Building and maintaining a strong brand is imperative to your business. Your brand is the heart of your company, embodying its values, mission, and identity. A powerful brand requires expertise in creativity, strategy, and execution – specialized services that a brand agency can offer. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the role of a brand agency, clarify why you might hire one, and decide if hiring an agency would be more beneficial than hiring an internal brand/marketing employee. Sound good? Let’s jump in!

What is a Brand Agency?

Contrary to popular belief, a brand agency is not just a logo factory! A brand agency specializes in building, refreshing, and managing a company’s overall brand, including its mission, vision, visual identity, strategy, market position, and more. They collaborate with companies to develop comprehensive strategies that align with their business objectives and resonate with their target audience. These agencies typically consist of multidisciplinary teams, including brand strategists, designers, copywriters, marketers, and researchers. 

Brand agencies offer a wide array of services, including:

1. Brand Strategy Development: Crafting a comprehensive brand strategy is the foundation of any successful branding endeavor. It’s the blueprint for building, shaping, and sharing your brand. Brand agencies conduct thorough research to understand your market, audience, and competitors, enabling them to develop strategies that differentiate your brand and drive growth. A brand strategy will also give you a thoughtful way to focus on areas that will create the most value for your company – including your website content, marketing plans, and ad campaigns.
2. Brand Identity Design: If you have less than 6 seconds to make a strong impression, what does your brand say about your company? A well-designed brand helps your business stand out in a crowded marketplace. Your brand’s visual identity – including its logo, color scheme, typography, and imagery – is crucial in shaping perceptions and fostering recognition. Brand agencies specialize in creating cohesive and compelling visual identities that reflect your brand’s personality and values.
3. Marketing and Advertising: From digital marketing campaigns to traditional advertising efforts, brand agencies develop and execute strategies to enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement across multiple channels like email, social media, billboards, transit, and more.
   1. Click here to see one of Boldthink’s client examples!
4. Brand Management and Monitoring: Building a brand is an ongoing process that requires consistent monitoring and management. Brand agencies help you maintain brand consistency, manage reputation, and adapt to evolving market trends. Your time is valuable, so hiring a brand agency can increase business efficiency and offer end-to-end solutions from the experts themselves.

When Should You Hire a Brand Agency?

While some companies manage their brand internally, there are several reasons why partnering with a brand agency proves to be a more effective option:

1. Launching a New Brand or Product: Introducing a new brand or product to the market is a significant undertaking that requires strategic planning and execution. A brand agency can help you develop a clear brand identity and launch a strategy that sets you apart from competitors and resonates with your target audience.
2. Rebranding or Brand Refresh: Whether it’s a market shift, change in business direction, or outdated branding elements, rebranding or refreshing your brand can breathe new life into your business. Brand agencies specialize in rebranding initiatives, guiding you through the process seamlessly while preserving brand equity.
3. Need for Objective Perspective: Sometimes, internal stakeholders may struggle to maintain objectivity when evaluating their brand or developing strategies. Brand agencies offer an outsider’s perspective, bringing fresh ideas and insights that can spark innovation and drive success.

Why Hire an Agency vs. an Internal Brand/Marketing Employee?

While hiring an internal brand or marketing employee may seem like a viable option, there are several compelling reasons why partnering with a brand agency might be a more strategic choice:

1. Diverse Expertise: Brand agencies employ teams with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, encompassing strategy, design, marketing, and research. This collective expertise allows them to tackle complex branding challenges comprehensively and deliver solutions that drive results.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: While hiring a full-time employee entails salary, benefits, and overhead costs, engaging a brand agency is often more cost-effective, especially for short-term projects or specialized initiatives. Agencies usually offer flexible pricing structures and scalability, allowing you to allocate resources efficiently based on your company’s needs.
3. Access to Specialized Tools and Resources: Brand agencies invest in state-of-the-art tools, technologies, and resources to support their branding efforts. By partnering with an agency, you gain access to these specialized resources without needing to make a significant upfront investment.

A brand agency can be a strategic partner in elevating your brand and driving business success. Whether you’re launching a new brand, revitalizing an existing one, or seeking expert guidance to navigate the complex world of branding, partnering with a brand agency offers numerous benefits. 

From comprehensive strategy development to creative execution and ongoing management, brand agencies provide the expertise, creativity, and resources necessary to propel your brand to new heights. So, why settle for old when you could go bold? Boldthink is ready to take the next step in your branding journey with you!