Playtime
We distill brands to their essence.
ArcLight Cinemas—where Art House meets Blumhouse
Then we develop the playbook—sharp ideas and clear direction from outside the building.
1. We go deep. A month inside your brand.
2. We create your playbook. Ideas and direction, just for you.
3. You take it from there. Or we can stay on and build with you.
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What we’d do
Capsule
Capsule hand-delivers prescriptions—which means every delivery is a brand moment. With a bolder wordmark and a color of their own, they could make their customers feel like they're getting a present every time—even if that present is cholesterol medication.
See’s Candies
First, we work for chocolate. Second, we'd say it on a loop until it sticks: you've earned single-name status—Coke, Elvis, Madonna, See's. Third, a refreshed identity, done tastefully, would do the brand justice.
Herman
We had an idea for one of the world’s most respected furniture makers. The cool kids are shopping at Blu Dot—and while the brand isn’t chasing that market, aren’t they leaving food on the table? What if they launched a sub-brand—something a little looser, more playful, more human? Our idea was Herman.
Work with us
The Residency
The Residency is our studio doing a deep dive into your brand—about a month. Then we put together a Playtime playbook: clear ideas and direction touching every part of your company. Your internal team can run with it, or we can stay on and build it with you if you like.
$25,000 and up
Recess
Recess is a two-day on-site workshop we lead for your team. We come in and run creative exercises and talks that loosen up thinking and bring play into your work—the kind of shift that levels up marketing, product, and business.
$40,000
Every Residency ends with a custom playbook
“We engaged Dan for his strategic thinking and design prowess. He delivered on both fronts.”
—Nathan Slavik, Co-founder, Quality Produce
Your brand has something to say. We can help you say it.
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The small print
Our approach is friend-to-friend, not consultant-to-client. Human and informal, not uptight or stuffy.
Agencies: Playtime plugs into your projects, either white-label or credited. We help with thinking, creative direction, and campaigns.