Paulo Ribeiro's (Wieden&Kennedy, Redscout, West) expertise is helping brands like Nike, TNF and Venmo develop new strategies to earn more attention and revenue. Photograph by Chloe Aftel Paulo began his career in brand advertising first in NYC and then in SF at Hal Riney+Partners, the first creatively led agency, during the dot com boom. At Wieden + Kennedy he was head of global brand strategy for Nike and Electronic Arts through the era of digital transformation. He led the evolution of innovation agency Redscout to better serve Silicon Valley, working with Reid Hoffman on LinkedIn’s positioning and expanding Gatorade’s portfolio from beverages to food and digital products. He was the Managing Director of one of the first Venture Studios-West SF, which was founded by Jack Dorsey to accelerate the growth for many of the world’s most disruptive startups. His portfolio included Venmo, Jawbone, Twitter, Braintree, Anki, Tumblr and many others. More recently he led the creation of the Wieden+Kennedy Lodge the innovation agency, within the W+K Network, with Nike's secretive innovation Kitchen, Samsung and Verizon as clients. The fruits of that labor contributed significantly to W+K earning Global Agency of the Year two years in a row. He is the founder of Two Things, a brand transformation agency that focuses on the active lifestyle category. Two Things serves clients such as The North Face, Timberland, Visit Sun Valley, Mad Hippie, Converse and Arc’teryx. Paulo Ribeiro's expertise is in building strategies to evolve brands. ↗ 2017 AICP Innovation Award ↗ 2016 Adweek Creative 100 ↗ 2012 One Show Pencil - BulletStorm ↗ 2011 Effie - Dante’s Inferno ↗ 2011 4A’s Jay Chiat Award-New Product: Gatorade G-Series ↗ 2010 Clio - Nike Livestrong ‘Chalkbot’ ↗ 2010 - D+D Yellow Pencil - Integrated Campaign ‘Its’ About You’ Select Awards Featured in publications such as: ↗ Creative Boom—Coverage of Novella Launch ↗ Ad Age: Brookfield ↗ Muse by Clio—Brookfield ↗ Communication Arts—Brookfield ↗ Egotist—Stay Sunny ↗ Little Black Book—The North Face: Discover Your Trail ↗ Graphic Design USA—Stay Sunny ↗ ↗ The Drum—Two Things Launch ↗ Adweek—Paulo Leaving W+K Scoop ↗ Fast Company—Paulo leaving W+K Scoop ↗ Adweek—Two Things Launch ↗ Fast Company—Two Things Launch ↗ ↗ Shots Magazine—Lodge Profile ↗ Fast Company—Lodge Principle Profile ↗ Fast Company—Nike Live Design ↗ Fast Company—Anki Lost In Reddit Profile ↗ Monocle—NeedyBot ↗ Meta/Oculus—KFC The Hard Way ↗ TechCrunch—Anki Lost in Reddit ↗ Business Insider—Soylent + WK Lodge ↗ Creative—Soylent ↗ Retail Dive—Soylent ↗ Portland Monthly—NeedyBot ↗ Adweek—100 Creatives Whose Brilliant Ideas will make you jealous ↗ ↗ NYT—Paulo to MD Redscout ↗ The Guardian—Nike Chalkbot ↗ Campaign Live - Nike Livestrong 2010 Integrated Titanium Cannes Lion ↗ Adage - Nike Livestrong 2010 Integrated Titanium Cannes Lion ↗ WSJ—EA Dante’s Inferno ↗ Blog—Dante’s Campaign Profile ↗ Kotaku—Greed (Dante’s) ↗ Joystiq—Greed (Dante’s) Selected Press Speaking Engagements Paulo has spoken at many festivals including Fast Company Innovation Festival, Samsung Galaxy Media Days and Electronic Arts Sales Meetings. He has been asked to speak at leadership retreats for Electronic Arts, Gatorade, Pernod-Ricard, Nike and Target among others. He is frequently asked to present insights and perspectives to boards and investors. Speaker fees vary depending on the length of the presentation, whether preparation is necessary and the amount of time necessary onsite. Travel and expenses will be covered separately. Pro-Bono can be discussed for non-profits or other worthy causes. For Speaking Engagements: talk@twothings.co For Advising: hello@twothings.co Images from the Archives He's earned many accolades' including being listed as one of the Adweek Global Creative 100, he is a Cyber Lion Winner, has won Clios, D+AD Pencils, Effies, AICP Innovation Awards and more. Awards Press He's earned many accolades' including being listed as one of the Adweek Global Creative 100, he is a Cyber Lion Winner, has won Clios, D+AD Pencils, Effies, AICP Innovation Awards and more.

