define new company name and brand

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

Referral

Why did you select DAIS over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

• Phase 1: Research, review, and recommend
  • Internal and external stakeholder engagement and interviews
  • Cost benefit analysis
  • Audit, review research, and brand mapping 
  • Strategic hypothesis recommendations and presentation to the executive team and board 
• Phase 2: Define new brand architecture and name
  • Research and present 3 viable names to meet all criteria (.com domain, trademark availability, short, easy to say, memorable, culturally and linguistically appropriate)
  • Present to CEO and marcomms manager
  • Build lead options through creative design and concepts
  • Present to the executive team and board 
• Phase 3: Align
  • Internal announcement and engagement 
  • Brand assets, guidelines 
  • Template and advice for core marketing collateral across print, digital, vehicles, offices, uniforms

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A comprehensive brand strategy, endorsed by our executive team and board, ready to roll out into our business

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

The DAIS team met all project milestones and delivered all presentations in a compelling way to maintain momentum and engagement with the project.  I find them very responsive and flexible in meeting our needs and accommodating unique stakeholder requirements whilst staying true to their process to get the best results.

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They took the time to check that the name and brand they proposed were suitable and, more importantly, ownable from a trademark/domain perspective. It gave us confidence that what was suggested was realistic and strategically viable, as well as being a great design. I also think that the way DAIS presents conceptual designs by overlaying them onto existing assets helps people understand what it will look and feel like in our world rather than feeling abstract.

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

In summary, I'd say this project has been delivered flawlessly. I have enjoyed every moment I have worked with the DAIS team, and they have made a complex project achievable and fun. 10/10!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at a Self-Storage Company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Selling Self Storage space in buildings owned by us.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Explore viability of changing our business name.
• To create a name that would take our business into the future.

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

Referral

Why did you select DAIS over others?

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

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

To Audit and research a brand and deliver a new logo ,brand and identity along with all relevant trademarks. To create the visual identity and image palette including topography styles and brand design inventory of brand developments and rules. Develop and guide the brand strategy and assist with the introduction of the new brand and all associated assets and style guides.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• A brand delivered that is trademarked and marketable.

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

Excellent time management and good communication of requirements for meeting timeframes. Considerate of our organisation's needs when planning for meetings and presentations. Always very responsive to any requests for information or assistance.

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

In-Person Meeting

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

The ability to engage with us on a level that defied the short time we have known each other. A true sense of team was developed from the very first meeting. We felt our brand was in very expert and safe hands.

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

None at all. Each interaction with them has been an absolute pleasure.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Optima Property Advisors

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Buyer's Agent - we help people source and negotiate the purchase of prestige property in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Rebrand to accurately represent the business offline and online

SOLUTION

How did you find DAIS?

• Online Search

Why did you select DAIS over others?

• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned
• Specialists in brand

How many teammates from DAIS were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We required a brand strategy to help achieve the business objectives, the execution of the brand creation, and a first class website to encapsulate it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Increased advocacy by people who know the business and increased conversion rate.

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

The work they did internally was all done swiftly, perfectly, and on time. The work they do in collaboration with outside parties is partly at the mercy of the other party's project management abilities with Dais doing the best they can.

What was your primary form of communication with DAIS?

• Virtual Meeting

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

Sophisticated deep understanding of brand without all the fluff that is all too common in the marketing industry. We loved their excellent client service.

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

We could have made it clearer when we the client were providing Dais with creative freedom to explore a pathway that we were not sure would achieve the end result we wanted and may need to be reversed and tried another way.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at Mullins, a firm that has been going for 43 years. We provide legal services to clients in the mid-commercial area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DAIS?

Towards the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, we decided to rebrand our firm. The firm had started as a family business with the Mullins — a dad and his two sons — but it was now a business of 22 partners and 100 staff members. Therefore, we needed to refresh our brand, create alignment with our staff, and engage with clients differently.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Originally, DAIS helped us with the creative side of our rebranding process. Their initial proposal was very comprehensive, but given that we already had internal marketing and IT teams, that part was already covered. Therefore, their main goal was to change our focus and create a brand that our different stakeholders — equity partners, other partners, staff members, clients, and third parties — could identify with.

DAIS took us through a whole journey that helped them understand what our business was all about, what made us tick, and what our cultural aspects were. Part of the challenge was that we had older partners set in their ways. Still, throughout the process, DAIS provided us with a number of options as to how we wanted to go with the rebranding, including some conservative options and other more innovative options. 

