How Design and Branding Company Became a Creative Powerhouse

Diversity has become an integral part of our modern world during the past decades. Globalization has allowed humanity to transcend geographical boundaries, bringing people from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions closer than ever before. With this new era, the importance of embracing and celebrating diversity has taken on greater significance, a fact that The Design and Branding Company (DBC) is well aware of as a creative marketing agency.

While the creative industries have made an effort to become more inclusive of women and people of color in recent years, underdog Carlos Williams always thought that a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is necessary for true change to occur in the industry. This push for change has been the raison d’être for DBC, the creative branding agency that is shaking up the branding and design industries.

The DBC approach

What started only nine years ago as a side hustle in Williams’ home has now become one of the fastest-growing and most sought-after agencies in the world. Headquartered in the heart of New York City’s Financial District, DBC now works with hundreds of clients across industries such as finance, healthcare, tech, education, sports, and nonprofits.

DBC’s unique approach and results attracted giants such as Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, Courtyard by Marriott, Google, Green House Coffee, National Urban League, Oracle NetSuite, and Spotify, all of which have entrusted their brands to the agency. Other accomplishments by DBC include major awards such as Enterprise.com Best Branding Agency in 2022, Muse Awards Platinum Winner in 2022, and Clutch 2021 Top Business Service.

This success, however, doesn’t mean that DBC limits itself to helping big companies get bigger. In fact, the agency allocates a big portion of its resources to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses develop their brands, whether they are clients or not. DBC directly mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them get a head start on their entrepreneurial journey.

The major reason behind DBC’s success is its unique approach to branding and design.  While most agencies are aware of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, DBC recognizes the need to go beyond surface-level messaging. Ever since its inception, DBC’s mission has always embraced diversity of thought and diversity of experience to help its clients actually embrace change while also boosting their growth.

Uplifting communities and business

DBC’s focus on making diversity part of its clients’ DNA not only makes sense from a social point of view but also from a business standpoint. Companies that focus on superficial representation often fail to understand not only their target audience but also the message they are trying to convey. A great example of this problem is Pepsi’s controversial commercial featuring Kendall Jenner, which has been met with widespread condemnation.

Being socially responsible requires a deep understanding of diverse audiences and the ability to truly connect with them. DBC’s approach involves creating branding strategies that resonate with the values, aspirations, and concerns of the younger generation, who have proven to be more conscious and aware of social issues than their predecessors.

The younger generations are growing up in an era marked by unprecedented access to information, heightened social consciousness, and a desire for authenticity. DBC tackles this by onboarding people with different cultural, economic, educational, and professional backgrounds. By having a team that is reflective of society, DBC can meet the higher DEI standards of Millennials and Gen Z.

There is much more to DBC’s unique approach than “just” social awareness, though. The agency has also perfected the Design Thinking Toolkit and agile marketing methodology to develop all of its deliverables. By making data, empathy, diversity, collaboration, and effective methodologies the cornerstone of its strategy, DBC has grown to become an industry leader by offering effective and impactful solutions to complex communication challenges.

While DBC has several diversity certifications from organizations such as The National Minority Supplier Development Council and the New York State Unified Certification Program, its work speaks for itself. Through its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, DBC has demonstrated that genuine empathy and business growth are not exclusive but, in fact, two sides of the same coin.