We develop creative Go-To-Market strategies for companies to enter new markets, attract new audiences and develop new ways to serve their customers. Strategy We develop strategies for companies to expand their market. + Execution We build teams, culture and processes to operationalize that strategy over time. The Brand Transformation Agency We work with brands who need to build a new product, connect with a new audience or because their Go-To-Market approach needs an overhaul. Sample Engagements include: Designing innovation strategy and teams Internal creative teams Creative marketing for startups Brand experience and product design We’ve been responsible for some of the leading innovation and creative cultures in the US and have learned that the most impressive ROI is realized when a brand owns the work itself. Our engagements are designed with the goal of building a new capability within our client’s organization and we work towards that end in mind. Strategy We develop strategies for companies to expand their market. + Execution We build teams, culture and processes to operationalize that strategy over time. The Brand Transformation Agency We work with brands who need to build a new product, connect with a new audience or because their Go-To-Market approach needs an overhaul. Sample Engagements include: Designing innovation strategy and teams Internal creative teams Creative marketing for startups Brand experience and product design We’ve been responsible for some of the leading innovation and creative cultures in the US and have learned that the most impressive ROI is realized when a brand owns the work itself. Our engagements are designed with the goal of building a new capability within our client’s organization and we work towards that end in mind. start a conversation → working with us →

As an alternative to a traditional advertising agency, we take on brand transformation with the goal of improving marketing impact through robust strategy. What it’s like to work with us What it’s like to work with us One We use creativity as a growth engine. We bring creativity back upstream —where it belongs—as a catalyst for change. It’s how we create strategy with soul, and products that feel both inevitable and new. What it’s like to work with us Foundational Creative Strategy Strategy Sprint 4 Weeks Opportunity Mapping Deliverable: Brand Audit, Product/Category/Cultural Research Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. I. Insights + Creative Territories Deliverable: Presentation with findings and recommendations Creative Territory Refinement Deliverable: Revisions to Creative Territories based on feedback, Design Challenge Briefs to guide work, Recommended path forward II. III. Creative Strategy, Concepts + Rollout Comprehensive Project 12–14 Weeks Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations III. II. I. Strategy + Creative Partnership Custom Retainer 6–12 Months Opportunity Mapping Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Insights + Creative Territories Creative Territory Refinement III. II. I. Timelines can be customized to clients needs and additional workload can be absorbed by dedicated team assigned to client’s business. Monthly Work-Plan Alignment with senior stakeholders to calibrate work to client's business. Custom Retainer option for more complex assignments. Two Things will generally follow its process working systematically through: Executional Advisory Strategy Sprint 4+ Month Commitment Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team Strategic Advisory Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Month-to-Month or Quarterly Advisory Formats Executional Advisory Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team Strategic Advisory Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Custom Retainer Strategy + Creative Partnership 6–12 Months ↗ Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs ↗ Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations ↗ Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Strategy Sprint Foundational Creative Strategy 4 Weeks ↗ Opportunity Mapping Deliverable: Brand Audit, Product/Category/Cultural Research ↗ Insights + Creative Territories Deliverable: Presentation with findings and recommendations ↗ Creative Territory Refinement Deliverable: Revisions to Creative Territories based on feedback, Design Challenge Briefs to guide work, Recommended path forward Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Comprehensive Project Creative Strategy, Concepts + Rollout 12–14 Weeks ↗ Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs ↗ Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations ↗ Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Two We collide perspectives to create new ones. We work at the powerful intersection of strategy and design, business and brand, internal knowledge and external perspective. This is where insights collide, disciplines blend, and new possibilities emerge. Three We hunt for the roadblocks. Organizations don’t set out to hinder progress, but culture, structure, and process often do. We surface the obstacles unique to each company early and design around them—so bold opportunities launch in market, not die in decks. Four We build from the inside out. We roll up our sleeves to build alongside you—operating like an early-stage strike team to prototype, pressure-test, and launch new products. Five We make ourselves obsolete. We're in the evolution business, not the maintenance business. Our job is to set the conditions for success, strengthen your team through lived experience, and then hand your team the baton to the future. Ways we can work together Ways we can work together Strategic Discovery Innovation Roadmap 1 month Strategy
 Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses
 Brand + Product Research (existing) External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) Opportunity Assessment
 Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories Comprehensive Project Foundational Design 4–6 months Strategy Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design Product Exploration Product Concepts Product Prototyping Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Implementation Operations Organizational Design Recommendation Production Recommendation Go-To-Market Planning Rollout Recommendation Channel Recommendation Iterative Retainer Incubation Program 6–12 month cycles Strategy
 Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design
 Product Exploration Product Concepts Iterative Co-Creation Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Prototype(s) Iterative Co-Creation Validation Implementation Operations New Teams + Capabilities Go-To-Market Strategy Launch Vision + Roadmap Advisory Strategic
Advisory Monthly or quarterly Two Things can engage as a strategic advisor to leaders and/or leadership teams such as BoD or Steering Committee. In this capacity Two Things provides strategic expertise on a focused set of innovation topics over time. Two Things can guide implementation and optimization of growth strategies to leaders tasked with driving innovation. Sample Advisory engagements include: Innovation Strategies Team Evaluations and Recommendations Organizational Design Curation of Vendor Rosters Performance Benchmarking Audits and Analysis Ways we can work together Strategic Discovery Innovation Roadmap 1 month Strategy
 Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses
 Brand + Product Research (existing) External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) Opportunity Assessment
 Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories Comprehensive Project Foundational Design 4–6 months Strategy Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design Product Exploration Product Concepts Product Prototyping Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Implementation Operations Organizational Design Recommendation Production Recommendation Go-To-Market Planning Rollout Recommendation Channel Recommendation Iterative Retainer Incubation Program 6–12 month cycles Strategy
 Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design
 Product Exploration Product Concepts Iterative Co-Creation Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Prototype(s) Iterative Co-Creation Validation Implementation Operations New Teams + Capabilities Go-To-Market Strategy Launch Vision + Roadmap Advisory Strategic
 Advisory Monthly or quarterly Two Things can engage as a strategic advisor to leaders and/or leadership teams such as BoD or Steering Committee. In this capacity Two Things provides strategic expertise on a focused set of innovation topics over time. Two Things can guide implementation and optimization of growth strategies to leaders tasked with driving innovation. Sample Advisory engagements include: Innovation Strategies Team Evaluations and Recommendations Organizational Design Curation of Vendor Rosters Performance Benchmarking Audits and Analysis Looking to partner with us? start a conversation → Opportunity Assessment Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories 3. External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) 2. Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses Brand + Product Research 1. 1 month Innovation Roadmap Strategic Discovery Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. I. Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations III. Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations II. Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs 4–6 months Foundational Design Comprehensive Project Dedicated Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (assigned based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership team. I. III. II. Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Concept Development Creative Strategy Development Custom Retainer option for more complex assignments. Two Things will generally follow its process working systematically through: Timelines can be customized to clients needs and additional workload can be absorbed by dedicated team assigned to client’s business. Monthly Work-Plan Alignment with senior stakeholders to calibrate work to client's business. 6–12 Months Strategy + Creative Partnership Custom Retainer Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team 4+ Month Commitment Executional Advisory Advisory Formats Monthly or Quarterly Strategic Advisory

Two Things | The North Face | Vectiv | From brand strategy to go-to-market planning see how we oversaw the global launch of TNF’s first footwear platform. Client // The North Face: Vectiv Assignment: Brand Strategy · Brand Architecture & Systems · Digital Experience · Marketing Process · Toolkits and Process, Measurement and Analytics Using a critical product launch to create a community powered playbook For years, The North Face has led the charge of peak athleticism in the outdoors. The Challenge In September 2021, The North Face came to us with a high-stakes proposition: their first-ever premium footwear platform—Vectiv—was ready to launch, but the go-to-market strategy wasn’t. The world was in a shutdown due to the pandemic and TNF needed more than a product story. They needed a brand-defining launch that brought digital to the center, not the sidelines. The internal team had executional horsepower—from elite athletes breaking FKTs in prototype Vectiv shoes to global partners and a budding in-house creative team. But they lacked a unified idea, an integrated playbook, and leadership to coherently connect local markets, global teams, and digital experience into a single, powerful launch. The Insight The proof of performance was clear: elite athletes were shattering records in Vectiv prototypes. While the rest of the world was in lock-down we needed to share this feeling: the explosive, exponential feeling of pushing your limits-with a much wider audience. What We Did We developed a narrative platform: Go Further as with an experiential platform at its center. Further Together—a global, digital-first ecosystem partnership between The North Face and Strava that transformed a product drop into a community-led brand experience. Defined brand architecture, messaging, and campaign system Built a global digital experience Created a consistent global visual language Delivered channel-specific playbooks Designed workflows and processes Orchestrated global teams Documented to form a toolkit for future launches. The Result The launch didn’t just introduce a product—it introduced a new way for TNF to build community, tell stories, and activate digital at scale. Further Together turned the Vectiv launch into a global movement. 523K+ sign-ups in the first month alone 37MM+ miles recorded across the world 80% participation rate 57K+ Strava community growth within first month 136MM+ impressions 24% revenue growth vs the previous period for trail category US playbook exported globally Elite athletes regularly beat FKTs (fastest known times) on a variety of trails using prototypes proving the unique value of the product. Now that we had our wayfinding, the next hurdle was execution. With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging around the globe, how could we drive trial and buzz when all trail races, events, and outdoor gatherings were canceled? Enter Further Together. As a direct reflection to the campaign, our internal work flow emphasizes collaboration and building tools for TNF to use across all of their channels and countries. The collaborative concepts resulted in strong brand messaging, positioning toolkits, photography guidelines, motion graphics, and videography for TNF’s global marketing teams to leverage again and again.

Two Things | Novella | Private Equity investors asked for help in developing a modern footwear brand and we responded by building the company from the ground up. Client // Novella Assignment: Research & Insights · Brand Strategy · Global Advertising Campaign · Photography · Film · Messaging & Campaign Toolkit Designing a footwear business from the ground up Sneakers are a 100 billion dollar market worldwide. In recent years, there has been a tidal wave of Instagram DTC starts trying to tap into this burgeoning market. For most, the story has been exactly the same: high craftsmanship at a lower price. Beautiful but boring. The Challenge The sneaker industry is a $100B global market—and in recent years it has been flooded with DTC upstarts following the same playbook: premium materials, minimalist design, heritage-inspired craftsmanship, all delivered at a slightly better price. Beautiful, yes. But indistinguishable. The category had become saturated with brands that looked different but behaved the same. There was no emotional differentiation. No narrative. No reason to believe beyond the product itself. We saw an opportunity to build a brand that didn’t