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Making Creative Matter®

4.9
14 reviews
Gold
VERIFIED

Rule29 is a strategic creative agency that helps businesses clarify and develop their brand, communicate their story, and connect with the right audiences through strategy, design, and making creative matter®

We love the immediate and lasting difference our work makes for our clients, for their customers, for the world. We grow businesses, tell stories, meet challenges, exceed expectations, change lives, explore wonder, help clients sleep well at night. We’re a creative strategic firm whose approach is built on collaboration, commitment and caring. We work with companies that value design thinking, that appreciate design’s role as a competitive advantage, that embrace teamwork. Our clients tell us we take a big-picture, long-term view toward solving their business problems. Whatever the project, be it an annual report or a documentary film, we pour into it our passion and design thinking and energy. We make creative matter®. And we’re ready to do it for you. 

Let's talk about your: Brand Strategy, Brand Management, Design, Advertising, Packaging, Video, Social Media, Web Design, Logos, Books and more.

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$25,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2000
Show all +
Geneva, IL
headquarters
  • 501 Hamilton St
    Geneva, IL 60134
    United States
    630.262.1009

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Fellowes, Make-A-Wish, Cargill, American Red Cross, Lifewater, Unicef, MDA, Invesco PowerShares, Allstate, McDonalds, Neenah Paper, Team RWB, USG, Quite Revolution, CDK Global, Northwestern Medical

Make-A-Wish Brand Refresh

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. They serve children in every community in the United States and in 50 countries worldwide. Make-A-Wish has granted more than 415,000 wishes to children worldwide!

Make-A-Wish is one of the most recognizable non-profits in the world, however, it had been quite some time since they had

…
taken a comprehensive look at their entire brand and they realized that the organization had grown beyond the dated look and feel of their logo and identity. In 2015, Make-A-Wish decided it was time to create one, truly global brand...and we got the chance to get in on it!

In the Make-A-Wish logo of generations past, the grainy star trail and whimsical typeface was difficult to reproduce, hard to read in certain contexts, and troublesome to integrate with chapter and region names. Our goal with refreshing the logo was to preserve critical visual cues, while adding contemporary flair. The new logo aimed to create a strong presence for the brand, while also maintaining the sincerity and imaginative appeal of the old logo.

Rule29 also created two versions of a brand book (national and international), stationery, a set over over 100+ icons, a full brand launch strategy, a video, signage, apparel, and various print and digital collateral.

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Team Red, White & Blue

Team RWB wanted to offer veterans a new kind of experience upon returning home – one filled with physical fitness, community, and a sense of purpose. 

Team RWB wants to see every veteran connected to their greater community. Rule29 partnered with Team RWB early on their history, helping the growing organization create a recognizable, uniting brand for America’s veterans. 

Rule29’s first task was

…
creating an updated logo, inspired by iconic American imagery and military patches, that introduced a core component of the Team RWB brand: the Eagle. 

From there, we created their annual reports and a number of evergreen brochure pieces, as well as flexible poster templates, that share the organization’s mission and efforts. With so many local chapters and events, we also assist their internal team with ensuring brand consistency wherever possible.

Team RWB's updated website was carefully designed to showcase the organization's extensive library of imagery and video to help users visualize the "Eagle Ethos", while also communicate key messages. Scalable for both national audiences and local chapters, the website invites users into the spirit of the organization and creates simple pathways to get involved at a deeper level. 

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Mellody Farm Promotion

Mellody Farm was to be built on land with a long history as a dairy farm, and was envisioned to be a truly immersive and unique shopping destination. Reclaimed wood, brick, and steel were utilized to create an industrial aesthetic that recalled the property’s previous use. From this, we created a brand that found its inspiration in farmland and lines created in these fields.

We utilized the new logo and accompanying

…
brand to build out the Mellody Farm wayfinding signage and this leasing kit to help Regency Centers attract top-notch retailers. This kit included a beautifully-designed brochure that featured high-end print production to emphasize the elegance of the space, as well as vibrant colors to accent various aspects of the retail center. Additionally, a custom-branded Google Cardboard was included so potential companies could virtually experience the space.
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Raffles Brand Refresh

Raffles Insurance, the country’s first heterogeneous captive insurance company, was conceived 30 years ago in response to the frustrating lack of control, unpredictable premium costs, and inconsistent coverage afforded by the traditional commercial insurance industry.

