How Packaging Tells a Story For Your Brand

The Complete Breakdown of the Types of Digital Marketing

The importance of packaging

If you’re running a business, you can no doubt agree that packaging is a crucial element as it is the first impression your customers will have for your product. From the graphics to the colours used, each detail on your packaging will convey a specific message to potential customers. So: what story do you want your product to tell?

As a consumer yourself, I’m sure you can understand how effective good packaging design can be in attracting potential customers to buying your product. Just like how you feel drawn to a product with a beautiful design, your customers will too. “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” they say, but that’s not how it really works, does it?

Dying for the things we love | New Internationalist
Everything is vying for our attention. (Source: New Internationalist)

Advertisements and products on every shelf continuously bombard us. It may be hard to stand out amongst the numerous other products vying for attention. But with unique and strategic packaging, your product can still catch the eye of potential customers and speak for itself. As the packaging is the first thing your customers will come into contact with, it is crucial to capitalise on that opportunity to use a great design as a form of advertisement. Let’s demonstrate how influential an outstanding packaging can be for a product.

Packaging done right

Bee Cheng Hiang christmas paper bag
Orient Design’s idea for Bee Cheng Hiang’s carrier packaging. (Source: Orient Design)

Bee Cheng Hiang’s Christmas bag design was such an iconic one as it brought not only visuals but also incorporated the sound aspect to the bags. The Christmas bells were added to the bags as a pop up that moved when customers were carrying it around. Not only that, but the faint sound of tinkling bells could be heard. Indeed, this packaging by Orient Design didn’t just spark joy in customers but acted as a subtle yet smart way to advertise the product sold.

OCBC
Even if you offer a service, you can still engage in packaging by sending corporate gifts. (Source: Paper Carpenter)

OCBC’s Christmas gift box is another example of how good packaging can be a fun way to advertise your brand. Although OCBC does not offer a product, but rather a service, they were smart enough to use corporate gifts as a way to promote their brand — and were even aware of how a good packaging can make a strong statement to their customers! This cardboard gift box may have been out of the ordinary, particularly with the material used, but that’s what made it stand out from the rest. Paper Carpenter knew how using cardboard would make their designs distinct, and capitalised on that to think of packaging designs that are out-of-the-box (pun intended).

Dester’s crisp and refreshing packaging – perfect for their brand. (Source: Creativeans)

Local beer brand Dester approached well-known design company Creativeans to come up with a clean and contemporary design to attract the young and affluent crowd. The juxtaposition of Dester’s classic blue and the material colour brings about just the right amount of visual contrast to leaving a striking impression. Indeed, the sleek design is bound to capture the attention of its intended audience, which allows Dester to stand out from its other competitors in the market.

Design is such an essential element in marketing that businesses cannot overlook it. Hence, it is necessary to find the right design company that understands your needs and can create beautiful packaging that suits not only your product but emphasises on your business’s voice as well.

Our unlimited packaging design allows our clients to adjust their packaging as much as they need, as we understand the importance of expressing their purpose. After all, the most important thing a company can do for their business is to brand themselves, with a story; a concept. This is where packaging plays a part in creating your business’s narrative. Check out our portfolio for a brief taste of what’s to come.

With our unlimited design package at MIU, we are committed to inventing and reinventing our designs until we find one that truly expresses your purpose and articulates your story to your customers. Under this package, you can request as many designs as you prefer — and we will always deliver. Furthermore, we operate on a flat cost, so you get as many unlimited designs as you want for the same rate every month. Sounds too good to be true? Click through and you will find out!

3 Digital Marketing Companies in Singapore that Stand Out

3 Digital Marketing Companies in Singapore that Stand Out

3 digital marketing companies in Singapore that stand out

Digital marketing has been on the rise in the past couple of years and has become a necessity for brands, particularly in Singapore. With Singapore having the highest digital penetration rate in Southeast Asia, it is easy to see why. As we enter this digital era, the way we consume and process information has changed along with the way we shop. It is therefore important for brands to adjust the way they market themselves, too. 

