Client Challenge
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) sought to address a critical gap in environmental conservation: the lack of scalable mechanisms to protect high-integrity tropical forests, vital for biodiversity and climate regulation.
As one of Earth’s most complex ecosystems, these forests provide essential ecosystem services, yet their preservation was underfunded and overlooked.
The challenge was to create awareness about the importance of tropical forests and to develop a compelling brand that would attract investment for the newly launched High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative (HIFOR).
Our Strategy
To overcome the challenge, a brand strategy was developed to vividly illustrate the HIFOR proposition. The strategy centered on showcasing the multiple benefits of tropical forests—climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and social impact—within a single investment framework.
This required in-depth research, including interviews with sustainability experts and creative testing with target audiences. The insight that climate and biodiversity are often seen as separate entities led to the creation of a unified narrative. This narrative emphasized the interconnectedness of environmental and social benefits that HIFOR offers, aiming to attract a diverse range of investors.
The Solution
The creative solution, ‘A Kaleidoscope of Opportunity,’ became the visual and thematic core of the HIFOR brand. This concept was brought to life through a dynamic visual identity that used kaleidoscopic imagery to symbolize the multiplicity benefits of investing in tropical forests.
The design strategy combined close-up visuals of the forest floor with sweeping aerial shots, capturing both the intimate and expansive essence of these ecosystems. Deliverables included a comprehensive brand identity, website, marketing materials, and a high-profile launch event. This integrated approach not only positioned HIFOR as a unique investment opportunity but also as a catalyst for positive environmental change, aligned with WCS's mission.
Brand Execution
HIFOR brings together elements of climate and biodiversity finance into a single investment, helping to conserve the critical biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by tropical forests. This is a new and innovative mechanism but within a very crowded landscape, making brand and positioning pivotal. We love that Catch a Fire was able to create a visual identity that stands out from the grey while still appealing to our core target audience. The design is clean and editorial whilst also vibrant and distinctive, with a splash of colour. The key brand assets have been elevated because of Catch a Fire’s brand design expertise. We also appreciate the strategy and insight behind the brand’s voice – the “Astute Environmentalist.” It captures perfectly the way we want to communicate with our audience. To top this off, our brand launch, supported by Catch A Fire during New York Climate Week, was a great success!
Katie Jung, Climate Change Communications Officer - WCS
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A Kaleidoscope of Opportunity
WCS wanted to address a gap in environmental conservation: a scalable way to protect high-integrity tropical forests. HIFOR and A Kaleidoscope of Opportunity create a dynamic identity that uses imagery to symbolize the multiplicity of benefits of investing in these environments.
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