Y5 Creative

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Hutchinson Oil Company, LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We own and operate convenience stores and deliver wholesale fuel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Y5 Creative to accomplish?

• Design digital assets for an outdoor mesh screen

SOLUTION

How did you find Y5 Creative?

• Referral

Why did you select Y5 Creative over others?

• High ratings
• Referred to me

What was the size of Y5 Creative’s team?

• 2-5 Employees

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

We are in the process of launching large digital mesh screens on the front of some of our larger convenience stores/travel centers. We hired Y5 to create the videos to display on this screen.

Not only do they do the creative design work, but they also make suggestions as to what we should advertise and how, consult with some of our product vendors, and meet with us regularly to keep our messages fresh and up to date. They are also starting to help us with graphics for some indoor screens advertising our different food service offerings.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Sales increase on items that we are advertising. This is very new, so don't have all the results yet, but what we have seen is promising.
• Be able to sell advertising space to our product vendors. This is ongoing, as the sign will change quarterly, but we have had some good feedback and participation from our vendors.

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

Y5 understands the importance of being organized and provided tools to keep us all connected and know where they were in the design process of all assets they were creating. They were always available for phone calls and virtual meetings. We never felt rushed during meetings. They wanted to understand all aspects our business and what we were needing. They listened to us and also got what we needed timely.

What was your primary form of communication with Y5 Creative?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email
• Messaging App

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

The team was very creative and it was important to them to design quality images for us. They had not dealt with convenience store advertising in the past, and knew that it was important for them to listen to our ideas and how things might need to be advertised a little differently than what they have been used to in other industries. We really enjoyed being on the phone with them and brainstorming ideas.

They were very personable, nice, and professional.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Y5 Creative could have done differently?

I don't think so. They were very flexible. A couple of times we needed to regroup and change up our planning tools and the direction we were going based on our discussions, but they quickly got us right back on track and adjusted accordingly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the master coach and co-founder of POWERPODS. We are a franchise coaching business platform that works with franchisees to get them to peak performance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Y5 Creative?

When creating our company, we knew we needed to draw out our marketing positioning and figure out how to differentiate ourselves from other companies. We hired Y5 Creative to help us clarify exactly what we were delivering as a benefit instead of trying to sell our features.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Y5 Creative has been with us from the start and has helped us create our brand from scratch. We collaborated to establish our core values and figure out our company's identity. The second step we took together was creating a website. Whenever we need any marketing materials or if we have a presentation, we call Y5 Creative because we use them as an ongoing resource. 

Y5 Creative created our logo, design, and branding guidelines. We had some oversight but gave them full reign and responsibility for our brand's creative side. They designed our website with a specific program and developed it with WordPress. Our primary goal with the website was to capture our visitors' attention; some of the functionalities include the ability to harvest emails and book online. 

We have been able to continue adding to the website because of Y5 Creative’s assistance. They proofread and edit all of our content and provide outside-the-box thinking to expand how we put content together. Y5 Creative provides maintenance and hosting services. 

What is the team composition?

Our primary point of contact is Carol (Creative Director & Creative Branding Specialist). We work with about  5–6 other people, including a creative designer and a developer. Y5 Creative provides us with their full expertise on both the technical and creative sides. 

How did you come to work with Y5 Creative?

They were a referral from a mutual friend. We also used Y5 Creative at a different company before bringing them in to work on this project. We interviewed multiple companies before deciding that Y5 Creative would be the right choice because of their unique and creative approach. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve worked on many different projects with them, but we’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000 CAD (approximately $7,300–$18,000 USD) overall. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2018, and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s difficult to quantify anything in dollars, but Y5 Creative has helped us become much more professional and grow into our brand. Everything they’ve given us has been invaluable because they’re helping us create a space in the marketplace and garner an excellent reputation. We have competitors trying to copy exactly what we do, which speaks volumes about the quality Y5 Creative has been helping us create. 

How did Y5 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve been thrilled with the project management; they are immediately responsive when we contact them. Their communication is always on time and helpful, and we communicate via email, text, and phone calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve been really impressed with their design tools, and we feel like it’s allowed our process to be time efficient and effective. We appreciate that they value quality and take time to complete things correctly. It’s been an amazing experience because they provide excellent value for the cost and always exceed our expectations. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We wish they could handle our social media, but that’s not a service they offer. We’ve been so impressed with everything they do and wish they could do even more for us. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let them take control of the creative process. We wanted to be in control, but we had to learn to trust the process and the experts from Y5 Creative.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a realtor licensed since 1987 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, one of the most active markets in North America

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Y5 Creative?

