Prologue — The Universe 宇宙 The universe didn’t want me to go to Japan. At ST8MNT, employees take a sabbatical after five years of work. The idea is to travel outside of the country to experience a culture and atmosphere other than our own. Gain some world experience. Get inspired to approach creative challenges from a new perspective. When I started at ST8MNT, a couple of my colleagues had just taken their sabbaticals and shared all about the new experiences and great design they’d seen along the way. I couldn’t wait until a few years later when I could go on mine! Well, wait I did. Five years ..read more

They aren’t just for sports teams. From breakfast cereals and fast food to home cleaners and auto parts, mascots have been a staple in branding and advertising in a wide variety of markets. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We mostly think of smiling cartoons but mascots can be 3D renders like the Charmin bears or the Kool-aid man, live-action actors like Ronald McDonald or Progressive’s Flo, or whatever Hinge’s fluffy cube is supposed to be.  But why mascots? On the surface, many of these characters appear to be frivolous and silly brand add-ons. “Why would a gecko or an e ..read more

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What’s in a name? Shakespeare said this in 1597, but that doesn’t mean it’s not relevant today. The insight within this quote is that the goal of “naming” things, people, businesses, etc. is to differentiate one from another. When it comes to naming your business or brand, the qualities of a good name include 1) standing out among your competitors 2) being easy to read, write, and say to your specific audience and 3) having a memorable ring to it. Landing on a name can seem like one of the most challenging steps in the branding process, but it doesn’t need to be. Think about it like this —&nbs ..read more

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of your brand. For many, visual marketing is a familiar sight. But what about building brand recognition through sound? With the rising popularity of short video content, audiences have short attention spans – and they must be hooked quickly. The point? Don’t fear making great content, but ensure the first few seconds captivate your audience with sound that bites. Leverage sound for an auditory experience that makes your audience bite back.   The post The Right Sound appeared first on ST8MNT BRAND AGENCY ..read more

In the new year, it’s fitting for our team of brand-building experts to weigh in on their favorite rebrands of 2022. Personally, my favorite rebrand of the year was that of DAVID agency, which was executed completely in-house. As an advertising nerd, I follow agencies closely and always find it interesting when they take the opportunity to rebrand themselves. I love how David Ogilvy is still the centerpiece of the new logo, but the mark includes the flexibility to be customized for each team member. This piece cultivates community, making every employee feel like an essential piece by li ..read more

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Do you feel disconnected from the creative scene within your city? Want the “in” on the first steps to connecting with artists around you? You’ve come to the right place. Finding a community of creatives can really make or break your experience in the city you call home. In the best case scenario this adventure inspires & invigorates you, you get some new best friends out of it, and you learn new things. Worst case? Well, you spend a few hours of your time figuring out what is and isn’t right for you. Doesn’t sound too bad! Now that we’ve taken away the fear that comes along with putting y ..read more