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    Berkeley, CA
    415.857.5775

Brand Naming Agency

4.9
12 reviews

Zinzin is a naming and branding agency that creates powerful product and company names to propel and differentiate brands beyond their competition. We are committed to helping companies rise above the generic branding chatter that clogs cultural discourse. Among many company and product brand names we've developed (see our extensive Portfolio on our website) we created the name Clutch for the site you are visiting right now!

(See our Clutch -- originally known as SourcingLine -- review below.)

So, why exactly is a name so important? The answer is simple: first impressions matter, and a company or product name is the first point of audience contact with your brand. In many respects, the name is the brand, setting the tone and telling the story of your brand to the world. Your name represents your business in the most fundamental way, and everything you do or ever will do begins with your name. That’s why it’s vital to get the name right.

At Zinzin, we believe in the power of real, human language, in names that have rich meaning and depth. Names that are born from a rigorous, logical and battle-tested naming process, yet aspire to poetry and art. We help you to dream big, with names that will create lasting impressions and inspire an emotionally engaged and loyal audience. In short, we want to set your brand free — free from the commonplace, free from the forgettable, free from your competition.

READ MORE...
 
$10,000+
 
Undisclosed
 
2 - 9
 Founded
2011
Show all +
Berkeley, CA
headquarters
  • Zinzin
    1025 Carleton Street, Suite 9
    Berkeley, CA 94710
    United States
    415.857.5775

Portfolio

Key clients: 

3M, Clutch, ABC, Alloy, AMC, CamelBak, Cisco, Commune Hotels, Constellation Brands, Daybreak Games, DirecTV, DST Health, DuPont, E.&J. Gallo, EA SPORTS, Éclair, eCornell, Elements, Ember, GE, Google, Gogo, GP PRO / Georgia-Pacific, GSN Games, Hasbro, Honeywell, Intel, Jabra, MGM Resorts, Move Inc, Moxie Software, MTV, Nielsen, Nokia, Parkwood Entertainment, Participant Media, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Seagate, Shaw, Target, TCF Bank, Turner Entertainment, Universum, Viacom.

Reviews

4.9
12 reviews
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Product Naming for Regional Bank

“We ended up with a remarkable brand identity and name.”

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
n/a
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Jan. - Apr. 2016
Project summary: 

Helping build a brand for a new line of product, Zinzin led a product naming process that included identifying target audiences and doing trademark research.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Denver, Colorado
Andrew Swanson
Former Product Marketing Manager, TCF Bank
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The name makes the brand stand out among competitors, and the business is growing. Creative and experienced, Zinzin exceeded all expectations, while their clear and structured process helped them work quickly and effectively.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

When I worked with Zinzin, I was a product marketing manager at TCF Bank. It's a regional bank that provides traditional financial services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

We were launching a unique line of product (we were one of the few financial services companies that would be able to provide that type of business to consumers.)  We wanted to brand the product, so we were looking for a company to help us establish a brand and identify a name for it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us determine what audiences would be relevant to the TCF Bank's umbrella brand and find a name that would make us stand out.

We reached out to them when we first started developing the line of products. We needed to have an idea for a name before we could develop a marketing plan or create a logo. Their main focus was on the naming convention with some of the alternative ideas behind what the name could represent. In addition, they helped us with the trademark research.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two members of their team, one of whom was our primary point of contact.

How did you come to work with them?

My boss worked with Zinzin in his previous role, so he recommended them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between January–April 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As far as the value on our first six months of product launch, we exceeded our expectations by 15%. I left the company after that, so I didn't see any brand surveying results.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They were better than any other vendor I had worked with. They had a very organized process and kept the project on track. Also, they're great communicators, so we didn't have any issues.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were great at brainstorming and brought a lot of creative ideas to the table. We appreciated their unique naming convention model and the fact that they laid out from the beginning what their process would be.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They did excellent work, but their ideas were mostly in the written form. Since they didn’t bring their ideas to life visually, we had to do some further work on the design side.

