Who We Are

Exc!aim Branding was formed in 1994 by Fred Kidder and Peter D’Aprix and later was joined by Gary Hanlon and Laura Kirkley. Their combined experiences with Fortune 500 companies as well as startup companies have given our group a unique mix of talents and working methodology typically mastered by an elite few design companies.

Using today’s technology as our tool for drawing ideas and creating web sites combined with years of corporate marketing planning, gives our company a true value added proposition that most design groups can only talk about but have not experienced. Very few design groups can truly integrate marketing across all sectors combining the knowledge of business enterprise with the information technology world we now live in. The most common statement we hear from our clients is that we know how to master their marketing objectives that embellish their corporate goals.


Gary Hanlon -
Graduate of University of Cincinnati -BFA
University of Colorado Business College -Marketing
Design Director with Saul Bass & Associates
Vice President of Richardson/Smith now Fitch
42 National and International design awards
Associate Professor University of Colorado
Member of IDSA
Member of AIGA
Contact: Gary Hanlon


Fred Kidder -
Graduate of University of Nebraska - BFA
Art Center College of Design in Pasadena
Senior Designer Robert Miles Runyan Associates LA
Vice President, Creative of Century Creations Inc. LA
Owner Kidder Design Associates LA
Contact: Fred Kidder

Awards--
New York Art Directors’ Club
The One Show
Los Angeles Art Directors’ Club
American Institute of Graphic Design
New York Type Directors Club
Communication Arts
Mead Library of Ideas


Peter D’Aprix -
Graduate of Boston University - BSc Journalism
Graduate of Los Angeles Art Center College of Design - Photography
Graduate of Lynda Weinman's Ojai Digital Arts Center Web Site Design
Peter has worked with his own freelance business in USA and Europe since 1972
French agency: SIPA Images, Paris, France.
Peter D'Aprix has taught at:
The Los Angeles Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA.
Brooks Institute, Santa Barbara, CA.
U.C.S.B
Contact: Peter D'Aprix

Awards--
New York Art Directors Club,
Communication Arts Annual,
Santa Barbara Ad. Club,
Print Magazine, P.I.A.,
Art Center Alumni Awards


Laura S. Kirkley -
MBA, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO
BA, Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Additional Marketing & Management Study:
Babson College, Center for Executive Education, Wellesley, MA
Burson Marsteller, New York City, NY
Boston University, Boston, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester,MA

Public Relations Services:
Strategic and Tactical Communication Development
Media Training
Communication Engagement
Written Communication Consulting
Contact: Laura Kirkley

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