The Melting Pot
about us
Let Strangebrew spark the imagination of your customers by applying brand alchemy to you business. The end result? Innovative PR and Marketing and Advertising and Branding that sets you apart from the rest of the field.
Brand Alchemy - "Adding Value to Your Brand"
Strangebrew meets clients regularly in and around Gerrards Cross, Farnham Common, Denham and Rickmansworth and will be happy to meet anywhere in or around Buckinghamshire or London to accommodate your requirements.
PASSION, QUALITY AND SERVICE
Passionate about quality and service, that's what others say about Phil Strachan of Strangebrew. This Scotsman who is a mine of originality and creative genius dispenses good solid advice to companies grateful for the expert attention he gives to their Brands. The testimonials attached to this feature by satisfied clients speak of his flair for 'nailing their Branding' perfectly to ensure their future growth. Every one of these fortunate companies is thankful they had the privilege of working with Phil Strachan, the man behind Strangebrew - Brand Alchemy, the words they use tell of his maverick skill and consistent ability.
PERCEPTION
What matters is perception. An old fashioned Company business name, logo and business card and amateurish out of date communications tell their own story of a Company which has lapsed into the realms of becoming out of touch. Potential clients and the general population these days judge Brands by the way they perceive them. Out of touch companies are perceived to have inferior products or services and will be judged as having inferior lower value offerings than competitors with a more up to date presentation and a more relevant message.
What will it matter if the Company's products and services are actually state of the Art rather than state of the ARK - because all that matters is how they are perceived - that is how they are judged by potential new Clients. Good Powerful Branding differentiating your product or service from that of your competitors is vital. It adds value and makes your products or services more attractive to the consumer.
IDENTITY
Your Brand Identity shows how you want to be seen, you need to know about this in order to create and build a good Brand. Good Branding ought to both reflect and project your Brand values such as trustworthiness, quality and reliability - Identity goes much deeper than a logo or a name - they are just what stands for the Brand, a form of shorthand for so much more.
PROMISE
A Brand is all about consistency at each and every touch point. You have to live that Brand all the way from your experience with a product or service right through to advertising and web design. It's important for Brands to be consistent because they form the contract with the consumer or client - they promise the delivery of the expectation that is true to the Brand's values every single time.
EQUITY
Why do people buy Coca Cola? Because it has a nice bottle shape or a nice red and white scripted logo. No, because it is 'the real thing'. This is a powerful motivating message delivered consistently over time. Why do people buy L'Oreal? It's always because 'they are worth it'. If you put a supermarket label on the same product it might only command a quarter of the price that the L'Oreal Branding does. What does that tell you about the worth of building a Brand? Brands do add value - they can - and they do. In actual fact, Brands are now realised as individual assets, as quantified equity on the balance sheets of companies all over the world.
EXPERIENCE
Phil's impressive list of clients range from one person start-ups to blue chip multinationals and global brands and he gives the same outstanding service no matter who you might be or what size of company you are talking about. In the business of Branding, Identity and Design Phil Strachan has over 30 years combined experience in running brands on the client side and launching, relaunching, refreshing, re-energising and revitalising brands and businesses of all shapes and sizes on the consultancy side. In true Strangebrew style he places the emphasis firmly on being judged face to face, on what Strangebrew can do for prospective clients in terms of their businesses and Brands. Phil does not rely on anyone judging him on what Strangebrew has done for other clients; even though we have a stack of testimonials (see above this feature) to prove his worth. Phil is delighted to meet up for a chat somewhere (and a beer perhaps) to discuss honestly what Strangebrew can do for your Brand without pressure or sales pitching.
VISION
Phil is one of the few people who fully understands what 'Brand and Brand design' is, there are many people who don't; and he can put that understanding into action on your behalf. But make no mistake, Phil will want to converse with you, have a chat or three with you, and really get to know you. He will burrow under your skin and excavate everything there is to know about what you believe your business is about, what you believe you are doing, what you believe you are delivering/offering to clients, where you desire to position yourself, what your hopes are and what you dream about - he will persevere until he fully uncovers the revelation inside of you getting to the heart of your vision.
STRATEGY
It doesn't matter if you are a one man start-up business or a multi-national corporation, whether you think you already have a Brand or you don't think you have a clue, Phil will persist in the quest for everything Strangebrew needs from you until it is time to perform that Brand Alchemy that embodies Strangebrew. The Brand Alchemy that adds worth beyond price. The percolation of all your consultations producing a creative distillation, a Strangebrew, that 'nails your Brand' absolutely. There will be no doubt in your mind that this is the elusive 'something' that you have been seeking. Phil will then efficiently action all the made to measure plans you have discussed together in a meticulously planned programme of delivery and your Brand will rise into life, fully equipping your company for success in the 21st Century. You will at last have that unified Brand strategy that really works.
