id8

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the global marketing manager for a global manufacturing company in Johns Creek. Georgia. I'm responsible for all global marketing communications and promotions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We wanted to come up with a new name for our next generation product and communication system. We are very traditional in our naming, but we also have zero consistency in naming. id8 proposed a strategy to the process which would enhance our global alignment.

What were your goals for this project?

We had one simple goal: come up with a name that we could own (trademark) and also easy to remember.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

id8 did a great job of first off, listening to the leaders of our company explain who we are and the markets we serve. They asked pointed questions are really understood the challenges we faced, but also proposed a solution to our problems.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope was for id8 to come up with a name, a communication strategy and a strategy to "sell" our current stakeholders.

What was the team composition?

From the Nordson side, we had 7 people engaged, and id8 engaged 3 with us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The biggest success is alignment of a name, which was the goal at the start. Furthermore, id8 helped us in our need to communicate and persuade our stakeholders from non-believers to believers. id8 was helpful at every step along the way.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great. id8 has always been available for in-person meetings for phone meetings, as well as extremely responsive to emails/calls.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I found most impressive is the level of detail they have. Our industry is hard on many levels. id8 did an impressive job of making the complexities of our company simplistic. Very impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. id8 did a bang-up job for us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of ignite Technology LLC. We resell telecommunications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We hired id8 for logo design and branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We went through a process where we told id8 what we were thinking, and their team put together three logo options. After choosing one, they then created literature and brochures for us to give to our clients.

What is the team composition?

We engaged with four people, including a project manager.

How did you come to work with id8?

I network with the owner of id8. After listening to the stories of their customers, I felt that her company was the perfect fit for what we were trying to do.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a little over $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Going through the process that their team laid out for us, we made sure they followed up and presented products that made sense for what we were looking for. id8 delivered. All of their work was well-received by our internal team.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

id8 communicated well and positioned everything the way it should’ve been.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The staff that Kriston (President, id8) has is extremely thorough and knows what they’re doing. Their design team is phenomenal, always thinking outside the box.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are none that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

id8 is an extraordinary agency that gives you what you ask and pay for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of AskForensics, a company that provides B2B sales and account growth support. We uncover deep perceptions on why sales are won and lost and how accounts are performing, and we deliver specific reports along with analytics. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We needed a partner to update our website, which involved new branding and a full redesign of the web presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

id8 started by developing a strategy for how to position us and what we wanted to communicate to the public. They conducted an in-depth review of what we’d accomplished and where we wanted to go. From there, they translated those insights into our site’s narrative and branding, including the logo they designed in partner with our PR firm. They built the site from scratch and made it dynamic so that it displays properly on any device or browser. Currently, they maintain the site and provide any necessary updates.

What is the team composition? 

In the design phase, we had about four team members. Now, in maintenance, we just have one.

How did you come to work with id8?

Our PR firm recommended them. The two agencies communicated well, so we decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership lasted from June–December 2014. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The UX/UI of our site is much better and has remained modern even though it was built about four years ago. We’re pleased with the design, which went from text heavy to integrating lots of graphics and videos.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They know their business well and are skilled at branding and web design. I could see a stark difference between our old site and the new one they created.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of the branding exercises we went through were probably unnecessary since we’re an established company.
 
Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

They’re a small company with a young team, but it makes them resourceful and edgy. They provided the same quality of work we would’ve gotten from a bigger firm, so give them a chance.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the president of a health care company. We offer health care payers solutions for high-cost, low-frequency medical events such as organ and stem cell transplantation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We brought on id8 to design a new branding strategy as we branched into new product lines. This included a new logo, positioning/messaging, sales sheets, and design for an expanded web presence.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to retain the essence of our 30-year history while integrating a new look and strategy. It was important to create a design that visualized our vibe and distinguished us from our competitors.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our parent company had worked with id8 before and were happy with the results. They liked that id8 was a small, young company with fresh ideas.

Describe the project in detail.

