In a competitive marketplace, the power of a strong brand cannot be overstated. In this article, we delve into the impact a compelling brand identity can have on your business. From improving customer perceptions to uniting your organisation, attracting top talent, building shareholder value, and winning more business – a strategic brand is not just a marketing tool; it’s a foundational element that resonates through every layer of your business. Here we explore the value a strong brand. 1. Improve perceptions A compelling brand identity will present any business with an immediately recognisab ..read more

In the competitive landscape of the services sector, where customer experience is paramount, the concept of branding extends far beyond visual aesthetics. In this article, we explore the relationship between internal culture and external brand expression with the five essential principles for service sector companies to strengthen their brand from within. 1. Brand as a strategic tool Viewing the brand as a strategic tool rather than a mere marketing asset is how successful brands thrive. For service companies, this means integrating branding into every facet of their operations. Whether it’s c ..read more

The landscape of marketing is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the relentless integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Marketers are no longer just early adopters of AI; they are becoming its pioneers, leveraging advanced technologies to gain a competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic business environment. As we continue to learn more about AI and how we can utilise its power within our agency, in this article, we’ll delve into the exciting ways marketers are set to harness AI in 2024. Hyper-personalisation redefined One of the key areas where AI is set to further advance ma ..read more

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge. For organisations that operate multiple sub-brands, a robust brand architecture strategy becomes essential. Brand architecture refers to the hierarchical structure and relationship between a company’s parent brand and its various sub-brands. In this article, we delve into the reasons why brand architecture is essential for businesses with multiple sub-brands, exploring its impact on brand perception, customer loyalty, operational efficiency, and overa ..read more

Chances are you’ve already experienced the perks of artificial intelligence in your daily routine today, whether you realized it or not. Take your commute as an example – the map navigation software you used to find the best route to the office, the Spotify playlist you chose to soundtrack your drive, and the virtual card you used to buy your morning coffee all utilised AI to make your experience a smooth one. If we’re comfortable with AI making our mundane everyday tasks easier, why not allow it to make big business decisions on our behalf as well? As a branding agency, we’re well aware of th ..read more

In case you missed it, we’ve been talking about the impact of the metaverse on brands and marketing. This time, we consider a different element of the next stage of the digital revolution – Web3 and NFTs. We’ll be explaining what they are and what they mean for brands and businesses. What is Web3? The Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge has helpfully defined Web3 as “the putative next generation of the web’s technical, legal, and payments infrastructure—including blockchain, smart contracts and cryptocurrencies.” Web3 is an idea for a new version of the world wid ..read more

Maija Ziga has recently joined the Studio North team as a Senior Account Manager. With a history in both branding and graphic design, she’s ideally placed to advise and provide counsel to clients, whatever their brand challenge may be. What we didn’t know about was her dreams of being part of a SWAT team! Tell us about your career to date? I graduated in 2015 from the University of Southampton, Winchester School of Art doing Graphic Arts where I specialised in Graphic Design. After I graduated, I spent some time trying to find the best job opportunity for my skill set in the design sector ..read more

Alex Edwards has been working in design for 11 years. Having cut his teeth in New York and London, he’s now returned to Manchester as our lead designer here at Studio North. Tell us about your career to date? I started my working career in New York for the first 2 years, specialising as a multidisciplinary designer at a branding studio in Midtown Manhattan. The next 4 years saw me move to London, continuing to develop as a designer working in traditional network ad agencies. The last 4 years I have settled back in my homeland of the North-West, becoming more of a designer/art director hybrid ..read more

You may have noticed in the news that Facebook has rebranded itself as Meta. The social media giant, which has over 2.89 billion monthly active users worldwide, in addition to the 1 billion Instagram users and 2 billion WhatsApp users, is continuing its shift away from the initial dorm room yearbook idea that Mark Zuckerberg had back in the early noughties into an area called ‘the metaverse’. You may also have noticed the phrase ‘web3’ being used alongside conversations about the metaverse and wonder what that is, too. Add into this additional phrases such as blockchain and NFTs, and it can st ..read more

Rebecca Simmonette has been working her design magic here at Studio North since last summer, creating compelling design work for several key clients. With a naturally creative and curious mindset, she has already built a strong portfolio of impactful work, and truly embodies our values, showing an enterprising spirit and displaying our trademark northern warmth in the office. Tell us about your career to date? I managed to wriggle my way into my first position at a design agency in 2016 as a junior Graphic Designer and stayed here for the first 3 years of my career, learning a lot and growing ..read more