Simplicity is important, so is relevance and some Brands need to be aspirational rather than purely inspirational. This depends on your circumstances - is your Brand being used to define what you stand for, is this enough, or does your Brand need to motivate and engage? Your Brand is your main distinguisher from your competitors so what your Brand says about you is vital. Phil's proficiency in leading you through the complex maze comprising Brand, Identity and Design and the Strangebrew touch, that sheer marvellous capability and creativeness proffered, comprises one of the finest tools you could ever hope to employ to ensure your preferred place in today's competitive business marketplace. Phil Strachan is, without a doubt, a welcome breath of life to entrepreneurs everywhere.
NATIONAL ENTERPRISE
Would you believe this tall Scotsman, Phil Strachan from Strangebrew who specialises in Branding, Identity and Design, also works with Peter Jones' National Enterprise Academy where he runs creative workshops and challenges and mentors tomorrow's would-be entrepreneurs.
Launched in September 2009, The National Enterprise Academy is the brainchild of one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, Peter Jones of Dragon's Den fame. Peter had a vision of creating a centre of excellence for developing enterprise skills and this vision involved shifting the boardroom into the classroom in order to equip the future generation with the necessary skills and confidence to aim higher.
The UK's first non-profit educational institution, The National Enterprise Academy is dedicated to teaching enterprise and entrepreneurship; it is a pioneer in terms of providing students with the perfect launch platform for their business careers.
In its first year, the results achieved by the NEA and its students were classified as 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
VALUE
The contribution Phil Strachan makes to the education of tomorrow's entrepreneurs is so valuable it's beyond price. If you choose to have Strangebrew contribute that same amazing concoction of excellence, expertise and creative alchemy to your Brand - whether you are an entrepreneur just starting out, an established company requiring a makeover or a corporate Brand looking to refresh or entirely Rebrand, you will come to understand, like all his other clients, why the value Phil adds to any Brand is something you can't afford to be without - call Phil Strachan now on 07770 753975 - don't procrastinate, he's a busy man!
It is to your advantage to mention thebestof Gerrards Cross when contacting Strangebrew so that they can give you the best of service!
© AM BEST 4U LTD
latest reviews
Strangebrew â lives up to its name! Phil Strachan tests and probes your requirements to provide you the best solution to branding and corporate image. Through this interactive process â you the client can feel confident that Phil is becoming part of your team but still remains objective to assist you in providing ideas and direction thus ensuring the future strength of your brand. Through his skill our business now has a coherent message supported by consistent look and feel across all areas. I would not hesitate to recommend Strangebrew to anyone looking for creative thought, ability to challenge and bring forth the best for you and your company, your products and most importantly â the brand! Director - Emvelo Natural Animal Care
Phil has a real knack of getting right under the skin of exactly what you do. This is often quite different to what you think you do. The net result is a direction and brand proposition and positioning more closely aligned with your ideal prospects and this new brand will lead you to more satisfied and more profitable customers, with greater ease. In short, Strangebrewâs brand alchemy adds tangible value to your business â and this is most certainly the case in the work he has done for us. You can always rely on Phil for great results and fantastic value too. Urban Media Limited
I was referred to Phil when someone in a networking group I am a member of found out that I was planning to launch a new business and wanted to create a new and differentiated brand identity.He was himself a very satisfied Client of Strangebrew and he spoke very highly of Philâs approach, thoroughness and creative abilities and most importantly of the value that had been added to his business by defining and presenting what his business really did for its customers. Being cautious and unused to working with such strategic and creative consultancies, I also took up a reference with another of Philâs previous Clients; once again the message was the same and I was encouraged to work with Strangebrew in the strongest possible terms Phil did not disappoint. He took me on an incredible journey of exploration in terms of defining exactly what my proposition would be and how my business could and should be branded, expressed and presented. On the days I was due to meet with Phil to cover his work for each stage, I was quite literally excited by where we might end up and the commercial vision and wisdom that would be put on the table. We certainly did not end up where I thought we would and without the magic of Strangebrew I would certainly not have the well presented clarity and focus I have today. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Phil Strachan and Strangebrew to anyone looking to create a new brand or business or to relaunch or refresh an existing business. Working with Strangebrew you certainly do get brand â not bland. Phil lives up to his promise in every way and it is such a fun and rewarding process too. Dean Weller Associates
Phil took exceptional care in making sure he understood both our company and our needs in the area of design. Whilst we had set a clear brief, Philâs experience was vital in honing that to what is now expected, and must be delivered, in the current economic climate. Philâs commitment and hard work throughout our rebranding project was total and we were delighted with the end product which was delivered on time and within budget. Our brand identities and imaging now properly match our core values and aspirations and gave us a solid base to further develop our business. Castle Rock Brewery
Phil Strachan delivered much more than a re-branding; in fact, it was more like a complete strategic business overhaul â and fantastic value for money too. The objective process Phil employed made me examine every aspect of my activity and added considerable value with the result that Northwood Risk Management has become much more than just an insurance broker. In fact, we now operate a business model that may be unique in the VSME and SME market sectors and it is now very effectively expressed and presented. Thanks Phil!! I would have no hesitation in recommending Strangebrew and have already done so â with great results!! Northwood Risk Management limited