Rule29 had the honor of updating the company’s brand and building the platform for its future growth. After an extensive interview and

…
research process, we worked on redefining the brand essence, voice, and positioning. From there we executed a comprehensive redesign of their logo, tagline, website, promotional materials, conference design, and recruiting tools.
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Rule29 Video Reel

A little taste of some of our video and motion graphics/animation projects. Includes studio, motion, animation, live action, and location.

Cuebiq

Location intelligence platforms often feel overwhelming in practice, so Cuebiq turned to Rule29 to tell their story. We produced a wide variety of materials ranging from their website, presentations, environmental pieces and more. In addition, we created a powerful and intuitive UX/UI design for their SaaS platform, designed to present high-level data analyses that could be easily understood and evaluated, no matter an

…
individual’s technical skills. 

Along with the updated platform design, we had fun creating a comic book for the Cuebiq sales team that broke down the value proposition of their Clara product and additionally served as a memorable leave-behind piece. Working for the largest location intelligence database in the United States and their vibrant brand was a fantastic experience.

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CDK Global

CDK Global, an industry leader in automotive commerce technology, approached us with the realization that they needed a new, clear brand voice in light of a shifting industry landscape. We led the efforts to help this global leader redefine their story, brand positioning, and voice. This influenced the company’s vision and mission while impacting the subsequent creative to help establish CDK’s story internally and

…
externally. 

This greatly influenced the concept and execution of both the “Dealer Who Never Quits” spot and the “Who and What Is CDK?” motion-graphics video that we developed in tandem with the new brand voice and story.  The uniquely stylized motion graphics focused on high-level concepting and emotional connection to build brand awareness.

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Quiet Revolution Website

Susan Cain, who is known for her book, Quiet and for her life-changing TED talk, “The Power of Introverts“, and her team of introverts and extroverts alike partnered with us to discuss an interesting prospect – a website that would serve as a central hub of resources for introverts to find community and for others to understand them better.

The result was Quiet Revolution. With beautiful imagery, intelligent

…
contributors, and thoughtful design, Quiet Revolution is a site that allows introverts to feel at home and grow.
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Fellowes Follow the Bankers Box Video

Inspired by the brand’s “Organization Made Easy” tagline and the versatility of the product across all kinds of businesses, we developed a motion graphics video that featured these boxes being used in a variety of different environments. The hope was to convey that Bankers Box is an ally for any company’s record storage needs. We created a campaign that was fresh and own-able for the brand, using a 3D animation style to make

…
the video feel like it had depth and movement.

View the video here

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Reviews

4.9
14 reviews
Sort by

Brand Awareness for Location Intelligence Company

"Working with Rule29 is refreshing—they’re transparent and easy to work with."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Feb. 2018–Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule29 provides ongoing brand awareness support for the launch of a business’ new product. They help create marketing collateral, messaging, and made key site enhancements to an existing website.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
New York, New York
Senior Director, Technology Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The marketing and branding services helped unify the new product with the established business. Updates to the site contributed to an increase in online engagement and customer interest. The team at Rule29 has shown dedication to producing quality work that surpasses expectations.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of an intelligence and measurement company. We’re a B2B focused company, and we have clients in media and across different industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29?

We were in the process of promoting our SaaS platform and wanted help creating a unified, cohesive story connecting the product with our brand. We hired Rule29 to help establish the platform’s identity and help it coexist with our current brand guidelines.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Rule29 created a brand story to support our new SaaS platform. To do this, they researched why the program was being launched, the impact it will have, and why it’s beneficial. They weaved that information through the story and integrated it with new collateral.

From there, they helped us advertise the platform. They created different campaigns and made site enhancements to better represent the product. Their team wove language from the new brand guidelines into the site to emphasize the relationship with the SaaS platform.

What is the team composition?

Bob (Creative Producer, Rule29) and Katie (Marketing & Brand Associate, Rule29) are my main points of contact. Bob brought our ideas to fruition and Katie serves as our lead for day-to-day parts of the project.

How did you come to work with Rule29?

We sent RFPs to several local companies. We chose Rule29 because we saw value in the services they offered, and they came recommended to us. We felt they would be a smoother, more talented team to work with based on their proposal.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in February 2018 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Through looking at our Google Analytics account, we can see dramatic differences in bounce rates and overall engagement since Rule29 made enhancements to our site. We’ve seen positive trends throughout the platform, including time-per-page and lead generation. As our company has grown, we’ve noticed their impact increase.

How did Rule29 perform from a project management standpoint?

