Catchword

Your Partner In Distinctive Branding Strategies
3645 Grand Avenue, Suite 206, Oakland, California 94610, United States
https://catchwordbranding.com

Catchword Overview

Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
Inquire
Average Hourly Rate
$250/hr
Year Founded
1998
Catchword is a trusted brand development leader that's been creating impactful identities for clients worldwide since 1998. From offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York, Catchword helps clients express who, what, and why they are. Industry-leading brands such as Starbucks, VW, Intel, Moody's, TikTok, Rivian, and others turn to Catchword for brand strategy, brand positioning, research, and verbal and visual identities. 

We believe the best work arises when blue-sky thinking is grounded in serious analysis and open-minded exploration complements time-tested process. At this intersection of rigor and intuition, amazing brands are born.

Our client engagements range from quick-turnaround projects with startups to retainer relationships with international Fortune 500s. Whether you're just getting off the ground, rebranding your company, or launching a new product, our goal is the same: to develop a timeless brand that resonates fully and authentically with target audiences and makes a mark in the world. Whether in the supermarket, at CES, or opening the New York Stock Exchange, the brands we help create tell enduring stories that become part of the very culture around us.

Catchword has received countless industry awards, including Hermes Creative Awards, MUSE Creative Awards, Transform Awards, MarCom Awards, Creative Communication Awards, and London International Awards (LIAs).

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Branding Expertise
Branding Expertise
  • Brand Design
  • Brand Messaging
  • Brand Positioning
  • Brand Strategy
  • Naming
Graphic Design Expertise
Graphic Design Expertise
  • Visual Communication

Industries

  • Software & IT Services
  • Health Care
  • Consumer Goods
  • Fintech
  • Food and Beverage
  • Finance
  • Corporate Services
  • Automotive
  • Media & Communications
  • Transportation & Logistics

Client Types

  • Startups
  • Medium Businesses
  • Enterprise / Corporate

Catchword Portfolio

Catchword - Refreshing Macmillan Learning's Visual Identity
Logo Design
Refreshing Macmillan Learning's Visual Identity
$20K - $100K
4 Months
2025
Catchword - New Name & Identity for a Fintech Company
Branding
New Name & Identity for a Fintech Company
$20K - $100K
1 Month
2024
Catchword - Naming Rivian's Micromobility Spinoff Company
Naming
Naming Rivian's Micromobility Spinoff Company
$20K - $100K
3 Months
2025
Catchword - Naming Intel’s revolutionary technology
Branding
Naming Intel’s revolutionary technology
Catchword - Company & product platform naming
Branding
Company & product platform naming
Catchword - Naming wearable fitness trackers for Fitbit
Branding
Naming wearable fitness trackers for Fitbit
Catchword - Car naming for Volkswagen
Branding
Car naming for Volkswagen
Catchword - Rebranding an educational publishing division of EDC
Branding
Rebranding an educational publishing division of EDC
Catchword - Company naming for Elance & oDesk
Branding
Company naming for Elance & oDesk
Catchword - Beverage platform naming for Starbucks
Branding
Beverage platform naming for Starbucks
Catchword - Technology naming for Corning
Branding
Technology naming for Corning
Catchword - Retail naming for Gymboree
Branding
Retail naming for Gymboree
Catchword - Rebranding a leader in commercial insurance solutions
Branding
Rebranding a leader in commercial insurance solutions
Catchword - Naming a premium confectionary product
Branding
Naming a premium confectionary product
Catchword - Leading cyber-security company renaming
Branding
Leading cyber-security company renaming
Catchword - Naming a blended beverage line for Peet’s Coffee
Branding
Naming a blended beverage line for Peet’s Coffee
Catchword - Naming a self-powered blockchain company
Branding
Naming a self-powered blockchain company
Catchword - Software naming for Adobe
Branding
Software naming for Adobe
Catchword - Naming innovative retail technology for HP
Branding
Naming innovative retail technology for HP
Catchword - Financial naming for Wells Fargo
Branding
Financial naming for Wells Fargo
Catchword - Naming a new health insurance company
Branding
Naming a new health insurance company
Catchword - Naming personal insurance products
Branding
Naming personal insurance products
Catchword - Educational game naming for LeapFrog
Branding
Educational game naming for LeapFrog
Catchword - Product line naming for Dreyer’s
Branding
Product line naming for Dreyer’s
Catchword - Private-label beverage naming for Ahold
Branding
Private-label beverage naming for Ahold
Catchword - Pharmaceutical glass naming for Corning
Branding
Pharmaceutical glass naming for Corning
Catchword - Ongoing naming strategy and architecture
Branding
Ongoing naming strategy and architecture
Catchword - Naming a new company for Hitachi
Branding
Naming a new company for Hitachi
Catchword - Global health nonprofit naming and strategy
Branding
Global health nonprofit naming and strategy
Catchword - Naming an innovative healthcare app
Branding
Naming an innovative healthcare app
Catchword - Naming a home-grown American beer
Branding
Naming a home-grown American beer
Catchword - Lifestyle product naming and strategy
Branding
Lifestyle product naming and strategy
Catchword - Consumer tech company and product naming
Branding
Consumer tech company and product naming

