BIW. Rebrand

Where branding begins, development can expand

Bahrain Investment Wharf (‘BIW’) a strategic new investment hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The area is geographically located close to the new international port and by several industrial locations such as HPC (Hidd Power Company). BIW is envisioned to encourage business from all sectors but especially those from more industrial sectors or those requiring spacious, low cost, out-of-town locations.

Challenge

BIW’s challenges were in credibility. It was aiming to attract high calibre inbound investors into the kingdom but lacked a serious perception due to its identity. The brand strategy was essentially fit for purpose but the visualisation of it was distinctly local. The mark was difficult to apply due to its high vertical nature and the brand touch points felt disconnected to the over all vision of being the Gateway to Business in the Gulf.

Strategy

Our approach was to retain the brand’s strategy and entirely rework the visualisation. We reviewed the audience perceptions of the brand and agreed that a robust and industrial presence was required if the mainly male, industrial executive audience was going to connect positively to the brand’s offering. We set about designing a robust, simple and highly industrial form that could carry the right perception forward. The type was changed to a more contemporary face (TT Norms) and additional graphic devices were designed to marry with the brand mark’s industrial efficiency (a visual of gears meshing) and hint at the water-side location (dashed line = morse code).

Result

With the transformation complete, all brand champions have rallied around the new brand aesthetics and the impact in the market has been keenly felt

• The rendering of a powerful partner brand for industry has helped consumers perceive BIW as being ‘a location they can trust’
• Brand re-launch has enjoyed positive reception by both the commercial and industrial communities in Bahrain and FDI investors alike

Services Delivered

Brand Strategy, Naming, Brand Design, Visual Identity, Slogan, Tone of Voice, Digital Design, Print & Graphic Design.