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Ideas in
the Wild.

Macrotrends – See the Shift.

We’ve been watching the long game for years—tracking cultural, economic, and industry shifts that shape how brands behave and connect. These aren’t hot takes. They’re pattern-informed insights, grounded in research, and refined through real-world work. Here’s where we put the pieces together—and help you see what’s next, before it shows up at your doorstep.

Notes from the Field.
And the Gut.

These aren’t case studies or recycled playbooks. They’re reflections from our team—what we’ve seen, what we’ve felt, and what stuck with us. Real perspective from the work, the research, the late nights, and the lived moments that shape how we think. Some insights come from data. Others come from a hunch that wouldn’t quit.

Branding 101: Identity Branding
Date ·  
9.13.23

Your brand is the impression; your identity makes it stick. More than logos or colors, identity is the tone, the vibe, the digital handshake. It’s how people recognize you mid-scroll or feel like they’ve met you before. Done right, identity builds trust and emotional consistency—turning fleeting attention into lasting connection. Skip the gimmicks. Be recognizable. Be remembered.

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Successfully Branded Financial Services
Date ·  
9.13.23

In today’s financial world, bland brands get left behind. Consumers—especially younger ones—want meaning, not just services. At Watson, we’ve helped banks and credit unions like Umpqua and Community First stand out by leading with purpose, not just products. When your brand does the heavy lifting—through story, design, and values—you stop being a commodity and start being a connection. That’s how you earn trust—and keep it.

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Assisted Living Marketing
Date ·  
9.13.23

In senior care, success isn’t just about filling beds—it’s about building trust. As the industry grows more competitive, providers must lead with brand, not just marketing metrics. At Watson, we’ve seen that identity-driven branding—rooted in care, dignity, and connection—delivers stronger, lasting results. Families choose providers who matter, not just those who advertise. In a crowded field, meaning beats noise. Every time.

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Trendwatching Fuels Innovation
Date ·  
9.13.23

Trends rise, fade, and resurface—shaped by culture, nostalgia, and aesthetics. But true innovation, the spark behind breakthrough trends, resists prediction. That’s where trendwatching comes in. By observing the ebb and flow of what captures attention, we can anticipate cultural shifts and uncover emerging ideas before they go mainstream. Done well, it’s less about chasing hype—and more about mining inspiration from the signals all around us.

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Building Trust: Identity of Banking Brands
Date ·  
9.13.23

Trust is the backbone of relationship banking—without it, financial brands are just another line item. As $30 trillion shifts from boomers to millennials, banks must modernize tech and rethink how they build trust. Watson Creative has deep roots in this space, from Citigroup to award-winning work for Lewis & Clark Bank. Today, we’re helping forward-thinking institutions like CCCU and First State Bank craft brands that don’t just claim trust—they earn it.

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News & Press

Recent wins, press mentions, new hires, and studio happenings—snapshots of where we are and where we’re headed. These are the moves we’re proud of, the milestones worth sharing, and the occasional humble brag (with purpose, always). Quick reads. Big signals. Straight from the source.

New Leadership, New Momentum: Mike Terry Joins Watson as Director of Accounts and Growth
Date ·  
9.13.23

Watson Creative welcomes Mike Terry as Director of Accounts and Growth. With global brand experience, Mike strengthens strategy, accounts, and business development.

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Watson Creative Lands a Spot in the Clutch Leader Award for the Top B2B Companies in Oregon
Date ·  
9.13.23

Watson Creative was honored as a 2021 Clutch Leader for Top B2B Companies in Oregon, recognized for branding, design, and digital strategy. Known for helping clients find their unique voice, Watson earned a perfect 5-star rating across Clutch reviews. The team attributes this recognition to their clients’ support and their shared commitment to meaningful work. Whether you’re building a brand or reinventing one, Watson is always ready to connect.

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How to Build a Brand: Strategic steps to a successful brand identity
Date ·  
9.13.23

In How to Build a Brand (Without Losing the Plot), Matt Watson shares Watson’s research-based, purpose-driven approach to branding. Blending personal narrative with strategic insight, the piece outlines four key phases: competitor audit, consumer insights, brand DNA, and activation. It champions branding as a system of meaning—not just design—and calls on leaders to build brands that are authentic, lived-in, and built to last. The message? Let’s build something real.

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National Biz Talk Radio: Remembering Who You Are In A Post COVID-19 World
Date ·  
9.13.23

Matt Watson, CEO of Watson Creative, joins Frankie Boyer on National Biz Talk Radio to explore the post-COVID marketing landscape. He emphasizes rediscovering brand identity amid crisis, urging companies to reflect on purpose, values, and the people behind their work. Drawing parallels between creative destruction and opportunity, Watson encourages brands to embrace empathy, inspire hope, and position themselves for innovation and renewal.

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Watson Featured Globally by Adobe
Date ·  
9.13.23

Adobe featured Watson Creative in a global spotlight, highlighting our collaborative, research-driven approach to branding and creative workflows. What began as a simple studio visit grew into a meaningful dialogue—capturing how we use design thinking to balance creativity with sustainability. By opening our process to Adobe, we helped inform their tools and reinforced our belief: the best work starts with listening, curiosity, and a commitment to doing things better.

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It’s different here.

From Portland to Bend, Seattle to Sausalito—our teams are spread across the West Coast, nestled between forests, surf breaks, and the occasional volcano. The kind of landscape that fuels bold ideas and creative mischief.

Let's start at the beginning...

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