The client

KEF, originally founded in Britain in 1961, has long been one of the world’s most respected brands of high-end audiophile hi-fi speakers. KEF speakers combine the latest in acoustic science with artistic flair in their design to give faithful sound reproduction while complementing the environment in which they are placed.

The challenge

Like many older brands, KEF had lost some of its lustre with the passing years. Though still respected, it was becoming seen as rather old-fashioned and conservative. Following its acquisition of KEF, Gold Peak Group sought assistance in reinvigorating the brand to meet the challenge posed by newer competitors in the market. The key task for Base Creative was to give the brand a fresher, younger image without endangering its well-established reputation for excellence.

The creative solution

Base Creative identified the key characteristics of the target customer segment, and designed a brand grid which would appeal to this group. The essential characteristics of the brand and how it should be presented were gathered into a comprehensive brand book. In presenting the history of the brand, its continual development of new technological breakthroughs was emphasised, positioning it as a leader and trendsetter in the field. Care was taken in developing the brand writing and imagery to maintain the ideal balance between the brand’s long tradition, its position at the forefront of speaker technology, and the completely modern aesthetic appeal of its latest designs.