Brands must know how to communicate honestly, engage genuinely, and build connections that feel personal. Authenticity is about aligning every message with your brand’s core values and keeping transparency in every interaction.
In today’s crowded digital landscape, capturing consumer attention is more difficult than ever. Social media users are scrolling faster, engaging less, and expecting more from the content they consume. For brands, this means that simply being present on social media platforms is no longer enough. To stand out, marketers need to prioritize quality over quantity – crafting creative, relevant, and personalized experiences that not only capture attention, but hold it.
Armani reshaped men’s suits into something fluid, gave women a new form of confidence through tailored pantsuits, and built a multibillion-dollar empire that stretches far beyond clothing. But this was no overnight success; it was the product of years of discipline, vision, and obsessive dedication.
American Eagle’s campaign drew accusations of tone-deaf messaging, while GAP’s campaign was praised as inclusive, nostalgic, and fun. The result? GAP capitalized on its competitor’s backlash to boost its own cultural credibility. For marketers, this showdown is a lesson in brand codes, controversy, and how to turn another brand’s misstep into your own moment.
Posting on Instagram is easy but getting people to care? That’s the challenge. Here are 5 ways to improve your Instagram engagement.
Your personal brand should combine two key facets of you:
The person that you are
The reasons why you do what you do
For Daniyah Khan, Class of 2023, strategy and storytelling are the heart of everything she does. She lives in Washington, D.C. She’s now an Associate Product Manager at Capital One through its product development rotational program.
Our Client Franklin Street’s Trolly Stop is predominantly a hot dog restaurant, with other locations based in Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington and Southport. Offering a traditional beef
The Downfall of Influencer Marketing: The Case of Poppi by Meha Saanvi Datla Illustration by Connelly Miller Since the rise of social media, customers have
Readers are extremely curious and headlines are the first thing they see when you publish a blog, article, website, etc. For this reason, it is vital to have an eye-catching first impression.
Our Client Carolina Coworking is a shared community workspace built around making work and meeting spots accessible to anyone who needs it, whenever they need
When Emilie Hofele first started at the 1893 Brand Studio, she was sure she wanted to go into strategy. However, after exploring her options within the Brand Studio, Hofele found a new passion for her career: account management.
SNL’s 50th-anniversary special wasn’t just a celebration—it was a marketing masterclass. From nostalgia-driven campaigns to viral social media stunts, NBC knew how to engage both longtime fans and new audiences. Discover how SNL made its milestone event a must-watch and what brands can learn from its strategy!
How Differentiation Keeps Your Brand Competitive by Caroline Routh Illustration by Virginia Van de Riet What makes you you? It’s a question you’ve probably had
Alumni Spotlight: Maren Gowland by Laney Gragg As a Senior Account Executive at Ketchum, Maren Gowland helps craft impactful PR campaigns for household brands, including
If you didn’t see the promotional content for Universal Picture’s Wicked Movie, you might have been living under a rock. For the three months leading up to its release, it seemed like every other advertisement or promotion on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or even in stores was pink and green.
Social media has quickly become the most popular way for businesses to communicate with their intended audience. According to an article from Forbes, 4.9 billion people worldwide use social media platforms, making it the easiest way to reach a large demographic, regardless of the industry you work in.
Here are some tips to kickstart your social media presence:
Sarah, a 2020 alumna of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, isn’t just any Tar Heel—she’s a super proud one. Majoring in Photo and Video Journalism and minoring in Studio Art, Sarah found her way to 1893 Brand Studio her senior year, and it completely altered her career path.
Learn how Victoria’s Secret leveraged marketing to rebrand its iconic fashion show.
Trends fuel marketing.
Capitalizing on trends and current events is important to ensure your campaign or project reaches the correct people. The first step is using what you already have in front of you for success!
Ashley Sipe graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2023 with a degree in Media and Journalism on the Advertising and Public Relations track with a double minor in History and Spanish.
Discover the basics of Search Engine Optimization to improve your website’s digital marketing.