With so many digital marketing agencies out there, it can be hard to decide which one you should work with. For an agency to stand out amongst the millions out there, they have to be doing something right. Here are three digital marketing companies in Singapore that have proven their value.

Top 100 Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore

Moonshot Digital is a company that understands just how important digital marketing is to a business. As such, they have branded themselves not just as any marketing agency, but as one that caters to luxury brands. With a firm understanding of the target audience, Moonshot Digital has worked with brands like Givenchy, Kohler and Esquire to appeal to the affluent consumers in Asia.

Amber Creative | Digital Marketing Agency | Web & App Design Singapore

Amber Creative is a digital marketing company in Singapore that particularly specialises in web development and web design, as well as PPC advertising. Their website itself speaks for their expertise, but if you are still not convinced of the work they do, just look at their case studies where they have helped many clients in their digital marketing needs.

MIU - A Creative Agency for All Things Digital | express purpose …

MIU LLP may seem like any other digital marketing company at first glance, but their strengths lie in their many digital marketing packages that clients can choose from. With each package being catered specifically depending on the needs of their clients, MIU LLP promises a meticulous digital marketing plan for each of them. Not only that, but they believe in keeping the communication going even after the campaign has ended. After all, analysing the outcome is just as important as the process itself — this will help to refine the campaign for better results.

How to decide on which digital marketing company to work with

It may be all and well for us to tell you which digital marketing agency in Singapore is worth your time, but ultimately,  you know your business best. To find an agency that suits your needs, you have to determine what exactly you are looking for in one. After all,  it has become increasingly common for businesses to adopt different digital marketing strategies at the same time. Having one agency to handle them all makes the process much easier. Not only will they already know your likes and preferences, but they most likely already have a prior understanding of your customers.

For a digital marketing agency to perform to the best of their abilities, they need to have an understanding of the types of digital marketing that exists. This allows them to guide their clients along on their marketing strategies, no matter what area they are looking for help in.

However, being the top digital marketing agency is not as simple as that. To assist you in deciding what makes a digital marketing agency the best, we have compiled some traits that each agency needs to have.

Digital Literacy
You want an agency that knows what it’s doing. (Source: University of Miami)

Digital Expertise. Of course, this goes without saying. A digital marketing agency without digital expertise is just ironic. But how can we measure something as intangible as expertise? One way is by gauging how strong the agency’s online presence is. Does the agency have a great website that is consistently being updated? Do its social media platforms stay relevant to current news and topics? More importantly, look at the track record of the digital marketing agency in question. Have they been able to generate leads and sales for their clients in the digital space? This will give you all you need to know about the agency’s proficiency.

Data-driven. Regardless of the strategy that you or the agency might implement, it is extremely important to be able to measure the data generated. Analytics is everything in digital marketing, and you should focus on the return on investment (ROI) you get. You are running a business after all. Make sure the agency that you choose is upfront about their statistics.

5 Ways You Can Build a Customer-Focused Company as a CEO
A satisfied customer is the best strategy of all. (Source: SpotOn)

Customer-driven. It is important for an agency to know what their client wants, but it is even more important for them to know what the customers of their clients want. Knowledge of customers will ultimately be what produces results – because if your customers are satisfied, you will be too.

Communication and transparency. We cannot stress this enough. Good interpersonal communication drives the team to work efficiently. Good intrapersonal communication allows the team to work effectively. The point is, if they are clear on what you want, it will translate onto their work. This is where transparency is also important – successful agencies will ultimately focus on the long-term growth and revenue of their clients, rather than misleading them with vague numbers and figures.