Rule29 uses Basecamp to track the project and we primarily communicate through email. We have access to all project updates and documentation, and they inform us about their progress throughout the week, which is great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with Rule29 is refreshing—they’re transparent and easy to work with. Understanding our vision is one of their main priorities and they are receptive to our feedback. When they give us a cost estimate, we know they aren’t overcharging like other agencies might. They add a personal touch to the work they do and we find that valuable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had some small issues when the initial project lead left, but we’ve had no complaints with the new leader. Everything has been great since then, so I can’t think of any improvements.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give their team as much feedback as possible. In order for them to produce amazing work, they need to know the scope and vision they are trying to fulfill. If you’re upfront with them, they’ll return with a great result.

5.0
Overall Score I really enjoy working with them.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    If any timelines change, they’re still able to deliver work on time.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Compared to others in the market, they offer strong value.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They provide great work and ensure the final product is the best it can be.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’d love to refer them; they’re great to work with.

Various Brand Management & Web Development Projects for Utilities Services Company

"I appreciate Rule 29’s transparency."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
May 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule 29 completes numerous web projects and brand management campaigns to establish a brand within a group of operational companies. The team works with positioning and messaging and created print collateral.

The Reviewer
 
5,000 - 10,000 Employees
 
Phoenix, Arizona
Vice President of Business Development and Communications, Construction Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Rule 29’s expertise greatly benefitted the company. Their team meets every set deadline and delivers high-quality work within a reasonable budget. Their dedication and clarity supplemented continued engagement. Their considerate approach throughout every project has been noteworthy.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive VP and chief customer officer for a comprehensive utility services company that serves investor-owned utilities across North America. We facilitate replacements, construction, and infrastructure planning needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule 29?

We’ve been in business for about 50 years and didn’t have a robust approach to brand management. Although we worked with a firm previous, we had a host of additional work needed to build a foundation and establish a house of brands for operating companies through which we deliver our services.

With our initial websites, it was clear we needed a developer with a scalable approach that could work on multiple sites and deliver the same look and feel. We needed sites with the same messaging and strong branding for each of our organizations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Rule 29 has developed various websites and aided with a variety of campaigns. Their team gathered content and compiled the information into functional sites. They’ve also assisted with branding and positioning. One brand was our complimentary employer brand, which is a staple of our recruiting efforts. They developed a microsite that details the rationale behind that.

Their most significant undertaking was helping with our 50th-anniversary book. We had years and years of history that wasn’t archived. Rule 29 dived into the work we’ve down, working with various partners to complete the book. 

What is the team composition?

My team works with around 4–5 team members that perform various tasks in different fields. I’ve mainly interacted with Justin (Principal & Creative Director, Rule 29).

How did you come to work with Rule 29?

I found Rule 29 through my affiliation with a board I sit on. Having seen the project and their approach, our company thought their team would complement our internal capabilities.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Rule 29 in May 2016, and they provide ongoing services for our company in various capacities.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Rule 29 completed work on time and within a competitive budget. They met every deadline even if it was a challenge. My team enjoys working with them because of their professionalism, work, and speed of delivery. Rule 29 does a phenomenal job. Their work helped with a number of our organizations. The 50th-anniversary book was a home run. They leveraged their relationships with printers and bookbinders to create a fantastic product that all of our employees and customers love. The employer branding site has become the face of our employer engagement portal.

How did Rule 29 perform from a project management standpoint?

Justin and his team engage in a number of our efforts. Their team has helped our business tremendously. I’ve enjoyed their thoughtful approach to meeting our goals.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate Rule 29’s transparency. We always know where we stand with them. There have been no surprises. They’ve also stayed within budget.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, their team has been on point with everything they’ve done. Rule 29 has been an excellent partner.

4.5
Overall Score They’ve been great, and my team enjoys working with them. If they had a problem with them, we would have issues, but that’s never been the case.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Rule 29 is outstanding.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We already have.

Design & Branding for In-House Creative Group

"They provide services that go beyond branding—they’ve become our daily design partner"

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule29 provides ongoing design support for a company’s in-house creative group. They’ve helped brainstorm and produce valuable work for upcoming initiatives.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Tina Zabel
Design Lead, Agency One Twenty-Three, McDonald's Corporation
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

A large measure of effectiveness is that the creative product from Rule29 has been successfully approved and implemented many times. The team continues to be a stable partner. Their responsiveness and willingness to work outside their main role makes them a valuable asset.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the design lead for Agency One Twenty-Three, McDonald’s Corporation’s in-house creative group.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29?

