Creative agency designs eye-catching branding for law firm merger

Exeter-based creative agency, Drive Creative Studio, has recently completed an extensive branding project for the merger of two high-profile, South West-based law firms. The newly formed company, Kitson Boyce, brings together the expertise and exceptional service of both Kitsons Solicitors and Boyce Hatton Law to become a leading provider in legal guidance and client satisfaction – the premium offering of a large organisation with the compassion of a smaller firm.
 
With the two companies joining forces, a new identity was needed to represent the combined offering as a single entity, while retaining important attributes from each. After a round of tendering judged by the two firms, Drive was selected to work with the Kitson Boyce team to establish their strategic brand positioning, identifying points of strength and difference, as well as forming new brand values. This included solidifying a joint mission, vision and purpose as a narrative that could be used for both internal and external communications.
 
Having consolidated insights from market research, brand workshops and staff questionnaires, the findings were gradually developed into a new, modern visual identity through iterative feedback sessions with Kitson Boyce Partners. The final identity, centring on a personalised experience for clients and 'humanising law', includes a KB monogram and graphic shapes – which were applied across a range of corporate materials for launch, including videos, website, and social media, with further collateral yet to come.
 
Drive's Creative Director, Jon Price explained: "Being responsible for a company's new brand vision and meaning could feel like a perilous position when two large firms join forces, as there can be a lot of strong opinions. The new direction needs to represent the combined offering of who they are now, as a single entity, while still retaining important attributes and equity in the history of each – and it needs to bring everyone on board.

"Thankfully, working with Partners from both firms was an extremely positive, honest and open experience without any egos in the room. We were lucky enough for the client to trust in our process and modern approach to the brand."
 
Commenting on the new brand, Rhodri Davey, Managing Partner at Kitson Boyce said: ‘We are very excited about the new look and feel of our new brand identity. Kitson Boyce is a firm that is growing significantly regionally, and we wanted an identity that represents that.

"As a firm, we put our people and clients at the heart of everything we do and keeping that ethos and culture is really important to us and was central to the thinking that went into the rebrand. It was a pleasure working with Drive on the rebrand, and the initial reaction both internally and externally has been incredibly positive.’
 
Jon continued: "When it comes to law firms, there's a dated stereotype of grey suits and bland design, but great design is about challenging those expectations and bringing the core truth of a business to the fore. Because we work with clients in all sectors regionally and internationally, producing creative design for branding, print and campaigns to websites and animation, we don't have a house style, which means we can approach every project with creative energy and fresh eyes, regardless of the client type.’
 
With company offices in Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and Totnes, the new Kitson Boyce visual branding and strategy will cast a wide net over Devon.
 
Find out more about Drive Creative Studio at drivecreativestudio.co.uk