Our Latest & Greatest Ideas

Yes, we’re those people who watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. And as marketers, we can’t help but be Monday morning quarterbacks—evaluating, critiquing, and applauding this year’s crop of ads, or as we like to say, the most expensive 30 seconds of a brand’s life. Coming off the excitement of the halftime show, and a stunning come-from-behind win by the Chiefs, our team shuffled through the ads to pull which spots we liked, which puzzled us, and which simply let us down.

In December 2019, an article published by The Verge exposed a toxic work culture at Away. Employees reported verbal abuse, bullying, and other transgressions, all amplified by a grow-at-all-costs mentality. Away is a direct-to-consumer travel brand best known for their crayon-colored, hard-shell suitcases, with prices starting at $225 and climbing quickly from there. Founded in 2015, Away has become a poster child for success, led by two female co-founders, and valued at $1.4 billion.

As we dive into a new year, we’re excited to welcome a new team member. Erin Eby joins the Cove as Brand Director, bringing deep and wide experience in branding, art direction, storytelling, and marketing. Her travels have taken her around the globe, literally, offering expertise to companies of all shapes and sizes. Clients across a broad range of sectors have benefitted from her creative thinking, including healthcare, tech, and consumer packaged goods. We chatted with Erin specifically about branding, how it supports marketing, and what she’s learned from her experience.