We were looking for a design partner because our company had just gone through a reorganization and our design team was reduced. We hired Rule29 to support us with strong creative work for upcoming initiatives we’re launching for McDonald's.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our more recent projects with them have focused on designing UI for internal websites. They walk us through the idea stage and figure out the look and feel we’re going for. Their team has created sitemaps and contribute new ideas for designs. We developed a branding system with an outsourced team, and Rule29 is helping us bring it to life through our websites, email communication, and infographics.

What is the team composition?

Our main contact is Dawn (Studio Operations Manager, Rule29), who handles the day-to-day tasks. They also provide a range of individuals for different aspects of the project. Depending on the task at hand, they’ll supply a small team of writers, designers, etc.

How did you come to work with Rule29?

I read an article on Rule29 in How Design magazine and knew Justin (Principal & Creative Director, Rule29) from the AIGA (Professional Association for Design). When the opportunity came along after we were reorganized, we felt they were the right fit for the project based on skills and approach.

How much have you invested with them?

With our annual fee included, we’ve spent between $50,000–$200,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in 2017 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re in the process of implementing a tool to give us exact success metrics, but we don’t have any currently. However, we’re able to sell the creative Rule29 creates within two rounds of presentations, which is vital to me.

How did Rule29 perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very responsive. We communicate through email and there are always phone call follow-ups. We discuss our timelines and if there are scope changes, their team lets us know what is possible from their end. Their communication skills are perfect.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They provide services that go beyond branding—they’ve become our daily design partner. We also value that they’re willing to brainstorm with us and remain open to new ideas. They’re flexible and work well with our team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I can think of for them to do better.

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

Request for Proposal for Fortune 500 Company

"They're the kind of team that you want in your corner because you know they'll come through."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Less than $10,000
 
May - June 2018
Project summary: 

Rule29 assisted several projects but the most prominent one involved the creation of a response to an RFP, making it thorough, easy to understand, and visually attractive. They also created a presentation.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Director of Alignment & Communications, Large Food Service Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They took complex content and turned it into a digestible RFP report which won the client over. Rule29’s technical expertise, friendliness, and responsiveness led to outstanding work. Their professionalism is second to none and they’ll deliver under pressure or last minute changes.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing communications lead at a large food service company that provides products and services to one of the largest quick service restaurants in the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Rule29?

We hired them to help us with many projects, but the one that stands out was a very complex report and presentation to respond to an RFP.

What were your goals for this project?

Our competition was closing in on our value proposition and we needed an RFP that clearly communicated what we brought to the table, uniquely positioning us ahead of our competitors. We needed to be clear, creative in our approach, submit everything on time, and were weeks behind schedule in developing content.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Rule29 came highly recommended by our client. We quickly realized that they were technically sound, professional, personable, responsive, and could deliver results to make my company stand out among the others.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we had Rule29 on board, we had to get our act together on our end to provide the content. I work with highly technical people who struggle with articulating complex information in an easy-to-digest format. We tend to go deep when our customer prefers simple communication.

Rule29 did a great job of taking in all the content we had and organizing it for the RFP report, using a clean design that made all that complex information easy to look at. They also helped us convert the main content into a presentation we could share with the client in a visual format.

What was the team composition?

It was a small but mighty team. We always had the main project lead to ensure we were on time. We also had a designer who took in the content and made it look good.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We won the business thanks to their help! We were also told by our client that our RFP was world-class and a terrific model compared to what our competitors delivered.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were seamless in this regard. Rule29 hung in there with us to get everything done on time, even when we made ridiculous last minute changes that were hard to follow.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Rule29 has some special finesse that blends professional output with personable team members. The end result is that I now have a high level of confidence in their business acumen, technical expertise, and ability to deliver—even under the most chaotic of circumstances. They're the kind of team that you want in your corner because you know they'll come through every time.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The end product speaks for itself, so it's hard to find something that they should improve. The only thing I could mention is that I would appreciate it if they would consult with us a bit more rather than delivering exactly what I ask. My bet is that there are better approaches to our work and we'd be open to trying new ways. That said, we often do things very last minute. If we has given them more time, we'd have more flexibility on gathering new inputs.

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

Marketing & Web Design for Gift Wrapping Manufacturer

“I love their creativity. Each designer from Rule29 Creative brings something unique to the table.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Mar. 2011 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule29 Creative provides ongoing print design, digital marketing, and web design and support for a partner’s websites and campaigns. The team uses an organized workflow and a variety of tech tools for each one.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Liz Ruh
President, Richwrap Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Rule29 Creative brings an innovative spirit to the design projects they attentively support. Corporations who purchase their print deliverables praise the wrapping paper selections each new holiday season when business peaks. Internal employees find the revamped site’s UX and navigation seamless.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of Richwrap. We manufacture gift wrap on site. We curate boxes of wrapping paper, bows, and ribbon for companies to give away as corporate gifts during the holidays.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29 Creative?

