Company Spotlight: BrandAsylum
Published on 27 November 2023
Responsible for some of the Park’s eye-catching graphics, BrandAsylum explains its fearless approach to creating unique brand communications strategies and why it calls Bee House home.
The birth of BrandAsylum
BrandAsylum was born in 2008, when Founder & Creative Director Andrew Hancock broke away from London agency life to create an agile and personalised brand communications solution.
Andrew explains more: “After 15 years working in London agencies, I took a career break to race a yacht around the world. When I returned, I decided to create a more personal small business, which has since grown to a consultancy offering brand and web refreshes to full marketing strategies.
To give clients flexibility and value for money, BrandAsylum works with select specialists depending on the bespoke requirements of each individual project. The team helps guide companies on how to be seen in the best way and in the right place, ensuring goals are met and problems are solved holistically.
An award-ginning brand
BrandAsylum’s clients range from a large-scale lighting company, to Milton Park and Bee House and a New Zealand-based gin distillery.
“The way that we work is evolving faster than ever, thanks partly to AI and social media development,” adds Andrew.
“Clients can be hesitant to tackle new trends and platforms, but our job is to provide guidance and ensure all elements of the brand are aligned, from websites to social posts.”
One such successful example is Mt Fyffe Distillery, a small batch boutique gin distillery in Kaikōura, New Zealand. BrandAsylum devised the brand’s launch strategy and has since won a Silver New Zealand Artisan Award for its packaging design.
A buzzing, creative space
BrandAsylum has been based at Bee House when it opened in 2022. With its flexible co-working set-up and eclectic backdrop, the space aligns perfectly with the agency’s character.
Andrew explains: “Aside from the fact that it’s local to me, Bee House offers a great space in which to be creative and work in partnership with other companies.
“Clients are always impressed when they visit and the look and feel fits with our agency brand. Getting to produce Bee House’s brand image was the icing on the cake.”
More than a concept
With a newsletter, billboard, events and whole buildings to consider, the branding behind Milton Park is used in many different ways. The team asked Andrew what he has most enjoyed working on and why…
“I particularly enjoyed branding the Milton Wonder newsletter. With the history behind the tree and the symbolism of the apple, the team could give it its own personality.
Andrew continues: “With concepts like waggledancers and Bee House’s brand, the goal is to change perceptions and push boundaries of how people see Milton Park, by injecting humour, soul and personality for them to relate to and learn from.”