5.0
Overall Score They were able to accomplish our goals quickly and efficiently. We were very happy with the outcome.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    There was nothing that felt rushed or out of place. The whole process was succinct and clear.
  • N/A Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They exceeded our expectations. We ended up with a remarkable brand identity and name.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They had the best process out of all the vendors I had worked with on branding.

Naming Services for Gaming Investment Company

"They are experts in their field."

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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
 
Mar. - June 2017
Project summary: 

Offering specialized naming expertise, Zinzin collaborated on a company renaming and rebranding project.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Prague, Czech Republic
CEO, Gaming Investment Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The partnership produced a compelling new company name with broad-reaching appeal. Accommodating, astute, and creative, Zinzin welcomed feedback and remained actively engaged throughout multiple proposal rounds. Their work, though expensive, reflects their industry experience and acumen. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of multiple game industry companies that provide B2B services for game developers and publishers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Zinzin?

We needed naming services for our company. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a strong new name with global appeal. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Online research of marketing agencies revealed that there are specific naming experts. We decided to look for those with a solid reputation and the greatest experience. Zinzin came highly recommended on many websites, including Clutch. We ultimately chose them for their interesting approach to naming techniques, which gave us the feeling that they understood both their business and the challenges of creating a name.  

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We conducted two workshops via phone and completed several forms in order to provide Zinzin with more insight into our company goals and aspirations. After each of a series of proposal rounds, we would offer feedback to narrow down potential names. We began with several that were apt for the U.S. market, but weak from an international standpoint, and Zinzin adapted well to our comments. 

What was the team composition?

Zinzin provided two people with different skillsets.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We eventually decided upon the name we currently use, and the experience allowed us to reflect on our company and brand positioning. Zinzin listened to us and asked intuitive questions, confirming to us that they were the right people to help us find a powerful name we could stand behind for many years to come. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We were very happy with the workflow throughout the six-week process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are experts in their field. Their knowledge and approach are apparent on their website, but powerful when experienced first-hand. Anyone can find a name in the dictionary, but finding a brand name requires art and craft expertise, both of which Zinzin delivers. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

They may only specialize in naming, but they do it well. We couldn’t ask for anything more. 

5.0
Overall Score Zinzin is a straightforward company. They are experts who provide the quality you expect from people who have spent years perfecting their craft.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They accommodated the differences in our time zones.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The $30,000 USD price was very expensive for a startup, but well worth it.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We are extremely satisfied with their help and have launched our new product with the updated name.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I highly recommend them and would use their services again.

Naming for Home Security Automation Company

“They genuinely value the story behind the name of a brand.”

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4.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
3.5
Willing to refer: 
3.5
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Apr. - May 2013
Project summary: 

Zinzin helped the company come up with a new name that would resonate with U.S. and Canadian markets, providing four rounds of options.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Orem, Utah
Aaron Zeyer
Marketing Director, Fluent Home
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Zinzin came up with an effective name for the brand, taking a very thoughtful and thorough approach from start to finish. Their team is very good at what they do and highly responsive to client feedback. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the market director of Fluent Home, a home security and automation company operating out of Canada and the U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

We engaged Zinzin to help us come up with a new name for the company. As we expanded our services into automation devices, our previous company names for the U.S. and Canada markets no longer resonated with people as we tried to promote our new services. We were looking to use a real word that would sound friendlier and more open-ended.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Zinzin picked our company apart, so they could fully understand what we offer and what our core values are. They provided four rounds of working, including a list of about 50 different names for us to choose a few from, They dug deeper into the details of each option with each round. They also helped us compare names to available URLs and similar names our competitors were using.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people primarily, including Jay (Founder, Zinzin).

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

I believe we found them through a Google search and liked that they focused on coming up with real words for brand names. They also have a great track record of naming a lot of different products for some large companies, so we felt they had their process down.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them in 2013 for about three months. It took a little longer just because our upper management was a little slow to provide feedback.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, we're very pleased with the name Zinzin helped us come up with. The feedback from both customers and internal teams has been great.

How did Zinzin perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very proactive at managing tasks and communicating quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They genuinely value the story behind the name of a brand. The whole process was very personal and enjoyable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we got to our final lists of name options, we had to produce iterations of logos or potential website layouts on our end. For the investment, it would've been nice if they could've provided those services instead.