10 Moves To Unleash Creativity At Work For Better Output
Digital marketing is all about breaking through the clutter and capturing your audience’s attention. (Source: Vantage Circle)

Creativity. Just as you are unable to decide which agency to work with due to the millions of choices out there, an agency must be innovative in order to stand out. Rather than following trends, look for a digital marketing agency that sets the trends. When they can think out-of-the-box and push their limits, they will truly be able to ascend to the title of ‘Best Digital Marketing Agency’.

Still unsure of your choices?

Why not explore with us? Whether you are looking to launch your business into the online sphere or seeking to improve your online presence, digital marketing is a necessary step. You can start your digital marketing journey with our free consultation here – no commitments required. Let us enlighten you further and guide you on the best route to take for your company.

Shopee SG introduces Phua Chu Kang as new brand ambassador

Shopee SG introduces Phua Chu Kang as new brand ambassador

This year, Shopee Singapore is going for a hyper-localised approach with their 9.9 Super Shopping Day campaign. They have decided to prominently feature local icon Phua Chu Kang in their ad as their brand ambassador. Such a partnership hints at Shopee’s tremendous efforts to involve themselves in the local market.

Phua Chu Kang is a character from a local sitcom that features the life of an eccentric contractor in Singapore. Played by Gurmit Singh, he was greatly adored by the Singapore audience due to his comedic yet relatable persona.

Since the show aired, Phua Chu Kang has become a household name amongst many Singaporeans. His ability to engage Singaporeans of all ages aligns with Shopee’s vision of connecting with the locals. By choosing to have Phua Chu Kang as the face of their campaign, Shopee’s ad manages to significantly appeal to the local population. In addition, his over-the top personality and comedic nature make for a lighthearted and lively advertisement, which goes well with the whole vibe of the ad. They have even incorporated his classic catchphrase “Don’t play play” as part of the campaign!

“PCK has always been a celebrated local icon and at Shopee, it was particularly meaningful for us to appoint an ambassador that creates a sense of oneness amongst local communities,” said Shopee’s chief commercial officer Zhou Junjie.

This ad cleverly coincides with the recent release of “Best of Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd” on Netflix, which helps to garner more attention and generate buzz around Shopee’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day event. Indeed, the marketing team at Shopee has not left anything up to chance. The use of an extremely catchy tune further serves to drive the impact of the ad as it leaves a lasting impression in the viewers’ minds.

Overall, having Phua Chu Kang as their brand ambassador this year was definitely a smart move on Shopee’s part. With Phua Chu Kang spearheading Shopee’s advertising efforts for their 9.9 Super Shopping Day, this big sale event is bound to kick off without a hitch.

Illustrators in Singapore and their Impact on Visual Marketing

Illustrators in Singapore and their Impact on Visual Marketing

Our list of the top 7 illustrators in Singapore

Design has become an increasingly sought after field. Although there is still a small handful of designers in Singapore that have made their mark, we can be hopeful with the increasing number of locals gaining outstanding portfolios.

As a creative agency, we understand how important it is to have a great design — particularly when it comes to digital marketing. Answer this: how likely are you to remember an aesthetically visual ad compared to one that is just filled with text? This is where artists come in — they are the ones working round the clock to create illustrations that make lasting impressions in our minds. Here’s our list of illustrators in Singapore whose work has caught our eye.

1. Mrn.a

10 Questions with Marina A, The Artist Behind Some of Singapore's Coolest Album Artworks - City Nomads
Marina’s dreamlike designs, with her unique style flavouring this piece. (Source: CityNomads)

Inspired by astrophysics with a retro element, Marina A’s illustrations are distinct, to say the least. Her designs can be seen all around Singapore — in fact, she has worked with labels like Apple, Zouk, Esplanade and more. She has also helped design posters for local bands such as Disco Hue and Ffion. Indeed, her unique murals can be seen in art exhibitions all around the island.

