Helpful words:
About Naming

A day in the life of “the everyday customer”

T̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶n̶, the myth… As creative professionals working with clients big and small, we sometimes hear this phrase: “the name needs to appeal to the everyday customer”, or “…the everywoman”, etc. Usually this comes from market research and a need (particularly for large brands) to secure their spot on shelves around the country with a name that…

Don’t kill these names

Recently, when sharing names with clients, I’ve had a few folks say something along the lines of “That’s a nice name but it sounds like a soap company” or “If I were starting an [insert industry here] brand, this would be perfect.” To which my response is something along the lines of “Yes, that name…

Is your name carrying its weight?

Here’s how to tell if your name is doing all it can for you. Also, if you decide to change your name, we’ll discuss the best time to do it. One: Start with the business side of things. Are you clear on your core business offerings, how you’re different, and how you’re positioned against the…

Even big names need help naming

Why star-studded naming projects usually burn out Celebrities, they’re just like us. They drink iced coffee, they pump gas. Sometimes they have an idea for something, and that something needs a name. It may come as a surprise that a celebrity would reach out to a naming studio like ours. Public figures often have their own…

We’re all creatives and judges

How creative decisions force us to rewire our brains It can be daunting to stare at a list of options when you only need one. For most of us, the natural approach is to find the answer. Thanks to years of multiple choice, standardized testing, and everyday problem-solving, we’re programmed to gradually eliminate incorrect answers from a…

Trademark Screening 101: How we get it done at A Hundred Monkeys

It’s not all fun and games over here at A Hundred Monkeys. We, too, are governed by the laws of the United States. Specifically, trademark law happens to be very much a part of our business. We’ve gotten to know the intersection of trademark law and naming over the years. We’ve designed our process in…

Systematized: A look at mountain bike naming systems

Naming architecture and systems are top of mind as I’m wrapping up a large, multifaceted naming architecture project and spinning up on another this spring. As I’ve been completing this work, I’ve discovered how little information is readily available on how to evaluate and approach naming architectures and systems. For clarity on how we think…

The Brand is the Company is the Product

There are many reasons for companies to seek help with naming. One issue that confounds a number of growing businesses who have yet to make a splash is how to name their brand, company, and products. Granted, at an early inflection point they may only have one product, which actually plays to their advantage. In…

The competition trap for creative agencies

The creative field is a crowded one. There are behemoths that handle everything in house and specialists that focus on tiny nooks and crannies. On this spectrum, A Hundred Monkeys occupies one of the smaller nooks. We focus on naming and occasionally write in slightly longer format. Over the years, we’ve won and lost projects…

You are here: Navigating a naming ecosystem

It’s been a while since most of us have been to a theme park, a music festival, a zoo, or even a museum. If my memory serves me, these environments come with maps and directories, so you can plan your experience accordingly and tell your friends to meet you at the churro stand at noon….

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 … 29