We’re celebrating 24 years. Why? Because most people would wait until 25.

We’re not great at waiting and we believe in celebrating every day.
For 24 years, 24/7, BrandPlanet has worked with passion and purpose to build unique brands and campaigns for clients across countless industries and areas of interest. In fact, more than 5,000 projects have crossed our desks, each one building on the next to create cross-synaptic connections that leverage combined creativity, feed our relentless curiosity and, most importantly, exceed our clients’ goals for success. From building awareness to inspiring action, from managing change to kick-starting growth, our unmatched understanding of branding informs everything we do and provides our clients with answers born of true depth of thought and strategic creative thinking.

Our clients are local and global. From credit unions to the United Nations. From community organizations to governments. From cause-related coffee beans to restaurants, wineries and breweries. From human hospitals to veterinary practices. From associations to tech start-ups. We crave variety because it keeps us sharp, informed and always ready for the next project ... yours.

The Who.
(So to speak.) 

Jennifer Grinnell
Brand and Creative

Jennifer offers clients the benefit of more than 30 years of industry and agency experience in advertising, brand development, creative, and strategy. Her true passion for brand, creative, concept, copy and design informs every project from start to finish. BrandPlanet’s constantly evolving brand development approach is a result of her years of experience developing brands for small and large businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, and even nations. As one of the first “nation branding” experts, she brings unique experience that has allowed her to marry two passions: being creative and using “marketing for good.” Jen is an award-winning creative director and Emmy™-nominated copywriter who believes creativity is a way of seeing what others see and thinking something different.

Jen is founder and president of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends, a 501 (c)3 non-profit that supports the park, the Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, and Fairfax County Park Authority. She is the 2021 recipient of the Elly C. Doyle Park Service Award. An enthusiastic home cook, she also enjoys reading, painting, traveling (39+ countries) and starting businesses. Fun facts: She was the first female volunteer firefighter in Grinnell, Iowa and once had an art gallery, Scene, at the National Harbor as a side hustle!

Education:
Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa. B.A. in English and Studio Art
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Courses toward MFA in Communications/Design
Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, M.A. in Communications, to be conferred in 2024.

Kristin Elson
Copywriting/Editing/Strategy

Kristin is a writer/editor extraordinaire, with 30+ years of agency experience. Formerly the managing editor of Benjamin Moore’s acclaimed magazine, Nuance, and current editor of PHCC’s Connect, she has experience writing everything from feature articles and press releases to websites and annual reports for a range of corporate and association clients. Kristin has a highly regarded reputation for hitting the messaging mark the first time, on time, and with flawless attention to detail. An effective communicator, Kristin uses her project management background to collaborate seamlessly with all players on a communications team while maintaining her journalistic passion for the written word. Without Kristin, nothing would ever see the light of day.

Kristin does not do anything halfway: she built a brand for her daughter’s Dance Team ... and weaves a theme through every party she’s ever hosted ... because she’s that committed to consistency!

Education:
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations

Colleen Fisher
Copywriting/Editing/Marketing/Project Management

Colleen has 15+ years' experience in marketing and communications, working for agencies and nonprofits on strategy, copywriting, branding, account service and project management. Her most recent work has included managing the social media and campaign branding for the documentary film LFG, which chronicles the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's fight for equal pay, as well as assisting with the promotion of a women-centered podcast, drafting an e-newsletter and social media campaign for a family health practice, and coordinating a website redesign for a local physician-turned-media-personality in the height of COVID.

A mom to four teenage sons (a feat in itself!), Colleen has also taught indoor cycling for more than 23 years and believes that coaching, community building and communications go hand-in-hand. As a lead instructor and team captain for Cycle for Survival (www.cycleforsurvival.org) for 11 years, she has led her team, Team Rockstar, in raising more than $2.4 million for rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2019, Equinox awarded Colleen its “Amazing Amazing” Award for Group Fitness, given to the sole instructor nationwide who “embraces every opportunity to make interpersonal connections with members, building exceptional member loyalty in a way that is powerful, inspired and real.” 

Colleen is a fierce advocate for quality communications, targeted messaging, witty writing, health and fitness, sports psychology, truth, beating cancer, laughing daily and equality for women of every age. You can find her words of wisdom via Instagram at @colleenfishercycling.

Education:
Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, B.A. in Journalism

Amy Swindell
Operations

Amy offers more than 20 years of experience as an accountant, small business developer and operations manager. At BrandPlanet, she does more than keep billing on track and creative in line; she is instrumental in navigating the start-up process ... from bricks and mortar to online. She fearlessly has helped create an art gallery at National Harbor, a lacrosse t-shirt company, and a non-profit that supports Fairfax County Park Authority, among others. Amy’s experience runs from small businesses to associations to the international hospitality industry. She provides the peace of mind that allows the brand developers to brand, the writers to write, and the designers to design. Frankly, without Amy, we wouldn’t be here.