By Ella Bartosik The Client Founded in 1993 by Nick’s dad at University Place mall, AAI has expanded to 13 locations from Garner to Greensboro,
By Ella Bartosik The Client The Eve Carson Scholarship honors the legacy of Eve Carson by providing scholarships to students who embody her qualities of
Alumni Spotlight: Lacy McKee by Mallaury Pageau Lacy McKee, a UNC Class of 2024 graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Journalism/Media and Communications, embarked
August Marketing Round-Up: The Summer of Sports & Sass by Caroline Routh Illustration by Shamil Luqman It was the summer of sport and the summer
Megan Royer, a 2018 UNC Hussman School of Media and Journalism alum, presently holds the position of Strategic Communications Advisor at FGS Global in Washington DC.
Here’s what you need to know about social responsibility and why it is essential for brands in 2024:
Read to get insights on the 2024 Super Bowl ads and learn how their effective strategies can be used by your business to enhance your marketing efforts.
Gabby Torres, a UNC Hussman alum, currently serves as a project manager at Digitas Unlimited. She began her journey with Digitas as an intern during her college years, eventually leading to a full-time role as a project manager. In her day-to-day responsibilities, she adeptly manages timelines for client deliverables and production, oversees partnerships, engages in social media strategies and handles data and analytics. Her client portfolio spans both international and domestic realms, requiring meticulous management and strategic thinking.
The quality of your market research can either make or break your project or business. Here are three key tips to improve market research for your business:
After studying both Media and Journalism and English Literature at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sophia Alem started a new adventure in New York City but left an impact on her family at the 1893 Brand Studio.
Discover why storytelling is essential for building a strong brand.
Learn more about how your brand can use market personalization to stand out in a world of impersonal experiences and fast-paced digital interactions.
Alumni Spotlight: Jack O’Grady by Delaney Garver Meet Jack O’Grady – the 1893 Brand Studio Alumni whose initiative pioneered the Alumni Spotlight. O’Grady’s journey
How to Target College Students as a Small Business by Cameron Shaw Illustration by Lacy McKee Connecting with college students can be a great way
How Can Businesses Use Chat GPT? by Rishabh Vemuri Illustration by Abby Pallant What is ChatGPT Technology has been one of the most influential forces
4 Key Takeaways from the Barbie Movie’s Marketing Campaign Success 4 Key Takeaways from the Barbie Movie’s Marketing Campaign Success Four Key Takeaways From the
Social Media Analytics for Small Businesses by Claire Doan Illustration by Haley Watkins Most businesses produce social media content on several different platforms, employing content
Marketing for Small Businesses by Erica Boey Illustration by Natalie Peña-Galvis Navigating the Marketplace Unlike big corporations and companies, small businesses lack the resources to
Marketing to Gen Z by Ashley Sipe Illustration by Nia Freeman Generation Z, which includes those born between 1996 and 2010, is a tech-centric, social
Alumni Spotlight: Tran Nguyen by P.J. Morales More than anything else, 1893 Brand Studio alum Tran Nguyen wants to make an impact on the world.
Content Marketing Ideas by Catherine Yoder Illustration by Gabi Allen For a successful brand, useful content should be at the core of your marketing strategies.
When is a Logo Redesign Right for your Business? by Gabi Allen Illustration by Gabi Allen Every successful brand has a well-designed logo. Take a
Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Campbell by Lacy McKee Sarah Campbell came into UNC-Chapel Hill as a biology major on the pre-med track. The track she’s on
Make Your Website Stand Out by Daniyah Khan Illustration by Sophia Alem In our heavily digitalized world, a website is one of the most important
Influencer Marketing by Haley Watkins Illustration by Haley Watkins The world of social media marketing is ever expanding. More companies than ever are utilizing different
Social Media Marketing Tips by Jordan Barish Illustration by Natalie Peña-Galvis How your business can make the most of social media Social media is a
Alumni Spotlight: Lucas Pruitt by Eleazar Yisrael Early Life Born and raised in the mountainous small town of West Jefferson, NC, Lucas Pruitt discovered something
How to Achieve a Healthy Work-Life Balance by Gabby Torres Illustration by Fallon Maher Everyone should strive to achieve a healthy work-life balance. A good
How to Make Your Brand’s Social Media Digitally Accessible by Charlotte Geier Illustration by Nia Freeman Social media is one of the primary tools to
A Guide to Micro-Influencer Marketing by Angela Feng Illustration by Natalie Peña-Galvis Most people are familiar with the concept of influencer marketing, which involves developing
Importance of Brand Authenticity by Emilie Hofele Illustration by Sophia Alem What is Brand Authenticity? Brand authenticity is “the extent to which consumers perceive a
Leveraging Images to Enhance Brand Identity by Denise Kyeremeh Illustration by Sophia Alem The use of high-quality images can help to improve brand identity. Images
UNC Clubs and Organizations for Creatives by Connelly Miller Illustration by Erica Boey With the wide array of clubs and organizations that the University of
How to Develop a Strong Brand by Ashley Sipe Illustration by Gabi Allen Having a strong brand is essential for any successful business. Branding can
Become the Big Fish: How to Make Your Business Stand Out by Oriana Apostoli Illustration by Cameron Shaw It can be hard to keep your
What Makes a Brand Successful? by Abby Pallant Illustration by Abby Pallant A brand is a connection. A trusting relationship between the audience and provider.
Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Hopper Samantha Hopper, a 2022 UNC alumni, began working at the Brand Studio when she was a sophomore, in January of 2020.
Building a Successful Site: Software for SEO Enhancements Illustration by Rishabh Vemuri by Rishabh Vemuri What is Search Engine Optimization? Search Engine Optimization, commonly referred
How Could Changes to Twitter Affect Your Business? Illustration by Anwar Boutayba By Jordan Barish Twitter has long been a popular platform for businesses, who
Brand Awareness Illustration by Oriana Apostoli By Nikki Reddy Owning a business in a college town is nothing a degree can prepare you for. The
Alumni Spotlight: Alex Mazer by Charlotte Geier Meet Alex Mazer, a 2022 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate who now works at Bain & Company as an Associate
How to Grow Your Email Marketing With Ease Illustration by Joelle Adeleke by Joelle Adeleke In the age of social media, newsletters may be easy
How to be a Data-Driven Business Illustration by Kiara Garcia by Olivia Rojas Data is Everywhere We are currently in the evolution of Web 3.0.
Alumni Spotlight: Jake Mory by Ashley Sipe Jake Mory, a 2022 UNC-Chapel Hill and Brand Studio alumni, made the most of his time on campus
5 Reasons Not to Use a Website Template for Your Brand Illustration by Gabi Allen by Gabi Allen With the rise in popularity of website
How to Increase Social Media Engagement Illustration by Joelle Adeleke by Kennedy Rushing The number of followers a brand has on social media does not
The Benefits of Implementing User-Centered Design Illustration by Angela Feng by Nia Freeman From the comfortable shape of Apple’s AirPods to the simplicity of designing
How to Optimize Your Graphics Illustration by Ashley Sipe by Shemariah Solomon The number of followers a brand has on social media does not mean
September Alumni Spotlight: Lex Coelho Lex Coelho, a UNC and 1893 Brand Studio alumnae, always had a love for design and maximized her time on
The advertising world is constantly advancing and changing. Businesses need to look out for these three important marketing strategies in 2022: video marketing, next-level user
Web Design Choices to Boost Your SEO Illustration by Lucy Froelich by Raymond Pang You upload the beautiful pictures a photographer took for your website,
User-Generated Content Illustration by Sophia Alem by Kennedy Rushing In the age of social media and influencers, more people than ever are going online to
How to Build a Sense of Trust and Community for Your Brand In this day and age, consumers are more concerned than ever with businesses
People assume that you need undivided attention, thousands of ideas, contacts, and an unending supply of materials in order to establish a small business. Have
Today’s workplace is most definitely not the same one that was the norm three years ago. Having faced a pandemic, generational shift of workers and
Nick Valego, an alumnus of 1893 Brand Studio’s Campaigns team, is now a strategist at Wunderman Thompson Health – a global marketing and communications agency
In the fast-paced post-COVID market that has erupted, it’s important to develop and focus on emotional intelligence that will set you apart from your competitors
In today’s competitive job market, acing a job interview has become more important than ever. Companies are looking to hire employees who not only look
A thriving community of young professionals doing impactful work that moves the line for local clients; that’s what 1893 Brand Studio is now, but how’d
In our competitive marketplace, it has become more important than ever for young professionals to stand out. You must demonstrate to employers that you have
Given the spike in competitiveness on the current job market, it is all the more important for graduating college seniors to leverage LinkedIn during their
Standing out in your first job can seem like a daunting task. From the second you walk into your interview, it’s important to make a
By Lilly Behbehani Helium Agency Background Helium Agency is a Durham-based full-service sports marketing agency specializing in content strategy, custom publishing, digital marketing and
By Elizabeth Efird Business Background WCHL is a Chapel Hill-based radio station and news site that primarily serves the Carrboro and Chapel Hill areas.
