The Nic+Zoe Case Study
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THE NIC+ZOE CASE STUDY APRIL 2017 THE NIC+ZOE CASE STUDY THE CHALLENGE NIC+ZOE is an American fashion brand with a modern take on knitwear. The Brand is proudly rooted in Boston and founded by knitwear expert Dorian Lightbown. NIC+ZOE’s goal is to empower women to tackle their day while looking good, being comfortable, and finding a perfect balance between relaxed + refined, comfortable + luxurious. In 2014, NIC+ZOE needed to revisit all elements of its branding, strategy, advertising, video content, lookbooks, digital, and social media in order to strengthen and evolve its positioning, messaging, and awareness. The Brand’s goal was to enter more commercial doors, gain distribution, and eventually support its own freestanding stores. SPRING/SUMMER 2016 CAMPAIGN Internal trends survey confirmed that we no longer live in an era of “either-or.” Now it is acceptable to combine different, often opposite elements. This FALL/WINTER 2015 CAMPAIGN reflects the creative process of NIC+ZOE and became a visual and narrative code for the Brand. The Brand needed an identifiable The concept of combining was the root of a new visual territory, Brand statement, identifiable visual territory that allows the Brand to and tone of voice. make a strong statement. With new codes in place, NIC+ZOE became better positioned to achieve its goal to gain more selective distribution and support THE STRATEGY its own freestanding stores. Every brand has a hero. For some, it is the consumer. For others it is the creator. In the case of NIC+ZOE, This creative strategy brings meaning to the Brand the hero is the creative process of its founder and the logo, the “+” sign, and allows for the exploration of unique way it combines textures, colors and shapes. creative layering and connecting concepts. This This dynamic combination is rooted in the Brand’s connection idea gives the NIC+ZOE woman new life name, as the “+” sign indicates. and helps to tell the Brand’s story with strong visuals. DEFINING THE NIC+ZOE WOMAN In 2014, the NIC+ZOE woman’s representation The campaign models selected were changed from introverted, sexualized, and static to relatable, approachable, mothers, bold, stylish, and always in motion. She balances career, family, and relationships with grace, humor, and committed activists for female and a sense of ease. All new visuals, messaging, empowerment and humanitarian and communications showcase the woman in a causes. Women of substance, rather dynamic way, providing a sense of movement as she than women of leisure. confidently navigates her action-packed life. Brand appropriate, powerful, and strong women THE IMPORTANCE OF THE “+” SIGN were put forward to be the face of NIC+ZOE. The “+” sign became the Brand’s symbol – literally The campaign models selected were relatable, and metaphorically connecting elements together. It approachable, mothers, and committed activists is the key element for all NIC+ZOE materials, from for female empowerment and humanitarian causes. the logo to the visuals, denoting the layering and Women of substance, rather than women of leisure. connecting of the woman and her busy life – including its textures, seasons, and changing environments. The impressive list of supermodels that successfully represented the Brand includes: Coco Rocha, Karen The “+” sign represents the true essence of the Brand, Elson, Hilary Rhoda, Karolina Kurkova, and Angela its inspiration and consumers. It defines NIC+ZOE as Lindvall. a balance between refined + relaxed, comfort + luxury, technique + technology, quality + craftsmanship. It also represents the connection between the woman + the world; a woman who is a mother + a professional, with personality + adaptability. Graphically utilized, the “+” sign layers and brings elements together; it provides a positive charge to everything NIC+ZOE represents, a perfect intersection, an act of balance and symbol of empowerment. NICANDZOE.COM Fine artFine by leidorf.de aerial views GRAPHIC USE OF THE “+” SIGN The “+” sign became a key element for all NIC+ZOE materials, from the logo to visuals. NICANDZOE.COM LAYERING & CONNECTING As the perfect reflection of knitwear, the concepts of layering and connecting came to define NIC+ZOE. The Brand connects multiple traits to form its essence, including its rich offerings, textures, luxurious knitwear, and the personality of its multifaceted customer. FALL/WINTER 2016 TRAVEL LIGHT VIDEO The application of the layering concept is present in the Brand’s designs, branding, communications, and messaging. This allows for a creative, modular system that enhances an endless combination of visuals, assets, and messages applied across all media. The unique universe of the Brand comes from the layering of textures, environments, and messages FALL/WINTER 2016 INTERVIEW VIDEO & BOOMERANGS in multiple and interesting ways. FALL/WINTER 2016 INTERVIEW VIDEO & BOOMERANGS FALL/WINTER 2016 CAMPAIGN VIDEO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: A360 DEGREES APPROACH The Agency developed a 360-degree branding and marketing approach, creating visual codes, a social media strategy, advertising campaigns, digital content, collateral, strong lookbooks, and sales tools. Campaigns evolved from defining the Brand and FALL/WINTER 2016 CAMPAIGN who the NIC+ZOE woman is, to a full exploration of the place she occupies in the world. The campaign The layering concept is present evolution reflects the journey of the NIC+ZOE woman as she moves through her own life and confidently in the Brand’s designs, branding, leaves her mark on the world. communications, and messaging. The 360-degree approach for the Brand allows for endless combinations, long-lasting content, and heightened engagement campaign after campaign. FALL/WINTER 2016 WARDROBE PLANNER VIDEO RESULTS Six seasons after the start of the collaboration with the Agency, the Brand owns a full territory and a strong point of view. Season after season, NIC+ZOE experienced an increase in awareness, engagement, and strong store sales, even during an adverse department store period. An overall double-digit increase in sales was seen in the Brand’s stores, retailers, and e-commerce in which outfits featured in the Brand’s campaigns completely sold out. The media noticed the success, triggering press and write-ups about the Brand. The increased attention also contributed to NIC+ZOE’s growing presence at prestige retailers – such as Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, and Nordstrom, as well as the opening of its own stores in King of Prussia, PA; Roosevelt Field, NY and Chestnut Hill, MA. An overall double-digit FALL/WINTER 2016 MAGNETIC PAPER DOLL increase on sales was seen in the Brand’s stores, retailers and e-commerce. SPRING 2017 LOOKBOOK SPRING 2017 LOOKBOOK LOOK BOOK COVERS SPRING/SUMMER 2015 PRINT ADS FALL/WINTER 2014 CAMPAIGN SPRING/SUMMER 2015 DIGITAL BANNERS NICANDZOE.COM SPECIAL EDITION FALL/WINTER 2015 PRINT ADS NICANDZOE.COM SPRING/SUMMER 2016 PRINT ADS FALL/WINTER 2015 SOCIAL MEDIA SPRING/SUMMER 2016 SOCIAL MEDIA FALL/WINTER 2015 DIGITAL BANNERS FALL/WINTER 2015 VIDEO SPRING/SUMMER 2016 VIDEO SPRING/SUMMER 2017 PRINT ADS FALL/WINTER 2016 PRINT ADS FALL/WINTER 2016 SOCIAL MEDIA FALL/WINTER 2016 VIDEO SPRING/SUMMER 2017 SOCIAL MEDIA FALL/WINTER 2016 DIGITAL BANNERS SPRING/SUMMER 2017 DIGITAL BANNERS THE NIC+ZOE CASE STUDY APRIL 2017.