Kelly Cane
Target
Target is my favorite brand. Visually, it’s simple and recognizable and the messaging is concise and clear. And most importantly, I believe Target delivers on its brand promise “Expect More Pay Less”. As brand ambassadors, Target employees are always cheerful and helpful. I think I’m loyal because I know what to expect every time I shop at Target.
Sidne Bofferding
Pela Case
I’ve recently tried to pursue brands that are more eco conscious, both for the sake of the planet as well as my home. I’ve found that I don’t need to have a lot of things to be happy, but I don’t want to just get rid of it because all of that garbage may eventually find its way to the ocean. A brand that stands out to me is Pela Case. They make phone cases made out of compostable products because they know that people typically get rid of their cases every 18-20 months. Additionally, everything they package the case in is compostable too. They are soft, malleable and stylish. I really appreciate their mission and that they have a great product to back it up.
Phil Kruchten
Red Bull
I’m not 100% brand loyal to any particular brand, but I’ve always been impressed with Red Bull. They are just an energy drink company right? Well, it seems they are much more than that. They have expanded into a huge worldwide media company, filming all types of sports and events. They’ve developed and released channels and apps on almost every media platform and device you can think of. They have clearly taken an interesting approach to creating a public perception and really do give you “wiiings”.
They have found a truly unique and amazing way to connect with their audience. They sponsor many sports and events. They have even created events and competitions that didn’t exist before. For ex. Jumping from space, Red Bull Crashed Ice or the Redbull Flutag. They have integrated their brand into some of the largest extreme sports events in the world. They sponsor individuals, create films and so much more. You can see how well they have paired energy drinks with extreme sports. Clearly, they’re dedicated to staying connected with people through so many different lifestyles.
Michael Nelsen
Adult Swim
I choose all my brands based on the quality of the product and/or the culture of the company producing them.
If I have any brand loyalty, it’s just to things I like 🙂
One particular brand that checks all the right boxes for me is Adult Swim. Adult Swim is the “cartoons for grown-ups” that air at night on the Cartoon Network. They consistently produce quality, HILARIOUS shows, some of which have infiltrated pop culture like Rick and Morty. But more than just a high level of product, they also foster a culture of creativity unlike any other I’ve seen. They produce risky, weird, experimental shows and ellavate the strange to an artform. This is best illustrated by their every evolving, purposefully ugly website. I appreciate them for not being afraid to try something new and to support creators doing wild ideas.
Brittany Zollner
Tarte
One of my favorite brands is Tarte. Tarte Cosmetics was founded in 2000, using naturally-derived ingredients that are good for you and the environment. Tarte is cruelty-free and places a priority on sustainability, health, and giving back to local communities.
My favorite thing about Tarte is how beautiful all the products are from the packaging down to the product itself. The makeup enhances your natural beauty and makes you feel good because it is made with natural ingredients. I started with the foundation and was so happy when I found the right shade for me that didn’t make my extremely sensitive skin breakout. I have gradually replaced all my makeup with Tarte products and it makes my face happy 🙂
Nate Eggert
Moog Music
One brand that I have found myself loyal to is Moog Music. There are a number of reasons for me to like this company and brand. For one, they are employee-owned which I think is great. It gives employees a voice in the company and encourages people to work smart and care about the company and products.
Next, they have amazing design. From their logo, their synthesizers and interfaces, packaging, manuals, website, videos, and everything else. Everything Moog puts out is well designed and immediately identifiable as Moog.
I also like that they’re a US company. Apart from some components, they design, engineer, assemble, and ship everything in Asheville, NC. They even welcome visitors to get a free factory tour!
Lastly, they just make amazing synthesizers and products. At the end of the day, good packaging only goes so far. For me, if the product sucks why would I ever buy again? I have consistently been impressed with Moog products. Their quality keeps me coming back.
Jessica Johnson
KS95
Branding is what I do; therefore, how can I choose just one. I find hundreds of brands fascinating in different ways from packaging to quality to philanthropy. Brands that ran through my head included: Ford – American made, Popzero – packaging, AT&T – quality of service, Melissa McCarthy – public image and values, Kind bars – mission, but the one that I kept coming back to was KS95. Yes, a radio station. To be honest, I am not crazy about their visual brand, however, their values align with mine, the on-air personalities are relatable, they grow from their mistakes, and they believe in giving back. Community is a big part of their culture and Clouds Choir, a part of KS95 for Kids Radiothon, is part of my holiday tradition. In my eyes, strong brands care more about their employees and the community than their bottom line. I know KS95’s why, what they stand for and they have never failed to deliver on their brand promise.
Ethan Leite
Trolli
Currently, one of my favorite brands is Trolli. They are most commonly known for making those neon, sour gummy worms. I’ve been following them on Instagram for a while, and I always enjoy their bizarre ads. These usually include some kind of surreal, dreamlike scene in which the worms eventually end up cannibalizing each other for comedic effect. The thing I admire about this brand is that they’re not afraid to risk looking a little strange, and possibly weirding out their audience. The Trolli aesthetic is just really fun and odd, so I love it! They also sell a fantastic product.
Jodie Pundsack
Apple
There are so many brands that I find myself loyal to in my everyday life. For example, s’mores. Do I buy Food Club graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate? No way. While probably similar in taste, the off-brand would not give me the same cozy nostalgic taste of sitting around a hot campfire on a cool summer evening as Honey Maid Graham Crackers, Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, and Hershey’s Chocolate would. While I might be brand loyal when it comes to buying chocolate for s’mores, that’s not to say that I wouldn’t experiment with other chocolate brands for different occasions. However, there is one brand that supersedes the rest when it comes to brand loyalty that I would not consider diverting from, and that is Apple.
My trust has always been with Apple even through their ups and downs. I mean, what’s a relationship without a few road bumps anyway, huh? So even when they were fined for slowing down older iphones in 2017 because they weren’t the latest and greatest model, I still forgave them. Because in 2003 I bought into their brand promise, to think differently and to inspire. Apple had me at the iPod commercial featuring Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” where they used a dark silhouette jamming out against bright pops of color all while highlighting the ipod in white. It was edgy, simple, and changed the way I looked at music. They weren’t just selling a device to hold thousands of songs, they were selling a lifestyle. And as a college student studying design at the time, I felt they supported creatives and our own quest to inspire. To this day, I find it tough to even consider another brand when I’m in the market for technology. Apple has put the customer at the heart of everything they’ve created and has distinguished itself from its competitors. Although dated, Microsoft Re-Designs the iPod Packaging from 2006 illustrates this difference. In terms of Apple’s visual brand, less has always been more. I’ve identified with this extra “white space” as a place to breathe, improve, create and ultimately think differently.