With over 145 million monetizable active daily users and an average of 500 million tweets sent out every day, Twitter is a great tool for
With over 1.8 billion daily active users, Facebook is the biggest social media platform in the world. This makes Facebook marketing a tremendous resource for
In a digital age, it can be easy to prioritize a virtual presence over in-person events. However, in-person events for local businesses can be essential
The most successful businesses have a defined “Why.” “Why” doesn’t mean making a profit or gaining exposure. Instead, it’s a purpose, belief or cause that
In a digital age, having a presence on social media is vital to the success of a company, and incorporating Instagram into your marketing is
By Olivia Rojas There’s a demographic shift occurring — especially in the United States. Organizations are trying to meet a variety of demographics through relevant
Countless businesses have taken to social media to promote their products. What started out as casual photo sharing and messaging has completely transformed into an
In today’s age, nearly every business is using some form of social media to connect with its clients. Social media advertisements are a great way
Leveraging Emotion in Advertising With the sheer volume of media circulating today, it is vital to create advertising that sticks out among the crowd. It
Bosh to the Bigs: Case Study Business Background The client in this case study is Bosh to the Bigs. Bosh to the Bigs is a
All the 2021 Design Trends You Need to Know By Sarah Campbell Now that we’re three-quarters of the way through the year, graphic design trends
Strengthening Client Relationships Through Effective Communication Consistent, effective communication is essential to building healthy and productive client relationships. Forming long-lasting business connections is an essential
Case Study: Alamance Community College Lead Generation By Elizabeth Efird The Client Alamance Community College, based in Graham, North Carolina, is one of the first
By: Samantha Hopper The Client Alamance Community College was one of the first organized community colleges in North Carolina. ACC’s student body is more than
By: Jack O’Grady The Client The Career Accelerator Program (CAP) is a revolutionary partnership between Alamance Community College (ACC), the Alamance Chamber of Commerce and
By: Charlotte Geier The Client The client in this case study is Alamance Community College. Alamance Community College is an established educational institution located in
By Anna Southwell Targeting your business’s marketing efforts toward college students, especially for those located in a college town like Chapel Hill, is a valuable
Looking to find a solution or learn a new skill? Chances are that you, and most consumers, will turn to a video for help. Learn
By Grace Beasley Gen Z comprises everyone ages nine through 24, which is around 65 million people in the U.S. and 40 percent of the
By Lucas Pruitt A new genre of advertising content is starting to pop up in almost every type of digital media – branded non-fiction. Branded
By Maris Ava Cruz Whether you are just stepping into the professional world or you’ve been working for a while, having a great headshot is
A GIF is a graphical interchange format, a series of different image frames that look like a short animation or video. On websites, GIFs can
By: Matilda Marshall Every year, people are spending an increasing amount of time online.The problem for advertisers now is that the market is already saturated
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash Using Free Stock Images to Promote Your Business By: JoJo Yang A picture is worth a thousand words. Using
Photo by Tranmautritam from Pexels What Should I Put on My Business’s Website? By: Collin Pruitt Building a business website is a simple task that can elevate your
Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash How to give your brand a personality Carefree, thoughtful, sophisticated, outdoorsy, trendy. If your mind went to people you
Top tips for an engaging video By Lucas Pruitt A common misconception is that promotional videos have to be difficult and costly. Fortunately, new technology
How brands are using Twitter to engage audiences By Jordyn Burrell In recent years, Twitter has grown to be the sixth-largest social media network worldwide.