I hired Rule29 Creative to help me with digital marketing, web design, and print design for some components that go within the gift-wrapping boxes we produce. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, I usually meet with the whole team to go over exactly what I'm looking for. Last year, they revamped my website entirely. Rule29 Creative uses an array of modern tech tools for all our projects together.

During our marketing campaigns, they show me how to become more searchable online to bolster my web presence. We use a systematic method all the way through until we launch either a website or marketing campaign. 

What is the team composition? 

I work directly with the owner and president. One of two employees typically serves as the lead designer on many of my projects. They assign me a point of contact to liaise with the design team, as well.

How did you come to work with Rule29 Creative?

Rule29 Creative produced some excellent projects for my company before I purchased the business. I’d heard about their strong reputation in the design community. I followed them on social media and liked what I’d seen in their work.

Former clients of theirs also gave me great feedback about their experiences working together. When it came time to hire a team, Rule29 Creative was a natural choice.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between $100,000- $125,000 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I've been working with Rule29 Creative ever since I bought my company in March 2011. They're still supporting us with ongoing social marketing and design services. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My business is so seasonal that it's hard to gauge specific metrics. We only really do business during the fourth quarter. Every single year more and more people are being driven to my website. 

Qualitatively, I've gotten lots of positive feedback from my customers about Rule29 Creative’s deliverables. My in-house staff loves the website. It flows so much better than the old version. I was especially pleased with a video we produced in conjunction with their external resources.

How did Rule29 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Rule29 Creative is excellent at keeping in constant communication. They listen attentively to my needs and make requested changes promptly. The team stays on schedule with the timelines they set out. One resource serves as my liaison to the rest of the team. I get a status updates virtually every day, and they regularly send me their work in progress to approve. They keep everyone abreast of what's going on and answer any questions I have along the way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I mostly appreciate their overall communication. I've had experiences with design firm vendors who don't give me much insight into our status and progress. Rule29 Creative gives me consistent feedback on projects’ status. They always keep me in the loop, which is very important to me.

I love their creativity. Each designer from Rule29 Creative brings something unique to the table. I'm consistently pleased with their quality of design and innovative spirit. We're not a big city market where we live, but they bring big city firm qualifications and work experience to our projects. I really appreciate that. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can honestly say no. I can't think of anything that’s disappointed me at all. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don't shy away from the fact that they're not a big city firm. They’re every bit as qualified for any job a prominent firm can do. Rule29 Creative has excellent outside resources, including for video production. Even though they're not a huge company, they deliver everything their clients need.

5.0
Overall Score It's been great, and I have no complaints.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They've never missed a deadline. For urgent requests I need right away, they'll flexibly modify their schedule to ensure quick delivery.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I've loved their design work for my wrapping paper and gift cards. It brings a lot of value to my product regarding ROI.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    I'm very impressed with their excellent design work and creativity. Their mode of execution works well for my functional needs.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I definitely would recommend them.

Brand Identity for Global Automotive Software Company

"I was compelled with their art of storytelling. That’s what sold me over other agencies..."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
3.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
4.5
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
July - Nov. 2017
Project summary: 

Rule29 cultivated a brand story and identity using previous user feedback to lay out a brand foundation that is relatable to both employees and customers. They incorporated brand essence, values, promise, and voice.

The Reviewer
 
5,001-10,000 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Chris Farrar
Director of Integrated Marketing Communications, CDK Global
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They collaborated on a brand story that improved the customers' ability to identify the brand through ad testing. Improvement is needed from a project management standpoint, but overall, Rule29 is adept at recognizing the power of emotion and storytelling in developing a brand.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of integrated marketing communications for a global technology company that provides software to automotive dealers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29?

Rule29 addressed our lack of brand identity. We had no guidelines in terms of color, fonts, typography, and templates, thus no brand story. They gave us an identity that we could share with our customers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We asked for research from Rule29 about customer feedback we received over a year and a half time frame. They did additional research on our brand perception and what dealers said in roundtable discussions. They pieced this research together to form our brand identity, and through that, our brand story. Their team created a brand foundation that included our brand essence, values, promise, and voice. They created something that our employees can resonate with. The end result was a booklet that explains our brand story to our employees so they know who we are and why we do what we do.

What is the team composition?

I mainly worked with the founder Justin Ahrens. A brand strategist and creative producer were involved as well.

How did you come to work with Rule29?

