Reflex is an Italian company specialised in the manufacture and distribution of safety products for heavy and middle weight veichles. Reflex hasbeen in this market since 1988 and hasbeen the European leader for the last ten years.
Products are manufactured entirely in the Italian plan to Guiglia (MO) and Reflex boasts a distribution network throughout Europe. The market recognises Reflex as be ingsynonymous with high quality, reliability, technological excellence with being good value for money. In January 2009 Reflex acquired Allen Group Ltd., a British company leader in manufacturing and distribution of pneumatic and hydraulic tubing and coils, electrical cable and coils, and formed tube assemblies for trucks, trailers and industrial use. It partners with truck and trailer manufacturers worldwide and is the benchmark in its field. Allen isrecognized by the market for its continuous innovation and quality research, the high level of reliability and the strong International market presence.
The new Reflex Group is now one of the biggest European companies manufacturing components for the commercial vehicle market, having production facilities in Italy, the United Kingdom, China, India and Ukraine. It also has distribution facilities in the USA, Ireland, France, Germany, and Slovakia. Furthermore, it has a wide-spread network of aftermarket dealers, who are the leading companies in their own markets.
WHAT IS IT ?
In this step you will find information about the Brand Builder, who is asking you to propose a Solution for the challenge. He introduces himself (as a Brand of course :) The more you understand about the Brand, the more chances you have to create what is wanted.
IMPORTANT: There is a possibility that the Brand Builder prefers not to disclose who he is, usually for confidentiality reasons. Such Briefs will be published in an anonymous way. In this case the Brand Builder will say as much as he feels comfortable saying.
Here are two EXAMPLES
In case there is no problem with disclosing the identity (VISIBLE):
“NMN -No More Nicotine- is a Brand that promises to counteract the damages to the skin that can be caused by smoking. NMN is distributed in pharmacies and drugstores and its price positioning is middle-high; it is mainly promoted through professional endorsement and is not massively advertised.”
In case the Brand doesn’t want to disclose his identity (ANONYMOUS):
“Brand counteracting the damages to skin caused by smoking. Its products are distributed in pharmacies and drugstores with a middle-high price positioning; they are mainly promoted through professional endorsement and are not massively advertised.”
In summary: Who is your client (in a visible or “anonymous” way :)
Our purpose is to find a new group name and logo.
The name must contain both Reflex and Allen brands, keeping in mind that Reflex is the acquiring company butal so that the Allen brand is known worldwide. The new name could be an abbreviation, the acronym of both brands or the whole brands name but they have to refer to both brands adding optional words like group, company etc.. that identify the merger between the two companies. The new name has to be anglo-italian, easy to pronounce and catchy - in particular in the foreign markets that represent the 90% of our turnover.
The logo has to contain our bubble her eattached. As you can see in our profile our brand logos have a simple and clear design with particular graphic elements (ex: Allen logo is created inclining the two “L” letters in order to obtain the idea of a coil. See our updated logo on our web site www.reflex-group.com) Company colours are white, black and grey but may vary for a restyling .
WHAT IS IT ?
This is the task the Brand Builder asks you to accomplish. If you don’t understand it, you are completely out of luck !
EXAMPLE
“We ask the Creators to develop a print advertising campaign in order to increase Brand’s visibility. It will be used in national magazines this spring.”
In summary: It’s the objective of the client, therefore your objective too !
Workers in automotive market, starting from worldwide body builders to aftermarket, without language differences. Our group name has to be comprehensible for East countries, United States and Europe as well.
WHAT IS IT?
People that the Brand Builder wants you to entertain and persuade to think, feel or do something using your creation. Usually you will read about their age, sex, social level and behaviors. You should always keep that information in mind while creating, as the target audience is the final recipient of what you create.
EXAMPLE
“Smoking girls and women who would like to quit smoking but can’t. Usually health-conscious adults who care about their looks. They feel guilty about smoking because they know it is harmful. They read books about it. This is a real problem for them: it’s like “My brain wants something, but my body acts of its own accord”. They don’t relate to my brand, they are just waiting for a trustworthy “helping hand”.
In summary: Get under their skin !
The new name and logo group have to give immediately to the customers the idea of one single group.
At the same time both companies maintain the irtraditions and liability, with a new approach to a continuous improvement. we decided to concentrate the target attention to a name that reminds one of both companies in order to make easier and immediate the understanding.
WHAT IS IT?
The thing that the Brand Builder wants to make the target audience think/feel/do because of your creation.
Here are some very concrete examples:
∞ Some things people can think/feel:
- There is a new Brand (or product or idea or...) out there
- This Brand is better than the alternatives or than it used to be
- This Brand is worth paying more for
∞ Some things people can do:
- Start buying the Brand’s products
- Buy the Brand more often
- Stock more products of the Brand in their outlets
The above written examples are very concrete whilst often the proposition of the Brief is emotional. That’s even better as it can be more inspiring!
EXAMPLE
“We’d like to encourage smokers to use NMN in order to minimize the damage to their health while they are keeping giving up smoking (especially if they’ve already tried and failed before).”
In summary: Get inside their brain !
Structured and reliable group using excellent technologies, searching for a continuous innovation appreciated by not only most of the truck and trailer body builders but also by the aftermarket.
WHAT IS IT?
This is the key to achieving the objective. It is what supports the proposition and makes it believable. Usually it is a rational statement.
EXAMPLE
“Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your appearance. A recent study took several pairs of identical twins where one twin was a lifelong smoker and the other had never smoked. The smokers’ skin was a quarter thinner than that of non-smokers, and in some cases there were differences of up to 40%. NMN contains thinning-blocking anti-oxidants which counteract the effect of nicotine on the skin.”
In summary: You are looking for arguments? You’ll find them here!
Qualified and innovative team based on customer needs, in order to find the better and more rapid result. Safety and reliable products.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s who the Brand is. Yes... who!
Treat the Brand as a human being, as it has its own personality. To know the personality of the “client” is fundamental in order to provide a tailor-made job. So, read carefully the listed adjectives...
EXAMPLE
“Scientific, trustworthy, result-oriented, ‘a party’ to achieve your goals.”
In summary: Imagine the live person !
the new name and logo will appear on all offline and online documents:
- letters, envelops, corporate graphic
- mail signature
- press release
- product technical sheet
- leaflet
- magazine advertising
- email offer
- customers and suppliers website links
- website
- company catalogue and profile
WHAT IS IT?
A list of places (or media, or things) where the target audience will see the outcome of your creation. In this step sometimes the Brand will also acknowledge you how much he plans to invest into production. This information will give you an insight whether to create a BIG project or make it small... :)
EXAMPLE
“This campaign is going to appear in lifestyle- and health-focused women magazines of New Zealand, during the spring of 2009. We plan to invest 500,000 USD, which means approximately buying 100 single pages.”
In summary: Consider the medium !
Name and logo have to be received in: .ai, .pdf, psd, .tif, .jpeg
If the Brand has preferences or technical requirements that your Solution has to match, you will find them here.
Here are some items that you may find in this section:
∞ Guidelines or mandatory inclusions (do’s and/or don’ts)
∞ Business objectives
∞ Market and competitors overview
∞ Good and bad samples
Depending on the Brief, you may also find some files attached with a logo, pictures of product(s), a template that you should use in order to submit your ideas, or any other file that the Brand wants to share with you. So, study the attachments before starting creating.
In summary: Anything else you need to know (not written in the 7 steps before) !
