David O'Hearns
Helping Businesses To Develop Their Brand, Position Themselves Effectively Online + Offline + Attract The Right Customers.
Stockport, England, United Kingdom
5K followers
500+ connections
About
I’m Dave, MD of Dawn - a brand, digital and motion agency based in Manchester.
I set up the agency to rid the world of bad design and poor communication, and that's what we aim to do every single day.
I've always stood by the belief that a brand should be rooted in its values, not fleeting trends – a perspective not shared by everyone.
With 26 years in the industry, 20 as a business owner, I've learned what it truly takes to create an incredible brand. It’s not just the set of clothes you wear, but the way you work, the way you speak to your audience, and having a real purpose behind what you do every day. Every decision should stem from those values, and we’re here to help you craft a brand and identity that is true to them, making you stand out from the crowd, and outshine everybody.
Who We Are:
At Dawn, we're not just a creative agency; we're storytellers. Specialising in brand, digital, and motion, we collaborate closely with businesses and marketing teams to craft and nurture authentic brands that resonate with their audience.
Our Specialties:
Brand Consultancy, Brand Strategy, Website Design and Development, Animation, Brand Architecture, Corporate Identity, Creative Concept Development, Targeted Campaigns (Online and offline).
Our Clients:
From industry giants like Adidas and Global businesses such as Dunphy, to local heroes like Life Leisure, our diverse client base shows how truly adaptable we are. Over 80% of our revenue comes from repeat business, a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional results, and managing brands over many years.
Fancy a free brand review? More than happy to help. Just drop me a message.
Articles by David
-
How should we be inspired? A look at modern inspiration.
How should we be inspired? A look at modern inspiration.
By David O'Hearns
-
Nando’s just revealed their sonic logo, but what is sonic branding?
Nando’s just revealed their sonic logo, but what is sonic branding?
By David O'Hearns
-
Should Creative Directors be on the Board?
Should Creative Directors be on the Board?
By David O'Hearns
Contributions
-
How can you ensure that all participants feel welcome and included in your brainstorming sessions?
We always make sure we leave the main leader or leaders until last in each session so that people who might not have a voice OR feel they don’t get the opportunity to speak first and express their views. We often find that these ideas and thoughts are some of the strongest or most creative as they come from a specific role where they might engage with the customer or client more than the leaders and can help shape the business. We also run sessions where people work together as well as ones where you decide alone and reveal your answers so they can be openly discussed and we can start to align thinking so the brand becomes stronger and the team have a shared vision.
-
What are the best ways to balance consistency and flexibility in brand positioning?
You need to know how far your brand can stretch. Sometimes a brand can't do all you want it to do so you have to create a completely separate brand. A lot will depend on which of the 4 Brand Architectures you are in. If you know this it makes decision-making easier and allows you to be clear on what you can and can't achieve.
-
What are the best ways to balance consistency and flexibility in brand positioning?
The words behind the brand are what make all the difference. Purpose and Brand Values should shape all decision-making from recruiting to operations to visual identity and messaging. All brands (the good ones) evolve over time to ensure they are current, are different from competitors, and appeal to an ever-changing audience. My tutor said to me over 25 years ago to treat a brand like looking in the mirror – you don't really change on any given day but when you look back over time you can see the changes that have happened. If you use your Brand Values properly you can dial them up and down as and when you need to and when you are talking to an engaged audience.
-
How can you determine the right level of risk to take in your creative strategy?
In a lot of cases you’ve actually got to get noticed. To get noticed in the sea of noise and communication you’ve got to be creative and you’ve got to take some risks. I like to frame ideas around the Brand Purpose and Brand Values of brand - this doesn’t mean you get tied down but it does mean that the creativity can be shaped to stay true to the brand. At the moment a lot of companies are suffering due to playing it safe - it’s time to step out of comfort zones and take the right people with you. A great Purpose and strong values will help to get it right.
