Month: July 2023

As a marketing agency, it’s important for us to extend our scope beyond just the brands we are currently working with. Our team is aspirational, always hungry for more opportunities to flex their creative muscles, so we discussed which franchises they most enjoy (and would most enjoy working with).

It’s vital for the team to spread their knowledge of various brands, and expose themselves to markets they weren’t familiar with before. So, here are the top 14 of the W.Bradford team’s favorite franchises!

1. JENI’S ICE CREAM

Headquartered just a short drive away in Columbus, Ohio, Jeni’s Ice Cream is known for their minimalist, but vibrant branding style. Their colorful brand lends an amazing backdrop to the real hero, the ice cream! They even mail their ice cream, so you can get a taste of one of W.Bradford’s favorite ice creams no matter where you are.

Explore Jeni’s Ice Cream

2. HANDEL’S ICE CREAM

Yet another ice cream brand founded in Ohio, this time in Youngstown! Founded in 1945, Handel’s Ice Cream has extended its reach all over the country to have stores in California, North Carolina, and more. They are known for their classic, stylish, and simplistic aesthetic, letting their ice cream speak for itself. Fun fact — one of our W.Bradford team members has a family member that is a Handel’s franchise owner!

Explore Handel’s Ice Cream

3. GRAETER’S ICE CREAM

The team sure has a sweet tooth and we conclude our trio of ice cream brands with one local to our headquarters in Cincinnati. Perhaps one of the most well-known ice cream brands in the Midwest since 1870, Graeter’s thrives in their market with lively and colorful branding meant to appeal to a wide variety of palates.

Explore Graeter’s Ice Cream

4. AVEDA

Taking a quick sweets hiatus, next on our list is AVEDA, a 100% vegan cosmetic care company. AVEDA has a distinct style, with lovely linework and art covering each of their products, but not at all detracting from the actual quality. Their use of low-saturated hues and natural, earth tones complement their sustainability-first promises and products.

Expore Aveda

5. HOLTMAN’S DONUTS

A return to sweetness! Holtman’s Donuts is another local franchise that opened up in 1960, and is a family business through and through. With a more old-fashioned vibe, they bring a certain flair of authenticity to their business.

Explore Holtman’s Donuts

6. CRAFTD LONDON

Craftd London is a sleek and stylish men’s jewelry brand, best known for their simplistic and elegant designs. Their mission is to strike the gap between quality jewelry and unnecessary markups, giving their customers the best of both worlds.

Explore Craftd London

7. CYCLEBAR

Continuing on the fitness trend, we have Cyclebar, a high-intensity cycling hub for those looking to burn some calories. Cyclebar has almost the opposite look as Crunch, taking advantage of dark colors with intense accents, but it still works for what their brand stands for. That drive and intensity to push through the hardest hills. 

Explore Cyclebar

8. MOSQUITO JOE

A bit of an unconventional entry, next we have Mosquito Joe, the brand that promises that “outside is fun again.” Mosquito Joe is a brand that knows what its clientele wants, offering a streamlined way to solve any bug problem. 

Explore Mosquito Joe

9. JERSEY MIKE’S

After the bug talk, it’s only natural we return to food talk. Next on our list of franchises is Jersey Mike’s Subs, a string of, you guessed it, sandwich restaurants. Known for their quality-first approach to food, Jersey Mike’s Subs has a consistent and effective brand. 

Explore Jersey Mike’s

10. RAISING CANE’S CHICKEN TENDERS

Even more food on the way! Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders is next with its dynamic and energetic brand image. Raising Cane’s takes pride in the story of their owner and his history of establishing the franchise. They take ownership of the fact that they only sell chicken fingers, touting that they do it best.

Explore Raising Cane’s

11. OAT HAUS

Another food brand, Oat Haus enters the list with its stylish brand that harkens back to a similar vibe as Jeni’s Ice Cream. With monochromatic backgrounds and minimalist presentation, Oat Haus markets the unmistakable quality that their products offer. That, mixed with their whimsical typography shows that this brand knows who they are and the message they want to send to their customers.

