2002 News

Newly incorporated GRI Property Limited (GRIP) commissioned beBRAND to create their visual identity and design an initial range of stationery.

GRIP provides a discrete personal service and wanted this to be reflected in an understated and crisp logotype. beBRAND's solution combines strong typography, a simple colour scheme and traditional printing methods for the stationery. The identity will develop on-screen in 2003 with the launch of GRIP's web site.

Creative services company, beBRAND, has extended their branding efforts to include the customisation of plants. With the goal of bringing a bit of humour and wit into the office arena beBRAND's logo – based on the cartographic symbol for a bridge – was cut out of the foliage of a cubed box shrub (image below). The idea of manipulating nature to reflect one's craftsmanship and identity is not novel – bonsai artisans have been doing so for over 1000 years. In the spirit of this ancient tradition comes beBRAND's innovation allowing branding to grow beyond signage, packaging, stationery and the digital domain. It is intended that the same artistry, technique and style will be used to cultivate other bespoke plants to emphasize the brands of companies wanting to convey their corporate identities in unexpected ways.

beBRAND client Encore Partners has launched their web site – EncorePartners.com – from their Williamsburg, Virginia offices. This marks the culmination of eight months' work for Encore Partners management and beBRAND.

Encore Partners is a client-driven consulting and training firm that helps grow the business of financial service companies, their advisors and brokers. They use a unique combination of personal and web based solutions to help individuals and organizations achieve greater productivity and higher levels of personal and professional satisfaction. Their consultation, training courses and speaking engagements are supported by EncorePartners.com to help advisors earn those valuable "encores". The web site ensures their expertise is accessible at their clients' convenience and provides customized organizational tools to help clients track their goals and measure their success.

The site's technical infrastructure was developed by Richmond, Virginia based Whitlockebs who will release successive phases in September and October to coincide with Encore Partners and other industry events. Recognized for integrating business strategy, systems expertise and creative design, Whitlockebs has developed solutions for clients in diverse industries across the US including the financial services sector. Their customized strategic plans deliver repeatable, measurable successes for client businesses.

Contact Rob Brown
Robb@EncorePartners.com
+1 757 564 7226
www.EncorePartners.com

Contact James Sandwith
James@beBRAND.net
+44 (0)20 7324 6110
www.beBRAND.net

Contact Matt Aprahamian
Matt.Aprahamian@Whitlockebs.com
+1 804 747 5000
www.Whitlockebs.com

beBRAND is establishing a central London office located on the edge of the City of London at the junction of Clerkenwell Road, Goswell Road, Old Street and Aldersgate.

The Bridge
12-16 Clerkenwell Road
London EC1M 5PQ

T +44 (0) 20 7324 6110
F +44 (0) 20 7324 6001

www.beBRAND.net

Polly Willson joins beBRAND to strengthen our marketing and public relations capabilities. She is over from the US on a six month assignment.

Polly will be responsible for increasing beBRAND's public profile and will contribute to client-driven strategic marketing projects.

Encore Partners is a start-up business offering training, leadership and marketing programs to the banking and brokerage industries. They have appointed beBRAND to create a corporate identity scheme for print and digital media and to implement a web-based presentation tool.

Encore Partners is beBRAND's first overseas client.