Branding is more than just a logo or a catchy tagline. It’s the invisible thread that ties a company to its audience. The most compelling brands don’t just sell products. They sell a feeling; a story; an identity. Every color, font, or design choice contributes to a narrative customers want to believe in and be part of.
If you are launching your company or re-starting something on a new footing, you want your brand to be spectacularly right on. There are plenty of branding agencies developing interesting concepts and significant brands, but two that stand out for their creative approach to branding: Lippincott, with offices in New York and several other countries, and Texas-based Helms Workshop.
Both are brand design agencies that take a product and create a whole universe around it. They then give their audience the story of this universe and let them imagine themselves in that world.
Both branding agencies offer strategy, naming, brand design, creative campaigns, marketing, and digital branding. However, they have slightly different audience targets and approaches regarding how they picture the branding journey.
Lippincott vs. Helms Workshop: at a Glance
Lippincott is a global creative agency with hundreds of employees and multiple locations worldwide, from the US and UK to China, Southeast Asia, and Korea.
Helms Workshop is a smaller boutique agency that works globally. Although it is based in Texas, it has developed global brands and worked on projects worldwide.
While you may think that Lippincott is the obvious choice due to its sheer size, size alone doesn’t matter. If you are looking to create a lasting brand that reflects your audience, you want a marketing agency that fits how you picture your business. As with most things in life, you are looking for the right fit.
Client Roster & Experience
Lippincott works primarily with large, well-known companies generating $100MM+ in revenue. From Coca-Cola to Samsung, Starbucks, Delta, and several other Fortune 500 companies, the agency has shaped some of the world’s most iconic brands and experiences for 80 years and counting.
Helms Workshop works with a broader range of clients, from startups and emerging brands to established global businesses. Over its 15 years in practice, the agency has worked with Tecovas, Everlywell, Jack Daniel’s, Starcom, F1, and Hershey.
Helm’s Workshop has grown a portfolio that reflects its commitment to collaboration and authenticity, working with forward-thinking brands across various industries. Their clients often include mission-driven companies, craft-focused businesses, and innovative startups. It seems the team behind Helm’s Workshop likes to challenge themselves as they help developing brands compete with established companies on an equal level.
Our verdict
Lippincott’s vast experience and industry reach make it a highly competitive branding agency. However, their focus on large corporations may compromise a more personal, hands-on approach to branding, which is where Helm’s Workshop’s niche market lies.
Work Quality
There is no question that both branding agencies deliver excellent work quality with creative combinations and to-the-point storylines.
Lippincott’s work is polished, with a focus on sleek, timeless aesthetics. Their branding solutions are built for longevity and scalability, making brands last a lifetime. They combine knowledge from all aspects, fields, and concepts of life to give meaning to a brand.
Helm’s Workshop’s creative output is bold and imaginative, with a deep connection to storytelling. Each project brings about an artistic vision and a touch of talent that sets their work apart in the branding world. Their designs often strike a balance between visual innovation and brand authenticity. Their concepts carry beauty and substance that speak to their audience.
Our verdict
Lippincott sometimes seems more geared toward larger projects and brands, and its projects may sometimes lack the personality and edge that Helm’s Workshop infuses into them.
Process & Client Experience
Both Lippincott and Helms Workshop have developed a similar brand-building process that begins with research and strategy. After all, how can you build a brand if you don’t know what the business stands for?
Lippincott’s process leans toward a more structured, consultancy-driven model. They have designed a process that fits with large organizations. It delivers consistency, although it may sometimes feel less intimate or adaptable for clients who prefer a more hands-on relationship with their agency. Also, their project timelines seem to be taking longer, which may be due to the size of the businesses they work with and their larger, deeper, and layered bureaucracies.
Helms Workshop focuses on client experience and communication and seems to form a tight bond with the companies it works with. They have fun working with clients and actively engage them in the process. This helps organizations feel invested in the whole branding journey and join in every step of the way.
Our verdict
Helms Workshop may be more agile in problem-solving and willing to push industry boundaries. Just like Helms Workshop, Lippincott is dedicated to a smooth and straightforward branding process, but the former seems to seriously enjoy working on and brainstorming brands.
Industry Specialization
Both Lippincott and Helms Workshop work across various industries, from consumer products and wellness to retail and B2B.
Lippincott’s specialization spans entire industries, with a focus on large-scale businesses in finance, healthcare, and technology.
Helm’s Workshop thrives in industries where creativity and storytelling build the brand itself, such as craft food and beverage, hospitality, and mission-driven organizations.
Our verdict
Because of the size of organizations Lippincott works with, they take a more generalist approach, sometimes diluting the brand’s depth. Helms Workshop likes to challenge themselves in niche markets, which allows them to create designs that reflect specific audiences.
Focus & Ownership
Lippincott was acquired by the insurance and risk conglomerate Oliver Wyman Group. They operate within the framework of a corporate structure.
Helms Workshop is independently owned without ties to a larger parent company or venture capital.
Our verdict
Why does this matter, you may ask? Lippincott has access to extensive resources, but this may limit their flexibility and creative risk-taking. Helms Workshop retains full creative freedom, letting them prioritize the artistry and individuality of their work. Their focus remains squarely on delivering exceptional creativity rather than sticking to corporate mandates or shareholder expectations.
Pricing
The fee ranges at Lippincott and Helms Workshop vary based on project scope and deliverables, which is common across all creative agencies.
Lippincott’s pricing fits within its ownership status as a global leader and is often a better fit for large-scale corporations with extensive branding budgets. Lippincott’s average fee range is higher as it reflects the size of the business, larger overhead costs, and multiple offices. Smaller or emerging brands may find this cost prohibitive, particularly if they look for highly customized solutions.
Helm’s Workshop offers competitive pricing, particularly for clients who value a bespoke and hands-on approach. Their pricing structure reflects the tailored nature of their services, especially as they want their clients to receive exceptional value for a deeply personalized experience.
Our verdict
Helm’s Workshop is your obvious choice if you are looking for excellent branding services at competitive pricing.
Services Beyond Branding
Through its partnership with Oliver Wyman Group, Lippincott delivers large-scale operational and business services, as well as strategy consulting, experience design, and innovation. They have a proprietary suite of tools called Brand Aperture to monitor a brand’s performance and see how the world responds to their branding. Also, their services extend into strategy consulting, experience design, and innovation.
Helms Workshop offers long-term marketing and brand management services, as well as content creation, digital branding, and environmental branding services similar to Lippincott. They include packaging design, advertising, and digital marketing support to give clients a cohesive, multi-platform branding result that reflects their brand identity.
Our verdict
Lippincott’s services are a great match for large organizations looking for an all-inclusive approach. Smaller businesses may prefer the specialized creative input that Helms Workshop delivers.
Our Overall Verdict
Lippincott’s results tend to emphasize scalability and long-term consistency. They have built their reputation as reliable and professional branding solutions for organizations looking for a global presence. However, their results may lack the emotional resonance and individuality that are hallmarks of Helms Workshop’s work.
Helms Workshop’s results speak to their ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level. Their storytelling is unmatched, and they create brand universes that transform brands into cultural icons. That’s how they build customer loyalty and engagement. To them, there is always a tale behind everything, and who doesn’t like a good story?
Whichever one you choose, you can rest assured you are in good hands with any of these two great companies!