Expore Oat Haus

12. WINGSTOP

W.Bradford does seem to enjoy their food brands, and Wingstop’s blend of quippy humor and confidence make it the perfect match for us. With neat additions like their “wing calculator,” Wingstop is a brand that wears their belief in their product on their sleeve. Precisely the kind of brand we enjoy.

Explore Wingstop

13. EAST FORK

The final franchise brand on our list is a truly unique one, and that’s East Fork Pottery. East Fork again evokes that sort of minimalism that we saw with Jeni’s and Oat Haus, letting their products speak for themselves and showing that they have nothing to hide. 

Explore East Fork

CLOSING

It’s clear the taste and style of our team members differ when it comes to how they find value in a franchise models. That’s the beauty of our team, in that each can find a brand interesting for vastly differing reasons.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

These are brands our team has taken a distinct interest in for one reason or another, and that means they are brands we would love to work with. Our team infuses passion into everything we do, but we are always looking to expand our reach into more of our passion projects. If you want to know what our dedication can do for you, give us a ring, we’ll be expecting you

The W.Bradford team comes from a diverse string of backgrounds, all with their own unique set of experiences and values. We recently spent time learning more about what makes each member of our team as invaluable as they are. In this article, you’ll discover the top 8 takeaways our team members had from their time in college, and how it now impacts their work in our agency.

1. PUT RELATIONSHIPS FIRST

A sentiment echoed by a number of our team members, building valuable relationships is the cornerstone of what we as a marketing agency seek to do. Without a valuable and productive relationship with our clients, our business could never succeed. We’re happy to know what our team members learned that invaluable skill even before their time here! 

2. IT MAY TAKE MULTIPLE TRIES TO SUCCEED

A large part of success is the ability to go back and correct mistakes. Not only that but understanding why they happened and how to avoid them next time. It’s also helpful having a full team of supporters to check each other’s work and offer insight on how to make it better. That kind of teamwork ensures that though there may be mistakes in the beginning, there won’t be in the end.  

3. GOOD DESIGN IS INTENTIONAL

Our team members believe that sometimes, great ideas and designs take time to reach their fullest potential. With a careful and deliberate process, our work will always reach its peak over the time from idea to implementation. 

4. KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR AUDIENCE

Arguably one of the most important aspects of working in the marketing world, knowing one’s audience is key to truly put out meaningful work. Decisions that were made without careful consideration of the audience will never make it far, and the key to avoiding that is to place yourself in the shoes of your audience. Only by grasping what your audience wants, can you properly speak to them. 

5. HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR DECISIONS

Confidence in oneself is the precursor to great work, and our team agrees. We are confident in the work we deliver because of the success we had in the past. It invites a cycle of excellence where we do good work because we are confident, then because we did good work, we are able to continue the confidence.  

6. THERE IS NO “SET” PATH TO SUCCESS

Although sometimes in the marketing business, it may seem cyclical, it is always important to acknowledge that not every project demands the same process. Each client, project, and person is unique, so therefore, the solution must be equally as unique.  

7. COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO SUCCESS

Both internally and externally, communication is one of the most important aspects of this business. Clear and concise communication always leads to happier and healthier relationships, personally and professionally. Communication fosters understanding, and understanding is the foundation of our business.

8. NEVER STOP LEARNING

Finally, and arguably one of the most important, is the idea of constantly learning. Just because all of our full-time team members have left school behind, their capacity to learn is what stays with them. Maybe some of us forgot what we learned, but we will never forget HOW we learned it. 

CLOSING

What we studied and what we did in school does not necessarily define us, it’s how we learned to elicit the best possible work form ourselves. None of our team members discussed specific assignments or projects that changed their perspective, but experiences that elevated their way of thinking. 

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

These values our team holds dear, help us to create and execute incredible work. A diverse workforce benefits our clients just as much as us, as they are granted unique insight from multiple perspectives. Get in touch with us so that we can create something amazing together! 

It’s important to take pride in your home and use what it has to offer as a catalyst for growth. Our favorite local spots reflect a piece of who we are and what we stand for, and it also never hurts to spotlight a local business. Join us in highlighting our favorite Cincy locales that we’d love to work with, and visit all the same.  