Microsoft Mesh: What augmented reality could mean for the future of your business By: John Ratkowiak What is Microsoft Mesh? On March 2, Microsoft unveiled
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay Making Your Social Media Smarter By: Olivia Foley Having an active online presence for your business is a great
What’s a blog good for? By Olivia Foley Now more than ever, businesses need more than just an online presence to connect with their customers
Photo by MockupEditor.com from Pexels Designing for Different Audiences By: Amy Metzinger Great graphic and web design can communicate brand messaging, attract new people and easily share information
Photo by dole777 on Unsplash How to write captions for social media posts By: Britney Nguyen While photos are important for showing off your business,
Photo by HalGatewood.com on Unsplash Why Does Whitespace Matter in Web Design? By: Jojo Yang Whitespace refers to the empty spaces that surround content on
Photo by Polina Zimmerman from Pexels Four graphic design cliches to avoid for a more professional brand By: Stephanie Mayer Designing for a brand isn’t an exact science.
Raw Health is a natural pain relief gel that has provided its product for more than a decade to its customers to relieve muscle strains,
Image by Kon Karampelas from Pixabay How to Market Your Brand on TikTok By: Amelia Jerden Social media is one of the best ways to
Growing your business with Instagram Marketing By Anwar Boutayba As we all know, the future of business rests in the hands of social media marketing,
Image by Kevin Phillips from Pixabay 5 Tips On How To Make Your Business’s Website Stand Out By: Katy Rice It can be hard for
Photo via Flickr by tengrrl How to Use Canva for Your Business By: Anna Allen One of the most important aspects of a business is
Photo via Pexels by Thirdman How to Leverage Social Media for E-Commerce By: Tran Nguyen Picture this: it’s a quiet Wednesday night, and you’re sitting
Photo via Pexels by Tracy Le Blanc Making the Most of Instagram Stories By Grace Beasley It’s no question Instagram is one of the most
Photo via Unsplash by Stephen Phillips Using an Email List to Boost Your Business By: Kat Pritchard Email lists are a convenient and effective way
Why your brand’s colors matter By: Carson Elm-Picard As cliche it might sound, first impressions are important. The first time a prospective customer lays eyes
Building1 Email Newsletter Design Building1 offers professional office space and networking opportunities for yourself or for your new company. The graphic design team worked with
Eyes Ears Nose & Paws Press Release Eyes Ears Nose & Paws is a service in Chapel Hill that creates a bond between humans and
Orange County Visitors Bureau Get Out and Give Back The Orange County Visitors Bureau posted a set of videos titled “Get Out and Give Back”
Eyes Ears Nose & Paws Eyes Ears Nose & Paws is a service in Chapel Hill that creates a bond between humans and canines. The
Trees Charlotte Treasure Trees Charlotte’s Treasure Trees recognizes and celebrates the grandest of the Queen City’s trees based on their size, age and/or historical value.
How to analyze your website’s traffic By Maggie Wong Website analytics are just as important as business analytics, especially when it comes to digital marketing.
Social media rebranding: Four things you need to know By Praveena Somasundaram In a digitized world, having an up-to-date social media presence is more important
The importance of digital accessibility in marketing and communications By Anne Claire Forman As the workplace becomes increasingly virtual, the importance of digital accessibility also
Photo via Pexels by Kerde Severin How to Build a Brand on Social Media By Lauren LaTulippe Everyone wants a strong social media presence. But
The importance of responsive design By Anna Allen Responsive web design is the art of adjusting elements on a page to fit the window it
A quick guide to posting images on social media By: Carson Elm-Picard Countless companies are trying to establish a presence on social media by investing
Photo via Unsplash by Brayden George How to position your brand in a competitive market By: Jake Smith In a crowded market, subtle differences set
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Marketing By Kayla Famolari When you think about artificial intelligence, you probably imagine a humanistic robot-like machine. But AI
Photo via Pexels by Tima Miroshnichenko Characteristics of the Four Types of Business Writing By: Morgan Topol No matter what role you play at the
What Social Media Platform is Right for my Business? By Elizabeth Efird An active social media presence is one of the most cost-effective and personal