First, id8 interviewed me to get a sense of my goals. Then, I sent them our current materials and followed up with a phone call to ensure they knew who we are and where we're going. We broke the project down into several modules (deliverables) that built on one another (positioning and messaging informing the design deliverables). Each module had its own timeline, as well as expectations on both sides. After each draft, we had a phone call to discuss feedback to agree on a finalized product.

What was the team composition?

After an initial call with id8's president, we were assigned a designer who coordinated with other id8 staff as needed, such as a writer. I led the customer side and sought feedback from my team in preparation for phone calls with id8. For the last couple of modules, we were assigned a junior account manager who coordinated the project in close collaboration with the designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

id8 pushed us out of our comfort zone in asking us to reimagine ourselves, particularly our logo. We’ve received a lot of very positive feedback about it however, and the new look is fresh but still embodies our friendly and helpful position in the market. Our newly designed sales sheets have driven a lot of interest from customers who want to learn more about our new products. As a bonus, they seem to understand how our history and new developments are separate but connected. Metric-wise, revenue from new lines of business in 2018 increased 59% over the prior year.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The expectations for both parties were very clear. id8 performed their work within the established deadlines, but I wasn't able to finish my work a few times. id8 followed up with me and were very accommodating of my availability. Our workflow worked very well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They listened well to our story and grasped who we are as a company, and then did an excellent job designing a logo and materials that told that story visually.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I understood the need for an account manager so that the designer's time could be used most effectively. However, we really enjoyed and preferred our direct communication with the designer.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing director for a catastrophic and wrongful death law firm. We specialize in personal injury cases and market mostly to other attorneys.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We needed to develop a website to host a video for the launch of our new brand and create a brochure that matched the style and appeal of the website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a web page that matched the high-level services we offer our attorney partners. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

id8 was designing and printing our marketing collateral and handling our web design before I came on board. I was free to choose another vendor for this project, but I appreciated that attention and care they offered their clients.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They designed a mobile-responsive website with a modern design that appealed to other law firms looking for partners for big cases. Additionally, they designed a brochure for us to use during the launch. Although ideas for the brochure and web concept were in place before I began, we much started from scratch when I arrived.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a production artist, who acted as a client coordinator, their president, and a web designer. The president was hands-on and ensured that all our needs were met, while the web designer was especially responsive to change requests.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Even after a few years, people are still impressed with our website. The brochure played a key part in the launch, and we still use it to forge new relationships. Feedback on our collateral focused on its high-end look and feel, which directly reflects the services we provide.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project went smoothly, just as our others with them have. id8’s team was good about setting deadlines and working with me when I had to extend them. If I was struggling to meet one, they would push me the exact right amount. Communication was never an issue, and every member of their team was highly responsive.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We really enjoy working with id8. No matter our scope, they give us the necessary attention to deliver a great product. They make time to have discussions with us and never make us feel like a burden. Marketing and branding trends change constantly, but id8 stays on top of all of them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I am satisfied in all aspects of my working relationship with id8 and will continue to use them for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of BDS Yarmouth & Choate. We’re an executive consulting firm located in both Atlanta, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We’ve hired id8 for several projects. First, they helped us with our website design. Since then, we’ve used their services for various marketing campaigns.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the first engagement, id8 helped us design our website. They supported our efforts in creating and formatting the layout of the site and the content.

We hired them to strengthen our marketing efforts. They’ve helped us run a variety of campaigns, ranging from the traditional mailing to social media marketing. Although receiving advertisements in the mail isn’t modern, id8 is helping us produce meaningful materials. During this process, their team helped us redesign our logo and marketing materials. They’ve guided us in finding colors and templates that fit our brand.

What is the team composition?

My main contacts throughout the process have been Julie (Art Director, id8) and Kriston (CEO, id8). They lead our meetings and discussions to ensure the work goes smoothly. There are a few others working on the project, but these two are the primary teammates.

How did you come to work with id8?

We were working with a previous developer, but we felt we needed to go in a different direction. However, they introduced us to id8, so we’ve been using them as our design team ever since because we were incredibly impressed.

How much have you invested with them?

