BrandBuilders Spotlights

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

The Client:

The Open Streets 704 program hosts twice-yearly events that “open” Charlotte city streets connecting neighbors and neighborhoods for an afternoon of fun, free activities they can enjoy with their entire family. The event is based on successful Open Streets festivals in cities around the world, which encourage people to live healthier, better-connected lives by allowing them to explore local neighborhoods in a way that’s just not possible by car.

The Challenge:

With an eighth event approaching, Open Streets 704 feels like it’s a regular on Charlotte’s spring and fall “must do” calendars. But introducing the concept of open streets took some creativity on behalf of The Dunstan Group. Branded merchandise would need to be functional, of course, but would also need to communicate basic “what, when, and where,” information, while giving recipients the idea of what the event was all about. With events and activities spread out over several miles, and many different neighborhoods, branded merchandise would need to do more than market a logo — it would have to encourage an idea of people-powered activity for every age and background.

The Big Idea:

Among a suite of promotional items including banners, key keepers, and reusable cups, the branded Frisbees and blinking bike lights were runaway hits at other outdoor festivals and functions leading up to the first Open Streets 704 event. Customized printed coasters were another fun and functional promotion that served as a nod to the participating local breweries along the route. Staff and volunteer t-shirts helped participants and wayfinding signs helped reinforce the brand during the event.

The Reaction:

Clearly, folks got the message about Open Streets 704! The semi-annual events draw more than 30,000 people outside and into the streets. Participants say they’ve discovered new neighborhoods and businesses along the routes, and are more willing to walk, ride a bike, or visit a park as a result of being a part of Open Streets 704 events. Businesses agree they’ve gotten more exposure – and new customers – from Open Streets 704.

“Open Streets 704 is truly an event anyone can participate in,” said Eleanor Shell, one of the program organizers. “Open Streets 704 crosses neighborhood boundaries, and reaches out to our entire community to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get out, meet new people, see new places, and have fun.”

“The Dunstan Group really understood the vision of the event for what we are hoping to create in our community, and to carry over that same feeling from one afternoon to the rest of the year.”

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

The Client:

24 Foundation is a non-profit organization close to our founder, Scott Dunstan’s, heart. Since 2002, the Charlotte-based charity has raised more than $21 million to support cancer navigation, improve quality of life and survivorship for cancer patients. Its signature events bring cyclists, walkers, survivors, families, and friends together for 24-hour tests of endurance, remembrance, community, and celebration. 

“Community involvement is so important,” says Scott on his connection to the 24 Foundation’s mission and message.

The Challenge:

In honor of his mother’s memory, Scott started riding in 24 Hours of Booty, the Foundation’s signature cycling and fundraising event. As the years progressed, many more people dear to him have been affected by cancer, including two close friends who lost children to pediatric cancer. In 2009, The Dunstan Group became the supplier of the 24 Foundation’s branded merchandise. 

As the event grew and branched out to other cities, the message of fundraising for the important work of cancer navigation had to be consistent on all platforms across the country with cool, fundraising incentives, comfortable riding gear, staff shirts, volunteer shirts, fundraising awards, and branded merchandise for the 24 Foundation support store.

The Big Idea:

Each fall, The Dunstan Group works with the marketing and branding teams at the 24 Foundation to identify unique product, apparel, and designs that can help them excite participants, reach their fundraising and awareness goals, and provide long-lasting branding appeal. From a fundraising perspective, a high-quality incentive item may provide a tipping point for participants to make one more ask, send one more email, and reach that “next level.” The 24 Foundation’s two annual events are also supported by on-brand apparel, gear, and other goods that are available through the program’s online store.

The merchandise provided for the 2019 24 Hours of Booty includes 20 unique branded items from pens and bracelets, to bamboo sunglasses, hair ties, and even cowbells!

The Reaction:

“The 24 Foundation developed into the hugely impactful non-profit it is today because of partnerships with like-minded individuals like Scott Dunstan and The Dunstan Group,” says Katy Ryan, Executive Director of the 24 Foundation. “Scott and his team are true partners. Each year, Scott participates in the event, raises funds on behalf of the organization, and helps us create a successful road map for recruitment and retention through our apparel, incentives, and promo items.”

The personalized attention is what keeps drawing 24 Foundation back to The Dunstan group year after year, says Ryan.

“The Dunstan Group always delivers more than expected each year, helping propel us forward as we seek to expand and improve upon our mission to provide cancer navigation and survivorship for all. This is why we always choose the Dunstan team. They care not just about what we do, but why we do it.”

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:

Town Brewing, Charlotte’s newest local brewery, tucked into the fast-growing, eclectic FreeMoreWest neighborhood just a few blocks behind Bank of America Stadium. 

The Challenge: 

Town Brewing Company found the Dunstan Group first, looking for options and checking on price points for particular items. To hear our man Brian Young tell it, The Dunstan Group then challenged them to come into our showroom to see for themselves what all could be done to set them apart in a city that’s already home to some well-established breweries. 

The Big Idea: 

The team from Town Brewing Company came in thinking “t-shirts,” they left with a whole new perspective on how branded merchandise and apparel can communicate with their customers and tell the story about the brand they want to build. The Town Brewing brand is comfortable and approachable, just like their beers. We wanted to help them create a line of product that looked and felt just as attainable. 

Since then, we’ve collaborated on coasters, table throws, hats and hoodies, decals, bottle openers, frosted cups, and pop-up tents. And, yes, we did their t-shirts, too. 

The Reaction:

“We were opening a new brewery and weren’t sure what direction we wanted to go in for our custom merchandise, but we knew we wanted to stand out from the start. After partnering with The Dunstan Group, they have helped us turn our designs and logos into exciting merchandise! We are extremely happy working with them and cannot wait to continue creating awesome ideas together!” 

— Catherine Kay, Town Brewing Company 

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