just enter the market—but reimagined how a sneaker company could connect with people. In recent years, there has been a tidal wave of Instagram DTC starts trying to tap into this burgeoning market. For most, the story has been exactly the same: high craftsmanship at a lower price. Beautiful but boring. Most of the energy in the market today comes from big, iconic sneaker brands doing limited edition drops and generic collaborations with other established brands or artists. It’s an approach badly in need of a refresh. The Insight Every sneaker brand was selling the shoe. None were selling the story. But consumers—especially creators, makers, and cultural tastemakers—crave brands with depth, meaning, and a point of view. We identified a simple but powerful truth: there is a limitless appetite for human stories of craft, purpose, and creativity. What if a sneaker weren’t the end of the story, but the medium for telling it? See more at novella2020.com Novella was born in the depths of the pandemic. Amidst the darkness, we tried to find light. Not just through the creation of our shoes. But through the stories of these uncommon artisans. And all the joy and inspiration they were putting out into the world. At a time when we needed it most. What We Did Investors with a vision asked Two Things to build what became Novella from the ground up. 1. Defined the Brand Strategy & Architecture We positioned Novella around a radical concept: each drop would be a collaboration with an extraordinary creator—barbers, poets, textile artists, comedians—and each sneaker would visually express their story. No celebrity hype. No trend-chasing. Just authentic creators whose craft brings joy. 2. Developed the Footwear Platform Organized the product team - from footwear designers, to product developers, the manufacturing partners and the systems and processes to stitch all of this together. We also designed the systems to identify the creators that would inspire each of the shoes and worked with them to put their fingerprints (literally) on the designs. 3. Built the Go To Market Strategy and Toolkit Global photography and film systems Messaging structure and storytelling framework A scalable drop architecture (“Chapters” and “Verses”) Guidelines enabling every future release to feel distinct yet unmistakably Novella 4. Designed the Launch & Brand Experience We crafted Novella’s inaugural introduction as both a brand launch and a proof of concept. Each limited edition release (2,020 pairs per story) was individually numbered—turning every pair into a collectible artifact of human creativity. RESULTS RESULTS Novella entered the market not as another DTC sneaker brand, but as a creator-driven storytelling platform. The brand differentiated itself in one of the world’s most crowded categories by offering something no one else was offering: a sneaker brand with a soul. Novella didn’t just launch a sneaker. It launched a new way of thinking about the relationship between creativity, craft, and footwear. The impact is clear: A completely original footwear brand and business model brought to life A narrative-led product architecture now used across releases A creative foundation that established Novella as a distinct, premium, culturally resonant entrant in a saturated space Novella entered the market not as another DTC sneaker brand, but as a creator-driven storytelling platform. The brand differentiated itself in one of the world’s most crowded categories by offering something no one else was offering: a sneaker brand with a soul. Novella didn’t just launch a sneaker. It launched a new way of thinking about the relationship between creativity, craft, and footwear. The impact is clear: A completely original footwear brand and business model brought to life A narrative-led product architecture now used across releases A creative foundation that established Novella as a distinct, premium, culturally resonant entrant in a saturated space

Two Things | Pernod Ricard Evolving How a Spirits Brand Goes to Market Client // Pernod Ricard New Brand Ventures, Plymouth Gin Assignment: Innovation Strategy · Experience Design · Digital Experience · Innovation Program Development · Prototyping & App Design The Challenge Pernod Ricard manages a vast portfolio of beloved spirits brands—but faces a fundamental industry constraint: alcohol cannot be sold direct-to-consumer, therefore brands don’t own the customer relationship. In this environment, marketing has historically meant one thing: traditional brand advertising, with limited avenues for deeper engagement. The New Brand Ventures team came to us with a pivotal question: How can these brands create direct, meaningful consumer connections in a space where DTC is off the table? The re-launch of Plymouth Gin, a 300-year-old heritage brand, raised the stakes even further. This wasn’t just about new tactics—it was about redefining what consumer engagement could look like for an entire category. The Insight Consumers were increasingly eager to explore, learn, and connect—especially in premium spirits. In 2019, curiosity around the category was rising and heritage brands were gaining traction. Through consumer research we uncovered an opportunity hiding in plain sight: Even without DTC, people crave authentic moments of connection—with brands, with stories, and with each other. For Plymouth Gin specifically, relevance wasn’t the problem, access was. The brand needed modern pathways for people to participate in its world—without violating regulatory constraints. What We Did Two Things partnered with New Brand Ventures to build an innovation program that balanced experimentation with business rigor. We developed a series of test-and-learn initiatives designed to rapidly validate new approaches to consumer engagement across the spirits portfolio. We identified cultural territories where Plymouth could authentically show up: Spaces where consumers naturally gather to share stories, discover new experiences, and connect with like-minded people. We created and prototyped concepts ready for market: From lightweight digital touchpoints to more immersive AR and VR experiences—each designed to foster participation, not just passive awareness. We built a measurement framework to compare ROI: A standardized model that tracked how these experiments performed relative to traditional marketing, enabling NBV to evaluate impact with clarity. What emerged surprised even the internal team: Two SMS-based games dramatically outperformed more complex initiatives, driving not just list growth but genuine human connection—through shared experiences, storytelling, and real-world interaction. Across the program, emerging technology was harnessed not as novelty, but as a way to deepen consumer value and expand what engagement can look like in a regulated category. The Result The work reframed how Pernod Ricard’s teams think about consumer connection—proving that meaningful engagement is possible even without DTC. Key outcomes included: A repeatable test-and-learn model for modern consumer engagement Validated concepts that outperformed traditional marketing benchmarks A measurement system enabling cross-initiative comparison and portfolio learning Clear demonstration that lightweight, human-centered experiences can drive disproportionate impact This work laid the foundation for a more modern, participatory relationship with consumers across the Pernod Ricard portfolio.