2. Anngee Neo

Anngee - Girlsclub Asia
Neo’s illustrated commentary about pollution on earth today. (Source: Girlsclub Asia)

Anngee Neo has made a name for herself with the impressive amount of work that she’s done. Besides having her work commissioned on tote bags, plates and murals, she has also illustrated many children’s books, including one written by the late President S. R. Nathan, titled The Crane and The Crab. She has also won awards for several other books that she has illustrated.

3. Kristonautopilot

Kristal Melson — Illustrious World
Kristenautopilot’s vibrant piece with hints of Asian authenticity. (Source: Illustrious World)

Kristal Melson has a slew of well-known brands behind her name and work. Having collaborated with big brands like Uniqlo, Facebook, and even the Apple Store, this artist deserves to be given a second glance. Her works are experimental with still a tinge of local flavour added to it to truly make it distinct.

4. Esther Goh

Insights from the Inside Vol III — Esther Goh - Illustration & Art Direction
Goh’s quirky illustrations which leave memorable impressions on their audience. (Source: Esther Goh)

Known for her dreamy style with soft yet vibrant colours, Esther Goh’s artwork definitely turns heads. In fact, she has caught the eye of brands such as Maki-san, Tiger Street Lab, and even the Singapore Writers’ Festival, of which she has done collaterals for. So if you find her work familiar, don’t be surprised!

5. Mindflyer

Mindflyer - Uniqlo collection
Ng’s depiction of Singapore’s new normal in the current Covid-19 pandemic. (Source: AsiaOne)

Having been commissioned by luxury brand Coach, local artist Michael Ng is the only illustrator in Singapore that can say that he has produced a limited edition series for Coach. With bags, footwear, and tee shirts in the collection, his artwork is proudly hand-painted onto each of these limited edition pieces, where he came up with a feminine design of the Statue of Liberty. He has recently also worked with popular Japanese brand Uniqlo for an exclusive Singapore collaboration!

6. Speak Cryptic

Artist Speak Cryptic | Buro 24/7 Singapore
Fajari’s black-and-white style definitely lends some cryptic vibes to his art. (Source: Buro247)

Farizwan Fajari, who also goes by Speak Cryptic, is arguably one of the most prominent illustrators in Singapore. His works have been displayed in Singapore Art Museum, Gilman Barracks, The Substation, The Projector, and many other such creative places. Charming and alluring, these works are a subtle commentary on current affairs in Singapore as well as Fajari’s attempt at taking on the human condition. Indeed, he lives up to his cryptic moniker.

7. Oak & Bindi

2012—2017 - Oak & Bindi
Yang’s mural on Haji Lane with her signature handwritten fonts. (Source: Cargo Collective)

Lydia Yang, known artistically as Oak & Bindi, has gone beyond working with local brands. Instead, her works can be found in festivals all around the world — from Jakarta to New York, and of course, not to mention, in our sunny island Singapore as well. Lydia’s murals can be glimpsed in The Substation, Dover Street Market Singapore, and more.

If you’ve found any of these artworks familiar, it might go to show just how effective a memorable design can be. Visual aspects can hold a significant weight when it comes to making an impact on your audience — and that is what we at MIU strive to achieve. With our spectacular and immaculate designs, we hope to be able to convey powerful messages for brands and express their purpose. Our designs can be found under our work portfolio, where we curate unique designs for each of our clients and aim for excellence for all your digital marketing needs.

5 Reasons Why Rebranding Should Be Done By A Branding Agency

5 Reasons Why Rebranding Should Be Done By A Branding Agency

5 Reasons Why Rebranding Should Be Done By A Branding Agency

All business owners want their business to reach success, and take many steps to achieve these goals. Rebranding, which is not something uncommon for businesses, might be one such effort taken to further the company’s success. Businesses often need to rebrand because of  various reasons affecting the industry.

Rebranding is generally known as a process of marketing strategy which involves various changes such as switching up the business name, company logo, symbol, or any other visual assets with the purpose to create a new brand identity in the minds of targeted customers.

Yes, all business owners should aim to have a clear brand identity for the customers when working on the rebranding process.