Catchword Reviews


Reviews from Google Maps and DesignRush are available on this profile.
All reviews
  • All reviews
  • Google reviews
  • DesignRush reviews
Our company required a distinctive name for an innovative platform we are introducing to the veterinary technology field. Given our own emphasis on structure and efficiency, Catchword proved to be an excellent match. They posed thoughtful questions and grasped our objectives quickly and thoroughly. We were very pleased not only with the caliber of the naming options presented but also with the entire experience. The project was managed smoothly, delivered on time, and stayed within budget. We are so pleased with the experience that we plan to recommend their services to other divisions of our company. "
Project Name: IDEXX Labs: Platform Naming
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
5,000 & Up
Industry:
Veterinary
Catchword has been our primary naming partner, as we have worked with them since 2000. Their cultural and linguistic expertise enables our clients’ names to achieve global resonance while avoiding potential challenges in the important U.S. market. They contribute innovative, U.S.-grounded perspectives, and their branding acumen ensures their guidance is both strategically sound and practically applicable. Professional, responsive, and deeply committed, they are a valued partner. "
Project Name: Ongoing US Naming Partner
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
50 - 99
Industry:
Marketing and Advertising
A Canadian company specializing in business and industry intelligence tools engaged Catchword to develop an umbrella company brand. After a detailed exploration of the company's business, culture and industry. Catchword guided the client through two rounds of name development followed by visual identity design. The client noted that Catchword routinely went the extra mile, including the development of brand exhibits to help with brand launch and is delighted with the company’s new name and look. "
Project Name: Lumerate - umbrella company naming
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
100 - 249
Industry:
Computer Software
Leading education organization ASCD engaged Catchword to name its new digital content delivery platform for K-12 professional learning and credentialing. The client wanted to be sure that the new name would stand out in a crowded market while communicating the benefits of the platform and [the] personality of the brand. The client was delighted with the outcome as well as the process, particularly the step-by-step guidance and high level of communication. (Verified via email) "
Project Name: Witsby - naming a digital content delivery platform
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
250 - 499
Industry:
Education Management
CINET (Commercial Insurance.Net, one of the industry's best lead generators for businesses looking for insurance) engaged Catchword to develop a new company brand to express its growth beyond insurance. Catchword created new brand positioning, name, and visual identity. The client was delighted with how Tivly (positively, actively) speaks directly to the Yaysayers culture of the company and [was] impressed by the proactive project management and clear and engaging presentations. "
Project Name: Tivly - company rebranding
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
100 - 249
Industry:
Insurance
International customer experience leader HGS planned to spin off its healthcare unit and hired Catchword to develop a name for the new company and create a brand story. Catchword did a deep dive into the client's business and culture and worked closely with the client team to create three different viable name candidates and brand narratives. The client was especially pleased with the Catchword team's responsiveness, expertise, creativity, and smooth project management. "
Project Name: Sagility - spinoff branding
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
5,000 & Up
Industry:
Hospital & Healthcare
Denim (formerly Axle Payments) provides factoring services and a financial platform for freight brokers and intermediaries. The company was growing beyond trucking and needed a new name and brand to reflect its evolution. The client hired Catchword to develop the new name (including an exact .com domain), branding brief, and visual identity. The Denim team is thrilled with its new name and look. They commented that the Catchword team [is] truly [an expert] in branding with excellent insights. "
Project Name: Denim - company rebranding
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
Under 49
Industry:
Financial Services
Antech engaged Catchword to name several diagnostic tools and applications. Each project included an initial discovery phase to learn about the product, competitors, and the market and develop a naming brief. Catchword then created and presented two rounds of creative work using the brief as a guide. The client was impressed with the broad selection, strategic aptness, and creativity of the name candidates. "
Project Name: Diagnostic product naming
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
1000 - 4,999
Industry:
Veterinary
Catchword helped a leading egg producer determine brand strategy, name, and tagline for its new packaging concept. The client needed guidance as to how to introduce the new look and feel while maintaining brand equity. The client is very pleased with the work and the process and notes that the quality and professionalism of the interactions [were] refreshing and that the team was supportive of [the] client's goals and mindful of timelines. (Verified via email) "
Project Name: Brand Strategy, Naming and Tagline Development for Eggland’s Best New Packaging
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
50 - 99
Industry:
Food & Beverages
Catchword guided the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health through [a] naming strategy for the parent organization and developed a name for a new initiative that empowers women to be healthcare leaders worldwide. In addition, Catchword developed an extensive terminology list around the Centers work to assist the client with marketing. The client is extremely happy with the creative output, the Catchword teams ability to listen, and the efficiency of the process. "
Project Name: Naming and Naming Architecture for Stanford Global Health Women’s Initiative
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
5,000 & Up
Industry:
Education Management
Catchword resolved a midsized credit union’s brand confusion through distinctive brand positioning and then developed a memorable new name and tagline to express the new strategy. The client described the engagement as a pleasure—professional, well-managed, high-quality—and plans to work with Catchword again. "
Project Name: Brand Strategy & Renaming for Tulsa Federal Credit Union
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
50 - 99
Industry:
Financial Services
Catchword helped a leading wet wipes producer determine a naming approach and develop a name for a new product technology. [The] client was very pleased with how well the Catchword team understood the nature of the technology and how it worked on a practical level. The client felt the Catchword team [was an excellent communicator] and established a great workflow. Ultimately, the client liked so many of the names that Catchword provided they had a hard time choosing finalists. "
Project Name: Brand Strategy & Naming for Personal Care Product Technology
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
1000 - 4,999
Industry:
Consumer Goods
Catchword developed a new name for a company that had outgrown its existing brand. They escorted the client through a challenging project with an extremely smooth project management style. The client was particularly impressed by how deeply Catchword immersed themselves in the client’s business and differentiators. The client is thrilled with the final candidates, now in legal review. "
Project Name: Brand Renaming for Cloud Infrastructure Company
Project Type:
Naming
Company size:
50 - 99
Industry:
Information Technology and Services
The client is impressed by the speed and quality of Catchword's work [in] naming a high-profile new technology. The Catchword teams detailed SOW and timeline helped [the] client feel on track and grounded throughout, while the open and transparent communication guided the work. They built a strong partnership wherein the client feels truly listened to and eager to work with them again. (Verified via email) "
Project Name: Brand Strategy & Naming for an Interventional Medical Device
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
5,000 & Up
Industry:
Medical Devices
Catchword created the perfect name for our new life sciences company, uniting five brands into one. They captured our culture, value, and global vision, as well as delivering fast, with outstanding communication and stakeholder management. From thousands of ideas to the final choice, the process was seamless. Employees, clients, and prospects alike love the new name. "
Project Name: Brand & Name Creation for Life Science Services Platform
Project Type:
Branding
Company size:
1000 - 4,999
Industry:
Pharmaceuticals