1. MADTREE BREWING

The first on our list of Cincinnati’s local jewels is MadTree Brewing, a perfect concoction of relaxation and fun. Their earthy tones and aesthetic give their establishment and brand a certain coziness that isn’t captured anywhere else. We had multiple team members identify this as their favorite!

Explore Madtree

2. FRETBOARD BREWING

Another one of our favorite local breweries, Fretboard Brewing is a rustic dream right in our backyard. Always a courteous host to local musical talent, Fretboard’s passion and devotion to quality is what makes us gravitate toward them. 

Explore Fretboard

3. CITYBIRD

A local favorite, Citybird specializes in tasty and light-feeling fried chicken sandwiches and tenders. With their sleek and sharp designs, Citybird walks the line between rustic and minimalist.

Explore Citybird

4. DEWEY’S PIZZA

A Cincinnati mainstay, Dewey’s Pizza is a homespun looking pizza chain that has since expanded well beyond its hometown. Dewey’s brand voice has that air of confidence our team has come to love so much while offering a simultaneously down-to-earth feel.

Explore Dewey’s Pizza

5. FAB FERMENTS

Fab Ferments makes a splash on this list with its mix of explosive style, color, and spirituality. A brand that believes in keeping in touch with their roots, and embracing the simple things, Fab Ferments has a style all their own. That’s something that definitely speaks to us.

Explore Fab Ferments

6. CINCY PARKS

A somewhat unconventional pick that some may not consider a “brand,” Cincy Parks makes an appearance on our list. Cincy Parks has a clear objective and their brand conveys that. They simply want more people visiting the various parks around our great hometown!  

Explore Cincy Parks

7. GHOST BABY

One that struck a particular chord thanks to their elegant and effervescent style is Ghost Baby, a unique lounge often teeming with live music. Ghost Baby understands their identity as a refined establishment while also utilizing a tongue-in-cheek brand voice.  

Ghost Baby

8. GRIPPO’S

Moving into the snack space, we have Grippo’s, a brand that many baseball fans are assuredly familiar with! For over a hundred years, Grippo’s dominated the Cincinnati snack market. Their brand reflects that history, with an old-fashioned but tasteful style reminiscent of the years the brand was conceived.  

Explore Grippo’s

9. SKYLINE CHILI

It was only a matter of time before Cincinnati’s famous chili chain joined our list, and we’re of course talking about Skyline Chili. An iconic Cincy brand for years, Skyline has created a powerhouse of a brand by leaning into their diner-like aesthetic and attributes. Their signature cuisine and wholesome brand voice contribute to their wild success.

Explore Skyline Chili

10. THE BAGELRY

It seems as though every big city has a famous bagel chain, and ours is The Bagelry. With their straightforward style and hometown feel, The Bagelry is a rising franchise to watch out for in Cincinnati. 

Explore the Bagelry

11. THE EAGLE

Another great restaurant, The Eagle flies onto our list because of its rustic American feel. With the classic cuisine you’d expect for a restaurant like The Eagle, they add an additional layer by maintaining a consistent brand look that ties it all together.

Explore the Eagle

12. TIRE DISCOUNTERS

Our final brand is another brand many might not associate with Cincinnati, and that’s Cincinnati-based Tire Discounters. With their sleek, NASCAR-like branding, Tire Discounters lets you know what they do before you read a single word on their site. That kind of consistent identity is exactly what makes a brand stick out to us.  

Explore Tire Discounters

CLOSING

Cincinnati is clearly a melting pot of different small businesses, full of their own brand voices and styles. Each brand covered here speaks to our team members not just because of their local ties, but because they are brands we have come to know and appreciate through our exposure to them.  

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

W.Bradford takes pride in good design and branding, no matter where it comes from, but it’s important to keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going on in our backyard. It’s easy to look up at brands like P&G, but it’s equally as valuable to have a keen eye on the budding businesses around us.

HubSpot’s integrated CRM platform makes skyrocketing your business easier than ever before. Its inbound marketing, sales, operations, and website tools bring unity and clarity to marketing strategy. Because the platform is becoming so critical to the success of new and emerging businesses, we’ve put together five ways HubSpot will benefit your brand.

