New Horizons
BCPS Dwayne Fry BCPS Dwayne Fry

New Horizons

Autism is becoming more prevalent than ever. And ABA Therapy for autism is in high demand. Even so, most of us know very little about the subject. So when NC-based BCPS approached us about helping them carve a path forward for their statewide services…

Read More
Clear Departures
DEFY THE ODDS Robert Shaw West DEFY THE ODDS Robert Shaw West

Clear Departures

The marketers’ mantra of being interesting and compelling sometimes seems to go against our natural inclination to fit in and belong. It’s that safe spot. Interesting but not “too interesting.” We see that type of marketing everywhere and it’s 100% forgettable.

Read More
Windows vs Ford
PUBLICITY Robert Shaw West PUBLICITY Robert Shaw West

Windows vs Ford

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, “If Ford had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.”

Read More
The Dream Come True
THE REPUBLIK Robert Shaw West THE REPUBLIK Robert Shaw West

The Dream Come True

Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh have all served as our headquarters throughout the past 20 or so years. So in the midst of the pandemic, when this iconic Five Points building became available, we had to make it The Republik’s long-term home, despite the risk.

Read More
Reckoning And Rediscovery
DEFY THE ODDS Robert Shaw West DEFY THE ODDS Robert Shaw West

Reckoning And Rediscovery

We’ve assembled a team of free thinkers willing to push one another into powerful collisions of insight that dismantle the tenets of size, money and power to meaningfully impact lives. Helping underdogs everywhere defy the odds.

Read More
Packaging The Experience
DILWORTH COFFEE Robert Shaw West DILWORTH COFFEE Robert Shaw West

Packaging The Experience

As we’ve demonstrated before with Bedlam Vodka, Happy Dirt, and others, packaging can go a long way toward elevating the brand experience. Communication Arts agreed and showcased Dilworth’s distinctive look in their design annual.

Read More
Want To Be Creative?
CREATIVITY Robert Shaw West CREATIVITY Robert Shaw West

Want To Be Creative?

How come every other week someone there's another study that says bring drunk makes us more creative? Or we get our best ideas when we're sleepy? Or in the shower?

Read More
A Fresh Start
HAPPY DIRT Steve Conroy HAPPY DIRT Steve Conroy

A Fresh Start

When Happy Dirt, an organic produce wholesaler, approached The Republik to create a marketing strategy, brand identity, go-to-market plan and a social media platform for their seemingly endless variety of fruits and vegetables they decided to dig in.

Read More
Stubbornly Agreeable
DILWORTH COFFEE Steve Conroy DILWORTH COFFEE Steve Conroy

Stubbornly Agreeable

In need of a brand identity refresh, Dilworth Coffee called on The Republik earlier this year to give them a new look and a closer relationship with their ever-changing customer base, according to Robert Shaw West, CEO of the agency.

Read More
Where Does Strategy Come From?
STRATEGY Dwayne Fry STRATEGY Dwayne Fry

Where Does Strategy Come From?

Not too long ago I spoke with a group of UNC Ad Club students who were interested in pursuing planning as a career. Many had been through internships in larger agencies where planner roles and related job titles varied widely.

Read More
Can Your Plan Be Hijacked?
MARKETING Dwayne Fry MARKETING Dwayne Fry

Can Your Plan Be Hijacked?

With all of our marketing textbooks, classes and degrees, and our guru books, blogs and seminars, how is it that our marketing efforts so often miss the mark? Certainly it’s not because we don’t know what to do. It really has more to do with the lessons omitted.

Read More
Clean Energy
MATI ENERGY Robert Shaw West MATI ENERGY Robert Shaw West

Clean Energy

Nowadays seems like we all could use a little extra energy. Yet for all their popularity, the sugar-laden, chemistry-set-concocted power drinks common in extreme sports and convenience stores aren’t always the answer.

Read More
What Should I Read Today?
RELEVANCY Robert Shaw West RELEVANCY Robert Shaw West

What Should I Read Today?

Between my social media feeds and my in box there is no shortage of options. So here is my filter. What should I read today that may make me better at what I do? That may make me understand your point of view? Or that may just be interesting to me?

Read More
Pull vs. Push Advertising
STRATEGY Robert Shaw West STRATEGY Robert Shaw West

Pull vs. Push Advertising

We believe an agency's job is to deliver big business-building ideas to its clients — not just advertising. In fact, some of the most powerful and effective ideas we've developed and implemented don't resemble anything within the traditional definition of advertising at all.

Read More
The Greater Cause
CAUSE Robert Shaw West CAUSE Robert Shaw West

The Greater Cause

This article reinforces why a business (and the people behind it) must have a greater purpose to what they do, make or provide. It’s the bigger picture and the greater cause.

Read More