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Conference Branding that Makes an IMPACT for Property Management Company

Written by Stacey Feeney on . Posted in All Articles, Branding, Case Study. No Comments on Conference Branding that Makes an IMPACT for Property Management Company

Setting the Stage: A Dual Celebration

When JVM recently asked us for help with a project, they were preparing for a dual celebration: their 50th anniversary and their 2025 Managers Conference. As a close-knit, dynamic real estate investment and property management company passionate about its work, customers, and people, it was essential to everyone that this event truly reflected company values.

The Challenge: Capturing “Impact”

They already had a conference theme in mind: “Impact,” which perfectly encapsulated their focus. They had begun the branding process, but the initial results weren’t quite resonating. They explained that the theme was about understanding the ripple effect of every decision, the interconnectedness of actions and outcomes, and the importance of clear, effective communication. It was about recognizing that every interaction, from internal teamwork to resident engagement, has an impact. And since the conference coincided with their 50th anniversary, they wanted branding that conveyed the “Impact” theme and honored their rich history.

Our Approach: Crafting a Visual Narrative

We understood the challenge—this wasn’t just about slapping a logo on some materials. This project was about crafting a visual identity that embodied JVM’s values and vision. We dove deep into the theme, exploring ideas like the butterfly effect and the interconnectedness of actions. We knew priority one was visually representing how each individual at JVM contributes to the larger whole, creating a powerful collective impact.

The Solution: A Logo That Delivers

The logo we designed delivered the goods, effectively capturing their vision. Sophisticated and dynamic, it interweaves the letters of “Impact,” demonstrating how one action flows into the next, building momentum and creating a powerful chain reaction. A single, continuous line running through the lettering symbolizes the unifying force of JVM, the common ground that connects everyone within the organization.

Beyond the Logo: Extending the Impact

The logo was just the beginning. We extended the visual identity across all conference materials, from signage to collateral, using an abstract grid system to represent the individual contributions of each team member. The “Impact” letters, deconstructed and rearranged, further emphasized the idea of individual pieces coming together to form a powerful whole. While paying homage to JVM’s familiar blue and gold, the vibrant color palette introduced new energy. The narrative of cause and effect continued with overlapping elements, visually demonstrating how every action influences the next.

The Result: A Brand Experience That Resonates

The result was a cohesive and compelling brand experience that resonated deeply with JVM’s team. It wasn’t just about pretty visuals but about capturing the essence of “Impact” and celebrating JVM’s 50-year legacy. We didn’t just design a logo; we crafted a visual narrative that told the story of JVM’s commitment to making a difference. And that is the true measure of impact.

Modernizing a Brand: The Apartment Geofencing Case Study

Written by Stacey Feeney on . Posted in All Articles, Branding, Case Study. No Comments on Modernizing a Brand: The Apartment Geofencing Case Study

Sometimes brands are born overnight, cobbled together with the best intentions and a Fiverr gig. That was the humble story of Apartment Geofencing’s day-one branding. A quick fix, a placeholder, it served its purpose initially. But like a house built on sand, it wasn’t sustainable. The more it evolved, the less cohesive it became, and just-for-now designs popped up like weeds—creating a disjointed, dated look. It simply didn’t reflect the sophisticated services AptGeo offered, nor the evolution of the company itself. 

When Apartment Geofencing first came on the scene, literal interpretations worked well. Their name even included the “.com” from their website URL and their logo displayed a dropped pin amidst a city backdrop. But times change, and successful companies adapt, pivot, and rebrand. 

With considerable changes (and new offerings) on the horizon for their larger company, they needed a brand that matched their ambition and said, “We’ve arrived.” Their tactical goals were clear: align their visual identity with the high quality of their services and, as they put it, “make ourselves look better.” And that’s where Zipcode Creative came in.

The Approach

Apartment Geofencing came to Zipcode Creative’s team with a request for a brand refresh—a modernization with visuals that would abstractly represent the multifamily industry as well as their geofencing service.

RESEARCH, DISCOVERY, AND REQUESTS 

After some digging and research Zipcode Creative discovered that Apartment Geofencing was actually referred to as “AptGeo” internally, which was eventually adopted by their client base and other industry friends to make the full name quick and easy. (An indicator of things to come, certainly.) The new nickname stuck and now better conveys the brand’s friendly, easy personality.

By filling out the brand questionnaire, AptGeo also indicated that they wanted to add the following traits to their brand’s personality: can-do attitude, dedication, trustworthiness, confidence, and high capability.

As for colors, they elected to maintain a closely related yet refined and simplified color palette. They hoped to maintain but refine their current palette and see a few alternatives during the rebranding process.

DIFFERENTIATORS 

Apart from being the leaders in their geofencing space, AptGeo had plenty of differentiation to set them apart from any competition. With decades of industry knowledge, they are tailored for multifamily, offer dedicated account management and support, and always keep fair housing in mind.

Something that was clear, even to our team during various calls and brainstorming sessions: They’re one of the best places to work in multifamily (and have been awarded for it, too.) This positive, fun culture also had a place in the art direction for the rebrand.

The Results

The visual identity was based on a bird’s eye view of a city. With this “experts from above” perspective, geometric elements in the new brand mimic the tops of buildings and street grids—in an abstract way, of course!

The colors were strategically chosen to connect back to the original brand to maintain some brand recognition, but we cranked it up to better fit their upbeat personality.

Initially, their team created a black-and-white grid-style logo, which worked well as a brand stamp, but still needed a touch more versatility. So our design team stepped in and helped it evolve into the cooler, newer version of themselves.

The rebrand’s impact is already evident. Leads are flowing through previously quiet channels, like the website chat, and treasured clients enjoy seeing the in-house nickname’s starring role. Internally, there’s a renewed sense of pride, with employees sporting new swag and swagger. AptGeo’s reaction? Pure joy. This “labor of love” feels special. Moving forward, they’ll lean into the modern, tech-forward AptGeo name, using the refreshed brand to attract new clients, make a stellar first impression, and solidify their reputation. They know a strong brand isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about mirroring their exceptional customer experience and being seen as a trusted partner, handling client creative with expertise and care. Can we get an “Amen!”

See more images of the rebrand here.