Catchword Team Bios

Partner & Executive Creative Director
Maria Cypher
Partner & Executive Creative Director
Founder and Executive Creative Director of Catchword, Maria oversees all creative work at Catchword. She has created names for Starbucks, Fitbit, Wells Fargo, Unilever, Intel, and hundreds of other clients.
Partner & Senior Account Director
Mark Skoultchi
Partner & Senior Account Director
Head of Catchword's East Coast operations, Mark leads all projects on the right coast, including projects for Volkswagen, McDonald's, PwC, BIC, Unilever, and countless others.
Senior Strategist & Linguist
Laurel Sutton
Senior Strategist & Linguist
Linguist, strategist, and co-founder of Catchword, Laurel oversees the agency's naming strategy and architecture work and global linguistic screening practice. She has managed projects for Cisco, Plantronics, Corning, and many others.
Creative Director
Erin Milnes
Creative Director
Erin has overseen creative development and contributed to strategy on countless projects for Catchword, including work for Walgreens, HP, Michelin, BIC, Intel, and The Home Depot.
Account Director
Leena Mehta
Account Director
Leena spent many years in brand management at Estee Lauder and Bare Escentuals before joining Catchword almost a decade ago. Whether it's naming initiatives or strategy and architecture projects, she brings her CPG marketing experience to clients like Corning, Chobani, and Johnson & Johnson.
Senior Naming Manager
Stevie Belchak
Senior Naming Manager
A brand strategist for the last 10 years, Stevie has laid the steady foundation and necessary groundwork for companies large and small, working with the likes of Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, AT&T, and more.
Senior Strategist
Helen Gould
Senior Strategist
There are few, if any, naming professionals with as much naming strategy experience as Helen. With a linguistics degree from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford, she has led verbal branding departments for two global branding agencies and in-house at eBay and PayPal.
Copy Boss
Chuck Guest
Copy Boss
Chuck started at Hal Riney & Partners on the account side, if only to justify his marketing degree from Santa Clara University. Creative was a better fit, and he went on to develop award-winning work at Chiat\Day and Young & Rubicam for well-known brands such as Gallo, Clorox, and Chevron.

Catchword Clients

Intel
Starbucks
Fitbit
Dunkin'
The Home Depot
PwC
General Motors
Uber
Corning
NBCUniversal
Unilever
Aetna
Amazon
Volkswagen
Hitachi
HP
Allergan
GE Healthcare
Michelin
AT&T

Catchword Awards

Catchword - Award 1
Catchword - Award 2
Catchword - Award 3
Catchword - Award 4
Catchword - Award 5
Catchword - Award 6
Catchword - Award 7