Amy loves watching UVA basketball (or UVA anything), is a voracious reader and has a great eye for design and ear for copy (even if she won’t admit it).

Education:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. B.S. in Accounting

Matt Curry
Design/Illustration

To say that Matt – a twice GRAMMY®-nominated designer – brings a continually fresh approach to design that is always on target is the understatement of the year. And we don’t really like understatements, so we’ll just say Matt is a bad-ass designer, illustrator and artist who keeps everything ultra cool. His complete knowledge of design theory and history – combined with his passion for cutting-edge creative – gives him the power to craft just what every project needs. Clients (and colleagues) love Matt’s design work not only for its relevance to strategy and message but for the hip vibe that underlies his creative aesthetic. Matt is also a photographer and painter with an international clientele; his fine art influences often inform his design work.

Matt shows his artwork regularly at a Washington, D.C. gallery and knows the music and art scene like the back of his paint-splattered hand.

Todd Kiraly
Design/Illustration/Photography

Todd combines his deep design expertise with a sickening attention to detail--and we mean that in a good way. His creative problem-solving approach is a symphony of thought and style that encompasses layers depth and meaning. Todd’s creative concepts, freehand and computer illustrations, and, even three-dimensional sculpture continually WOW clients. Always thinking ahead to client’s overall communications strategy, Todd’s strategic depth is unable to be measured even on sonar.  

Todd is also an accomplished professional photographer and bird watcher who travels the country in search of that perfect combo of bird and photo opp.

Education:
University of Maryland, College Park, MD. B.S. in Graphic Design

Alain Blunt
Design/Illustration

Design class is always in session for Professor Blunt (or as we call him, uhm, Alain)! Although we have to share him with his lucky students at Bridgewater State University, Alain is an integral part of the BP design team. His thoughtful, intentional approach to every project, along with his passion for font perfection translates to design and type solutions that earn him an A+ from colleagues and clients alike. A concept creator extraordinaire, looking at his initial sketches is like opening 100 birthday presents on your special day.

When Alain isn’t designing, thinking about design or teaching design, well … that pretty much sums it up. Don’t tell his family (whom he really loves and loves spending time with).

Education:
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA. M.F.A. in Visual Design/Graphic Design

University of Maryland, College Park, MD. B.S. in Graphic Design

Carolanne O’Neil
Design

Carolanne’s innate (and well-educated) design sensibilities are informed by intense strategy and experience. Her unparalleled good taste, keen eye for what works across media, and knack for taking trends and making them timeless add value to any project. She has spent much of her 25-year career focused on branding, identity systems, invitations, retail and corporate marketing, and publication design. Some things are innate, like Carolanne’s unparalleled good taste.

Carolanne loves fashion and is always up on what’s hot and what’s not in all things design-related. She has a particular passion for invitation design and events.

Education:
Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. B.A. in Graphic Design from the College of Art and Architecture

Dean DeGood
Business Strategy

Dean has 25 years of business and brand development experience. He previously spent 10 years developing internationally recognized brands in more than 20 countries. For the last 15 years he has focused on owning, and growing, businesses in Virginia. He has started three businesses that currently employ more than 70 people. Dean also has served on a variety of boards and commissions in his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia. He works on business development, start-ups and strategic planning for BrandPlanet and its clients.

Dean loves dogs and cycling and hopes to work with dogs who cycle. Kidding! One day he hopes to work with the Astana Cycling Team (which is not as crazy as it sounds, because we work with Kazakhstan. But wait, we’ll have to rebrand the team because Astana is now known as Nur-Sultan. Not our fault.)!

Education:
University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia. B.A. in International Studies and French
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. MBA in Marketing
 

Kathy Venaglia
All Media

That’s a lot of “/”s because Kathy’s expertise spans the entire marketing process, from the intake of information and establishment of goals to the measurement of every campaign. She is continually involved in making sure each and every account adheres to the original strategy and creative platform developed at the beginning of the campaign while communicating with the client on a regular basis throughout it. To say she’s a stickler for details is an understatement! Kathy thrives on the challenge of marketing and media planning. Her philosophy is that marketing and media are half science and half art. The research is only part of the plan; the rest comes from years of experience and industry knowledge. If you can be a foundation and a North Star, then one day, you, too, can be like Kathy.

Kathy is a food and wine connoisseur and avid traveler, who will pack a bag and go anywhere at a moment’s notice ... but not in the middle of a project (or a glass of wine)!