It’s hard to add up the total cost because we’ve been working together so long, but the cost falls in the $10,000–$50,000 range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in 2004 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We haven’t felt the need to track the results in a quantifiable way because of how much we trust id8’s expertise. We’re fully satisfied with the work they’ve done for us and we’re highly comfortable working on future projects with them. Working with them allows us to put our best foot forward when presenting our business to larger firms.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

They excel at keeping me on task and up to date on their progress. Their approach is very friendly and comforting. They’re collaborative and allow me to bounce my ideas off them to receive honest feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Even though my company is very specific with our requirements, we’ve never needed to be demanding with id8 because they always deliver quality work. They’re an all-around skilled, versatile team— I can use them as a counselor or as a designer. All of my expectations are exceeded and I have complete faith in their team to do the work correctly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could do better for me. If I weren’t satisfied with their work, I wouldn’t have continued using them for as long as I have.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust and listen to their team. Opening up to them about your expectations and goals is crucial in having a collaborative, productive engagement. Be transparent in your conversations with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of engineering and operations for Gaskins Surveying Company, Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We needed to update and modernize our website so it accurately reflected our company's culture and experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

id8 started the redesign essentially from scratch, preserving only a few segments of our old site. After a series of meetings, they presented wireframes for our feedback and approval. We iterated on the design until we arrived at the final version.

Beyond web development, they also wrote copy and hired photographers and videographers to create pictures and videos for our website. They now provide updates and regular maintenance as needed.

What is the team composition? 

We had one main point of contact, but they dedicated an entire team to our project.

How did you come to work with id8?

 We interviewed them and two other companies. id8 was located nearby and seemed to be the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $35,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in September 2017, and the work is ongoing. Our site went live in June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The website id8 delivered has a high-quality visual appearance. We’ve received many positive comments about the new design.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager was excellent. id8 remained diligent and patient even when we slowed the process down.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The CEO of id8 took a personal interest in our project and made sure we were satisfied. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.
 
Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Trust them as a partner. id8 is a team of professionals who know what they’re doing.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director for an apartment developer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We’re a third-generation real estate developer, and we wanted to update our business while respecting our history. We needed help recreating our business and bringing our branding into the 21st century.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They redid our website and completely overhauled our logo, business cards, and other materials. We used some existing imagery, but went in a completely new direction with the site. We requested customizable sections, and id8 listened to everything we wanted and transformed our vision into reality.

Since we completed the rebrand, we’ve hired them to create two electronic brochures that describe our main business lines. They took everything we had in our heads and in our files, synthesized all of it, and transformed it into some really fantastic materials.

What is the team composition?

Overall, the group includes about five people. We mostly interact with their founder and another main point of contact.

How did you come to work with id8?

We met with multiple groups, but none of them offered what we needed. A partner in our firm heard about id8 and reached out to them. We met with them in person, and everything clicked into place.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We negotiated our contract in June 2018 and started working together in July. The collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We have a lot of pride in our history. Our chairman fell completely in love with their work, and we've received terrific feedback from clients and partners. The website really captures our personality.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re extremely well organized. There is always a danger that a creative process will go sideways, but they are adept at keeping the process on track and achieving goals. We are impressed by how well they manage us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They never overstated their abilities, but always delivered on their promises. They are incredible listeners, and they made us feel comfortable right away. They work hard, and they fit well with our company culture and our practices.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they should improve. They’ve exceeded all our expectations.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go and meet with them. Be prepared for an in-depth conversation, and allow them to challenge you. They will make great suggestions to chart a new course.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the director of marketing for a company that licenses the ability to manufacture several retaining wall blocks. We own the patents and do all the research and development on those products. I work mainly with marketing the licenses in order to gain more producers and manufacturers. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8? 

The relationship started before my time. Earth Wall Products first hired id8 to help with our branding, which was non-existent at that time. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

From the start, id8 was completely responsible for helping us create our messaging, our logo, and our first website. We came back to them a couple of years later to update the site. They completely redid it, including the creation of an interactive map. We came to them with the idea for a map of our manufacturing locations across the country. They developed the plugin and wrote the code.

id8 helps with messaging and branding on other products. They also do a lot of graphic design in terms of the website and marketing literature (i.e., sales sheets). 

