Branding A 47-Year-Old Community Action Agency With Ties To A National Network

Posted by: admin @ 9:19 am | Date: November 9, 2011 | Comments (0)
Filed under: Branding for Success, Design

OLHSA home page before

Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) is part of a national network of over 1,000 organizations put in place in 1964 to address the challenges that low income families face everyday. OLHSA is a large organization with over 80 programs to assist those in need with everything from food to housing to education and much more.

OLHSA was in need of a succinct and concise message that communicated their vast reach and successful work that they accomplish everyday in their community and beyond.

How did this agency do this? We began with preliminary meetings with a core appointed ‘brand leadership group.’ We explored and customized the the crucial issues and problems that we needed to solve. We set up larger meetings with administrative staff, employees, stakeholders and board members to obtain the difference perspectives and concerns that each individual had about OLHSA. We took that information back and analyzed, benchmarked, brainstormed and came back with recommendations.

The result was a new positioning, brand statement, revised name with a new logo, website, brochures, flyers and e-newsletters for various online communications. The brochure and flyers were created so they could be updated internally to save money.

OLHSA home page after

Writing this now, it sounds so easy but truthfully, it is a lot of work and absolutely worth it. It takes a group of dedicated passionate people with patience and understanding of the value of branding and the far reaching intangible results that turn into tangible ones.

Each time we brand an organization we address each one differently in order to deliver a flexible and usable brand. A brand that will thrive and grow and become an integral part of the everyday communications both internally and externally.

Today, Trent Design is proud to say that our mission was accomplished. We’d love to hear what you think.

Branding is More than a Buzzword for Marketing Professionals

Posted by: marilyn @ 10:29 pm | Date: January 25, 2010 | Comments (1)
Filed under: Branding for Success

: The Brand Badge of Honor

When I sat down to write a few my thoughts about branding, I began to reminisce about my first introduction to the concept. It was in 2001, when I attended my first ‘branding seminar’ in Chicago. At the time, the ad campaign for the Mini Cooper had just launched. It was created by a young and talented ad agency called Crispin Porter Bogusky.

The presenter said this, “Branding is what people say about you when you are not around.” That was it! It is your company’s reputation, it is the experience, it is all touch points that a customer comes in contact with you when they use your product or service AND it travels by word of mouth whereever your customer goes. So, it can get a bit overwhelming. That is why it is CONTROL that you need and it starts with you. Business owners tend to be control freaks so this should be an easy step for them.

I had always been curious when I had heard the word ‘brand’ and ‘branding,’ even a bit skeptical, I might add. After that seminar, I became a true believer. Over the years, I have seen many company’s success directly correlate to how well they are presenting a unified and clear brand. All businesses need to make branding an integral part of their marketing and communications plan, both internally and externally.

I am currently working on a white paper that has a 10 Step Program on how to create a DIY brand. Stay tuned!