Insights

Ideas and insights on branding, marketing and web design.

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  • A grainy, black and white image showing an astronaut on the moon with an American flag and a Charles L. Crane Agency agent standing in the background with two thumbs up

    Old Books and New Ads: Crane Agency Was There

    There’s a technique in copywriting that successful marketers know. It’s called “the slippery slope.” It means that the goal of the first sentence is to get you to read the…

  • When to Rebrand a Professional Services Firm?

    When to Rebrand a Professional Services Firm

    If you’re an owner or marketing leader at a professional services firm, you’ve probably asked (or been asked) the classic question: when is the right time to rebrand? Rebranding is…

  • The new branding for Trepwise, a strategic consulting firm

    Beyond Business as Usual: The Story of Branding Trepwise

    The truth is, a lot of professional services firms are pretty similar. Sure, they offer different services or target niche audiences. But they face a lot of the same challenges.…

  • Puppy with the All Pet Card logo

    Financial Branding Worthy of a Pet’s Love for All Pet Card

    There’s nothing quite like a cuddle from a pet to melt away the day’s stress. Now imagine trying to capture that warmth in a financial brand, without playing into sad…

  • The High Five Strategies website homepage on a laptop

    Business Consultant Branding for High Five Strategies

    “So, what’s the strategy?” Strategy is incredibly important in business—but for many companies, developing one can be intimidating and perplexing. First, there’s different strategy types. Go-to-market strategy. Cost leadership strategy.…

  • The M+H Architects website on a desktop computer

    Creating an Immersive Brand and Website Design for M+H Architects

    In our first meeting with M+H Architects, they said something we’ve found to be very common in business-to-business marketing. “We’re always behind the scenes. Our brand isn’t recognized anywhere. We’re…

  • Our Thinking

    Ideas on branding, marketing and web design.

    View all insights
    • The Future of Brand Strategy Is Rooted in the Past

      The Future of Brand Strategy Is Rooted in the Past

      Why timeless design principles still matter in a world obsessed with trends. The Problem with Modern Branding A…

    • Why Your Brand Sounds Like Everyone Else’s (And How Brand Voice Development Can Save You)

      Why Your Brand Sounds Like Everyone Else’s (And How Brand Voice Development Can Save You)

      You know that sinking feeling: You’re reading your competitor’s website, and the messaging sounds… familiar. Too familiar. You…

    • Your Competitor Rebranded. Now What?

      Your Competitor Rebranded. Now What?

      The notification pops up on LinkedIn: Your biggest competitor just dropped a rebrand. It’s sleek. Bold. Everywhere. Your…

    • A Repeatable Marketing Strategy Framework

      A Repeatable Marketing Strategy Framework

      Originally published in February 2015. Rewritten in July 2026, because AI changes marketing execution. When I first became…

    • We Rewrote Our Healthcare Marketing Guide for the AI Era

      We Rewrote Our Healthcare Marketing Guide for the AI Era

      Back in 2016, we published a guide called Content Marketing: A Guide for Healthcare Marketing Managers. It told…

    • Rebranding versus Brand Strategy: Knowing Which One Your Business Actually Needs

      Rebranding versus Brand Strategy: Knowing Which One Your Business Actually Needs

      A client call last week reminded me of a question I hear all the time: rebranding versus brand…

    • Brand Due Diligence: The Risk You’re Not Measuring

      Brand Due Diligence: The Risk You’re Not Measuring

      This is for my friends in private equity. From my experience, private equity firms stress-test everything. Cap tables.…

    • Marketing Planning for 2026: Everything You Need to Know

      Marketing Planning for 2026: Everything You Need to Know

      Recently, the American Marketing Association St. Louis Chapter asked me to speak on a panel about marketing planning—specifically,…

    • The Future of Brand Strategy Is Rooted in the Past

      The Future of Brand Strategy Is Rooted in the Past

      Why timeless design principles still matter in a world obsessed with trends. The Problem with Modern Branding A…

    • Why Your Brand Sounds Like Everyone Else’s (And How Brand Voice Development Can Save You)

      Why Your Brand Sounds Like Everyone Else’s (And How Brand Voice Development Can Save You)

      You know that sinking feeling: You’re reading your competitor’s website, and the messaging sounds… familiar. Too familiar. You…

    • Your Competitor Rebranded. Now What?

      Your Competitor Rebranded. Now What?

      The notification pops up on LinkedIn: Your biggest competitor just dropped a rebrand. It’s sleek. Bold. Everywhere. Your…

    • A Repeatable Marketing Strategy Framework

      A Repeatable Marketing Strategy Framework

      Originally published in February 2015. Rewritten in July 2026, because AI changes marketing execution. When I first became…

    • We Rewrote Our Healthcare Marketing Guide for the AI Era

      We Rewrote Our Healthcare Marketing Guide for the AI Era

      Back in 2016, we published a guide called Content Marketing: A Guide for Healthcare Marketing Managers. It told…

    • Rebranding versus Brand Strategy: Knowing Which One Your Business Actually Needs

      Rebranding versus Brand Strategy: Knowing Which One Your Business Actually Needs

      A client call last week reminded me of a question I hear all the time: rebranding versus brand…

  • iPad with Lawrence Group website

    Designing Differently: A New Website for Lawrence Group

    I didn’t always work at Atomicdust. Before we started the company 19 years ago, a couple of the founding partners and I worked at Lawrence Group, an architecture and design…

  • Husch Blackwell Industry Brochures

    A Practice Made Perfect: Building Husch Blackwell’s Website

    We always ask a lot of questions when we start branding and website projects. So it wasn’t unusual when we started our partnership with growing law firm Husch Blackwell this…

  • Anders Client CX Design

    Introducing New Clients to the Brand Experience

    We’ve worked with the CPA and advisory firm Anders for several years, helping them build and maintain their brand and stay ahead of the industry. “Staying ahead” requires us (and…

  • Website design for Bonfyre

    Helping Bonfyre Spark New Business in a Crowded Category

    When we first started working with Bonfyre, it was a mobile app for events. It works like a micro social network, giving event attendees one place they can go for…

  • An open laptop with the new Thomas Wiring Doll marketing website on its screen

    The Meaning of More: A New Website for Thomas Wirig Doll

    When CPA firm Thomas Wirig Doll approached Atomicdust for a new web presence, their goals weren’t unusual: they wanted to generate leads and build trust in their brand. It wasn’t…

  • Capes Sokol Branding and Website

    An Uncommon Spin on Law Firm Branding

    In the midst of our branding and website work for St. Louis law firm Capes Sokol Goodman & Sarachan, we had a lively debate about the nature of attorney advertising. The…