Creative Strategy > Challenges & Breakthroughs

CHARLES ZUBER

CHARLES ZUBER SWITZERLAND, Geneva / CHARLES ZUBER / 2024

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Overview

Credits

Overview

Why is this work relevant for Creative Strategy?

In the realm of established luxury, Charles Zuber emerged not as a newcomer but as a challenger, a disruptor rewriting the rules of traditional luxury. We took up the mantle to not just launch a brand but to redefine what luxury could be in the near future. The Charles Zuber project encapsulates the pinnacle of creative strategy, navigating the complexities of the luxury industry. This strategy addressed the challenge of introducing a new brand and orchestrated a rebellion against the conventional, establishing Charles Zuber as a challenger brand that truly transcends the norms of traditional luxury.

Background

A high end luxury watch and jewelry atelier born in Geneva, Switzerland, approached us to solve their challenge of breaking into the luxury market as a new brand. We positioned and created a brand that had to address multiple factors; serving its Swiss legacy, playing in a field of new luxury, and defining a movement that had yet to surface in the world; a Neo-Swiss luxury experience.

The main challenge was to introduce Charles Zuber to the world; a new player in an extremely competitive market, and to ensure that the brand launch gained its deserved exposure and awareness amongst relevant audience that could live on the same playing field as other luxury benchmarks.

The Interpretation of the Challenge

The challenge was monumental – to penetrate the already saturated luxury market, Charles Zuber needed a strategy that surpassed the ordinary. Recognizing the inherent barriers of the industry, we deciphered the need for a breakthrough, not just in product offering but in the very essence of luxury.

The Insight / Breakthrough Thinking

Navigating the complexities of launching Charles Zuber, our process unfolded systematically. Beginning with stakeholder interviews, we gauged the brand’s current standing, projected positioning, and expected vision.

A thorough Discovery Report laid the groundwork, prompting additional research involving interviews with jewelry and watch experts, collectors, and enthusiasts. Collaborative workshops, a cornerstone of our co-creation approach, engaged key stakeholders. Topics ranged from ideation sessions to establish a unique brand archetype to crafting a narrative inspired by the founder’s journey.

These workshops were tailored to the brand’s needs and the broader luxury industry context. The ensuing transformation yielded a Neo-Swiss identity, embracing the ethos of “La vie, exubérante.” The breakthrough lay in understanding that Charles Zuber wasn’t just a watch and jewelry brand; it was an ode to daring rebellion.

The insight was the realization that luxury wasn’t about conformity; it was about creating an exuberant experience, an emotional journey of the unexpected.

The Creative Idea

Picture a brand unshackled from conventions, introducing a Neo-Swiss luxury experience. Charles Zuber, a declaration of "La vie, exubérante," narrates itself in a manifesto for those who seek not just watches and jewelry, but a rebellion against the ordinary.

In an effort to position Charles Zuber as a disruptive challenger brand, we coined “Neo-Swiss” as a breakthrough term and furthermore, defining a unique design philosophy dubbed ‘DMD’ which focuses on Dimension, Motion and Distortion throughout every visual manifestation.

The Outcome / Results

The business witnessed a seismic shift, surpassing mere success to achieve milestones in luxury's narrative. Charles Zuber’s presence at renowned watch events such as Watches & Wonder Geneva, and Dubai Watch Week, alongside industry titans elevated the brand beyond a launch to a proclamation of individualism. The brand's trajectory showcased unprecedented global demand within less than a year, spanning North America, the Gulf region, Asia, and more. Over 100 media outlets, including luxury and watch platforms like GQ, Hodinky, Timekeeper, and Vogue UK, recognized Charles Zuber's impact.

The boutique's inauguration at Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall catalyzed expansion into new retail locations in Geneva, pop-ups across Europe and Canada. Notably, watch enthusiasts and bloggers within the niche community became fervently intrigued, conducting reviews and heralding it as the next best secret. The brand's presence amongst industry giants validated the strategy's triumph, reflecting industry influence and a fundamental shift in the perception

Please tell us about how the work challenged / was different from the brands competitors

Our work on Charles Zuber was a radical departure from traditional luxury strategies, positioning the brand as a challenger with the potential to redefine the future of luxury. The relevance of our creative strategy lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the luxury industry and orchestrating a rebellion against convention.

Charles Zuber faced the monumental task of establishing itself in a competitive market. The interpretation of this challenge was profound, breaking into a saturated luxury market required more than a conventional approach; it demanded a paradigm shift.

Our breakthrough thinking unfolded through systematic processes ultimately giving rise to the Neo-Swiss identity. The insight was revolutionary: Charles Zuber wasn't just a brand; it was a journey into the unexpected, challenging the very essence of luxury and coining a movement that caught on. This brand was differentiated by redefining luxury's narrative and propelling Charles Zuber beyond the established boundaries of the industry.