I found Rule29 because Justin and I live in the same town. We talked about what we do for a living and he told me about his company. I was compelled by their focus on storytelling. Many other agencies focus on tactics but not the story. There's an art to this, and this is what separated Rule29 from the rest.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $20,000. Overall, we've spent over $250,000 on a number of projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Rule29 from July 2017 to November 2017. We still work with them today on a number of other projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The best metric we can share is that we started to incorporate several pieces of the brand story Rule29 created into our advertising last February. We perform an ad study every year with a third party that tests the viewers’ ability to recall our ads. Over the past two years, our scores improved. This year, they are at an all-time high.

 

How did Rule29 perform from a project management standpoint?

 

I thought they did well, but there was room for improvement. Their investigation was thorough and they asked several questions upfront when appropriate. The project manager updated us on scheduling and progress. When the project was completed, they gave us a final presentation where we instructed them to make minor language changes. It was a straightforward project that required constant communication.

 

What did you find most impressive about them?

 

They understand how to tell a brand’s story and the importance of capturing emotion in a brand. Their team understands that emotion best relates to capturing an individual’s attention. Other agencies also concentrate on emotion, but I believe Rule29 is the best at connecting the emotion to the brand story.

 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re great storytellers and exceptional at understanding the power of emotion, but as an agency, they could improve project management. They could be better at capturing the fine details and the status of the project.

4.5
Overall Score The only part that needed improvement was project management. Overall, the team was great and the end result was incredible.
  • 3.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    The project management could be stronger.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I’ve worked with other agencies that cost more. The price was very fair.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Good creativity and would love to see them stretch even further.
  • 4.5 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Anyone who hires Rule29 will have a great product.

Rebranding for Clean Water Nonprofit

“They delivered a high-quality product. … I'd definitely work with them again.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
Project summary: 

Spearheading a rebranding campaign, Rule29 travelled abroad to meet with the field staff, performed a competitive analysis, and then developed a new logo, brand identity, and brand standards.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
San Luis Obispo, California
Justin Narducci
President, Lifewater International
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The revenue increased from $1.6 million to $6 million in five years. They went above and beyond to understand all the needs and capture the essence of the brand, while their expertise in a nonprofit sector helped them establish a smooth process.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of Lifewater International. We're a nonprofit that provides clean water access to vulnerable children and families in rural villages of Africa and Asia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29?

We were rebranding our organization and we wanted to make sure our new brand was aligned with the future, rather than the past. We were looking for a company to help us with our rebranding efforts.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They visited our work sites and met with our field staff in Ethiopia and Uganda. Then, they did a competitive analysis and started the creative process. They produced a logo, created our brand standards, and developed a new letterhead.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–3 of their team members.

How did you come to work with them?

I worked with them on a similar project at another organization and had a very positive experience. Besides, they have a strong understanding of a nonprofit sector.

How much have you invested with them?

The project cost between $60,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them in 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The year before we finished the rebranding campaign, our total revenue was $1.6 million. This year, it's $6 million, so it went up four times in five years.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They did an excellent job. We hit all the milestones on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They do their best to understand your business and apply that knowledge to the creative process. That helps them produce a better product that is aligned with a true essence of the brand. Also, they have good aesthetic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. I'd definitely work with them again.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Creative processes take time, but there is always an opportunity to make it faster.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Brand matters a great deal in our industry.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered a high-quality product.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I often recommend them to other people.

Rebranding for Insurance Consulting Firm

"The partnership’s been awesome; I’ve learned a lot from them."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Feb. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule29 Creative provides branding services to attract potential new consumers. Services include survey research, video production, and graphic and logo design. An in-house rebrand is currently in progress.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Jaime Feinberg
VP of Risk Control Services, Captive Resources LLC
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The team has cultivated a collaborate process. Impressive designs reflect their ability to translate ideas into effective visualizations. They’re diligent problem-solvers and they bring a valuable perspective to industry-specific challenges.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m VP of risk control services for Captive Resources, an insurance consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29 Creative?

We wanted to rebrand the insurance captive. It needed a freshened appeal for the newest generations that are purchasing insurance. We also needed to rebrand our company in-house for captive resources.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, they did focus groups and surveyed 400 members. These tools showed them how external stakeholders perceive the company.

The team then created logos, brochures, annual reports, and branded merchandise. They also designed letterhead and presentation slides. Additionally, Rule29 produced live-action and motion graphic videos and uploaded them to our website. We’re able to leverage that content at meetings and sales events.

We rolled out the original project – the captive program –in September 2017. Currently, we’re in the middle of an in-house rebranding project.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with the principal and a brand strategist.