There are various reasons why companies rebrand their business. Shifting attention to new targeted customers can lead a business owner to do rebranding. When you aim at an entirely new market, you should consider if the current aspect of your brand can be recognized. If you are trying to expand your business to the international market, but people on the other side of the world cannot remember your brand, you might have to refresh your brand identity.

Another reason that businesses seek to rebrand themselves could be a new business philosophy. When the company updates its vision and values, the current brand identity might need to keep up with the updated vision and values. To achieve that, you should consider starting a rebranding process because your present brand aspect might be outdated and no longer relevant. With the fresh and new brand in mind that is in tune with your company’s new vision and values, the purpose of your business can reach the customers.

If your company is in the process of merger or acquisition, you have to start the rebranding process as well. It is very important for the two brand identities not to collide with each other, and it also prevents confusion for the customers. A new brand identity can attract new customers who did not recognize your brand before. The company merger or acquisition may also bring new values and vision to your business. As mentioned earlier, rebranding your current brand identity to fit with your company’s new values and visions is a key reason for rebranding.

Then, when should you need to rebrand your business? The answer depends.

It is not recommended to start rebranding your business just because you or the board of directors are bored of the current brand identity. Or when your company is facing a crisis and threatens your business sustainability, rebranding should not be used as an escape plan. Besides not having a significant impact, these reasons can cause you to lose your current customers and not reach your newly targeted customers.

The rebranding process should work in in-depth research, step by step. If your internal team is not capable or you do not have enough resources in your company, but you still want to rebrand your business, you can hand the process over to a branding agency.

coca-cola-logo | cahproductions

Can you believe Coca-Cola’s logo used to be black and white?

Even Coca-Cola, a multinational company, went through rebranding with a global campaign as guided by a branding agency. In 2015, the company invited ten agency partners around the world to pitch ideas for the worldwide campaign. Then, they selected three WPP agencies to lead the Coca-Cola global marketing campaign. These agencies are Ogilvy & Mather New York, Madrid’s SRA Rushmore, and Buenos Aires-based Santo (Campaign, 2015).

Are you still in doubt about handing in the rebranding process to a branding company? There are plenty of reasons why the rebranding process would be better handed over to a branding company or branding agency.

1. Rebranding isn’t just about changing the logo.

Although visuals are a significant part of the rebranding, it is more than just that. There are essential parts of your company that need to be reestablished and redefined, such as the target audience and market, the company’s vision, and values. These need to be reassembled first before you move to your brand’s visual aspect. With the help from a branding company, your work for the rebranding process will be more accessible because the branding company will give you an insight point of view for each part of the rebranding process.

2. Rebranding is not an instant process.

Rebranding requires step by step processes and in-depth research, especially when reestablishing your market and target audience. Even if you may be finished with the rebrand and launched your new brand identity, it is important to have an evaluation process to see the impact of your business rebrand. For the research process, it is best to let the branding company handle it because they can give you much more insightful research conclusions. And also, a branding company can provide you with continuous support until you reach your rebranding goals.

3. Limited resources to do the work.

Your company may already have a Marketing or Brand Communication team, but sometimes when working on the rebranding process, that team is not enough to do the job. Besides the lengthy process and complexity, your internal team might have other important tasks to focus on. With help from a branding company to do the rebranding process, your team can direct their full attention to the business and these tasks. Instead, the internal team can act as the communication bridge between the business owners and the branding company, which will be useful in avoiding a communication gap.

4. Branding companies can give you a customer’s perspective.

A branding company is a stranger to your company but to business nor to the market. Most branding companies will do some research or brand audit and will then give you the customer’s perspective. It is advantageous to determine the goals of your business rebranding.

5. Branding company experiences

When the company rebrands for the first time, sometimes the internal team faces some confusion on where they should start. This confusion can affect the rebranding process and cause it not to go as planned. On the other hand, a branding company will help with your rebranding goals with specific methods. If you are still in doubt, you can check and research on the branding agency to see their work. A branding agency’s website usually will show their achievements and portfolio.

