Some people dream of starring on the silver screen, flying to space, or teaching dolphins to read. We grew up loving language and searching for the right words. With more than 75 years of combined experience naming companies and products, we’ve been lucky to name a supersonic jet, a watch company, Earth-friendly activewear, mindfully-crafted tequila,
Do you anticipate feeling anxious or hesitant over selecting a name for your company or product? Would you rather put that decision in the hands of seasoned professionals? Do you also like the price of $0? Well, you’re in luck. Submit your proposal here and once a year we’ll select a client to work with,
When brand backstories take a front seat There’s an unmistakable art to the Shark Tank pitch. It almost always begins with a founder’s personal anecdote that introduces a very relatable problem, and then goes on to explain how their product is finally solving it. In other cases, it’s fueled by more of a passion than
We all perform routine tasks on a daily basis: brushing our teeth, preparing morning beverages, gazing at screens, and, possibly, perfecting personal crafts. Most people are lucky to get good at a hobby or two. Naming things is not typically one of those two things. In the naming biz, we see people take a crack
There’s a simple formula to surf films: show people surfing. Rarely do these movies consist of an overt, or even covert, narrative or message communicated to the audience. Plus surfers don’t care much for propaganda. But on Saturday October 12, 2024 I attended the premier screening of Circles: An Ode To Shredding directed by Dana
Credit to Michael Azerrad and Mike Watt of Minutemen for the title of this blog, a nod to Azzerad’s book “Our band could be your life” and the opening line of “History Lesson – Part II”, a song written by Mike Watt of Minutemen. What is it about some brands that seem to take over
Why a side project might be the best thing for your main project I’m no stranger to a side project. I’ve done plenty of them in my wheelhouse, like everything at No Picnic: Don’t Call It That, Run Studio Run, Go Name Yourself, Assorted Characters, and Extra Strength. I’ve also taken on side projects that are much further
“See the city, see the zoo, traffic light won’t let me through.” – Phish Where did you go recently? Maybe you went to the grocery store or maybe you flew to Salt Lake City. In any event, you had a destination in mind and how you got there was simply an exercise in wayfinding. A
William Faulkner won the Nobel Peace Prize for literature in 1949. Two years earlier in 1947 he spoke to students of the English Department at the University of Mississippi. During a question and answer session after the talk, he handed down some advice to the students on how to be better writers. Here’s an excerpt
Dollar stores live in the world of practical magic. A place where $5 feels like $50, and a name can be the thing that turns “eh, maybe” into “why not?” The best dollar store names don’t just tell you what you’re getting; they evoke an emotional response, spark curiosity, or cleverly allude to their mainstream
