Hornet Unveils a Rebrand Reflecting 2 Decades of Creative Evolution

Hornet, a talent driven creative studio renowned for its work in motion design, animation, and live action, unveils a vibrant rebrand reflecting its ethos of limitless creativity and its evolved, multifaceted roster of talent. The rebrand lands in parallel with the opening of a brand new studio in the heart of Soho, NYC, embodying Hornet’s new mission and vision.

Hana Shimizu, partner, managing director, shared, “Our rebrand is a reflection of the collective creative journey we've been on. It’s a clearer expression of who we are and where we’re heading. It's about honouring our roots while embracing the new, diverse talents that have joined us along the way. Building our platform around ‘Dreams’ was a way to bring together so many different voices around a single vision and to be creatively ambitious.”

Daniel Fries, the strategic and creative force behind the brand, elucidates the challenge of the rebrand. "Our strategy was twofold: to differentiate Hornet in a crowded space and shift the perception from solely animation to a multifaceted creative company," explained Daniel. "Where we landed is culturally defining for Hornet, laying claim to ‘Dreams’ as a platform for creative, transcends storytelling, it’s anthemic, it’s unifying, it’s the foundation for inspiration.”

Having built premiere brands in Entertainment and Media (FX, FXX, NBCU, USA), Daniel really understood how to thread this needle, working with a broad range of different creative under one umbrella is akin to an Entertainment Brand - you have to lead with vision and values.

With a brand platform centred around "Dreams", Hornet embarks on a journey inviting audiences to "Dream with Us”. The past five years have seen exponential growth for Hornet, not just in size but in the scope and diversity of its offerings. The new Soho studio is a physical manifestation of this growth and the broader creative and technological horizons to be explored.

Michael Feder, co-founder, added, “This rebrand has crystalised our ‘creative-first’ mission, bringing every facet of our business into sharp focus. Unlike the typical studio model centred around a singular creative voice, ours is about championing a chorus of creative voices, where each bring a unique vision and talent to the table. Being talent driven means we invest in, nurture and cultivate talent. When you look at our roster you will see a lot of fresh talent alongside artists that have been with us from the beginning.”

Complementing the visual identity is a new portfolio site focused on a curated user experience, aligning with the studio's ethos of creative excellence. "The intent was to empower Hornet with tools and assets to develop motion design and other digital assets, allowing them to take the reins and continuously evolve their digital presence," Daniel reflected.

As Hornet steps into this exciting new chapter, it extends an invitation to clients, collaborators, and the creative community to explore the possibilities that lie in the intersection of dreams, storytelling, and imagination.