BrandBuilders Spotlights

One in a series of case studies highlighting creative projects, imaginative clients, and remarkable results.

The Client:

Hoppin’ is a self-serve taproom that allows patrons to serve as much or as little beer or wine as they feel like tasting. A wristband keeps track of how much is poured, and patrons pay when they return their wristband to leave. The whole vibe is about keeping it simple, and good beverages with friends.

The Challenge:

The Dunstan Group offered new ideas that showed we were thinking “outside the box” with the Hoppin’ marketing team. A local office and facility made ideas turn into products that could serve Hoppin’s needs quickly, and the Dunstan Group team always made sure we took responsibility and followed through with what we promised.

The Big Idea:

Since a self-serve taproom is such a new concept, especially in Charlotte, the company’s motto is, “Be different.” Hoppin’ management wanted staff gear and merchandise that was creative and made locally, and at the same time, would be gear patrons would like and use again and again.

The Reaction:

With multiple locations opening, we are super excited to work with Brian and Scott. Merchandise and promo items are important for showing your brand, so having a team that understands that and understands it needs to be different is a good feeling.”

-Rich Moyer, Hoppin’

One in a series of case studies highlighting creative projects, imaginative clients, and remarkable results. 

The Client:

Ability Experience is the non-profit, philanthropic service organization created by the national Pi Kappa Phi men’s fraternity. Their goal is to support and provide activities for persons with disabilities in a way that changes how they’re viewed.

The Big Idea:

One of their popular fundraisers is “Beardsgiving,” when fraternity members and alumni spend the month of November cultivating great beards as part of an online fundraising campaign. Leaders thought adding incentives might motivate the men in fundraising, but they needed to do it in a way that would “balance cost with cool” as a non-profit. We showed them a mix of merchandise, both traditional and new, that could meet their needs and exceed their expectations.

The Reaction:

The hats, speakers, mugs, gear bags, and shirts really nailed our goals and we were thrilled. This year we had a record number of guys receiving fundraising incentives, especially at the higher levels. While we work hard to increase the number of registrations we have from across the country, our success lies in how we are able to maximize the fundraising for those that sign up. We absolutely love working with Scott, Brian and MacLean and appreciate their work to impact our mission!

-Basil Lyberg, Ability Experience

One in a series of case studies highlighting creative projects, imaginative clients, and remarkable results.

The Client:

American Inno, a division of the American City Business Journals, dedicated to connecting startups and the local tech industry via news, events, job listings, and more.

The Challenge:

To design a unique and creative award for the American Inno “50 on Fire.” This award is presented at events nationwide to recognize “innovators, disruptors, and trailblazers” who think way outside the box. Bottom line, the standard engraved plaque has its place, but this isn’t it.

The Big Idea:

Taking some cues from The Masters and its ubiquitous green jacket, the Dunstan Group worked with Cat Francis at American Inno to select an appropriate piece that would not only make the winners feel awesome in the moment, but also generate a ton of social media buzz and some interoffice excitement. Enter, the VERY red “Inno Blazer!” These custom embroidered jackets are now a point of pride for the winners, and have been featured in articles and social media posts nationwide.

The Reaction:

So far, we’ve awarded 50+ ‘Inno Blazers’ across 6 cities, and our honorees have gone crazy for the red jackets. Winners have had a blast wearing the coveted red blazers at the events and went crazy posting pictures on social media. Post events, the red blazers have lived on. We’ve seen them framed in offices, worn by employees of the month, decked out with added pieces of flare and worn around startup communities at other events. Thank you to the Dunstan Group for helping bring the red ‘Inno Blazers’ to life and to helping American Inno grow its brand!”

— Cat Francis,
National Marketing and Events Director, American Inno