What is the team composition? 

Julie (art director, id8) is our main account lead. Over the years we’ve worked with three or four additional team members. 

How did you come to work with id8? 

They were recommended to our founder. He chose them mainly because he’d heard good things about their ability to position a company among their competitors. When I came on, it was a no-brainer to continue using them because they’d gotten us traction with our branding. 

How much have you invested with them?

I don't know the amount from before I started. We’ve spent between $10,000–$15,000 in my time.

What is the status of this engagement? 

The engagement started back in 2013. They continue to provide ongoing maintenance and analytics of our website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our website traffic has doubled since they redid the site. We’ve also seen big improvements in the Google Analytics and other SEO metrics. 

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint? 

Their team is absolutely incredible. Everything is extremely timely. Deadlines are always hit or even early. They’re good at communicating what we need to provide them, such as photos, so they’re able to work effectively. They always start each project with an onboarding meeting. They use their time wisely whenever they have us in their office, which we appreciate. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

I’ve worked with a lot of agencies. One thing that sticks out about id8 is that they always deliver excellent work. They’re quick to jump on everything. If we have a concern, they tackle it with urgency. Even if it takes time to get an answer for us, they’ll respond and let us know they're working on it. Simple things like that stand out. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

I really can't think of anything. We haven’t had a single issue in our entire engagement. It’s been quite smooth working with them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

The biggest thing would be to take in what they recommend. Definitely explain to them everything about your company and how it operates, but let them use their expertise. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a director for a national company that deals in the food and beverage industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We hired id8 for routine business printing needs, such as business cards for our various retail brands.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with id8 to design and print business cards for our different outlets across the country. All of our printing needs have varied depending on the brand, so we work closely with id8’s graphic designers for those routine needs and for a few small projects. They’ve also helped us create documents that our retail crews use to track expense allocation and other business operational materials.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with four or five people from their team over the years. My primary contact is Kriston (CEO, id8). I’ve also worked with Julie (Art Director, id8) and Ashley (Production Artist, id8).

How did you come to work with id8?

I was referred to them before they had rebranded to id8. I met Kriston and started working with her and their account representatives during their rebrand, and have been with them ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $10,000–$15,000 annually.

What is the status of this engagement?

The company started working with id8 in October 2008. I started working with Kriston and her team in May of 2010. Our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We don’t track them with any key performance indicators (KPIs), but we haven’t had to. We regularly see that they’re responsive, have quick turnarounds, and value our partnership with them. During one project, a printer that they used had a QA problem, and our cards were sent out to the end user cut improperly. id8 was fast to remedy the issue, reprinted the cards, and started using another printer until they could figure out what went wrong.

A few other situations arose where we had emergency print jobs or needed a quicker turnaround than usual, and they’ve always been able to make that happen. Instead of going through the normal process of submitting a form to them, I’m able to call someone and get a 1–2-week job done in 48 hours. They go above and beyond to accommodate us in any situation.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very good at keeping me in the loop with our projects and the people we work with. If someone I’m used to working with was going to be on leave for any period of time, they'd always let me know ahead of time and make sure I was comfortable working with their replacement. I got to know their team well, which is important in a long-term partnership.

What did you find most impressive about them?

There are pros and cons to working with smaller companies. With id8, the pros far outweigh the cons. Being able to work closely with the same people and learn their personalities has been very valuable. I’ve worked with larger, corporate vendors for similar jobs in the past, and they'd outsource our work to someone else when they got behind. We don’t have to worry about that with id8. They’ll help us any way they can and it’s nice to know them on a personal level.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only improvement I’d suggest, and it’s very minor, is to better vet technology and project management tools before implementing them. At one point after they switched to a new tool, I had issues with our projects not being on the right server, or emails being sent without attachments. As soon as I brought it to their attention, they switched back to their other method. Their recovery for that issue was so quick, the issue was inconsequential.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If possible, go visit them. They have held holiday parties and other small events for their clients, and they’re a great team of people to know.