Branding agency London. Stick your neck out.

Your brand deserves more than mere visibility; it deserves recognition, admiration, and trust. Why settle for ordinary when you can unleash your brand's uniqueness?

Consider your industry for a moment. There's likely a prevailing look and feel, a set of norms everyone seems to adhere to. It feels safe and comfortable, yet also predictable. Whether it's universities, breweries, or chocolatiers, sectors often have a defined 'look,' but that doesn't mean you have to conform to it. As branding expert Wally Olins suggests, successful brands transcend by establishing a clear, unmistakable identity that sets them apart. They don't blend in; they boldly showcase their uniqueness, captivating audiences and grabbing attention.

Who says you have to play by the rules? Who dictates that you must follow the herd? Sometimes, defying convention is the wisest move for your business.

Take Oatly, for instance. In a market saturated with health-focused messaging, Oatly charted a different course. Prior to evolving into the recognizable brand you know today, the company spent nearly two decades as the Oatly you didn’t. Since its inception in the 1990s, Oatly adhered strictly to FMCG guidelines and crafted marketing strategies tailored solely to appeal to focus groups. Previous packaging prominently featured a handwritten note proclaiming its calcium and vitamin enrichment at the top, with a redundant affirmation of the same enrichment at the bottom.

The rebellious, irreverent brand they've since cultivated required revolution, not evolution. They bid farewell to any equity or familiarity they'd amassed over more than 15 years and boldly stepped into creativity. Nothing but the name survived. They focused on their consumers with brutal honesty. Nobody cared about oat milk back then, and that's precisely what freed them to innovate. They focused on being entertaining. It was simple. They transformed oat milk into more than just a beverage—it became a lifestyle and a rejection of the norm. Now, competitors are scrambling to catch up. They probably never will.

Blending in is mundane. Conformity is uninspiring. But when you embrace your uniqueness, remarkable things can happen. Your brand becomes a beacon of authenticity, attracting those seeking something genuine in a world of imitations.

So, don't hesitate to lead, innovate, and break the mold. Consumers are eagerly awaiting a brand like yours to take center stage. Push the boundaries and stick your neck out.