New brand launch, should we use one company or several?

[nextec]

Hi
We are planning to launch a new part of our business selling high quality large scale LED video systems and LED control systems for the entertainment market.

We need to create a whole new brand, website, advertising, brochure, etc. This is not something we have any experience of.

Do people recommend working with a single company who can provide all the services or is it better to use a different companies such as a specialist for the web site design and a different company for the brand awareness etc.

Does using a single company cost more or does it make it easier to keep the design constant across the different areas?

Recommendations and advice welcome.

We are looking to spread the cost of doing all this over time and ramp up the marketing as the sales grow, we do not have enough cash to go all out on everything at the beginning.

Thanks in advance

Richard

 

[dedwardp]

Hi Richard,

I think there are benefits to both really - on the one hand if you're looking to create and establish a whole brand for your business then keeping it all to one company could be useful in sustaining the same 'feel', whilst you'd know what you're getting quality wise would live up to the same standards you had received before.

I would also think it could work out cheaper with one company than with multiple like you've suggested, possibly due to receiving a package of some sort where for the whole lot you get a discounted end price as opposed to having to pay for each item individually from different places, though as you mention that it is something you'd look to stagger I guess this would have to be arranged from the start and could potentially prove awkward.

I think that the website is likely to be the main thing for you to look for a different specialist though with the rest being done from one place. For what you want I imagine a specialist web designer would be most beneficial but for advertising and brochures etc I see no reason why this couldn't stay under one roof.

 

[armstrong010]

I agree keeping it all in one company would work out better

 

[TheLittleDesignShop]

Hi Richard

I would recommend keeping it with one company as this will help with brand consistency. If you choose the right company they will engage the specialists to do the bits you require. Make sure you double check all their prices and don't be afraid to ask why is that costing so much. Ensure you also get prices from various companies and take advantage of any loss leaders that design agencies offer. I did some brand development for an LED system for Railway use which the client did not go with I would be happy to show you what I designed, you never now you might find something there you like... if so pm me

With thanks

Craig

 

[CraigieDD]

Totally disagree with everyone here.

The different media you're talking about require specialists in each discipline.

A good branding company will provide traditional brand guidelines as well as online brand guidelines. Any good creative agency or design company or web developer will be able to adhere to these.

Why would you think that the people who come up with a brand would give you the correct solution for your website and online marketing? They're totally different skill sets.

Yes, there are integrated agencies out there, but in my experience they provide a jack of all trades service.

Here's a quote, I guarantee, came in this morning from one of our new customers. I know this looks a bit made up but I swear to you it's not.

"You've already given me more quality advice about online marketing than my last 3 or 4 agencies combined. I like that."

Why could we do this? Because we specialise in this area of expertise. Integrated agencies tend to have people who wear many hats when dealing with customers. I used to work for one. So this is personal experience.

 

[dedwardp]

Totally disagree with everyone here.

The different media you're talking about require specialists in each discipline.

A good branding company will provide traditional brand guidelines as well as online brand guidelines. Any good creative agency or design company or web developer will be able to adhere to these.

Why would you think that the people who come up with a brand would give you the correct solution for your website and online marketing? They're totally different skill sets.

Yes, there are integrated agencies out there, but in my experience they provide a jack of all trades service.

Here's a quote, I guarantee, came in this morning from one of our new customers. I know this looks a bit made up but I swear to you it's not.

"You've already given me more quality advice about online marketing than my last 3 or 4 agencies combined. I like that."

Why could we do this? Because we specialise in this area of expertise. Integrated agencies tend to have people who wear many hats when dealing with customers. I used to work for one. So this is personal experience.

That is what I said - advertising and brochure would be print design, of which the same person would clearly be able to do both, but look elsewhere for the website which requires a different type of speciality for what he is after.

 

[nextec]

Thanks to all of you for the informative replies and also for the offers by PM. I will be contacting the companies to follow up on the offers and contacts.

I also have an appointment with a local agency next week, is there any advice you guys can give me as to what questions I should ask and what to look out for?

Thanks
Richard

 

[mud-stx]

I would check their credentials and reputation before you go in, ask about on the forum...
main check would be testimonials they provide in area you want marketing...

 

[fusingcreativity]

Totally disagree with everyone here.

The different media you're talking about require specialists in each discipline.

A good branding company will provide traditional brand guidelines as well as online brand guidelines. Any good creative agency or design company or web developer will be able to adhere to these.

Why would you think that the people who come up with a brand would give you the correct solution for your website and online marketing? They're totally different skill sets.

Yes, there are integrated agencies out there, but in my experience they provide a jack of all trades service.

Here's a quote, I guarantee, came in this morning from one of our new customers. I know this looks a bit made up but I swear to you it's not.

"You've already given me more quality advice about online marketing than my last 3 or 4 agencies combined. I like that."

Why could we do this? Because we specialise in this area of expertise. Integrated agencies tend to have people who wear many hats when dealing with customers. I used to work for one. So this is personal experience.

I totally agreed with your sentiments, although I know several integrated agencies that have specialists in-house from the various areas - ie. Web design/dev, print design, brand specialists and marketers etc.

Little bit confused by the quote as you position yourself as a web design and development company - not qualified or experience marketers. Online marketing not being the same as web development. I'm not at all questioning your credentials, am just a little confused as it seems to go against your argument a little and just wanted a little clarification...