4.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were very punctual.
  • 3.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It's a big investment, so it might help smaller companies to try to keep these services in house.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They did a great job overall.
  • 3.5 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They were thorough, but could've provided a little more considering the cost of services.

Naming & Brand Identity for Movie Theater Media Company

“Zinzin treated us like an individual and was flexible in their approach.”

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4.5

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
3.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Sept. 2016 - Jan. 2017
Project summary: 

Zinzin rebranded a media company’s main product. They created a new name associated with an open domain and social media handles that could be legally protected.

The Reviewer
 
501-1,000 Employees
 
Centennial, Colorado
Creative Director, Media Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Industry partners responded well to the new name, and it was successfully trademarked. Zinzin used a custom approach, tailoring their work to the project’s specifications. They managed the project professionally, and deliverables were received on time. They are competitively priced.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a creative director at a media company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

We needed to rebrand our main product and have it act as a clean slate for us. We wanted a catchy name with assets we could trademark, including social media handles and an open domain. These assets would allow us to protect the name in the marketplace.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We discussed our in-house research with Zinzin, who then brainstormed several names for us. These options were an empty vessel for us to brand the new show with.

What is the team composition?

The founder was our primary contact, but we worked with several people. 

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

They were recommended to us, and we were impressed after meeting them. Their flexible, custom approach really stood out to us. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2016 to January 2017. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

All of our B2B partners have responded well to the new name. We haven’t had any major legal obstacles arise - the trademark went through well.  We’ve had a few bumps with people poking fun at the name in the marketplace, but that’s expected across such a wide audience. Anything that is less definitive, compared to the old name, will get a little resistance. But overall, it’s been very positive.

How did Zinzin perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very well organized and very professional. They delivered exactly what they committed to, on time, and allowed us to achieve the results we needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We appreciated the custom approach they took; it wasn’t templated at all. Some of the organizations we were interviewing seemed to provide us with a templated approach. Zinzin treated us like an individual and was flexible in their approach.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some firms spend too much time doing detailed research at the beginning. Zinzin waited until we honed in on a small selection of names, so I don’t have a real suggestion for improvement. 

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    I don't think they missed a single deadline or a single meeting.
  • 3.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They were somewhere in the middle of what we explored.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We were very pleased. I don't think anybody's perfect, so that's why they didn't get a five.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I'm very likely to recommend them.

Naming & Branding for Float Studio

"They did a fantastic job of working with an out-of-box company and accepted the challenge with full gusto."

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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. - Apr. 2016
Project summary: 

Looking to uniquely position themselves as a high-end provider, a float studio hired Zinzin to come up with a wide range of names, narrowing the list over five weeks until one was selected.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Kirkland, Washington
Robert Barr
Owner, Rubicon Float Studio
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Throughout the naming process, Zinzin was committed to ensuring all materials were present at meetings and that team members were always available to discuss questions and ideas. They provided several excellent options that could have all been the selected name in the end.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and operator of Rubicon Float Studio. It is a floatation studio in the Juanita Bay area of the Seattle Metro area. Floatation is a form of reduced environmental stimulus therapy that involves laying in an Epsom salt saturated tank of water, roughly 200 gallons and 10 inches deep. The Epsom salts are very good for chronic pain and sports recovery.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

When I first started the company, I had a different business name. It was called Lazy River Float Studio and I was running into problems with people who thought our business was putting a lazy river from a water theme park into a building. I realized I was having a branding issue with the name. I reached out to Zinzin because I was looking for a company that could help me rebrand and rename before I actually opened a physical location for our company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They went through about five different phone calls, the initial meeting, and then a pre-planning meeting. This was all done telephonically. In the first meeting, they got an idea of what my company is and the services that we offer. They then went and did research on all the float studios in America, compiled all of their names, and ranked them in terms of how effective they are. Their goal was to become up with a name for me that fit into a more experiential and high-level naming category.