Two Things | Novella | Private Equity investors asked for help in developing a modern footwear brand and we responded by building the company from the ground up. Client // Novella Assignment: Research & Insights · Brand Strategy · Global Advertising Campaign · Photography · Film · Messaging & Campaign Toolkit Designing a footwear business from the ground up Sneakers are a 100 billion dollar market worldwide. In recent years, there has been a tidal wave of Instagram DTC starts trying to tap into this burgeoning market. For most, the story has been exactly the same: high craftsmanship at a lower price. Beautiful but boring. The Challenge The sneaker industry is a $100B global market—and in recent years it has been flooded with DTC upstarts following the same playbook: premium materials, minimalist design, heritage-inspired craftsmanship, all delivered at a slightly better price. Beautiful, yes. But indistinguishable. The category had become saturated with brands that looked different but behaved the same. There was no emotional differentiation. No narrative. No reason to believe beyond the product itself. We saw an opportunity to build a brand that didn’t just enter the market—but reimagined how a sneaker company could connect with people. In recent years, there has been a tidal wave of Instagram DTC starts trying to tap into this burgeoning market. For most, the story has been exactly the same: high craftsmanship at a lower price. Beautiful but boring. Most of the energy in the market today comes from big, iconic sneaker brands doing limited edition drops and generic collaborations with other established brands or artists. It’s an approach badly in need of a refresh. The Insight Every sneaker brand was selling the shoe. None were selling the story. But consumers—especially creators, makers, and cultural tastemakers—crave brands with depth, meaning, and a point of view. We identified a simple but powerful truth: there is a limitless appetite for human stories of craft, purpose, and creativity. What if a sneaker weren’t the end of the story, but the medium for telling it? Novella was born in the depths of the pandemic. Amidst the darkness, we tried to find light. Not just through the creation of our shoes. But through the stories of these uncommon artisans. And all the joy and inspiration they were putting out into the world. At a time when we needed it most. What We Did Investors with a vision asked Two Things to build what became Novella from the ground up. 1. Defined the Brand Strategy & Architecture We positioned Novella around a radical concept: each drop would be a collaboration with an extraordinary creator—barbers, poets, textile artists, comedians—and each sneaker would visually express their story. No celebrity hype. No trend-chasing. Just authentic creators whose craft brings joy. 2. Developed the Footwear Platform Organized the product team - from footwear designers, to product developers, the manufacturing partners and the systems and processes to stitch all of this together. We also designed the systems to identify the creators that would inspire each of the shoes and worked with them to put their fingerprints (literally) on the designs. 3. Built the Go To Market Strategy and Toolkit Global photography and film systems Messaging structure and storytelling framework A scalable drop architecture (“Chapters” and “Verses”) Guidelines enabling every future release to feel distinct yet unmistakably Novella 4. Designed the Launch & Brand Experience We crafted Novella’s inaugural introduction as both a brand launch and a proof of concept. Each limited edition release (2,020 pairs per story) was individually numbered—turning every pair into a collectible artifact of human creativity. The Result Novella entered the market not as another DTC sneaker brand, but as a creator-driven storytelling platform. The brand differentiated itself in one of the world’s most crowded categories by offering something no one else was offering: a sneaker brand with a soul. Novella didn’t just launch a sneaker. It launched a new way of thinking about the relationship between creativity, craft, and footwear. The impact is clear: A completely original footwear brand and business model brought to life A narrative-led product architecture now used across releases A creative foundation that established Novella as a distinct, premium, culturally resonant entrant in a saturated space See more at novella2020.com

Two Things | Work | Our current client work is confidential; but we are able to share case studies of completed projects. Check back for more in the near future. Arc'Teryx The North Face: Discover Your Trail Novella Visit Sun Valley: Stay Sunny The North Face: Vectiv Plenty Timberland: Coming Soon

Two Things | Arc’teryx | No Wasted Days | Guiding the Arc’teryx strategy, investment and operations for their first global, integrated marketing effort. Client // Arc'Teryx Assignment: Brand Strategy · GTM Strategy · Global Campaign · Marketing Systems · Campaign Architecture · Budgeting · Insights & Measurement Fuel to power the brand over $1B and beyond The North Face is legend in the outdoor adventure space. These true stories of Next Gen trail lovers is only the beginning. In the months to come, we'll be exploring activations that actually help people discover their trail. In the meantime, thanks for listening and see you out there. But the approach they pioneered—sponsoring the exploits of extreme outdoor athletes—is no longer as ownable or relevant as it once was. What they need today, is a new chapter in their story. One that is true to their adventurous spirit. But can speak to a broader, wider, more diverse audience. The Challenge In 2022, Arc’teryx was preparing to launch its footwear category—a pivotal moment for any outdoor brand. Despite elite products and a devoted fan base, the brand remained niche. Premium pricing was justified by performance, but not widely understood. The internal marketing team, built around product storytelling, needed a new playbook to grow globally without losing credibility with the insiders who made Arc’teryx iconic. The Insight Consumers didn’t see the difference—“Gore-Tex is Gore-Tex, right?”—revealing a gap between technical superiority and perceived value. We uncovered a deeper truth fueling the brand’s most passionate users: Arc’teryx isn’t just gear. It’s a belief in living with no wasted days. This emotional platform unlocked a broader audience while strengthening the brand’s core. RESULTS What We Did Two Things partnered across strategy, creative, and organizational design to build Arc’teryx’s first global brand and marketing engine. Developed a global brand platform and positioning Built the campaign architecture, messaging system, and channel strategy Designed membership experiences to be realized through app ecosystem and physical stores Designed measurement and analytics frameworks and KPI’s Delivered budgeting strategy and production planning Advised on marketing organization structure and onboarded new hires as the team scaled The work established not just a campaign, but a repeatable, scalable marketing system for ongoing global growth. RESULTS RESULTS No Wasted Days launched in October 2023 and reintroduced Arc’teryx to the world with a message that was both expansive and deeply authentic. Reintroduced Arc’teryx to the world with No Wasted Days (Oct 2023), delivering a message that was expansive, culturally resonant, and unmistakably authentic. Fueled historic growth, helping propel the brand from $941.2M at launch past $1B for the first time , and on to $1.2B+ by the end of 2024. Built the engine for scale, establishing the strategic and operational foundation that continues to power Arc’teryx’s global marketing today. No Wasted Days launched in October 2023 and reintroduced Arc’teryx to the world with a message that was both expansive and deeply authentic. Reintroduced Arc’teryx to the world with No Wasted Days (Oct 2023), delivering a message that was expansive, culturally resonant, and unmistakably authentic. Fueled historic growth, helping propel the brand from $941.2M at launch past $1B for the first time , and on to $1.2B+ by the end of 2024. Built the engine for scale, establishing the strategic and operational foundation that continues to power Arc’teryx’s global marketing today.

