Motto is an award-winning branding and design studio started by two childhood friends. With friendship as the starting place, Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger built an agency that uses game-changing strategy and powerful messages to create exciting new brands. Motto wants to be your trusted advisor, strategic partner and extension of your team so that they can help fuel your company to success! If you’re look to scale your brand to next level or just getting started from the ground up, then Motto is the agency you need to call…
Inside Motto
Location: Dallas, TX
In Dallas Since: We recently re-located to Dallas in September 2015.
Core Services: Branding and Design.
# of Employees: 6
# of Four-Legged Employees: 2
Company Mantra: “Fortune Favors the Bold”
Does your agency have a cool origin story?
Ashleigh and I met as teens in a Chicago snowball fight. We grew up together, went to college together and in our early twenties, embarked on the journey that is now known as Motto. We started Motto in 2005 with just $250 in our bank accounts and never having worked for another agency. We’re now celebrating our eleventh year in business and now work with challenger and corporate brands all across the globe.
Ashleigh & Sunny
Most interesting physical thing in your office?
We have a Buddha and sometimes we rub his belly.
What does #agencylife mean to you?
Talent. Hustle. Heart.
“People will tell you you’re not good enough. Be thankful for small minds. It’s how greatness is born and why the rose grew from the concrete.”
– Sunny Bonnell, Co-Founder
Partners in Crime
In 10 Words or Less, What We Do for Our Clients:
Partners with bold, ambitious entrepreneurs and companies to create exciting new brands.
3 Characteristics We Look for in Potential Clients:
- We look for vision.
- Values.
- Ambition.
Our Clients Love Us Because:
We have high expectations of ourselves and the work we do. Clients know they will not get mediocrity with us. They love us because we help them create extraordinary brand experiences which in turns strengthens their business and their point of view in the market.
Clients We’ve Helped:
Johnny Cupcakes, Gannett, Humankind, Orison, Merge VR, Crown & Buckle, Netpure, and many more.
Bigger’n Dallas
The #1 Thing We Love About Dallas:
The food is pretty incredible, we must say.
What makes Dallas the best city in Texas?
The people and the startup community. We’re seeing more entrepreneurs step forward with innovative ideas and it’s very inspiring.
Most admired local brand in Dallas?
Stag. We featured Stag on our monthly Brand Crush series where we highlight a passionate and inspiring company creating powerful brand experiences in the world. They are a great company and brand.
Most admired marketing/digital/design influencer in Dallas?
Shama Hyder. She’s written two books and owns a digital marketing agency. We think she’s not only a phenomenal woman entrepreneur, but her accomplishments are quite impressive.
Credit: Cooper Neill for Cosmopolitan
What is one thing people don’t know about Dallas that they should know?
That it’s a new hub of tech and pushing out the next wave of disruptive entrepreneurs.
Best Restaurant in Dallas:
Really?! That’s the toughest question in this whole interview. We have some favorites, probably Uchi.
Rank the local colleges with the best creative talent:
SMU, Art Institute of Dallas, UNT
The Dallas High Five
To highlight and celebrate the thriving marketing and design community in Dallas, Agency Spotter decided to launch the Dallas Activation Series. With so many great agencies and hidden gems, the Dallas creative scene should never be overlooked! So join us as we take y’all on a trip through the best marketing agencies and design firms representing Big D.
Stay up-to-date on all the coverage during our #DallasSpotted Activation by visiting the Dallas Content Hub.
- 50 Largest Marketing Companies in the World - January 3, 2018
- Top 20 Most Important Women in Marketing - December 4, 2017
- Ask The Expert: How To Assess The Health Of Strategic Agency Partners - November 14, 2017