Branding, rebranding and repositioning

Brand Strategy & Market Positioning

Brand Development for Ambitious Organisations

Helping you put the back-story back into your business

Many successful organisations gradually expand their offering to meet client demand.

Over time this can cause a cat’s cradle of marketing messages that no longer align with their core objectives and a jumble of brand collateral that is not fit for purpose. To move forward effectively, we need to untie the knot and plan a new path.

In film speak, it’s creating the back-story – the starting point.

Once we have established your unique storyline, it will become the cornerstone of your marketing strategy, both internally and externally. You will be all set to face the challenges of your change programme, collateral roll out, and marketing strategy with confidence.

Brand Consulting

Defining your purpose, proposition and personality

Discovering the core story within your brand will help you to gain clarity, focus, direction, and, most importantly, connect with your audience.

We’ll help uncover your story so far, what you love most about your product or service, and where you want to take it in the future.

We examine your research, ask questions, listen, ask more questions. Soon a picture starts to form – about your business, your proposition, your values, your market, you.
Brand Strategy & Positioning Workshops

We understand that, when it comes to branding and strategy, many people in an organisation will have different ideas and opinions, so the reasons for rebranding need to be clear and understood by all the key players before the journey starts. Our tailored sessions will help:

  • Explore your backstory
  • Develop your character
  • Define your current market position
  • Identify your future goals
  • Action a competitive audit
  • Locate your point of difference
  • Refine or develop your proposition
  • Construct the plot, storyline, and strategy
  • Develop your dialogue
  • Prepare you for activation and collateral rollout
  • Select the correct marketing channels for your audience and prospects
Internal onboarding

Helping your organisation live the brand

Once the process is complete it’s important to make sure that everyone understands why change is happening and feels ownership of the new company direction.

An effective internal brand launch, for example, can be an excellent opportunity for senior leaders to set out the new vision in a positive and exciting manner. Follow up the goodwill with a set of introductory workshops to ensure that questions are answered and everyone is on-message and you’ll be all set for public lift off.

Using a number of techniques in our toolkit we work alongside you to help match your new brand positioning with your business’s ambitions.

  • Creative Roadmapping
  • Employee engagement
  • Brand Discovery Workshops
  • Branding Events
FAQs
  • Why do I need Brand consultancy?

    Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions?

    • “I’m not sure what direction to take the company in”
    • “I want to do something to shake things up”
    • “I’m not sure that my marketing is working”
    • “I want to grow but I don’t know where to start”

    If yes, then it might be worth having a chat with us. We can channel the positive forward energy into controlled momentum, make sure that a plan is in place and that your bold step has the biggest impact with the least possible cost in time, money and energy.
  • What problems do you typically help with?

    We provide a streamlined voice and visuals for flourishing brands, those entering a new sector or territory, or those starting out.

    We are often brought in when brand-drift has occurred and internal teams and external customers are failing to engage.
  • I've got a limited budget - can you still help?

    We understand that for many organisations it’s a risk to commit to five figure projects with no relationship in place. We can help to explore at a grass roots level where best to invest your time, energy and resources.
  • How long does it take?

    We understands that every business is unique and operates at different speeds. Some need to implement a change programme fast, others like to take their time. That’s why each evolution programme is tailored to you. From two hours to two years, it’s not the speed that’s important it’s the journey – and we’re just glad that you’re doing it properly.
Creative troubleshooting Do these challenges sound familiar?

In a tight spot? Toby offers practical ad-hoc Creative Direction and Troubleshooting to get you up on your feet again. See our sister site for full details Haai

  • We know that we need a new website and we know we need to rebrand, but we need some help writing a brief before taking it out to tender.

  • We have commissioned an agency to rename us, but we’re now at a standstill as we don’t seem to be able to make a decision. We currently have twenty name options. How can we resolve this?

  • Our organisation is at a point where we need a rebrand, but we’re not quite sure what to tackle first and then how to prioritise everything else. How do we put a structure in place?

  • I’ve been tasked with heading up a new project in an area that I’ve not worked in before. I need to put out a public statement that is aligned with our company values, has the right tone of voice and could do with a bit of practice fielding tricky questions so that I don’t get caught out!

  • We’ve started a rebrand project in a rush so there’s no real process in place. At the moment it feels like we’re going round in circles and we’re not sure how to move it forward. Can you help us get moving again?

  • I recently joined a business that has been steered on a very traditional path, with organic growth and little marketing investment. Last year there was some money spent on marketing, but with no strategic plan in place, no KPI’s and very little sense of our audience. The CEO was disappointed with the result and is now showing resistance to further marketing investment. Any ideas on how to get him back on board?

  • I know that our service offers real potential for us to become the market leaders. Even though a rebrand might not be on the cards for 2-3 years, in order for my business plans to work it is essential that some kind of brand development and marketing presence work occurs now. Can you help?
Hear what our clients have to say...

We have a whole host of happy clients who would love to tell you about their experiences with us.

  • “ HtS has an extraordinary ability to grasp and articulate our organisation's personality and commercial offering. The team have a unique approach, recognising the importance of storytelling and emotion and translating this effectively into commercial returns. The design and messaging work they are doing with us will be fundamental to driving our global growth. ”
    Jimmy Lloyd  Director. Saragossa
  • “ Since the brand refresh we have more new business coming in than we can resource - a great problem to have! ”
    Gemma Comley Head of Marketing. Ghyston
  • “ We’re so lucky to have worked with Hide the Shark’s talented team. They shook us up and make us proud to work here. I’m so excited to see where this rebrand is going to take us in the future ”
    Ian Carlson MD. Old Mill
  • “ What you helped us achieve with the 'More than Medicine' campaign has been transformational for the charity. We use it in nine centres across the UK and will continue to use it more widely. This campaign is something that I will always be very proud of. ”
    Tracy Tait Brand and Marketing Director, Penny Brohn UK
  • “ Hide the Shark's branding concept developed for our classical season is fresh, creative, bold and enticing. In response to our brief, it is close to perfect, resulting in the hall's most successful classical season ever. ”
    Sarah Robertson - Colston Hall
    Sarah Robertson Communications and Special Projects Director. Colston Hall
  • “ HtS's talented team made our rebrand project such a positive experience. Delivering many elements within a tight deadline, they beautifully captured our essence and brought us to life with their unique storytelling style. The result is a bold, modern and engaging brand that sets us apart. ”
    Kim Barnard Group Marketing Manager. Old Mill
  • “ Hide the Shark were great to work with, responded well to a changing brief and came up with a really creative proposition and brand identity for our supporter programme. ”
    Soil Association
  • “ Hide the Shark have the ability to fully understand what is required and deliver what is becoming increasingly rare -the elusive ‘WOW’ factor. ”
    Jane Shergold Director. TTA Communications
Start your story... Define your character. Create your narrative. Attract your audience. Let's get started
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