Brand visionaries, seasoned strategists, and creative leaders at heart, Hudson Creative Agency believes that creativity is the catalyst to developing successful businesses. We’re an advertising company that creates iconic brand stories for our clients inspired by the intersection of design, interactive and advertising.
Developing a Local Product for International Markets
HCA develops and launches a new vodka brand, the first of many spirits, to be exported throughout the world.
Challenge
The spirits industry is very competitive with a lot of international players and well-established brands. Marc LeBlanc of Port Royal Distillers had a vision to gain market share from these brands and export a variety of spirit-based products from their new plant in Moncton, N.B.
Strategy
Develop brands and packages that stand out and capture the audience’s attention encouraging them to try something other than their usual. While at or near the same price as their competitors, showcase that Port Royal offers better quality spirits.
Idea
Have bottles and designs reflect the highest standards demonstrating the brands are ready to compete with the most established in the world. Incorporate unique design elements that allow them to stand out when positioned on shelves alongside their competitors.
Results
Snowfox Vodka, the first product to hit markets, is now being sold at Alcool NB Liquor stores. Early results show the launch was one of the most successful new products in ANBL’s history. The second product, Samuel de Champlain Vodka Royal, will be released to market shortly.
Behavioural Change to Die For
HCA creates an edgy, powerful ad campaign discouraging, and potentially eliminating, the use of tanning beds by teens.
Challenge
Prom has been identified as a time of year when high school students, especially young women, begin tanning to avoid looking pale at the prom. It is important that they are reminded that tanning isn’t safe and pale skin can be attractive.
Strategy
Shock females aged 16-24 about the risks of using a Tanning Bed for prom. Time to give young women a damn good reason to change their tanning behaviour.
Idea
Using online, social media, and guerilla tactics, an unforgettable visual gets the point across that “tanning beds are not worth dying for.” The ad, which was endorsed by the Canadian Cancer Society, depicts a teenage girl in a bathing suit and sun-tanning goggles, basking in the glow of ultraviolet rays – but in a casket. The ad copy reads: “Using a tanning bed for prom? Know what you’re getting into.”
Results
The online campaign was a success with more than 2,600 youth age 18-24 clicking through to the website. In addition to the click-throughs, the campaign garnered more than 8-million impressions, with 143,400 Facebook Youth in New Brunswick exposed to our message up to 55 times over the 25 day phase.
Taking Northumberland to #1 in the Marketplace
HCA gives New Brunswick consumers a reason to choose Northumberland over the competition.
Challenge
With the purchase of Baxter Dairy by national dairy giant, Saputo, coupled by the loss of shelf space aggressively bought up by the competition, Northumberland needed to stabilize its market share and rebuild its brand in New Brunswick. It was clear that consumers, for the most part, did not see much distinction from one brand of milk to another.
Strategy
Based on consumer research, HCA developed a brand positioning that Northumberland is “local”. Consumers suggested Northumberland was a true New Brunswick icon.
Idea
Driven by TV, HCA developed a creative direction communicating Northumberland’s advantage. Creative featured scenarios positioning Northumberland using iconic New Brunswick imagery, as well as inciting pride using a “buy local” message.
Results
Northumberland experienced an increase of several percentage points immediately and has continued to grow market share over the past seven years with HCA as a strategic partner. Today, Northumberland enjoys the leadership role in the province.
National Brand Made Regional
HCA leads the creative and brand development for Rogers in Atlantic Canada.
Challenge
Rogers Communications Inc., a leading national provider of Wireless, Digital Cable TV, High Speed Internet and Home Phone services, needed to increase awareness of Rogers’ services in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. They were having difficulty developing messages that resonated in their Atlantic footprint.
Strategy
Craft messages for Rogers in both official languages and more importantly, tailor the French at a regional level, personalizing the message with the goal of portraying Rogers as a friendly, familiar and local service provider. HCA conducted market specific research and developed a unique selling focus and approach for the region communicating “value”.
Idea
“Bringing value home” was created, enabling Rogers to deliver hard-driving retail offers through genuine, real Atlantic Canadian characters and places. HCA developed unique ad campaigns including TV, radio, online advertising, outdoor advertising, new media advertising (washroom ads, cinema ads, ads projected on outdoor buildings) and a series of innovative, attention-grabbing direct mail pieces.
Results
On top of achieving all sales goals outlined by Rogers, HCA was also recognized for producing Rogers most successful direct mail campaign ever, country-wide, generating results 300% greater than average.
Some of our clients