Ultimately, DAIS delivered a rebranding strategy to make our brand more contemporary. Once we approved the strategy, their team was in charge of implementing and rolling out the new branding.

What is the team composition?

Although I wasn’t directly involved in the process, I know that we worked with a team of 5–6 people from DAIS. Our main points of contact were Jack (Director and Owner), Jodi (Director of Business Development), and Sarah (Art Director). Still, other creatives were involved throughout the different phases of the project.

How did you come to work with DAIS?

I met DAIS through a networking business group and saw a lot of their work, which was very good. When we were looking for a rebranding partner, I recommended and voted for them. Still, other partners voted for them as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $120,000 - $150,000 AUD (approximately $80,000 - $100,000 USD) on the full branding services with DAIS from strategy and design to implementation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

DAIS helped us refocus and strengthen our brand, which became a living instrument for our company — the result was very successful. The new branding strategy has helped us reengage with existing clients and attract new clients, which has ultimately led us to a significant increase in turnover.

Although the fact that the turnover increase is attributable to the new branding strategy is arguable, everything is part of the same package. Now, there’s an alignment of what our business says to our clients and new customers, which is what attracts them and contributes to that increase. In addition to that, this process helped us take our employees’ points of view into account.

How did DAIS perform from a project management standpoint?

Most problems with budgets are caused by variations. However, I can’t recall significant variations throughout the project. The price was fairly reasonable, considering the hours that DAIS put into the project. Initially, their scoping process was very detailed regarding the different stages, so we both were very aware of variations. Ultimately, the project was very collaborative because we took some parts of that scope and did them ourselves. We communicated via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

DAIS didn’t offer a cookie-cutter approach, which was outstanding. A lot of other branding agencies don’t get into the client’s culture and what makes them tick, which makes it hard for them to produce a brand that actually personifies the client’s business.

However, DAIS nailed it — I never thought that the outcome would be what they presented. For them, it was very important to hear from all of our staff members, clients, and stakeholders what they thought of our business, which helped them create alignment between our brand and the way we deliver our services.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was nothing DAIS could have improved on. I’ve seen them work on a number of rebranding projects, and they’ve always been excellent.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open, frank, and transparent about your business, and don’t be afraid of telling them the truth. If you’re not transparent about your business, you won’t enable DAIS to have a clear runway where to take it to. Additionally, be fully engaged in the process.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our organisation is a NFP/Charity with the sole mission of using the power of connection to reduce social isolation and loneliness in Australians. We are very passionate about what we do, and are market leaders in our industry as we deliver connection through specially designed digital programs. I am the CEO of the organisation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DAIS | Identity & Ideas, and what were your goals?

We brought onboard DAIS to help us with one of the biggest decisions a organisation can make, and that is a rebrand. We needed to take our organisation to a new level, and our previous brand had no meaning or connection. Having worked with DAIS before I knew what they were capable of, and could completely trust them in the process. And always they delivered. We wanted them to do a full overhaul including brand name/logo/look/feel. They helped to also deliver our website, are helping us to customise our very own training site and revamped all of our collateral and experiences.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had worked with them before, but we also looked at a variety of competitors and this company was agreed upon for their experience and delivery.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

To start they worked with the key parties, took the time to really understand our organisation. Sent us away with homework, looked at our competitors and really dived into the industry. They then consulted with us throughout every stage to ensure that they got the purpose and story correct - which they did. They can then tell you about your organisation as if they have been working there every day, they knew it inside and out!

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with both the directors Jack and Jodie, their account manager Mataya, and two other staff members along the journey (not including web designers etc). They ensure that it is managed from top to bottom.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The majority of the project has now been delivered with a full live release of our rebrand and website about a month ago. The positive feedback we have received has been overwhelming, people now understand who we are and what we do. Can find us, spell us, and it does exactly what I wanted it to do which was leave a smile on peoples faces.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Their communication is excellent, they keep you informed every step of the way. They go above and beyond and consider every tiny detail. They make you part of the process and check in very frequently to ensure they are on track. They hardly ever require any adjustments, they just nail it!

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

Their commitment to understand you, your brand, your organisation, you client and your passion. They can dig deep into the fibres and unravel the ugly old sweater and turn it into something that can only be classed as special.

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

No, they have delivered everything we wanted and more. Thank you!!!