After they did that initial research, they provided me with several rounds of names. The first round was around 20 or 30 names. I reviewed those and then we had another phone call. We discussed which names worked and which ones didn't. We went through that round an additional two times until we had a more narrowed-down focus. The very last round was when I came to a conclusion of the name I liked - Rubicon.

Once I had made my decision, they provided me with some insight into marketing and social media aspects. Since then, they've followed up with me several times and offered me some helpful hints and tips.

My primary point of contact was Jay Jurisich. I also worked with Martin McMurray.

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

They came highly recommended through Internet searches. I looked at their brand portfolio of companies they had worked with. I was very impressed with their overall brand positioning. Since I wanted to represent a higher-end float studio, I thought it would be a good idea to go with a company that's also represented higher-end brands.

I reached out to them and they liked my unique concept for a business. They were willing to work with me to come up with a new name.

What is the status of this engagement?

It was a five-week project. We began working with Zinzin in February 2016 and we were done by the beginning of April.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don't have any numbers or anything, but in terms of the reception of my new name from the previous name, my brand is much stronger. It's a stronger brand than any others in the float world. We've raised the bar in terms of our brand experience and it's helped a lot with our brand positioning. When I'm dealing with other industries, the name recognition has been very good for me.

How did Zinzin perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a very good job. They laid all the steps out in front of us. Before a phone call, they were very good at making sure everything was in line. All the data was sent to me. After a phone call, they were very good at sending me notes of how the meeting went and any sort of follow-up. They would also call me a couple of days later to see if I had any questions.

What did you find most impressive about Zinzin?

Their professionalism was really good. Their willingness to take on a new type of business venture and look at it as an interesting challenge was very impressive to me because not many people want to risk their reputation on something so new. I really appreciated that they stepped out on a limb and took it seriously. They gave me five or six names that were fantastic. I've been very impressed with the response that I got from the name. Overall I'm very pleased with the experience that I had with them.

Are there areas Zinzin could improve?

My suggestion would be for people to really consider the value that they're going to get from working with an agency like Zinzin versus the price.

5.0
Overall Score They brought a lot to the table and offered me names that were unique to my industry. It was a very pleasurable experience.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    I didn't have a single issue with any sort of deadline slippage.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I caution people that have small budgets to make sure it's really something they find necessary. For us, the pay-off has been worth it.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They did a fantastic job of working with an out-of-box company and accepted the challenge with full gusto.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I've already mentioned Zinzin to several people looking to rename.

Naming & Tagline for Natural Cosmetics Company

"[T]hey were able to ... come up with something we were very happy with."

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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
Project summary: 

Zinzin provided a name and tagline for a cosmetics company, intended to signify quality ingredients, pure formulas, and luxury products.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Los Angeles, California
John Matise
CEO, Éclair Naturals
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Zinzin was able to work within a very strict timeline, helping the company to quickly go from zero brand recognition to launching in 5,000 stores, including major retailers like Target and Rite Aid. The Zinzin team was easy to work with, collaborative, and listened to feedback.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Éclair Naturals is a cosmetics company that produces all-natural soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, massage oils, and bath salts.

What is your position?

I'm the cofounder and CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

We wanted to launch this new brand, and we needed to find a name that would signify the fact that we're made with food-grade ingredients, that we have very pure formulas, and that we're a luxury product.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Naming was the primary service. There was a little bit of copywriting with the tagline, but they did not do any type of logo design or other branding activity.

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

We had done some research online and looked at other companies who were in the naming business. We were very impressed with Zinzin because they had named one of my favorite hotels, the ARIA in Las Vegas, as well as Gogo, the in-flight Internet business.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

It was in excess of $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Unfortunately, we had already scheduled many retailer meetings with stores who were interested in our products, but we didn't even have a name. We only gave them three weeks to come up with something and, in that time, they were able to go through multiple rounds of their naming process and come up with something we were very happy with

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

The company went from zero distribution and zero brand recognition to launching in 5,000 retail stores, including some major retailers, such as Rite Aid and Target.

What distinguishes Zinzin from other providers?

