Challenge
In the crowded spirits market, creating a brand that stands out is tough. Our client came to us with a vision to launch a moonshine brand that wouldn’t just blend in. After acquiring a distillery that quietly produced moonshine, they saw an opportunity to bring something unique to market. They turned to us to build that brand from the ground up—one that would embrace moonshine’s rebellious, secretive roots.
Moonshine has a rich history of being made in the shadows, crafted by the light of the moon to avoid detection. We leaned into this clandestine heritage, crafting a brand that honored its past while connecting with modern consumers.
Solution
We began by creating the name Shhh Moonshine, capturing the essence of secrecy and the mystique of moonshine’s origins. Everything about the brand—from its name to its visuals—speaks to a spirit that’s shared quietly, not broadcasted.
To launch it, we tapped into the insight that the best nights are the ones you want to keep to yourself. Moonshine’s high alcohol content made it the perfect fit for this concept. We created the concept "Tell no one," which became the heartbeat of the brand, aligning with the idea that the more unforgettable the night, the more you might want to keep it to yourself.
We developed an OOH campaign that captured these hidden moments—those things you do when you’ve had one too many, the ones you’d rather not share but always remember. This approach resonated with a target audience that craves adventure and excitement but also values discretion. They don’t need to shout about their experiences; they understand that some things are better left unsaid.
In addition to the name and campaign, we developed the full branding, including the bottle and packaging design, keeping the look clean and mysterious to mirror the brand’s ethos.
To elevate the experience, we created a brand act that played off this mindset. A smart tag was developed, allowing people to trigger a "Shhh Mode"—automatically blocking access to social media for the next 8 hours. It ensured that after a few moonshine-fueled moments, secrets stayed safe.
Timeline
From initial briefing to fully executed project (including rounds of revisions): 10 weeks.
Package(s) Used
Complete Brand Development Package
Zags 2024