How to Create a Marketing Plan By John Ratkowiak What is a marketing plan? One of the foundational elements of any business is a marketing
Blurred Lines: Putting the “Native” in “Native Advertising” By Catherine Morgan The other day as I was reading the New York Times, I stumbled across
Photo by Pixaline on Pixaboy: https://pixabay.com/vectors/social-media-you-tube-facebook-1177293/ When and Why You Should Change Your Brand’s Logo By: Charlotte Geier “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” People see
How to boost your website’s traffic By Maggie Wong So you have a website, but no one is visiting it. What can you do? It
Spirit Drivers is a place for professional leaders to build deep relationships, embrace fulfilling work and change their world for the better. 1893 Brand Studio
Raising Heels: The weekly newsletter for UNC parents, brought to you by The Daily Tar Heel. This newsletter brings timely information to parents of UNC
DTH At A Glance The purpose of DTH At A Glance is to inform the UNC community on a daily basis of current events occurring
How to write engaging copy for social media By Lauren LaTulippe Social media marketing is a product of the new digital age, and it’s not
WCHL: Pho Happiness Raised in Vietnam, Andy Hoang, the owner and operator of Franklin Street’s Pho Happiness, immigrated to California in his late teens with
WCHL: Tonya’s Cookies After several attempts to make a cookie that tasted like her grandmother’s pecan pie, Tonya Council was about to throw out another
WCHL: Market and Moss Annie Johnston’s first job was as a server at Pazzo in Southern Village when she was in high school. Fifteen years
WCHL: Carlisle & Linny Vintage Jewelry When she was younger, Lindsley Bowen would accompany her parents when they went shopping for antiques. Bowen was the
How to rebrand: the top five things you need to know By Katy Rice Are you thinking about giving your brand a new feel? A
WCHL: Brandwein’s Bagels With a slightly crispy outside and a chewy airy inside, the boiled and baked bagels at Brandwein’s Bagels have the authenticity of
WCHL: Andi Sobbe Pottery Andi Sobbe has been a potter since her days as a Girl Scout. Despite taking a 25-year pottery hiatus to raise
WCHL: QueenWa Cafe Located right on Franklin Street in the Blue Dogwood Public Market, QueenWa Cafe brings healthy vegan and vegetarian options to downtown Chapel
WCHL: Rockwood Dairy Bar When grocery stores were running out of ice cream during the early months of the pandemic, Stephanie Rosse knew she could
WCHL: Deli Edison Self-described “part neighborhood eatery and part gourmet food destination” Deli Edison is serving homemade bagels, schmears and sandwiches with locally-sourced meats and
WCHL: Mary Kat Masks When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and face masks became essential, sisters Mary Mac and Katherine Collie decided to embrace their love
WCHL: Que Chula When Que Chula picked the perfect spot for its Mexican flavors on Franklin Street, the owners didn’t expect to open in the
WCHL: Be Pure Beauty When stay-at-home orders were implemented in North Carolina in March, most local businesses had to close down and make major changes
WCHL: Thai Station Built in the remnants of an old railroad station, Thai Station has positioned itself at the center of the Thai food scene
Eyes Ears Nose & Paws 308 W Rosemary St. #304 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jake
WCHL: The Sonder Market For many UNC students, Chapel Hill is a temporary home. But for the volunteer students who run the Sonder Market, Chapel
How to make an effective flyer for your business By Katy Rice Effective flyer marketing is a relatively inexpensive way for your business to grab
What do consumers look for when purchasing products online? By Jake Mory While the pandemic has restricted the way some business is done, it has
How to pick the right domain name for your site By Semanur Karayaka Your domain name is often the first thing people learn about your
The effectiveness of infographics By Jadah Smith Infographics are a creative way to present valuable information. According to Shift Disruptive Learning, 90 percent of information
How to tell a story about your business By Britney Nguyen Knowing how to tell a story will make a human connection with consumers– it’s
How to create and maintain connections virtually By Sarah Campbell COVID-19 has revolutionized networking, providing many virtual routes and likely permanently changing the way we
Using logos to enhance your advertising strategy By Anwar Boutayba What’s better for you advertising strategy? An aesthetically pleasing logo or an incredibly elaborate mission
How Adobe XD can help you bring your ideas to life By Semanur Karayaka Do you feel like you have an abundance of ideas but
