After a restful winter break, UPBrand is back in action and ready to take on 2023. We’re coordinating international productions, launching campaigns and seeking out opportunities — all while staying curious. The new year is a vast universe of possibilities, and we’re ready to explore.

 

 
 
 


INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS

 
 

GOING RETRO

Bell bottoms, 90’s shows, even mullets. Whether you’re scrolling through Instagram or strolling through the park, it’s clear vintage is back. This recent boom in pop culture staples from the ‘60s through Y2K is thanks to social media which has sped up the typical trend cycle. Old is in, and brands are jumping on the bandwagon.

Exhibit A: Pit Viper. An eyewear company known for its outrageous branding, Pit Viper’s entire online experience is modeled after the early days of the internet. Not to mention, requests for sponsorships can only be submitted via VHS tape.

Then, there’s Polaroid. While the product itself is a blast from the past, the instant-film camera company’s 2017 rebranding brought back the iconic rainbow color spectrum, typography and ‘70s graphics.

While some love to see retro resurface, others wonder if this signals the end of originality. We don’t think that’s the case. Every refresh today is influenced by the modern context of its creators, and so, the final product is a hybrid, not an exact replica. It’s also worth noting that plenty of work exists outside of what’s popular. The creativity ecosystem is expansive, and we think there’s plenty of room for classics, comebacks and avant-garde ideas to coexist.

 

 
 
 
 


CREATIVE SHOWCASE

 
 

INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION

The Quiet Man® Irish Whiskey stands out in a saturated market, and it comes down to its origin. Founder Ciaran Mulgrew’s father, a notable barman, traveled through Belfast serving drinks and listening to patrons with an air of silent respect. He was the original quiet man, and this whiskey serves as a tribute to his honorable nature.

To tell this story, UPBrand has spent the past few months coordinating a production in Ireland. We’ve harnessed the power of technology and collaboration to bring this vision to life, and while the spot isn’t done just yet, you can expect sweeping shots of emerald coasts, rustic taverns and a heartfelt script to tie it all together.

Check back in on St. Patrick’s Day for the drop.

 
 
 
 
 

CORE VALUE CANDLES

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do, and now we’re using them to light the way in 2023. As a fun side project, we created a line of candles that embody the true essence of each value. Take a look — or a whiff — and follow us on social for more values moments.

 

 
 
 


AGENCY NEWS

 
 

HI, WE’RE UPBRAND.

It’s been a while, so we thought we’d reintroduce ourselves. But, rather than spell it all out here, we’ll give you a link to our website that covers who we are, what we do and why. Feel free to explore, and don’t forget to peep the new case studies on our “Work” page.

 

 
 
 
 


WORD ON THE STREET

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.”

 
Frank Borman
 

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