MIU is more than just a branding company. Based in Singapore, MIU is a digital creative agent who will help you in your branding or marketing needs. In terms of rebranding, MIU has worked with several businesses to reach their rebranding goals. Our work is not likened to any other branding company. You may type branding company Singapore, branding consultancy Singapore, or branding design company Singapore in the search bar and find multiple results.

But unlike any others in your search, MIU gives a different perspective when talking about branding and rebranding. We believe each brand has a story to tell, but sometimes they may have difficulties expressing it. Through our unlimited design package, MIU helps businesses who want to express their story through their brand reach more people via the on-target rebranding process.

A business will start its rebranding process, sooner or later, as times change and evolve. For the best result of the rebranding, help from a branding agency is not something you can reject. With specific methods and their experience, a branding agency can help your business rebrands reach your ultimate goals and tap into more customers. Now it is up to all of you as a business owner to determine: do you still want to do your business rebrand by yourself or trust a branding company with it? The choice is yours.

Building Brand Awareness With A Branding Consultant For Your Business

Building Brand Awareness With A Branding Consultant For Your

Building Brand Awareness With A Branding Consultant For Your Business

When you buy a particular item or use a particular service, have you ever realized that sometimes you mention the brand name instead of the name of the product or service? For instance, when people tell others to search for something on the internet, most likely people will say “Google it” instead of “use the search engine”. That is the result of brand awareness. The repeated consumption from customers caused them to become a brand loyalist and unconsciously, they start mentioning the brand name instead of the item name.

Brand awareness is a concept that represents a familiar feeling for a particular brand that the audience or consumers have, and how they will recognize the brand. The more popular a brand, the higher the brand awareness will be. For example, we are popular “Apple People” or “Apple Community”. It is not a group of people who likes to eat apples but rather, brand loyalists of the telecommunications company, Apple.

Sometimes, the familiar feeling can include all things related to the brand, and not just the brand name or brand logo. Even while the concept may be quite abstract, brand awareness is one of the essential elements for your business, especially when you work on the branding process. Brand awareness can create trust in consumers, and it can be obtained when these consumers have already bonded with your particular product.

Let Me Google That For You / LMGTFY | Know Your Meme

Let me Google that for you

Brand awareness also creates an association when people talk about specific actions. Like the example given, people mostly mention Google when asked to find something on the internet. On the other hand, brand awareness also grows a brand’s value, which is usually determined by the experience of your customers when using your product.

Brand awareness is the result of the brand recognition process. Although these two terms are often confused, they are not the same. While brand awareness is associated with the consumers’ feeling about the brand, brand recognition involves human five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

To get awareness from the customers, brands need to get recognized first by the public and more specifically, by the target audience. The audience will then start to recognize a brand or product when those brands are doing something that attracts attention from the public, which is part of the branding and marketing process. At the end of the process, brand awareness amongst customers will grow.

Even if your business is already running and recognized by people, brand awareness is something that you need to build and maintain to keep your business going. And to maintain it, it requires a perfect branding strategy.

You can hire someone to work on your branding process and strategy, but when you start your business, it is hard to find an expert who understands what your business needs for the branding process and procedure.

A branding consultant might be a concrete solution to the problem. Branding consultants can help businesses not only successfully sell their product, but on grooming audiences to become brand loyalists through specific strategies. Branding consultants assist in developing and implementing procedures, not only in the marketing phase but can also be involved in the product design process and public relations messages.

With brand consultancy as one of the services, we at MIU are more than ready to help your business get recognized and cultivate brand awareness amongst your customers. As a branding agency in Singapore, we believe every brand has a story to tell, and we help brands showcase their stories and win their customers’ hearts with it. With soulful content and creativity, we bring brands to life.