Two Things | Pernod Ricard Evolving How a Spirits Brand Goes to Market Client // Pernod Ricard New Brand Ventures, Plymouth Gin Assignment: Innovation Strategy · Experience Design · Digital Experience · Innovation Program Development · Prototyping & App Design The Challenge Pernod Ricard manages a vast portfolio of beloved spirits brands—but faces a fundamental industry constraint: alcohol cannot be sold direct-to-consumer, therefore brands don’t own the customer relationship. In this environment, marketing has historically meant one thing: traditional brand advertising, with limited avenues for deeper engagement. The New Brand Ventures team came to us with a pivotal question: How can these brands create direct, meaningful consumer connections in a space where DTC is off the table? The re-launch of Plymouth Gin, a 300-year-old heritage brand, raised the stakes even further. This wasn’t just about new tactics—it was about redefining what consumer engagement could look like for an entire category. The Insight Consumers were increasingly eager to explore, learn, and connect—especially in premium spirits. In 2019, curiosity around the category was rising and heritage brands were gaining traction. Through consumer research we uncovered an opportunity hiding in plain sight: Even without DTC, people crave authentic moments of connection—with brands, with stories, and with each other. For Plymouth Gin specifically, relevance wasn’t the problem, access was. The brand needed modern pathways for people to participate in its world—without violating regulatory constraints. What We Did Two Things partnered with New Brand Ventures to build an innovation program that balanced experimentation with business rigor. We developed a series of test-and-learn initiatives designed to rapidly validate new approaches to consumer engagement across the spirits portfolio. We identified cultural territories where Plymouth could authentically show up: Spaces where consumers naturally gather to share stories, discover new experiences, and connect with like-minded people. We created and prototyped concepts ready for market: From lightweight digital touchpoints to more immersive AR and VR experiences—each designed to foster participation, not just passive awareness. We built a measurement framework to compare ROI: A standardized model that tracked how these experiments performed relative to traditional marketing, enabling NBV to evaluate impact with clarity. What emerged surprised even the internal team: Two SMS-based games dramatically outperformed more complex initiatives, driving not just list growth but genuine human connection—through shared experiences, storytelling, and real-world interaction. Across the program, emerging technology was harnessed not as novelty, but as a way to deepen consumer value and expand what engagement can look like in a regulated category. RESULTS RESULTS The work reframed how Pernod Ricard’s teams think about consumer connection—proving that meaningful engagement is possible even without DTC. Key outcomes included: 523K+ sign-ups in the first month alone 80% participation rate 136MM+ impressions 24% revenue growth vs the previous period for trail category The work reframed how Pernod Ricard’s teams think about consumer connection—proving that meaningful engagement is possible even without DTC. Key outcomes included: A repeatable test-and-learn model for modern consumer engagement Validated concepts that outperformed traditional marketing benchmarks A measurement system enabling cross-initiative comparison and portfolio learning Clear demonstration that lightweight, human-centered experiences can drive disproportionate impact

Two Things | About Us | Understand the principles that drive our work. What it’s like to work with us What it’s like to work with us Five We make ourselves obsolete. We're in the evolution business, not the maintenance business. Our job is to set the conditions for success, strengthen your team through lived experience, and then hand your team the baton to the future. One We use creativity as a growth engine. We bring creativity back upstream —where it belongs—as a catalyst for change. It’s how we create strategy with soul, and products that feel both inevitable and new. What it’s like to work with us Foundational Creative Strategy Strategy Sprint 4 Weeks Opportunity Mapping Deliverable: Brand Audit, Product/Category/Cultural Research Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. I. Insights + Creative Territories Deliverable: Presentation with findings and recommendations Creative Territory Refinement Deliverable: Revisions to Creative Territories based on feedback, Design Challenge Briefs to guide work, Recommended path forward II. III. Creative Strategy, Concepts + Rollout Comprehensive Project 12–14 Weeks Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations III. II. I. Strategy + Creative Partnership Custom Retainer 6–12 Months Opportunity Mapping Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Insights + Creative Territories Creative Territory Refinement III. II. I. Timelines can be customized to clients needs and additional workload can be absorbed by dedicated team assigned to client’s business. Monthly Work-Plan Alignment with senior stakeholders to calibrate work to client's business. Custom Retainer option for more complex assignments. Two Things will generally follow its process working systematically through: Executional Advisory Strategy Sprint 4+ Month Commitment Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team Strategic Advisory Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Month-to-Month or Quarterly Ways we can work together Ways we can work together Strategic Discovery Innovation Roadmap 1 month Strategy
 Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses
 Brand + Product Research (existing) External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) Opportunity Assessment
 Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories Comprehensive Project Foundational Design 4–6 months Strategy Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design Product Exploration Product Concepts Product Prototyping Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Implementation Operations Organizational Design Recommendation Production Recommendation Go-To-Market Planning Rollout Strategy Channel Strategy Iterative Retainer Incubation Program 6–12 month cycles Strategy
 Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design
