We’re not a branding agency. We don’t name your company or design your logo, but we work alongside great branding partners every day. Our job is to take the brand and bring it to life digitally: in paid campaigns, landing pages, websites, conversion flows, and emails. That means we see what works and what falls flat in the wild.
Over time, we’ve noticed that the strongest brands aren’t just beautiful or clever. They’re consistent. Memorable. Confident. And aligned from the inside out. When digital performance is suffering, brand confusion is often part of the problem.
We asked a few folks on our team to name a brand they personally love and why. Here’s what came up (along with a few thoughts for anyone building a brand of their own).
What Makes a Brand “Quality”?
The best brands are:
- Rooted in values
- Easy to recognize and remember
- Consistent across every touchpoint
- Clear about who they’re for (and who they’re not)
- Grounded in a real product or promise
When branding and digital marketing are working together, the end result is an experience that feels totally seamless. Paid ads connect directly to landing pages. Language and visuals match across every channel. And the customer always knows what they’re getting.
Let’s look at some brands that are doing that well.
Ben & Jerry’s: Bold Values and Playful Energy
“One example that comes to mind is Ben & Jerry’s. …Their vibrant, playful packaging is fun and appealing to all ages. I think the combination of authentic values and an approachable, light-hearted aesthetic helps support brand loyalty and recognition.” – Grace
Ben & Jerry’s doesn’t shy away from its beliefs, and the brand doesn’t fall apart when it takes a stand. In fact, that clarity of purpose is part of what makes it memorable. It also helps that their packaging and voice are unmistakably their own. They’ve found a way to stay fun and mission-driven at the same time.
Takeaway for brands: You don’t have to be political, but you do need to be clear about what you stand for and let that come through in both visuals and voice.
Cotopaxi: A Clear Purpose and Bold Identity
“I love Cotopaxi! Their gear and clothing is so fun and colorful (and good quality). …Their items are not cheap, but I am still suckered into purchasing.” – Dominique
Cotopaxi leads with its purpose: “Gear for Good.” Their products are known for quality and color, but the real magic is in the alignment between product, values, and brand experience. That clarity justifies their higher price point and builds long-term trust.
Takeaway for brands: A strong brand can support a premium price if the quality and experience follow through.
Huckberry: Selling a Lifestyle That Sells
“The brand (whether true or not) screams hipster millennial faux authenticity (and it 100% works on me). …I’ve spent more money than I’d care to disclose.” – Jake
Huckberry’s identity isn’t just about product. It’s about the world they’re selling: rugged, adventurous, and timeless. From their Instagram stories to their email campaigns, they’ve nailed the aesthetic. And it’s working.
Takeaway for brands: Selling a lifestyle can work if it’s cohesive and your audience sees themselves in it. Just make sure the experience lives up to the image.
Factory 43: Quirky, Quality, and Shareable
“They have a quirky style, nice website, and make a very comfortable high high-quality product that I’ve shared with anyone who asked me about them.” – Aaron
Factory 43 keeps it simple but effective. A clear design style. A great product. A website that works. Word-of-mouth is one of the strongest brand tools out there, and they’ve earned it.
Takeaway for brands: A quality product + a clear identity = a brand people want to talk about.
Grammarly: Friendly UX and a Community Feel
“It strikes a great balance between utilizing practical AI to save time and maintaining a human touch through friendly language. …They could literally increase the cost by 20% and I wouldn’t even consider canceling.” – Elena
Grammarly is one of those rare products that feels like a personal assistant and a friendly coach. Their UX is intuitive and invisible, you just install it and it works. But what sets them apart is how they’ve created a sense of community around writing. Their marketing emails share helpful tips, celebrate your writing milestones, and deliver personalized stats that feel encouraging, not robotic. It’s a product people use daily, and still feel good about.
Takeaway for brands: UX is part of your brand. So is tone. Make both feel natural and human, and you’ll earn long-term loyalty.
Ladder Fitness: Niche Clarity, Confident Voice, and Community Buy-In
“Ladder Fitness is a fitness app that essentially brings a personal trainer and fitness community into your phone at an affordable rate. …They’ve managed to simultaneously create a passionate and supportive community along with a motivating gamified workout planning platform.” – Roberta
Ladder is a masterclass in speaking directly to a very specific audience. Their tone is confident but never condescending. They don’t try to be everything to everyone—instead, they speak clearly to experienced exercisers who want structure, progress, and community. Even their in-app “teams” and coaches come with their own branding and personalities, helping people feel like they belong.
Takeaway for brands: Don’t dilute your message to please the masses. Know who you’re for and build community around that clarity.
Some Takeaways
If you’re building or rebuilding a brand, keep these truths in mind:
- Brand isn’t one deliverable. It’s the sum of every interaction someone has with your company.
- Your brand needs to work everywhere it is. That means your visual identity and messaging need to translate well on your website, your landing pages, your ad creative, your emails, and beyond.
- Start with clarity. Who are you for? What do you stand for? What’s the one thing people should remember after they leave your site?
We’ve seen time and again that a thoughtful brand, paired with smart digital execution, makes everything easier. Ads perform better. Conversion rates go up. Customers feel more confident.
It all works better when it works together.