#1. DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MARKETING-QUALIFIED LEADS

Marketing-qualified leads unfortunately don’t fall out of thin air. Lucky for your brand, HubSpot marketing tools can accelerate leads to marketing-ready with ease. HubSpot benefits your team by making it easy to nurture and qualify leads automatically, weeding out some of your less-qualified candidates. HubSpot also helps connect the dots between marketing and sales, expediting the time it takes to convert leads to customers. When both marketing and sales have access to leads, your team can circle back often to keep leads and definitions up to date.

#2. SYSTEMATICALLY ENGAGE EXISTING LEADS WHO HAVEN’T HEARD FROM YOUR BRAND IN A WHILE

HubSpot’s powerful CRM knows which of your consumers are regularly engaged and which consumers might need a friendly reminder of your brand. With automation tools, customizable messaging, and traceable interactions, HubSpot marketing allows your business to reach existing leads at just the right time. 

#3. CREATE A TRUE OMNICHANNEL EXPERIENCE VS. ONE-OFF COMMUNICATION

Your consumers are constantly getting bombarded with emails and other loud marketing messages. HubSpot’s marketing automation tools allow you to reach customers at pivotal points in the buyer’s journey across multiple channels and continually engage. By using the automation tools and workflows in Hubspot, your brand can take care of top priorities while leads continually interact with your business.

#4. ENABLE LEAD ATTRIBUTION, DEMONSTRATING ROI FOR MARKETING EFFORTS

Knowing where winning customers come from is crucial for the success of your business. Start putting your marketing dollars in the places that make the most sense for your business by using HubSpot’s lead management tools. HubSpot benefits your business by creating custom attribution reports that help demonstrate and improve ROI.

#5. PLACE YOUR BRAND’S MARKETING ACTIVITIES IN A BEST-PRACTICE ECOSYSTEM

Keeping track of all your marketing strategies in a hodgepodge of spreadsheets can only go so far. By implementing and tracking all marketing activities under one roof, your business is automatically more organized, more focused, and more lucrative. HubSpot’s beneficial platform factors in hundreds of marketing best practices. This creates guardrails for your business and allows your entire team to be on the same page with the same goals.

Mastering the art of marketing for franchises and multi-location brands takes intentionality and practice. Unlike other brands, franchise marketing must account for varying demographics and preferences while still maintaining a cohesive brand image. Read on for our top five tips to optimize your franchise marketing efforts.

TIP #1. ENSURE STAKEHOLDER ALIGNMENT AT ALL POINTS IN THE PROCESS, AT ALL COSTS.

Imagine you and a friend plan to meet up for dinner at a chain restaurant, but neglect to specify which address. There’s no way to ensure you’ll arrive at the same location if all drivers aren’t completely on board with the details. The same is true in franchise marketing. All decision drivers must be on the same page, or the brand will arrive at varying destinations—ultimately confusing consumers and weakening trust in the business.  

TIP #2. CONSTANTLY COMMUNICATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO SHOW NETWORK VALUE.

As changes are made to the business, all stakeholders should be promptly included in the conversation. The key to successful franchise marketing is creating and maintaining synchronous brand assets. By consistently keeping stakeholders looped in, you’ll create credibility for the business. 

TIP #3. REPORT AND OPTIMIZE YOUR OVERALL PROGRAM FREQUENTLY.

Monitoring how your brand is doing is crucial to business success. Run reports on individual locations’ lead and brand performance, as well as the collective lead and brand performance. Consider how the two reports may be correlated. How can you improve success in individual businesses? How can you improve success of the overall franchise?  

TIP #4. STAND OUT AT TRADE SHOWS AND OTHER EVENTS WITH CLEVER ACTIVATIONS.

Trade shows and events allow franchises to generate long lists of leads in single days or weekends. Your business is likely one of dozens doing the same types of things at these events, so go big to stand out and be the center of attention. Consider how your brand may be able to captivate your target audience with a unique booth display, swag activations, or a riveting off-site event.  

TIP #5. DON’T LET ASSETS AGE.

As nice as it would be, your assets cannot withstand the test of time. Your audience needs to be regularly re-engaged and re-excited with new franchise marketing. Refresh copy and creative frequently in campaigns to nurture leads with fresh assets over a long period of time.