I felt it was very collaborative. I felt like they listened to our feedback. There were a couple other firms that we had interviewed, and it was very clear they were going to take the stance that, "We're the experts. You're going to pick whatever name we think is best for you," as opposed to having some rounds and some feedback and being able to hone in on something that we were comfortable with, and was also available from a copywriting perspective. Overall, Zinzin was very easy to work with and collaborative, which I've found is not common in this space.

Is there anything Zinzin could have improved or done differently?

I'd be racking my brain. I can't think of a single thing. We were very pleased with the process and the result. We're very happy with the name. I feel like I developed a friendship with Jay [Jurisch, CEO and creative director at Zinzin] and the rest of his team. We definitely stay in touch, and we're inviting them to our launch party.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Which was a very tough schedule. I'd almost give them a six.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They were definitely on time and on budget.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Very likely. I have, in fact, recommended them to other companies.

Naming for Online Career Matchmaker

"Everyone here is fired up about our new name. Things couldn't have gone better."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
May 2015 - Jul. 2015
Project summary: 

Zinzin renamed a career matchmaking service that had struggled to launch with a previous name. They offered their strategies, insights, and techniques to uncover the optimal business name for long-term growth.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Seattle, WA
Tom Leung
CEO, at Anthology
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Zinzin’s guidance led to increased buy-in from investors and a more cohesive brand identity. Their methods were structured and transparent. Zinzin’s founder and creative director offer tremendous chemistry, creativity, and vision.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Anthology is a career matchmaking service for passive candidates. We specialize in people who aren't actively looking for jobs, but are open to considering curated opportunities.

What is your position?

I'm the CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

We launched under a different brand called Poachable, which was a great name, but it failed the trademark test. We needed a new name, and we wanted to be sure that we could trademark it. We wanted to get some professional help and outside opinions.

SOLUTION

What type of name were you seeking?

We wanted a name that captured our aspirational visions, that had the potential to become a strong brand long-term, a name that was defendable and unique, and that someday you could see being a billion-dollar company.

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

A colleague at a former company gave me a list of agencies they thought were decent, and Zinzin was on that list. I did some research on the web and looked at their website, and that's how I first engaged with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

I think we started sometime in May [2015] and had everything wrapped up by late June or early July. It was about an eight-week process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Our new name – Anthology – has been helpful in terms of landing some enterprise customers who thought our original name was a little too controversial or too edgy. I think the best anecdote I can give is that a very prominent venture capitalist said, "I didn't think your original name sounded like a company that I could see going public, but the new one seems like a real company that matches the big vision you have." The transition to Anthology has been very smooth, and Zinzin's role was much more than just coming up with a name. They've played a huge role in constructing the strategy and the brand identity for Anthology. 

What distinguishes Zinzin from other providers?

I would say it's their people. Jay [Jurisich, founder and co-creative director at Zinzin] and Martin [McMurry, creative director at Zinzin] in particular – those two have great chemistry. I remember really looking forward to my calls with them because it was just a fun, creative exercise. I felt like they enjoyed what they did and, because of that, we were able to come up with some great ideas, and we ended up with a wonderful choice. Zinzin's biggest asset is those two. They know what they're talking about, and have a lot of creative juices flowing through them. It was a privilege to work with them.

Is there anything Zinzin could have improved or done differently?

No. They're very structured and transparent. They came up with many great options. We did have to go and do domain acquisition and logo development on our own. Maybe someday they can offer a full service, but for the naming itself, it was great. Everyone here is fired up about our new name. Things couldn't have gone better.

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

Naming for Mobile Location Services Company

Zinzin's employees are experts at naming, and that comes across most obviously in their process.

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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
Project summary: 

Zinzin helped rename a mobile location and analytics company in order to better fit the market. Services included strategy sessions, focus groups, market testing, brand impact testing, and trademarking.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Washington D.C. Metro Area
Jeff White
Founder, Gravy
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new name has increased user engagement and market interest. Zinzin approached the project with a practical, results-oriented attitude that proved comforting throughout. They excelled at guiding the process in a safe, comfortable way.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Our company is Gravy. We are a mobile location, data and analytics company.

What is your position?

I am the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Zinzin?

