As one of the world’s leading animation studios, Blue Sky has been making iconic films for over 30 years––Ice Age, Rio and Ferdinand, and Spies in Disguise, to name a few. But while many folks know their famous movies, Blue Sky has never been a household name like competitors Pixar® and Dreamworks®. As a purpose-driven animation studio committed to fearless filmmaking, Blue Sky creates real, relatable characters and stories that reflect what it means to be human; they’ve captured viewers’ hearts worldwide.

Rebranding requires a tried and true methodical process. The Motto Method® needed to help Blue Sky navigate a significant acquisition, frame the brand for the future, and re-center the brand amidst a new horizon.

Motto® interviewed stakeholders to understand the general sentiment. Next, we tailored on-site workshops with the executive leadership team at Blue Sky HQ. We went behind the scenes, immersed ourselves in the culture, and learned how animations are made.

While most US movie industry is based in Hollywood, Blue Sky’s headquarters is in woodsy Greenwich, CT. Luring top talent from the glitz and glamour to the east coast posed a challenge. Though 600+ loyal employees work there, Blue Sky needed to attract new talent to that culture. We then created a Culture Map to show potential recruits and industry insiders all the fantastic things happening at Blue Sky.

Blue Sky Studios is committed to bold choices in family animation that give its storytellers the freedom to create original films. We knew the brand needed to support the bold stories that Blue Sky tells. From its roots in transforming a prehistoric squirrel into a pop culture icon, the brand continuously draws from a legacy of revolutionary technology and brave storytelling to inspire all that comes next.

Whether sharing production art, highlighting movies, or profiling employees, we wanted to share the culture of Blue Sky. With a strong focus on recruitment and building out Instagram and LinkedIn social, we met talent where they consume content.

We conducted a Social Immersion Workshop and shared our new strategy directly with 100 employees at Blue Sky; we aimed to create an environment where everyone was excited to contribute in a meaningful way. From unique hashtags to a new social strategy and posting cadence, we led each month’s social media assets and provided monthly metrics to demonstrate performance.