Hi, we’re
Familiar Creatures
Together, we outsmart brand behemoths.
About Us
Meet the Creatures. We hail from all sorts of caves, hollows and…colleges. But one thing we have in common: we all care about our craft.
We've worked on brand behemoths in our past. We're
Familiar.
And we run circles around them, like a crafty band of
Creatures.
Dustin Artz
Co-Founder
University of Virginia / VCU Brandcenter, McKinney, Team One, Omelet, TBWA/Chiat/Day, The Martin Agency, Arts & Letters
Justin Bajan
Co-Founder
University of South Carolina / Creative Circus, GSD&M, Mullen, David & Goliath, The Martin Agency, Arnold Worldwide
Carey Ely
Director of Accounts
University of Tennessee, The Johnson Group, The Martin Agency, Capital One Financial
Kate Luxton
Brand Director
University of Georgia, McCann, JWT, BBDO, Siddall, Arts & Letters
Joel Stiling
Sr. Copywriter
NC State University / Creative Circus, Planet Propaganda, Clean
Hana Ballout
Project Manager
VCU, Underhill Productions, VICE Media
Ellen Veith
Art Director
Radford University / VCU Brandcenter
Sarah Wallace Carr
Sr. Art Director
Christopher Newport / VCU Brandcenter, Public Inc., McGarrah Jessee, McKinney
Ben Englander
Copywriter
Tulane University, VITRO, Butterworth Collective
Together, we outsmart Brand Behemoths.
We’ve worked on brand behemoths in our past. We’re Familiar.
And we run circles around them, like a crafty band of Creatures.
Aaahhhh, that feels nice.
Using BrightSuite from Dominion Energy is super satisfying.
We tapped into the zeitgeist of the #oddlysatisfying phenomenon all over social media as inspiration to describe what it feels like to use BrightSuite every day. That feeling of uber-control, where everything in the universe is just as it should be. We brought this to life with calming videos shot by Ben Weinstein, ASMR-quality radio spots, plus a pleasing color palette and photography style in print and banners.
How Do We Help
Challenger Brands?
We attack in untraditional ways to give challenger brands an unfair share of attention. And unreal results.
Capabilities
BRAND STRATEGY
We craft effective and fruitful strategy that is insight-led, stands the test of time and informs how your brand thinks and behaves.
CREATIVE
Our expertise from working at A-level creative agencies helps us bring you breakthrough ideas that are sticky and solve your business problems.
BRAND DESIGN
We can design it all: including logo/identity, campaigns and robust brand guidelines for your internal teams.
PRODUCTION OVERSIGHT
Our relationships with elite production companies ensure your brand will look just as great as the leaders in your category.
IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION
We have the tools and know-how to deliver top-tier animation, video editing and photography when the job calls for it.
Capabilities
BRAND
STRATEGY
With research, positioning, brand houses, consumer journeys and comms planning, we uncover rich insights that shape your brand.
BRAND
DESIGN
From logos, naming, to full identity systems, to packaging and merchandise, we have the goods to make you look good.
IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION
Need photography, simple videos or editing? We got you.
CREATIVE
We can go big with creative platforms that last for years or create one potent commercial that gets the job done asap.
PRODUCTION DIRECTION
From our years working on brand behemoths, we have a strong network of A-level partners we can tap into anytime.