Activity
-
Everyone wants to be cool, quirky and disruptive... until you show them cool, quirky and disruptive 🤷🏻♂️😬 #WeWAnTtOsOuNDLiKeMonZo 🐓
Everyone wants to be cool, quirky and disruptive... until you show them cool, quirky and disruptive 🤷🏻♂️😬 #WeWAnTtOsOuNDLiKeMonZo 🐓
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
Next webinar, sign up now! https://lnkd.in/eERvQ8eD
Next webinar, sign up now! https://lnkd.in/eERvQ8eD
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
Every touch point and every thought. For me, that’s how you develop a brand. Yes, there’s Strategy, an actual Purpose, Brand Values, Positioning…
Every touch point and every thought. For me, that’s how you develop a brand. Yes, there’s Strategy, an actual Purpose, Brand Values, Positioning…
Shared by David O'Hearns
Experience
Education
Publications
-
PALETTE 08 - Iridescent Holographics In Design
Victionary
The eighth edition of the Palette series features a variety of work focusing on the use of holographic and iridescent materials within graphic and packaging design. There’s also some great foiling and finishes on the book itself.
Our rebrand involved the creation a logo marque using the form of a sunrise which has been rotated to form ‘DC.’ Our logotype is tweaked with 18 degree angles which is the point at which the sun rises at Dawn. We created a living gradient that moves through the…The eighth edition of the Palette series features a variety of work focusing on the use of holographic and iridescent materials within graphic and packaging design. There’s also some great foiling and finishes on the book itself.
Our rebrand involved the creation a logo marque using the form of a sunrise which has been rotated to form ‘DC.’ Our logotype is tweaked with 18 degree angles which is the point at which the sun rises at Dawn. We created a living gradient that moves through the spectrum of our colour palette mimicking the change from dark to light as Dawn breaks.
Projects
-
Show Business Interiors Shadow Campaign
-
Following our successful repositioning of the Show Business Interiors brand, we were given the task of moulding their 2016 creative campaign. We wanted to emphasise their bespoke service, storytelling approach and exquisite finishing touches, so honed in on a concept that would showcase their attention to detail. The shadow campaign was the concept that was born from this which in our opinion was executed beautifully.
-
Above + Beyond Brand Identity + Website
-
Delivering a highly engaging e-commerce website aimed at Gen Z’s and millennials for a new sustainable brand.
-
Against The Odds Campaign
-
A brand and website for a campaign in support of phasing out gambling sponsorship and advertising in sports.
-
Amplifon Brand Management
-
Supporting a global hearing aid brand offering state-of-the-art technology and exclusive, tailored service to their customers.
-
APADMI Animations
-
Apadmi is an app development company, working with the likes of Dominos, United Utilities, AstraZeneca and the BBC.
They came to us looking for an animated showreel to effectively split out their service offering into sectors, allowing them to promote to specific target audiences. It needed to be fast paced, matching the nature of their innovative solutions, showing a brand aligned with digital transformation and highlighting the slick apps they build in action. -
Bede Brand Identity
-
A bold brand refresh and architecture for a pioneering gaming platform breaking into new global markets.
-
Candidsky Rebrand
-
A rebrand and website for a vibrant SEO company to reposition itself alongside a younger target market.
-
DMFA Full Rebrand + Website
-
Digital Marketing for Asia (DMFA) is a subsidiary of Softbank Corp and provides support to clients and partners looking to enter the Asian market. Using the power of digital technology, local knowledge, specific expertise, and close-knit relationships, they aim to help brands expand and grow globally.
-
Dunphy Rebrand
-
Rebrand and website to re-align the positioning of Dunphy, who engineer and build boiler houses for the industry worldwide and are looking towards a Net Zero future.
-
Full Metal Software Brand Identity
-
Rebrand and website with a visual identity revolving around the reduction and simplification of complex problems for a Software developer.
-
Getting Dirty Rebrand
-
Getting Dirty is a clothing line borne out of the founder’s love for Motocross. Her vision was to create technical level apparel to appeal to a community of adrenaline seekers, with an ethical stance on production and distribution. After a few years, the brand became established, and their products even appeared on MTV. But, there was a problem.