 Product Exploration Product Concepts Iterative Co-Creation Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Prototype(s) Iterative Co-Creation Validation Implementation Operations New Teams + Capabilities Go-To-Market Strategy Launch Vision + Roadmap Advisory Strategic Advisory Monthly or quarterly Two Things can engage as a strategic advisor to leaders and/or leadership teams such as BoD or Steering Committee. In this capacity Two Things provides strategic expertise on a focused set of innovation topics over time. Two Things can guide implementation and optimization of growth strategies to leaders tasked with driving innovation. Sample Advisory engagements include: Innovation Strategies Team Evaluations and Recommendations Organizational Design Curation of Vendor Rosters Performance Benchmarking Audits and Analysis Ways we can work together Strategic Discovery Innovation Roadmap 1 month Strategy
 Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses
 Brand + Product Research (existing) External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) Opportunity Assessment
 Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories Comprehensive Project Foundational Design 4–6 months Strategy Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design Product Exploration Product Concepts Product Prototyping Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Implementation Operations Organizational Design Recommendation Production Recommendation Go-To-Market Planning Rollout Strategy Channel Strategy Iterative Retainer Incubation Program 6–12 month cycles Strategy
 Research Culture + Category + Product Findings + Indications Design Strategy Opportunity Thesis Design Territories Design Challenge Briefs Design
 Product Exploration Product Concepts Iterative Co-Creation Product Design Product Vision + Roadmap Prototype(s) Iterative Co-Creation Validation Implementation Operations New Teams + Capabilities Go-To-Market Strategy Launch Vision + Roadmap Advisory Strategic
 Advisory Monthly or quarterly Two Things can engage as a strategic advisor to leaders and/or leadership teams such as BoD or Steering Committee. In this capacity Two Things provides strategic expertise on a focused set of innovation topics over time. Two Things can guide implementation and optimization of growth strategies to leaders tasked with driving innovation. Sample Advisory engagements include: Innovation Strategies Team Evaluations and Recommendations Organizational Design Curation of Vendor Rosters Performance Benchmarking Audits and Analysis Looking to partner with us? start a conversation → Opportunity Assessment Findings + Indications Opportunity Thesis Opportunity Territories 3. External Audit Category Research (secondary) Culture Research (secondary) 2. Internal Audit Ambitions + Hypotheses Brand + Product Research 1. 1 month Innovation Roadmap Strategic Discovery Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. I. Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations III. Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations II. Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs 4–6 months Foundational Design Comprehensive Project Dedicated Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (assigned based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership team. I. III. II. Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Concept Development Creative Strategy Development Custom Retainer option for more complex assignments. Two Things will generally follow its process working systematically through: Timelines can be customized to clients needs and additional workload can be absorbed by dedicated team assigned to client’s business. Monthly Work-Plan Alignment with senior stakeholders to calibrate work to client's business. 6–12 Months Strategy + Creative Partnership Custom Retainer Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team 4+ Month Commitment Executional Advisory Advisory Formats Monthly or Quarterly Strategic Advisory Advisory Formats Executional Advisory Two Things can oversee execution of the work if needed from guidance to establishing long-term plan. Includes: Production Oversight Strategy +Creative Consistency Budget Management Strategy Implementation Measurement + Research Methodology Analysis and Recommendations Future Proofing Identifying long-term partners Training and Handoff to client team Strategic Advisory Two things can engage as a strategic advisor to the board and/or leadership team on long-term strategy evolution. Includes: Performance Benchmarking Analysis and Recommendations Guidance on Org Design and/or AgencyRoster Customized options available Custom Retainer Strategy + Creative Partnership 6–12 Months ↗ Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs ↗ Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations ↗ Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Strategy Sprint Foundational Creative Strategy 4 Weeks ↗ Opportunity Mapping Deliverable: Brand Audit, Product/Category/Cultural Research ↗ Insights + Creative Territories Deliverable: Presentation with findings and recommendations ↗ Creative Territory Refinement Deliverable: Revisions to Creative Territories based on feedback, Design Challenge Briefs to guide work, Recommended path forward Core Team: Brand Strategist, Design Lead and Creative Director with support from Producer and Studio Design Team. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Comprehensive Project Creative Strategy, Concepts + Rollout 12–14 Weeks ↗ Creative Strategy Development Deliverable: Brand Audit, Research + Insights Presentation, Creative Territory Presentation 1 + 2 (if needed), Design Challenge Briefs ↗ Concept Development Deliverable: Two Rounds of Creative Development, Brand and Product Marketing Concepts combined, Concepts fleshed out to match production considerations ↗ Comms Strategy and Pre-Production Deliverable: GTM Rollout Calendar, Production Recommendations and Budgets, Recommended Channel Prioritization and Measurement Recommendations Core Team: Strategy Lead, Design Lead, Brand Manager/Producer. Creative Concept Teams (selected based on brief). Studio Design Team: Graphic Design, Part-time Researcher. Creative and Strategy oversight by Leadership Team. Two We collide perspectives to create new ones. We work at the powerful intersection of strategy and design, business and brand, internal knowledge and external perspective. This is where insights collide, disciplines blend, and new possibilities emerge. Three We hunt for the roadblocks. Organizations don’t set out to hinder progress, but culture, structure, and process often do. We surface the obstacles unique to each company early and design around them—so bold opportunities launch in market, not die in decks. Four We build from the inside out. We roll up our sleeves to build alongside you—operating like an early-stage strike team to prototype, pressure-test, and launch new products.