Education:
Radford University, Radford, Virginia. B.A. in Advertising

Karen Soriano
Communications and Social Media

A national and international award-winning comms pro, Karen Soriano is the newest member of our team! Karen is a senior-level public relations and communications expert with over 25 years of solid, results-oriented experience working with private and non-profit companies of all sizes. Her work literally runs the gamut from Earth to outer space, having worked in the international aerospace, manufacturing, government, real estate and interior design industries.  A former BP client, Karen also has a wide range of agency experience. Her deep understanding and grasp of client’s needs provides the peace of mind we’re all looking for—on every planet. 

Karen loves spending time with her family, travel, acrobatic yoga and going to certain football games involving a particular Pennsylvania football team that we shall not mention here. But we love her anyway.

Education:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. B.S. in Mass Communications, Advertising Major

Expertise:
Public Relations, Crisis Communications and Management, Media Relations, Internal Communications, Project Management, Strategic Digital Campaigns and Social Media Planning.    

John Carlson
Illustration/Design

The illustrator and designer behind the best-loved restaurant brands in Colorado (Zolo Grill, Jax Fish House and West End Tavern, to name a few), John’s experience includes illustration, design, art direction, packaging design, screen printing and brand development for such nationally known brands as Einstein Bagels and White Wave Foods. For a different take on every project and an “ownable” brand identity, John delivers illustration and design that sets clients apart from the competition.

John is also a cartoonist, with a hilarious and bizarre world view. And we mean that sincerely.

Education:
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado. B.A. in Illustration
Art Institute of Colorado, Denver, Colorado. A.A. in Advertising

Cole van de Vijver
Copy Editing

Cole has studied professional writing and communications and is currently the Garde Manger Chef at Trummer’s. When we’re branding restaurants, Cole is one of our not-so-secret weapons.

Education: 
Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia. Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Virginia. Courses toward a B.A. in Professional Writing 

We love what we do — and what we do for our clients.

BrandPlanet finds purpose in helping businesses and organizations succeed and grow; creating messages, strategies and design that result in positivity and progress; and using marketing for good. 

We live for creative.

The Why.

Brand Development may not be rocket science, but it does have real value. A strong brand does more than build image, it helps your company:

• Clarify its purpose and processes

• Be more attractive to prospective employees

• Inspire loyalty in current employees, and, of course

• Promote your products and services to your target audiences

• Reflect who you are and what you stand for

It also helps mitigate risk; companies with strong brands are more likely to recover from public relations issues and keep customers in times of crisis. Perhaps the most important reason to pay attention to your brand message and visual identity is to accurately reflect who you are and what you stand for. Your brand is as much a part of your organization’s future as it is your legacy. Get it right and people are persuaded: they buy, they vote, they call, they change, they apply, they produce, they think, they remember. Get it wrong and you not only have lost money, you’ve lost your audience.

The How.

Just as every company is different, every project is different. While we have developed proven and proprietary processes over the years, as experienced professionals we know when and how to adapt and change to meet the unique needs of our clients. While others have tried to apply our process to their projects, it never works without our secret sauce: the BrandPlanet team. Get what works for you and your team with BrandPlanet.

The What. 

BrandPlanet will work with you to:

• Distill, define and develop your brand or campaign.

• Clarify your message and speak the language of your audience.

• Get attention, disrupt expectations and help your company, product, service, cause or project stand out from the crowd.

• Develop extraordinary, effective, bold creative that works.

• Ensure your team is as excited as you are about the process and results so that they can become passionate, effective, driven brand ambassadors.

Brand Strategy and Development / Messaging Strategy and Development / Concept / Creative / Brainstorming / Advertising / Digital / Social, Promotional and Website Copywriting/Editing / Naming / TV, Video, Radio Script Writing and Doctoring / Campaign Development / Design Strategy and Execution (All Media) / Communications Planning

Inside Tips: Choosing the Right Agency for Your Business

1.  Don’t pay too much for a “big name” agency that either doesn’t deliver on its “big promises” or makes employees or your audiences wonder “why.” And don’t pay so little that you are risking your investment and wasting your time. The right-sized, right-focus, right-for-you firm offers a combination of experience, expertise, energy and endless ideas.

 2. Your agency should spend less time talking about how great they are and how many awards they’ve won and more time listening to you. It’s not about us. It’s never about us. It’s always about you ... your project, your customers, and your customers’ wants and needs.

 3.  If you want to be involved in the creative process, your agency should welcome and guide you and your team. If you want to “leave it all to the experts,” that’s fine, too. You should be as involved as you care to be in the creative process; but you should be as involved as you CAN BE in the Discovery process.

 4.  Don’t stay with your old agency because it seems like too much of a hassle to find a new one. You know what’s a hassle? Not liking your own brand or advertising.

 5.  Find out what you need ... and what you don’t. If you have market research and no message, metrics and no strategy, a logo but no visual identity... ask the agency for a brand or communications audit and then align your wants and needs with a firm that can deliver. (That would be us!)