Having been in the businees for so long, I needed to freshen up my marketing tools and website. And at that time I had no branding.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I inquired at a couple of other companies and consulted other realtors to understand pricing and value. After my initial consultation with Y5, there was no doubt of who I was going to work with. I have known the group at Y5 for years through other avenues and was very cognizant of their integrity and honesty.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

I sat down with the team and we spoke at length about me, my business and what makes me unique

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

Initially I worked directly with their project manager and then after that also had conversations with the other support members of their team if they needed Logos/colours etc. from my company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The final product has been able to work seamlessly with my website and social media. And it it able to evolve as my marketing needs change.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with the Y5 team was easy. Their design process is polished and simple, and I always knew I was been heard. We communicated via email, in person and on the phone. They delivered on their promised every time.

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

I loved that they were completely transparent and communicated openly with me. In addition, their team had a lot of experience. They were incredibly creative, and I felt I was always in good hands. On a side note it was exciting to be in the room listening to the team director be creative!

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

Not really, I appreciated their guidance and assistance with my project

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a stand up comic based in Los Angeles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Y5 Creative, and what were your goals?

As a comic who is self employed I need to market myself to comedy clubs, bookers, agents, corporate events. I had little social media presence or branding. Y5 changed that. Made me more competitive with other comics in this industry.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I heard of Y5 through some friends that did work with them. For me it's all about trust and feeling comfortable with those I work with. The minute I talked to Carol and her team I know I was in the right hands. I knew they had the vision of what I was looking for.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Starting from a very little web presence, Y5 talked me through what I needed to stay relevant and competitive. I'm an old school guy. I didn't know what some of the things they referred to but I did know whatever they were suggesting must be good since I saw a number of their clients before we started and I liked what I saw.

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

I work with a variety of people at Y5 and they are all amazing and great at what they do. Most of what I do deals with Carol and she funnels the assignments to others. What I like best about Y5 among other things is that they are so responsive to my needs.

I'm pretty obsessive when it comes to things and despite my over the top emails to Carol and the team they are always right on it. And always providing me with a better solution than I had thought of.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

After the projects were completed I immediately noticed a ROI. More calls for work. More top bookers and agents looking at my website and social media. Definitely a transformation I expected but certainly not that fast.

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

Carol and I spoke regularly and emailed regularly about timelines, deadlines, etc. I knew what was going on and when things would be finished. And they were always ahead of schedule.

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

A lot of people can do what I needed. Sure. But a lot of people won't take the time and energy to do what Carol and her team does. They took the time to get to know me. They took the time to understand what I needed and how I could use their services to be more successful. You can find someone off CriagsList to do design but that's all you will get. You won't find a team like Y5 Creative that stands behind you to make sure their product makes an impact.

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

Absolutely none.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am an owner of a digital label printing business called AllLabels in Burnaby, BC, Canada. I am responsible for marketing the company and the brand.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Y5 Creative, and what were your goals?

When we went to Y5 Creative, we had just purchased a high end digital label printing machine and were embarking on our new venture into the label printing business. We needed a name and a brand to start selling our new services.

Once we had the name and brand, we needed to create a website and marketing collateral, including brochures, sample packs, trade show materials and more. We also needed assistance with our digital marketing strategy and execution.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were recommended by an industry associate to use Y5 Creative, as they are known to be an experienced branding company with in-depth knowledge of the printing and graphic industry.

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

To start, we had a deep dive discovery session where we touched on all the elements necessary to create a strong and successful brand. They are very detail focused and were committed to delivering a product that was reflective of our vision. We worked closely with their design team and it was great to have the trademarking experience they provided when finalizing a name for our brand.

Once they had finalized the design of the brand, exceeding our expectations, they delivered a branding manual and the logo files were put into a drive folder that they continue to add new elements to on an ongoing basis. Their web design team then took over and they delivered a beautiful design and ultimately a website that we are proud of. The marketing collateral was a complex job that they handled with ease and they continue to work with us developing any collateral that we need.

Digital marketing is now our main focus as we grow the brand and we work closely with Y5 Creative's digital marketing team who are very supportive and knowledgeable. They continue to provide SEO services as well as Google and Facebook paid ads. Our business is growing fast.

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

I worked with the owner Carol who is hands on and oversees her team. The team includes graphic designers, web designers, web developers, digital marketing specialists and a great project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Basically, we were given all the tools we needed to launch this new division of our business and I am happy to say that it has been very successful to date. Our label printing business continues to grow as a result of the support of the Y5 Creative team.

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

We communicate with them through Slack and they manage our projects through Monday.com. They collaborate closely with us on our digital marketing campaigns and their reporting is detailed, keeping us informed throughout the process. It's great to have our finger on the pulse of our business at all times.

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

They are always available when we need them. They treat our business like it’s their own, which is great. They are a part of our team.