How did you come to work with Rule29 Creative?

One of their previous clients recommended them. The company was 100-years-old and underwent a successful rebrand that updated its look and appeal. My team wanted to do a rebrand, but our leadership wasn’t convinced. Rule29 came in, pitched their services, and persuaded upper management.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in February 2017 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team is organized and attentive. Their ability to apply our feedback to graphic designs is impressive, as is their overall branding strategy. We won’t have data for approximately another year because the in-house project is still in progress.

How did Rule29 perform from a project management standpoint?

Rule29 could be more assertive with reminders and deadlines. They try their hardest to keep us on top of the project, even though branding is not my team’s priority. Since they have to email us multiple reminders, we can’t blame them entirely if we’re not hitting target dates.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The principal and brand strategist are a pleasure to work with. The process is very collaborative; it balances our vision with their expert guidance. They use our feedback and preferences to direct the scope. Rule29 is honest when our ideas are unrealistic, but they’ll never upsell us on unnecessary services.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They need to be more assertive when they disagree with our decisions. Sometimes, we establish too may parameters that reflect internal preferences. However, those decisions may not be best from a functional or client perspective.

While Rule29 was more vocal during the captive program, I’ve noticed they’re less assertive on the current project. But I admit our guidelines may be stifling them.

5.0
Overall Score The partnership’s been awesome; I’ve learned a lot from them. Their outside perspective is a great benefit.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They’ve had good resolutions for scheduling conflicts, but they could still be stricter with us.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They put considerable time and effort into high-quality products. I don’t know the price, but I expect it’s very reasonable.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The first project captured the essence of the company. Their work was spot-on the first time around.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I love working with my two contacts. The communicate and listen well. I assume their whole team is equally talented.

Branding for Print Communications Company

"Rule29 is able to understand our DNA and translate that into tangible messages that engage our clients in memorable ways."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Feb. 2000 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

The client hired Rule29 Creative to update their company brand to accurately market their new products and services.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Phoenix, Arizona
Tony Narducci
President, O'Neil Printing
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Rule29 Creative pays attention to detail and cares about engaging customers through creating memorable brands.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

O'Neil Printing is a 108-year-old print communications service provider located in Phoenix, AZ.  We offer our clients comprehensive traditional and digital ink on paper solutions as well as automated marketing programs, wide format graphics and online fulfilment storefronts.  Our target markets include education, hospitality, financial, medical and retail store clients.

As president, I have overall responsibility for the vision and continual development of our team, products, services and performance as we seek to increase value for all our stakeholders.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

The challenge for Rule29 was to take this very old brand "Since 1908" and make it relevant for the products and services we were currently offering.

SOLUTION

We had worked with Rule29 on other client projects in the past and found them to be a partner that took the time to understand our business goals, culture and to be able to tell a story around the value proposition that was relevant and relatable.

Our rebranding included everything from a new website to all printed collateral including signage, wall graphics, and a showroom in our wide format facility. The project has spanned over 15 years now and we are about to launch a new website.  They are truly an extension of our marketing team and function that way internally and externally.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

We always receive favorable feedback from clients (existing and prospective) on our marketing communication tools.  Rule29 is able to understand our DNA and translate that into tangible messages that engage our clients in memorable ways.

5.0
Overall Score Rule29 gets it.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Schedules are predetermined for each project and reviewed with us weekly.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Always within budget.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Great attention is paid to details and no short cuts are taken.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    It would be an honor.

Branding for Paper Products Manufacturer

"Rule29's speed of execution is truly unparalleled."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Rule29 Creative is the client's go-to agency for all creative needs, such as branding, event materials, print promotions, copywriting, photography, as well as social media management.

The Reviewer
 
501-1000 employees
 
Combined Locks, Wisconsin
Ferko Goldinger
Marketing Manager, Appleton Coated
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Most of the client's work is print and is thus harder to judge ROI [return on investment]. However, customer feedback has been very positive, and Rule29's work has won various American Advertising Awards and other design competition awards. The client particularly praises Rule29's speed of execution and high accountability.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Appleton Coated is a single-site paper manufacturer based in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. We have over $350 million in annual sales and around 600 employees. We are self-owned by the management team.

I am the marketing manager of the company. I, along with my team of 3, am responsible for all public-facing brand touchpoints, including website, print, social media, signage events, and so on. I've been in this position since 2000, but I've been working for the company since 1996.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Rule29 Creative?