It was twofold. On one hand, we were looking for a new company name that was more engaging than our original and a better fit for our role in the marketplace. On the second hand, we were trying to avoid potential trademark issues stemming from our previous company's name.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

There were a number of different aspects to our naming project including, strategy sessions, focus groups, market testing, brand impact, and trademarking, Zinzin handled everything for us. At the end of the project, we were left with four names and, frankly, we would have been happy with any of them, but I'm glad we chose Gravy. It's been the perfect fit.

How did you come to work with Zinzin?

Our chief marketing officer did an extensive research with our PR firm on the marketplace of naming agencies, and they recommended a number of firms. We went through a vetting process, with probably five or six short-listed firms, and Zinzin came to the top after that process, largely because of their previous work and the examples of prior names they had created.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

It was probably in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

What was the timeline of the project?

In total, the project probably lasted four or five months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What have been the results of this engagement?

In terms of market impact, it changed everything for our company. It's the most tangible aspect of our brand, we've trademarked it, and it has become everything that we represent to the marketplace. Among other things, people ask us all the time what the name means, so it gets the response we want, which is, increased engagement with our customers.

What distinguishes Zinzin from other providers?

In one word, I would say pragmatic. Zinzin's employees are experts at naming, and that comes across most obviously in their process. The thoroughness with which they approached the whole project, and their willingness to explain everything to a novice like me was very comforting. With that being said, I feel like we didn't fully exploit everything that they were capable of, not because they were holding back, but just because we didn't need to. However, I would be just as confident recommending their services to a Fortune 500 company as I would a small startup like myself.

Is there any advice you would have for some interested in working with Zinzin?

As with anyone working with a specialty vendor like Zinzin, it's about learning to trust their expertise. At times, people like me who think they have the world all figured out, can be very confident, to put it politely. Zinzin was very patient with me, and if anything, I would just say let them guide you through the process, and trust their experience.

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

Naming of Ratings and Reviews Startup

"They are world class at the naming game."

See More

5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
Project summary: 

Zinzin collaborated with the client on a naming and branding campaign for a start-up company. The package included competitive assessment, creative briefs, and several rounds of name development.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Washington DC Metro Area
Mike Beares
Founder, Clutch
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new site was launched in the summer of 2014. The client was extremely impressed by Zinzin's experience, talent, and flexibility.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization. What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the founder of the B2B [business-to-business] research and review site, Clutch [the site you are on now]. As with most founders of relatively young firms, I fill a range of roles, all the way from setting strategy to website testing and everything in between. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Zinzin?

The simple answer is we needed a new name. You can read more about our branding journey here, but the basic story is that we followed a common path for a bootstrapped startup. When we got started a couple of years ago, we did not have a perfect vision of where the idea would lead us and did not have much experience with branding or a budget to get qualified help. We picked up an available .com domain and pressed forward with the concept. The concept evolved and once we got some traction, it became clear we needed to upgrade our brand.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting Zinzin with which to work?

We initially found Zinzin via a Google search. After speaking with Jay [Jurisich], their founder, we were suitably impressed, but got a very inexpensive quote from another firm and went in that direction. Six weeks later, after a failed effort with the cheaper firm and becoming more educated consumers of branding services, we went back to Zinzin. Jay put together a customized package that gave us access to world-class talent on a startup budget.  

What was the scope of work?

We followed an accelerated schedule compared to most of their corporate clients, but the project included all the standard elements of a naming project including a competitive assessment, creative brief, and several rounds of name development.

Can you give a sense of the size of the initiative in dollar terms or a personnel work-hour figure?

The project was in the $10,000-$50,000 price range.

When was the work completed?

We completed the branding work with Zinzin in the spring of 2014 and relaunched the website with the new name at the end of the summer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Is there anything unique or special about Zinzin that really makes them stand out compared to other business partners?

They are world class at the naming game. Jay has worked at and helped build some of the largest naming agencies in the world. With Zinzin, you get access to world-class talent typically only found at larger firms, but have the intimacy and flexibility of working with a smaller firm. In many ways, it was the best of both worlds. 

