After two long years apart, we took a big step toward normalcy and returned to our office in downtown St. Louis. It was a little like the first day of school — exciting and terrifying all at once. But after a quick tequila toast to celebrate some recent birthdays, things started to even out, and we picked up right where we left off.

These days, people are far less trusting of companies and brands. With thousands of voices vying for our collective attention on social media, we’ve developed a certain skepticism that can keep us from taking a brand at its word. So what do we do? We turn to influencers — real people we trust to tell us if a brand’s really worth it.

Here at UPBrand, we’re partnering with all kinds of influencers to identify new and creative opportunities that give our clients’ brands the authenticity they need to shine in a crowded market. Take Everclear, for example. In response to consumers using the product to make hand sanitizer during the pandemic, we saw room for the brand to make inroads in several other DIY fields. By partnering with online influencers, we’ve helped people see new possibilities with Everclear, from perfume to mixology — not to mention some delicious cannoli. 

For more on influencer marketing, check out this recent piece in Adweek.

Earlier this month, we helped debut The Quiet Man at the New York Irish Whiskey Festival, a first-of-its-kind immersive experience celebrating Irish whiskey. For this bit of experiential marketing, we brought the cozy pubs of Ireland to Manhattan. Our designs included a custom bar, bar back and pub sign to draw in the foot traffic. Pull up a stool and take a look.

Ranken Technical College is the driving force behind our region’s up-and-coming technical professionals. And for many high school students, Discover Ranken Day is the first time they hear about these career options. Together with our Nitrous Effect friends at Evntiv, we're planning a spring and summer open house campaign aimed at making a solid impression with those students. While we manage the promotion, Evntiv is coordinating the on-site execution, which will feature live demos, giveaways and a DJ.