We've had very few creative firms of record, using one from 1996 until 2004 and another from 2004 to 2012. Rule29 has become our go-to, comprehensive, creative shop.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Rule29 Creative is responsible for anything that we can't do, including branding material, strategy, creative work, events look-and-feel, as well as many print promotions, which are our primary means of communication and advertising as a print shop. Rule29 has been an advisor and manager of our social media.

Rule29 took care of almost any brand touchpoint in the market that we couldn't create using our internal design team. Alternatively, we've repurposed material created by Rule29 for brand consistency. Rule29 has also provided copywriting, photography (either through their team or other partners), and most anything else.

How did you come to work with Rule29 Creative?

I've known Rule29's principal professionally and personally since the early 2000’s. They have worked on some small projects for our Chicago representative, and I also introduced Rule29 to our design firm in the early 2000’s. We've worked on various projects with Rule29 since that time, even before they became our of-record firm.

How much have you invested with Rule29 Creative?

Because we do a lot of work with Rule29, it's hard to say. They were initially placed against another small firm from the east coast, as well as our incumbent partner at the time, for the quoting process. What I can say is that Rule29's pricing was better than both of those.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our of-record relationship with Rule29 in August 2014. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While we do engage in social media and email marketing with Rule29, 60-70% of our work is print, which is much harder to judge in terms of ROI.

I can gauge success from a customer feedback standpoint, as well as based on the awards we've received from the ADI Awards and other design competitions. These are people judging outside of the world of people, so our material was held up to the same level of quality as with other bigger firms. We've won tons of silver and gold awards. From a quality of design and level of engagement standpoint, our work sits very high.

How did Rule29 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Rule29's speed of execution is truly unparalleled. We have lots of revisions, which is something not all firms handle well, if at all. Rule29 remained hands-on in the best possible way and also responsive and sensitive to the need for change.

Communication levels are extraordinarily high and transparent. Rule29 is extremely good at project scoping, making estimates, informing us whenever we go outside of the scope, and telling us what the re-estimated amount will be. Rule29 has never blown a deadline. Overall, there is a high level of account handling through a dedicated manager. We also work directly with Rule29's principal and with the designers themselves. We have a very good back-and-forth. Our project management tool is Basecamp.

What did you find most impressive about Rule29 Creative?

"Excellence" is a term which can be used to an excess but isn't heard as much currently. It is the quality I like most about Rule29. Every facet of what we're working on and how we're working on it, in terms of communication creative aspects, questions, and execution, is handled flawlessly. Rule29 also has extremely high accountability. I've worked with firms which decided for themselves when the work was done and refused to make changes.

Prior agencies we've worked with were staffed with members in their 50’s, within the managerial level and with account managers, creative directors, and art directors in their 30’s and 40’s. The age of Rule29's team skews down by 6-8 years. They're a younger crew, which gives us insight into that specific age group and how they view our work and products. We almost have a built-in focus group. I often tell Rule29's team that, if they can make the work make sense to themselves, it will make sense to our audiences. The clientele for paper and the graphic design for it can be old, but we also engage with people in their 20’s. Rule29 is wonderful at capturing this and distilling out the 3 paragraphs which were typical for older material into a few bullet-points. I've challenged Rule29 on this, and they've delivered well.

Are there any areas Rule29 Creative could improve?

The only area in which we've seen improvement is print production. Most agencies don't do print at our high-end level. No errors are acceptable, which is something we've had to teach to every firm we've used. Rule29 has been very good at adapting to our standards and has shown a good retention of the principles we've outlined.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Rule29 Creative?

Account management is one of the keys to a relationship. I have a weekly standing meeting with our contact from Rule29. For any clients running as many simultaneous projects as we are, a regular meeting should be standard operating procedure. Our account manager knows exactly who is working on what, how busy they are, and so on. There is a great degree of transparency with Rule29, which was often lacking on the ad agency side with our previous partners.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Rule29 Creative is usually waiting on me.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    A 5 would mean free work.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
Verification

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Verification Level
Gold
VERIFIED
Business Entity
Status
Active
Jurisdiction of Formation
Illinois
ID
60821593
Date of Formation
Jan 11, 2000
Source
Office of the Illinois Secretary of State
Last Updated
Jan 19, 2019
Payment & Legal Filings
Bankruptcy
No
Tax Lien Filings
0
Judgement Filings
0
Collections Count
0
Source
Experian
Full Business Credit Report
Last Updated
Jul 19, 2019
Client Reviews
VERIFIED CLIENT REVIEWS
14
OVERALL REVIEW RATING
4.9
Source
Clutch
LAST UPDATED
February 12, 2019