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

None that I can think of. I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for an all round digital company to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the principal and founder of the BHC Group, and we’re a group of like-minded consultants who provide management consulting to our customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Y5 Creative?

We were looking for someone with the marketing skillset and branding experience to help increase our digital awareness.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Y5 Creative helped rebrand our company and rebuilt our entire website from scratch. They’ve also helped us design our content’s layout and changed how we interact with our users on social media.

We initially started with discovery sessions to identify our needs and goals. We went back and forth to make sure our decisions were accurate and once that was done, they created and delivered a brand manual containing all the necessary information about our branding — this includes our logos, content layout, web design, and color schemes.

For the website, they integrated a tool that allows me to log into the backend and populate the content with information. They’re continuing to manage and maintain the website for updates and technical issues.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with around 4–5 people who are responsible for different components in the project.

How did you come to work with Y5 Creative?

I came across their company through Facebook.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $30,000 CAD (approximately $23,500 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership started in April 2020. They’ve successfully delivered the project, but they’re still providing us with ongoing web support and additional ad-hoc tasks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t necessarily have any KPIs or measurable metrics, but we’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from our customers and network. Their work helped us achieve social media exposure and connect with old and prospective clients.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the brand refresh also helped us acquire a professional look for one of our new offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m confident and comfortable with the new brand they’ve given my company.

How did Y5 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great from a project management perspective. They’re always on top of the process and they make sure to resolve any of our issues or concerns.

We use Monday.com as their primary management tool, and we typically communicate through Slack, email, and Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with their experience, as they really understand the marketing industry and the mindset of consumers.

We also like how they came into this project as our primary marketing partners — they didn’t just want to work with me, they wanted to continue the relationship and grow with me.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they could improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to see the project as a learning and growing opportunity, and just have fun with it. Let go of your restrictions and concerns so you can find the experience more enjoyable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Sombilon Studios. We’re a commercial photography, videography, and custom artwork firm. We have a full suite of creative services that we provide to multinational corporations, nonprofits, and celebrities. We’ve been in business for over 15 years and have 30 photographers that work in our offices.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Y5 Creative?

When we approached Y5 Creative, we desperately needed one central website. We didn’t know at the time that we actually needed a whole rebrand.

So when we came to them first, it was for web development, and once we learned about what service offerings they had, we ended up running with them for a full repositioning of our brand and marketing strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Starting with the website, we’re a full creative studio that offers a number of services that all interact. We ended up building different photo library websites for our clients, which is a useful service, but all of our sites went to different places, and nothing was uniform. It was problematic in the sense that people wouldn’t be able to see us as creators and hosts.  

The team did intense research to figure out everything about what our target markets were, the verticals we were targeting, and where our industry tracks. That took about two years to build and launch. They did everything from scratch.

They were involved with SEO and completely overhauling our portfolio and messaging to our clients.

The team at Y5 Creative took a deep dive into our marketing strategies and developed an automated marketing education for us. They implemented a new CRM, automated marketing software, project management software. They also helped mine our emails to help with having proper newsletters and marketing communication.

For the rebrand, their team redid our logos, business cards, and other collateral. For the logo, they created a design that could feature our clients with their own colors and brand ambassadors.

What is the team composition?

Over the years, we worked with five people and one dog.

How did you come to work with Y5 Creative?

We’d been burned a few times by other similar agencies, so we had our guard up. We couldn’t find somebody that could actually understand what we did. To be honest, I don’t know if we’re the easiest to work with because we’re continually evolving.

We were referred to them by a friend who had worked with them. We did make sure to do our due diligence with them, but it was a marriage made in heaven.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $130,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were dropping the ball for many years before Y5 Creative came along. We now consider them as part of our company. We also now outsource any branding work our clients need to them.

The team went into every aspect and area of our business to make sure our brand was well-represented. Our focus is always on the clients, which sustains our growth and business. The rebrand they did for us targeted that.

Their overhaul of our marketing strategy yielded a 20% increase in revenue per year. They’ve also increased our followers and engagement on social media. We’ve also received more leads through different sales avenues. Our brand is gaining momentum.

How did Y5 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

I can’t rave about that enough. Some of our methods and programs that we were using were so insufficient in hindsight. They suggested other programs, like Monday.com and Slack, that were easier for project management. They made everything more organized for us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their company genuinely cares about their clients and their growth. They want to see you scale, and they’re never trying to upsell you.

We’ve made Y5 Creative part of our business because we trust them implicitly. We also refer them to anybody we come across. They’re a genuine, well-organized team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like to see them scale and grow. They have the capabilities to become a much bigger business.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t make any assumptions coming in. They will complete this amazing discovery once you come in, and they’ll blow the doors off any expectations you had for the brand. I thought I was just coming in to get a website done but ended up restructuring my entire company and brand that I hadn’t planned to do.