Phil is passionate about branding. Branding to Phil is not just the narrow definition of corporate look and feel in terms of design or logo, but encapsulates the whole process of understanding the values, market and strategic objectives of his clients' businesses. The process, or more accurately the journey, he leads you on in fully understanding these elements provides enormous value in itself. This clarity of thought means that the end result - the holistic branding of your business - delivers way beyond your expectation. Phil has worked with us on two projects, one an existing business and the other a start up. In both cases Strangebrew's work was of the highest quality and invaluable. I recommend him unhesitatingly. Alchemy Online / Miidas Relocation
After just over a year in business, I needed some more business cards and really felt that my logo could do with a makeover. I contacted Phil Strachan from Strangebrew in February 2010 and started an enjoyable and enlightening journey. Before the process, I thought I had a pretty clear idea of my offering and my audience and really felt that I just needed a logo and a tag line. How wrong I was. Phil took me through a process of thinking about what I offered my customers and how. We looked at customer testimonials, work that I had carried out recently and what my values were. Phil took this information, created a new identity for me and summarised my offering in a number of propositions and tag lines. This means that people can immediately understand what I do and what makes me different â but also entices them to want to find out more. It has given me a confidence in describing what I do that existing clients have already commented on. Phil also designed new business cards, new stationery and suggested changes to my website so that the new branding is carried throughout my company, but I have got so much more out of the process. I have no doubt that I am already finding more clients because I used Phil to refresh and revitalise my brand. Concise Training
Phil rebranded Chiltern Therapies for me providing a good clean, approachable, but not too clinical, image, instilling confidence in our abilities for potential clients. Thanks Phil, for a fantastic job. You clearly understood the image I wished to portray. Chiltern Therapies
"I always said that I'd never pay anyone to draw me a pretty picture. I got to know Phil and him my business. I've now got a great logo and branding that really captures me and how I go about things. So I've still never paid anyone to draw me a pretty picture - with Phil I got so much more!" The Flying Doctor â the GP for your PC!
Phil Strachan of Strangebrew has a fantastic ability to take a view of your organisation, consider your objectives and create a brand identity that is 'on the money'. He certainly delivered this for First Move in terms of helping us to redefine our proposition and what we deliver and in terms of positively evolving and refreshing the presentation of our business He brings huge experience coupled with creative thinking in a package not often found outside the winning agencies in London. First Move Direct Marketing
Genius â Brilliant. Phil has real vision and sees possibilities that I never could. I knew I needed help with my branding and design but I could never have imagined how much help Strangebrew could be in terms of the strategic direction of my business and the way my business could look. Phil and his team made a potentially very complicated project seem so straightforward and his commitment to delivering the very best results was incredible. I certainly couldnât have done it without him. The value for money is unrivalled and I have already referred other people to Strangebrew. I look forward to the next project. Take Control
Phil will help you clarify what your brand values are and just what you're offering to whom - then he'll bring his creative talents to bear on much more than just your logo & letterheads. Coaching for Success
Phil Strachan of Strangebrew has been invaluable in helping me develop a new brand identity and position it strategically in the market place. He uses a unique blend of creativity combined with analytical skills, not forgetting a dose of humour! He really listens to the client and is able to get quickly to the essence of what the client is trying to develop and achieve. At all times he strives to do an excellent job and I feel he cares about my success as much as I do! I look forward to the successful launch of my brand, thanks, to a large degree, to Phil. Dancing Kites Creative Learning
Phil Strachan is the ultimate brand thinker - multi touch point, multidimensional, big picture thinking. If you want to build a brand experience that is compelling and ownable, Phil at Strangebrew is THE person to go to for branding and brand design magic that will help grow your business and deliver shareholder value. Reckitt Benckiser
We appointed Phil Strachan to create a new image for our company. What impressed us and what sets Phil apart from his competitors is that he really gets involved as if it was his own company. He listened carefully about what drives us and our own passions then took what we said and turned it into a really strong image that projects us perfectly. Immediately we started using our new brand, not only did we receive compliments from our existing customers, but new prospects were contacting us and we have not looked back.We would strongly recommend Strangebrew to any company wanting to stand out from the crowd. London and Counties Office Supplies Ltd
Strangebrew is unique, Phil Strachan is a one-off. I donât know anyone else who can do what he does in terms of branding, identity and design. Working with Strangebrew has undoubtedly added value to our business and energised it with a renewed level of focus and a clear proposition to propel it forward. Our new identity and design has enhanced our presentation across all media and has taken the perception of our business to a higher level. Exceptional value for money. AAC Systems Ltd
Since we appointed Strangebrew four and a half years ago to create our new Corporate Identity following our management buyout, we have been most impressed by all the work that Phil and his team have done. No matter what we brief Phil on, he consistently exceeds expectations and delivers excellent value for money. In terms of both strategic input and the creative work they deliver, Strangebrew have added considerable value to our brand and business over the last few years. We would not hesitate to recommend to anyone that they should talk to Phil on any issues relating to branding, identity and design. Tickford Powertrain Test Specialists Ltd