Branding is more than simply using a logo. It is the meaning attached to your organization or cause whenever your message is seen and heard. It is experiential and emotional. It communicates the essence of who you are. Branding is built and reinforced by every contact your organization has in the public arena—every press release, letter, email, publication, click on your web site, phone call, campaign or event. With consistent messaging that everyone in your organization understands—and believes—you will project strength and clarity that can affect real change.

At Graves Fowler, branding development involves three steps:

1. Assessment
The process begins with a Communications Audit that will evaluate the strength of your current branding, test its value with your constituents and clients, define key messaging, develop taglines and recommend a repositioning strategy.

2. Interpretation
Next we translate our findings into logo and branding solutions. This is a collaborative phase and depends on real give-and-take between our creative team and your decision makers. We may recommend testing with key stakeholders and target audiences before final selections are made. Logos are seldom chosen by a unanimous vote. We will guide you through the decisions and help you avoid the tangle of too many opinions and conflicting advice. We will also counsel you on the legal steps to trademark your branding, if needed.

3. Implementation
The third step is to help everyone in your organization use the new branding strategically and consistently. We will develop a package of applications that may include stationery, signage, web sites, and other print and online communication tools. Instructions on how to use your logo and branding materials will be provided in a user-friendly style guide that makes your day-to-day work easier and your promotion efforts more powerful.