X? Twitter? The debate rages on. So what does this have to do with brand value and creative strategy? Find out how marketers can use X as a cautionary tale. Brand X's and O's By Paulo Ribeiro X marks the unforced error. And, what can we learn from it? What the hell does this have to do with the Active Lifestyle Business? Nothing. And everything. This spectacular implosion has everyone talking about ‘Brand’ and this gives us an opportunity to break down what a powerful brand is (and isn’t). From Linda Yaccarino, CEO of Twitter (really?!? Does anyone believe Elon’s ceded control of anything?): [Tweet from Linda Yaccarino] Um, ok…. First, let’s establish what we mean when we are talking about ‘brand’ An intentionally strategic focus that guides the services, experiences and messages from a company. The purpose of that strategic focus is to form an emotional connection in a consumer’s mind of what the brand’s values are. People align with brands that share their values. That emotional connection delivers real monetary value to the company. Actions speak louder than words (or images, no matter how well designed) Exhibit A: Many Nike sneakers and smaller brands are made in the same factories using the same materials with often very similar form factors. When the Nike sneaker is sold for $175 and a comparable Saucony sneaker (made in the same factory) goes for $105, that $70 difference is the real value of the Nike brand. The thing that makes the boneheaded Twitter to X shift so damn fascinating is that it was made by an absolutely legendary brand innovator: Elon Musk. Exhibit B: Every single move by brand Tesla, particularly in the early days, served as a master class in how to build a focused brand through consistent ACTIONS instead of through say advertising impression for example. Instead of car lots, Tesla’s were hyped in small ~1,000 sq foot footprints in malls. Forget test driving, many could barely hold a single car you could sit in. This yielded the amazing benefits of saving money on real estate and showing up in a completely differentiated way from the competition. Customers used iPad screens where they virtually designed their car, or signed up for a waitlist. Potential customers logging in from home had all the same tools and soon learned they didn’t even have to go to the mall. The waitlist highlighted scarcity (which is Luxury’s playbook to increase margins). They gave everyone on the waitlist sneak peaks and special content—allowing customers to feel special. And we all heard about it. The waitlist spawned rabid, vocal fans who snowballed the company’s marketing through word of mouth. They were not just buying a car, they bought into a movement. Elon as Founder leaned into even more audacious pursuits like designing the HyperLoop to ferry people between SF and LA in minutes and then gave away the plans (hello, PR mentions). He built a real rocket company, SpaceX, which generates endless PR, this in turn delivers credibility back to Tesla. The Tesla brand now has permission to enter into a range of businesses including some very expensive and technically complex ones such as home and corporate energy storage. All of this because of a singular brand focus: delivering the future of transportation. I could write for a month and not be able to adequately convey how good the bird logo is and how bad the X is. Full disclosure, I’m biased. My friend and former collaborator Martin Grasser Designed it. And Jack Dorsey co-signed with this. Agreed. Exhibit C: Twitter is a communication platform. A tweet is (was?) a short burst of information first 140 characters and over time added a bit of imagery and/or video. But always short, focused, timely communication flying around the internet. With this it's easy to see how that focused brand position provides permission to grow into sharing other types of timely information…or connections…or moving money. All of this focus was encapsulated in that elegant blue bird. Prof G estimates the current value being thrown away to be in the range of $10B (or more). Conversely, what is X? Well, it's everything they say. Right but what is it for? Everything. Ok, cool. When I need everything I’ll make sure to use that. For the next decade or so though, I’ll use products that have PROVEN their focus and expertise to me over time. I’ll make decisions faster where I don’t have to think too hard about their values or what they do well. In the outdoor arena brand identities (name, logo, etc…) like Patagonia and The North Face were intuitively appropriate (good enough for those demanding environments) AND over time they were imbued with meaning and carried that value. Dave Lane has a nice backstory about why the Dead Bird became arc’teryx’s logo. But he’ll be the first to say that they initially chose it as a logo because it was unlike anything in the market. But now… Well the dead bird is completely imbued with the credibility of intensely tested products with high design. Nike was an academic choice (and a bit obscure) choice when it came out, but it is now imbued with decades of performance and empowerment proof. Whereas, On Running’s proof of cushioning as good as running on air is more recent. In all cases these brands have value PRIMARILY because of the actions taken by the companies to prove their credibility in a focused way. And now, well let’s just say none of those organizations are dumb enough to throw that value away. A brand can launch with the advantage of a thoughtfully designed and wordsmithed brand identity and/or campaign (like the blue bird was for Twitter). But regardless of whether a brand got a headstart or not, the real value is created over time by consistency of actions. Brand equity is built and proven by a focused brand strategy. Recently, there hasn’t been any focus from the brand formerly known as Twitter. This will be fun to watch because if we all learn from mistakes, then we stand to learn quite a lot from a dumpster full of them. back to insights → [Retweet from Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square]