Y5 Creative does a real deep dive into your industry. By the time you start working with them, they’ll intimately get to know your brand and needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

A scenic Inn located in Nova Scotia. I am the owner

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Y5 Creative?

Development of a complete new brand identity

What were your goals for this project?

To create a recognizable brand identity that would work across all marketing and communication touch-points. We wanted to honor the history of the inn while bringing a more contemporary feel to the brand design.

We wanted an identity that suggested the key appeals of the Inn and its surrounds, namely the beautiful nature surrounding us and the Bay of Fundy waters for which the area is famous.

SOLUTION

How did you select Y5 Creative?

I had worked with Y5 on other projects and respected their work and ethics.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

I drafted a branding brief outlining my thoughts on the business and what it represented. We then began a discovery process, led by Y5.

Through the design process we had a number of project update sessions. Initial ideas were generated and presented as alternatives. These were gradually narrowed down through an interactive process until we agreed a final approach.

Once the final approach was agreed, Y5 generated a complete comprehensive branding guideline.

What was the team composition?

Myself and wife, as owners. Together with the Y5 team

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have had very positive feedback about our new identity. It does capture both the history and environment while being stylish, simple and contemporary.

We have rolled out its use in most of our marketing efforts so we are driving a consistent visual identity

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. Good communication

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Personal approach. They are entrepreneurs who understand the needs involved in the journey from small to medium to large businesses.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a realtor and CPA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Y5 Creative?

I had just recently ended a longterm partnership and needed to establish my own brand. I hired Y5 Creative to help with this by creating a website and branding materials.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Y5 Creative designed and developed my website using WordPress. For the branding efforts, they’ve helped with the color schemes, logo design, and other aesthetic choices. They’ve created materials for both web and print, including signage and other deliverables. 

What is the team composition?

I work with several people from Y5 Creative. 

How did you come to work with Y5 Creative?

I knew Y5 Creative through a family connection and was drawn to working with them because of how they operate with care. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $25,000 on the project. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since September 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s too soon to see the impact of the website, but we have received some fantastic comments on it from users. Their team did a lot of research to ensure the final product wasn’t cookie-cutter. The branding materials are clean and crisp, and people now recognize that I have a separate brand identity. 

How did Y5 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Responsiveness is never an issue. I hear back from them within hours. Even when timing on my end changes or I'm running around doing other tasks, they are accommodating and work well with my schedule. There are distinct project deadlines that they adhere to, and I’m happy with how they’ve managed the work.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

The way they care about the work they’re doing makes them stand out from competitors. They bend over backward to make sure I’m happy and they operate like they’re a family. I can tell I’m not just a number to them. They also create final products that are sustainable and won’t become outdated. The work they deliver is going to last and be versatile. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

At the beginning of the project, more oversight on a junior designer could have helped my vision be understood better. I also wish that they could provide more assistance in creating content from scratch. More industry-specific knowledge could be helpful because additional explanations about functionalities have cost me more. However, outsourcing some of this development could be a great idea for them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No matter who you hire, you need to know what you want because no one can read your mind. They’re excellent at discovering creative ideas from your vision, but you need to provide them with that instead of hoping they’ll be all-knowing. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a dentist and the owner of Hupfau Dental.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Y5 Creative?

I’d never had a website. I realized that I needed one to validate my existence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Y5 created a brand and a logo for my business. Previously, I was just Dr. Susie K. Hupfau Inc. We came up with Hupfau Dental and worked on a logo. Their team also built a website for my existing patients and prospective patients to view the business. I provided the content and their team created the design as well as developed the WordPress website.

What is the team composition?

Mainly, I worked with three people: Carol Colley (Creative Director and Creative Branding Specialist, Y5 Creative), a logo designer, and a website developer.

How did you come to work with Y5 Creative?

A patient recommended Y5 Creative.

How much have you invested with them?

At the end of the day, it was approximately $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project ran from April 2018 until June 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any metrics, but I’m pleased with the results. I’m happy with the website. Everyone that has seen it says it looks great. I feel like the platform reflects me.

How did Y5 Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated almost solely through e-mail. I found Y5 to be quite responsive. If I had a question, their team got back to me right away.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I found that their team was personally invested in my project. I liked that they were a smaller firm. I didn’t feel like another client. I always felt that I was receiving dedicated services. Their team cared about the results. As someone who’s not technically savvy, I found Y5 Creative to be approachable. They explained ideas and took care of tasks that I couldn’t manage myself.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t know if it was a shortcoming on their part but I had to develop a lot of content myself because they’re not dentists. It likely resulted from a misunderstanding in the beginning. When I finally said you need to help me and we need to get this across the finish line, their team was responsive and able to help.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Y5 was professional and did a great job.