You’ve seen those Febreze ads? The ones where people have lived with a weird smell for so long they don’t even notice it anymore, but the moment someone else walks in, they look like they’ve been slapped in the face with a damp sock? Well… the same thing happens with logos.

Every branding agency has felt it.
That deep, low rumble in the pit of the stomach.
Something's wrong in the ether.
A client has gone rogue!

You check their socials and, oh no.
There it is.
Comic Sans.
In fluorescent green.
On a logo you lovingly created with surgical precision.

If you want your brand to grow, stand out, and stick in people’s minds, here’s a simple truth:

You need to invest. Properly. Consistently. Strategically.

And yet, far too many businesses treat branding and marketing as a “nice to have” or a quick fix when sales are down.

Somewhere along the way, brands decided that vague and inspirational sounded better than clear and useful. Maybe they thought it made them seem more premium. Maybe a branding consultant charged them £10k to say, “Transforming solutions for a brighter tomorrow.” Or maybe they just fell in love with buzzwords. Whatever the reason, entire industries are now cluttered with straplines that could belong to literally anyone.

Building a successful brand isn’t easy. It takes a clear vision, strategic thinking, and consistent execution. Yet, despite best efforts, many brands fail, some spectacularly. Why? Because they make avoidable mistakes that turn customers away, dilute their identity, or render them irrelevant. Let’s break down the most common reasons brands fail and how to avoid them.

Think about the last time you heard the Netflix ta-dum, the McDonald's ba da ba ba ba, or the Intel bong. You probably recognised them instantly, right? That’s the power of sonic branding.

Let’s be clear: a rebrand isn’t a magic bullet, nor is it the right move for every business. A shallow, cosmetic makeover with no real substance may generate temporary buzz, but it won’t lead to sustained success. However, when done for the right reasons and with a strategic approach, rebranding during an economic downturn can position a company for long-term growth and resilience.

Design is everywhere. From the apps we use daily to the branding that defines our favourite products, good design has the power to shape our world. Yet, despite its undeniable importance, the design industry remains a chaotic free-for-all where anyone with a laptop and a copy of Canva can call themselves a ‘designer.’

After an incredible five-day trip to New York, to say we had a great time would be an understatement. The city never disappoints—its energy, its creativity, and the people who make it all happen. From early-morning coffee-fueled meetings to late-night conversations over a Manhattan (or two), we met some truly inspiring people who reminded us why we love what we do.

At the heart of everything we do, you'll find a simple truth: it's about people. It's about the connections we forge, the friendships we build, and most importantly, it's about how we can help those people succeed. We believe that success isn't a solitary pursuit; it's a collaborative journey, and we're honoured to be a part of yours.

In uncertain economic times, businesses instinctively look for ways to tighten their belts. Unfortunately, design and marketing are often the first budgets to be slashed. While this may seem like a logical short-term cost-saving measure, history tells us that cutting back on branding, design, and marketing can do more harm than good in the long run.

Marketing is one of those fields where everyone thinks they can do it - until they actually have to. It's often dismissed as "just social media," "a bit of advertising," or "something we’ll figure out later." In reality, marketing is one of the most complex, strategic, and essential aspects of running a business. Yet, it's also the most misunderstood.

Ah, the life of a designer, where creativity meets chaos, and every project is an emotional rollercoaster. Some days, you feel like a design god, turning briefs into branding gold. Other days, you’re questioning your life choices after a client asks you to ‘make it pop’ for the fifteenth time.

At Bespoke, we understand that every business has unique needs and financial considerations. That’s why we offer two flexible payment options for our marketing and design services: Ad Hoc and Retainer.

Right now, designing graphics has never been easier. Platforms like Canva empower professionals and amateurs, to create everything from social media posts to full-fledged branding assets. But when it comes to legal ownership, things can get complicated.

With budgets shrinking and competition increasing, marketers are under constant pressure to maximise the impact of their campaigns. Even with well-defined strategies, success often hinges on the quality of execution. That’s why working effectively with your design or creative agency is crucial.

We understand more than anyone the pressure to keep work flowing, especially in the current climate. Every email, every phone call, and every potential project represents a lifeline, a chance to keep afloat. And honestly, we hate turning work away. It feels like a betrayal of our hustle, a missed opportunity.

When building a brand, the design process is a journey of discovery, clarity, and refinement. One of the most effective yet overlooked approaches to this journey is starting with black and white design.

As the festive season approaches, we would like to take a moment to express our best wishes to all our valued clients, partners, and supporters.

Next year we want to help even more businesses achieve the success they deserve, which is why we’re offering a limited number of 1-hour virtual introductions to a select few businesses and professionals like yourself.

The only constant in life is change. And amidst this changing landscape comes waves of uncertainty and we have all felt the weight of rising inflation and economic pressures over recent weeks. The headlines often paint a concerning picture, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

As many of you may have seen this last week, there has been a huge outpouring of anger and outrage towards Jaguar’s new rebrand. Some have gone as far as saying that it is surely the death of a once great brand by trying to pander to a new woke mindset.

All businesses face the challenge of standing out in a sea of noise. For design and marketing teams, this isn’t just about throwing together a few attractive visuals or catchy slogans. It’s about diving deep beneath the surface to truly understand the unique essence of each client’s business.

Have you ever hastily created an advert for a heavily-discounted, last-minute opportunity. Have you succumbed to the pressure of your sales team to turn around an impromptu event or mailing to pacify their need to meet targets?