hi, we are The Young.
Agency for creative
brand development.

Why The Young? ‘Young’ is not an age. Neither a generation. It’s not hip, hype or happening. It is a way of looking – a perspective on growth, driven by curiosity and a desire for development. Young means to us: What if? It’s about wonder, and the willingness to experiment. The power of imagination.

contact

info@theyoung.agency

The Rotterdam studio:
Baan 74, 3e etage
3011 CD Rotterdam
I like it, what is it?

We develop Brand Concept Cars !

As the name implies, a concept car is an inspiring combination of idea and reality, simultaneously demonstrating both an organization’s unique strategic intent and practical capabilities.

More than a simple prototype, it brings to life the priorities, values and vision that will guide the organization forward in the immediate future, and serves as a tangible brand statement that says, ‘This is where we intend to go now.’

While automotive brands generally use concept cars to communicate externally to the press, a brand ‘concept car’ is also a powerful tool for the strategic orientation of internal audiences. In the process of organizational change, one relevant, concrete example can be worth more than a thousand PowerPoint decks!

Of course, a brand ‘concept car’ doesn’t have to be a physical product designed for sale. It could be anything: a new service offering or internal system, a refreshed brand design language or communications idea.

No matter what form it takes, in order to succeed in moving organizations forward, a powerful brand concept car needs three key characteristics:

1. Inspirational

It is inspirational but achievable in the near future. It requires change and may even surprise some people, but it is not a BHAG. It is grounded in realistic expectations of near-term circumstances and available resources

2. Brand Relevant

It is brand-relevant. It is not simply a general view of the future. It demonstrates a distinctive brand perspective on that future and how this particular organization will use its strengths to take advantage of those circumstances.

3. Collaborative

It connects the efforts and input of multiple stakeholders. From a practical perspective, it must have widespread support. It cannot be seen as only one group’s project. And from a symbolic perspective, a brand statement should show how the organization’s functions work together, as one brand.

And in order to produce a successful brand concept car, you need to combine three key areas of expertise:

1. Research

Concepting is always grounded in a deep understanding of the relevant technologies (What is possible?), social environment (How will it be used and by whom?) and intent (What effect does the organization want to create among current audiences?)

2. Strategy

Translating today’s intent into tomorrow’s product or service requires the ability to think strategically; to identify and amplify the often subtle connections between what you want to say and what audiences need to hear.

3. Design

Design expertise is what turns a well researched, strategically sound idea into something that people can actually visualize, appreciate and desire. Whether the ‘concept car’ itself is a new thing, a new way of doing things or a new way of communicating them, design makes the final difference.

work with us

We are always excited for creative and curious minds to join us at The Young. andre@theyoung.agency

Beequip

THE FUTURE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT

How do you win the hearts and minds of SME construction and logistics sector? What drives and connects them? How can we connect our unique positioning to their worlds?

  • Qualitative Research
  • Business Insights
  • Brand Strategy
  • Marketing & Communication Strategy
  • Social Media Strategy
  • Innovation Strategy
  • Product Strategy
  • Workshop Facilitation
  • Concept Development
  • Copywriting
  • Creative Direction
  • Art direction
  • Graphic Design
  • Motion Design
  • Photography
  • Digital Content
  • Consumer Insights
  • Focus Groups
  • Trend Analysis
  • Sustainability Strategy
  • Brand Positioning
  • Brand Storytelling
  • Brand Campaigns
  • Brand Prototyping
  • Customer Journey Mapping
  • Brand Purpose
  • Qualitative Research
  • Business Insights
  • Brand Strategy
  • Marketing & Communication Strategy
  • Social Media Strategy
  • Innovation Strategy
  • Product Strategy
  • Workshop Facilitation
  • Concept Development
  • Copywriting
  • Creative Direction
  • Art direction
  • Graphic Design
  • Motion Design
  • Photography
  • Digital Content
  • Consumer Insights
  • Focus Groups
  • Trend Analysis
  • Sustainability Strategy
  • Brand Positioning
  • Brand Storytelling
  • Brand Campaigns
  • Brand Prototyping
  • Customer Journey Mapping
  • Brand Purpose

Through qualitative customer research in the construction and logistics sector, we found out that while their backgrounds, roles and reasons for leasing heavy equipment might be different, what drives and connects them is similar: a deep-rooted love for their equipment and pride in their work.

We also learned that almost every person from our research, from Trucker to CEO, could relate to a particular type of music that is still unprecedentedly popular with this audience: songs of life (het levenslied). And as our audience listens to the radio all day long, what better way to reach them with a musical campaign? So, we wrote 2 songs (now on Spotify) that focused on getting across the right message to the right audience.

 

The print campaign showed proud equipment owners singing in front of their trucks, shovels or dump-trucks and were captioned by headlines that were made famous by other ‘Levensliederen’.

Specific targeting on the radio and in magazines for the construction, infrastructure and logistics sector, as well as newspaper sections about these segments, resulted in a waste-less campaign and immediately generated a large uptick in leads and lease contracts. Local launches at Truckstops and constructions sites with surprise performances by national heroes such as Henk Wijngaard en John de Bever gave the brand nation-wide recognition.

"The Young gave us a bold and original communication platform, so effectively targeting our growth segments we had to set up a new call center to keep track of the leads generated. "

Peter Loef CEO and co-founder BEEQUIP