Two decades ago we were a small creative collective working with big brands like Burton Snowboards.
Today, we’re makers pushing past market expectations, branding experts working alongside clients who value one-of-a-kind work, and risk-takers solving complex problems with creativity.
In the in-between, we’ve built a team and portfolio that’s gained a reputation for being unapologetically authentic.
Whether you’re here looking for your next ad partner or to make your next career move, there’s one thing we want to make clear about this business—we all have a choice: we can either follow or Defy.
The foundation of great work is a strong strategy. It’s what guides the courses we take to get clients where they want to go.
We prefer open communication with our clients to learn their businesses, develop relationships with their team, and jot down the small anecdotes that lead to big ideas down the line.
DEVELOPING GREAT WORK REQUIRES TRUST.
We believe an environment that promotes our team’s physical and mental health creates an atmosphere of inspiration and collaboration. So that’s just what we do. Together we’ve developed a flexible workflow that allows us to influence culture from the inside of our office or from the inside of our homes.
Our investment in people grows well outside our workspace. We understand this is all bigger than ourselves, so Defy continues to serve nonprofits and the ad community at large.
Don’t see a position for you? Send your stuff to team@wedefy.com. We’re always interested in putting the best talent on our radar.
Case Study
Dorman
2019 -
2020
AS THE LEADER OF THE AUTOPARTS AFTERMARKET, DORMAN’S SUCCESS HINGES ON INNOVATION.
Dorman Products is the nation’s leading supplier and developer of aftermarket auto parts. The parts developed by Dorman are meant to replace those built by OEMs – Original Equipment Manufacturers – that make up consumers’ cars off the line.
As an innovations company, Dorman actually goes beyond building parts that are straight replacements for their OEM counterparts; rather, they aim to design and produce equipment that improves on the original. So the challenge was how to capture this properly. Whether it’s fixing an OEM part’s flaws, consolidating four parts into one, changing a part’s core material to increase its lifespan, or adding a design feature that reduces installation time for technicians, Dorman always operates with a customer- and technician-first mentality.
Following significant investments in people and technology, along with a handful of acquisitions, Dorman was ready to reposition its brand within the market to accurately convey its core competencies, namely its devotion to innovation. This campaign would be the first brand-first effort in Dorman’s 101-year (!) history, and Defy was more than happy to assist.
Defy approached this project by first developing a brand strategy that assessed Dorman’s brand, internal and external brand perceptions, USPs, competition, market segments, and more. From the myriad data collected during the assessment, including dozens of one-on-one interviews with Dorman team members, our team developed a comprehensive report, including recommendations on everything from brand pillars, keywords, and messaging to personas (current and aspirant), tone, and segment-specific channels/messaging.
Following the completion of the strategic element, we began developing a creative campaign that would embody – and showcase – the unique elements that make Dorman, Dorman.
Specifically, we wanted to shine a light on Dorman’s no-nonsense process. The brand is eager to source new product ideas from every source, and turning those ideas into actual parts involves zero red tape. If a product has the potential to improve the lives of customers and/or technicians, it’s a go.
This open-door approach to innovation drives another Dorman USP: breadth and diversity of SKUs. Dorman brings literally thousands of products to market per year. When it comes to scale, they are peerless.
Initially, we developed two creative directions for Dorman’s consideration. The selected direction was built around “Solutions First”, a tagline we developed from an internal moniker popular with technicians (“Check Dorman First”) to highlight the brand’s true positioning as an innovations company vs. a manufacturer.
The creative integrated the personal touches that make Dorman unique in the form of fingerprints and handwritten details, including technician signatures and initials. Dorman’s incredible product catalogue was incorporated in the form of part silhouettes and volume-focused copy.
Our selection of bold, powerful type connoted the brand’s industry standing, and straightforward approach to developing solutions.
The campaign was ultimately applied to a host of deliverables, including signage, digital ads, a host of marketing and sales materials.
Also included: a virtual facility tour.
Dorman’s in-person facility tour is a critical component of its sales funnel, so we came up with a way to showcase its many nuances to individuals around the globe who might not find themselves in the vicinity of Colmar, PA, any time soon. In collaboration with Dorman, we brainstormed and vetted a variety of user experiences for the virtual tour, ultimately recommending a tour outline, production method, and landing page design that would engage the highest percentage of visitors, compelling them to purchase from – or partner with – Dorman.
Key takeaways from this project came from the campaign materials and virtual tour that marked a new chapter for Dorman. Now, the brand’s visuals and creative speak directly to its solutions-based, boots-on-the-ground ethos, and are laying the groundwork for additional strategic growth.
Ready to evolve your brand? Reach out – our team at Defy is up to the challenge.
2.15.21
You always had a choice. Instead of following, you chose to Defy.
As you’ve come to know from our relationship, we always looked to push beyond limits to help our clients create work that stands out from the norm.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve finally gotten around to focusing this same approach on our own agency.
Moving forward, the agency formerly known as [ 2 one 5 ] Creative will go by Defy.
Our new brand name honors the spirit of our beginnings as an artists collective 20 years ago, and lights an exciting path ahead for an agency that continues to grow and evolve.
Together, we look forward to continuing to defy the conventional, limits, and expectations in 2021 and beyond.
