Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Murphy and Bret Sano.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In the summer of 2008, Bret and I left an agency where we worked to start Caliber. In total, there were three of us that left the former agency — Bret Sano, myself and Erin Fletcher.
Unfortunately, about a month later, the economy decided to take a dirt nap which really threw a wrinkle into our plans. Our background up to that point was more B to B advertising and corporate communication work. That somewhat “dried up” during the first year. We put or efforts into broadening our portfolio and the clientele we sought. That lead us to more retail focused work. Beauty, health, restaurant, alcohol, retail packaging and other sectors that were new to us — but we had an affinity to tackle — and solve. Now, our portfolio is very diverse and in any given day we’ll be meeting with a CEO of a company — to a single owner of a bar — to someone that has an idea for a new product or service. They are all great stories to tell and why our niche — if we need to state it — is that we tell wonderful stories. That branding, is about telling great stories and hopefully ones that are the truth. Clients are savvy enough to seek out the truth — and “in truth” it’s hard to lie — so be honest — state what you’re good at — and own what you’re not. I don’t care if you’re selling beer or hair products — if you tell an honest story — clients / customers will respond.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting any company is tough. As soon as you say you want to start a company — you’re in debt. It’s taken many extra hours — late nights and weekends to build up the base we have. We still have a hunger to grow and still believe we have so much to offer and just need the right opportunity to deliver. We see ourselves as a local indie band that “the locals” know and dig — but need a national stage. But I believe that if you’re consistent — in that you work hard — stay focused — follow your passionate projects (even the one that don’t pay much) — that eventually, you’ll hit someone’s radar — that is in to what you do — and has to dollars and understanding to see the worth of it. Until this – you keep plugging — you keep saying “yes, we can do that” — even when you haven’t done it before. Got to challenge — got to try. Can’t grow without some stress.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Caliber Creative – what should we know?
As stated before — we tell great stories.
The more honest — the more pure — the “cleaner” the story is — the better.
We brand companies.
Sometime they don’t have a name — and that’s actually the best place to start. Names have baggage — it changes how you think of something from the jump. So — knowing who or what you are as a brand (prior to choosing a name) — is actually ideal. Then you shape the brand around it.
If I had thought about that in my early days — I would not have gone about as “Brandon Murphy” — but either:
B.W. Murphy (very Texan) — or even my middle name Wiley Murphy — as it is more expressive — more unique — more in line with being a designer and creative thinker.
I think we all could take a page from actors and musicians that change their names to fit their music or personas — yes, sometimes it’s fake — but it is effective as a “brand”. Would people have followed James Newell Osterberg, III as well by that name — or does Iggy Pop work better for a punk singer/performer?
So, “what do we do better than others?” we get to the heart of a story — we find the bit that is different — and then we hold it up high and show it for all to see.
We’re a diverse group — age, gender, ethnicity, and just about any other way you can think. That affords us unique perspectives. We’re not homogeneous — we don’t apply one outlook to things. There is no one size fits all.
That’s the fun of it.
We talk to our clients. We listen. We work with them and partner with them so that we can express — tell — shout — their story to the world. Hell, I’ll go to the tradeshow with you and hawk your product. I’ll walk with you in the St. Patrick’s Day parade slinging koozies to fans — because by that point we see ourselves as family.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
To work harder than the other guy.
I’m not going to say that (me personally) is smarter than your average joe — but I believe in hard work — showing up and trying.
Please don’t get me wrong — we have very smart — creative people here — but effort is key.
We embody that mindset by over delivering.
To promise, say 3 and deliver 5.
To try and push our client beyond what they ask of us — but by showing them what they need.
That takes extra effort.
It’s easier to be an order taker.
It’s easier to just say — “yes” and collect a check.
But that’s not how we approach it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 501 S. 2nd Avenue, Suite B-108, Dallas Texas 75226
- Website: calibercreative.com
- Phone: 214.741.4488
- Email: murphy@calibercreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calibercreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaliberCreativeTX
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/calibertx?lang=en
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