March 21, 2021
This month, Here Be Dragons (previously Mc&T) launched its new company brand identity and ethos, conceived and created during the pandemic in the realisation that 2021 brands are not prepared for the constant change in the world.
The agency name and approach to its work is derived from the old navigational term ‘Here Be Dragons’, used to denote perceived danger in previously uncharted parts of the world. Repurposing this, Here Be Dragons has created an identity and philosophy which is designed to help clients navigate the change in the world and discover brave new lands that can exist via exploration of the world around them.
In addition, the agency is launching its own in-house creative studio and a global trend and foresight network called TAILWINDS
The identity had been developed in house by Here Be Dragons Design Lead, Harry Eastham while the dragon emblem has been created by Bristol-based visual artist Jamie Muck.
Says Harry, “The identity grew from our new strategic approach with clients: you need to be visible, you need to be able to respond and react, you need to be bold and brave. These characteristics ran throughout our whole approach and layered with a new name with rich meaning and history. The elements of bold colour, unapologetic typography and dynamic layouts, combined with our new characterful dragon to create an identity built for change.”
Founder and CEO Paul McEntee added, “We saw crazy change in 2020. People changed, and we understood that brands must change too. They must move forward with the expectations of their audience. Seeing this change in the world, we decided to change too, so we launched Here Be Dragons into the world with a new set of principles and a new positioning”
While Here Be Dragons already offers a range of services from PR and press office, SEO, social content, brand strategy, and experiential and media campaigns, to help clients navigate the choppy waters of culture, the agency is launching two new offerings.
The first, ‘Here Be Dragons Studio’, a creative and production facility that will be responsible for creative culture and ideation at the agency as well as make content and digital products for clients.
Secondly TAILWINDS, a trend forecasting service and publishing tool that will undertake research projects, thanks to a global network of academics, writers and cultural change-makers.
To announce the rebrand, Here Be Dragons has also published a post-pandemic report, outlining how to ensure your brand is fit-for-purpose in 2021. From unlocking your purpose and finding your inner compass; to taking action and discovering uncharted territories to have impact.
This news follows the announcement that Mc&T won Small Creative Agency of the Year at the Creative Moment Awards, in recognition of its work for brands such as the NHS, giffgaff, Kopparberg and Heineken-backed craft beer company, Beavertown.