Looking back on the work, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

I would not change any of the process with Zinzin. I only wish we were more sophisticated buyers of branding services and got Zinzin's help earlier.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Jay and the team moved quickly, but were also flexible when we needed more time to digest their input. I think they hit every milestone they set.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Zinzin is not going to be the cheapest option, but if you need a world-class brand, they are worth every penny.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    I can't imagine ending up in a better place.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Naming for e-Learning Product

"In addition to coming up with a great name in the end, everyone benefited from the process of working with them."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
Project summary: 

Zinzin advised an e-learning company on naming their new product line. They found the perfect name through proprietary exercises at the theoretical and practical level, then did the legwork to make it official.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 employees
 
Ithaca, NY
Chris Proulx
Former CEO of eCornell
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Zinzin effectively managed multiple stakeholders with competing interests, and the final name generated real excitement about the product. The team listened and offered creative but informed suggestions. They were always energetic and enthusiastic.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

The company is eCornell, an online education company owned by Cornell University.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the former CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Zinzin?

eCornell had been around for 11 or 12 years. We were in the process of launching a new product, a different way of packaging the learning that was both delivered differently and priced differently than how it was offered traditionally. We wanted to differentiate from our core brand. We hired Zinzin to help us with that product naming challenge.

Did you have any specific goals you were looking for in that name?

One of the goals that I had was to broaden the net of popular names that we could use. Using our own talent pool, we had found nothing either evocative or provocative enough, and I wanted something that was going to be enduring and could generate some interest and excitement in the marketplace, but something that was appropriate and resonated with our overhauled core brand. Having a name that would capture people's imaginations was important with that product.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of the work.

They took us through a four-step process that took a couple of months. We went through a series of activities to help us arrive at the name. It started in a very high-level way in which they didn't share names with us, but words that have certain concepts or meanings to gauge our visceral and emotional reaction. We went through a couple of specific naming exercises, reviewing some names that they worked on and why they chose that name. Later in that process, they did all of the appropriate screenings to make sure the name was legal along with the trademark of the product, keeping in mind the country and region in which we provide the product to make sure it didn't have any unintended negative meaning.

Were there multiple opinions and stakeholders involved, and if so, how did Zinzin manage differing viewpoints?

Yes. They were all internal stakeholders, people from product development, marketing, and sales teams. There were definitely divergent opinions. There were those who were looking for something more pragmatic and utilitarian. Then, there were others who perhaps resonated more with evocative names. I think Zinzin did a great job with providing the names through the feedback that came from the various stakeholders, but also trying to represent clearly why they thought some names had more value than others based on their experience with names. The whole process was educational for our team. In addition to coming up with a great name in the end, everyone benefited from the process of working with them.

I would say that their approach was very client focused. They were very responsive to how I wanted to map out the process. They weren't so client responsive that they [only responded] to what was recommended by some of the stakeholders, but they really tried to hold true to what they believe are good principles in brand naming.

When did the work take place?

It was in the fall of 2012.

Why did you select Zinzin with which to work?

I researched only two or three organizations. We were under a short timeline. The team at Zinzin responded right away to my inquiry. They had great skills in getting to the problem in comparison with others who were a bit more formulaic. Jay [Jurisch, creative director at Zinzin] and his team really tried to understand where we were in terms of product evolution. The professionalism of their response was great. Pricing wise, they were in the range of their competitors, but the level of attention to service and their energy and enthusiasm were much stronger.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How would you describe the results?

One of the successes was internally. It immediately worked. The name built excitement for the people working on how it would be represented internally. In the marketplace, the product never ended up being quite as successful as we had hoped. That wasn't anything to do with the name. There were elements to our sales strategy and so on. But, that said, it was a clearly differentiated mark and it works well with any and all brand identity. Where we use it in practice has a strong appeal to us. I ended up being satisfied with the outcome of that project. 

Can you talk about their performance and the relationship working with them?

It's excellent. They were responsive. They met all the deadlines. They were great at discussion. They were creative and had a lot of great ideas.

Is there anything unique about Zinzin that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

Their performance and client service mentality is strong, combined with their ability to be creative. You don't always get those two things together.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

Nothing comes to mind.

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