There were multiple iterations of the logo, none of which quite hit the mark for the positioning of their brand. This created inconsistencies…Getting Dirty is a clothing line borne out of the founder’s love for Motocross. Her vision was to create technical level apparel to appeal to a community of adrenaline seekers, with an ethical stance on production and distribution. After a few years, the brand became established, and their products even appeared on MTV. But, there was a problem.
There were multiple iterations of the logo, none of which quite hit the mark for the positioning of their brand. This created inconsistencies across the clothing and confusion amongst their following. So, they approached Dawn to realign the brand and create a fresh identity. -
GLO AV Brand Identity
-
A rebrand for premium home automation and integration company GLO, creating unforgettable everyday experiences that engage mind, body and soul.
-
H1VE Gym Brand Identity
-
Branding and digital presence for a progressive boutique Stockport gym focused on community spirit and togetherness.
-
HBL Brand Identity + Website
-
Shaping a branding and digital strategy to support a new phase of growth and expansion.
-
Inspired Life Brand Identity
-
Identity for a multi-layered lifestyle brand for their CBD, yoga, travel and clothing offerings.
-
Koutes Brand Identity
-
Creating the face of an exciting new Manchester-based fashion brand focused on inclusivity and giving something back.
-
PPTC Brand Identity
-
Delivering a high-end brand and website to help reposition and attract their target clients.
-
Row & Sons Rebrand
-
A rebrand and website celebrating the intricate craftsmanship and history that lay behind their butchery and food preparation ranges.
-
Swiis Foster Care Brand Identity + Websites
-
Bringing new life, enthusiasm, and direction to a foster care brand to reflect its friendly, caring, and supportive nature.
-
Travel Counsellors 25th Anniversary
-
Creating the concept and brand identity behind the exhilarating landmark 25th Anniversary Travel Counsellors Conference.
-
Zen Internet Brand Management
-
Brand management and development for the largest independent telecommunications and technology service provider in the UK.
Honors & Awards
-
CreativePool Global Awards - Best Direct Mail - GOLD
CreativePool
We won the GOLD in the category for Direct Mail at the CreativePool Awards. Competing with agencies from as far as Brazil and India we outshined everyone to pick up our award. You can see the quality of the work and the concept here: www.dawncreative.co.uk/work/zen-internet/10.
Languages
-
English
-
Recommendations received
7 people have recommended David
Join now to viewMore activity by David
-
Good morning from beautiful Mallorca… I am currently having a couple of days away in beautiful Palma, relaxing and recharging the batteries ready…
Good morning from beautiful Mallorca… I am currently having a couple of days away in beautiful Palma, relaxing and recharging the batteries ready…
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
What a monster week we’ve got: - Firstly we’re presenting a new proposal for a brand film campaign for a University. - Producing, directing and…
What a monster week we’ve got: - Firstly we’re presenting a new proposal for a brand film campaign for a University. - Producing, directing and…
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
I've got some exciting and slightly terrifying news to share with all my LinkedIn friends and connections ... 📣📣📣 It's been a real privilege to…
I've got some exciting and slightly terrifying news to share with all my LinkedIn friends and connections ... 📣📣📣 It's been a real privilege to…
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
After an amazing week away it’s time to head back to the Gorvins Solicitors office tomorrow for what looks to be an insanely busy period as everyone…
After an amazing week away it’s time to head back to the Gorvins Solicitors office tomorrow for what looks to be an insanely busy period as everyone…
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
Had some fantastic news this afternoon, we’ve now sold two plots at the Whispering Sands development in Trearddur bay. We’ve four plots left with…
Had some fantastic news this afternoon, we’ve now sold two plots at the Whispering Sands development in Trearddur bay. We’ve four plots left with…
Liked by David O'Hearns
-
Had fun earlier this week filming a vlog with Richard Tang on location in Hawaii! Okay, it was actually filmed by Sam Kutereba-Wall in our…
Had fun earlier this week filming a vlog with Richard Tang on location in Hawaii! Okay, it was actually filmed by Sam Kutereba-Wall in our…
Liked by David O'Hearns
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore More