DM Design / Content

  • © 2025

    Engine, LLC

Direct mail design remain effective due to their tactile experience, trust-building potential, precise targeting, and extended engagement. A well-designed print ad or direct mail piece can engage the senses, leaving a lasting impression on the recipient. This physical presence can evoke trust and credibility (as long as the creative is well executed) as consumers often perceive printed materials as more reliable than digital counterparts. Moreover, they linger in homes or offices, enhancing brand recall and deepening consumer connections compared to easily skippable digital ads.

PRINT & DIRECT MAIL

CASE STUDIES:

BIRKENSTOCK

Magazine Print

CHALLENGE: Birkenstock, renowned for its iconic footwear, had entered a phase of major innovation, introducing a diverse range of new shoe styles that many customers had yet to discover. The goal was to raise awareness of these collections while simultaneously clearing inventory to make room for continued production and future designs.

SOLUTION: We developed a multi-channel campaign, including print ads, that showcased Birkenstock’s signature cork bed and stitching as distinctive branding elements. With witty, engaging headlines complementing the visuals, the campaign captured interest, raised awareness of the new collections and drove an increase in sales and inventory turnover.

BIRKENSTOCK

Magazine Print 1

BIRKENSTOCK

Magazine Print 2

BIRKENSTOCK

Magazine Print 3

USS HORNET MUSEUM

Small Space Print

CHALLENGE: The USS Hornet Museum, a historic aircraft carrier-turned-museum dedicated to preserving naval and aviation history, faced a period of stagnant visitor numbers and financial challenges. To keep the museum thriving during a brutal recession, it needed to increase awareness, attract new visitors, and boost donations.

SOLUTION: We implemented a dual-targeting strategy, launching a dynamic multi-channel advertising campaign. This approach allowed us to strategically tailor messaging for each audience segment, maximizing engagement and impact. The campaign increased brand awareness and delivered measurable visitor turnout and donation results.

TRINET HR

Magazine Print 1

TRINET HR

Magazine Print

CHALLENGE: TriNet HR, a leading HR solutions provider for businesses, aimed to increase brand awareness and generate leads by targeting CEOs and business decision-makers. They sought an anthemic campaign theme that would create buzz while effectively communicating their core value proposition—giving CEOs the freedom to focus.

SOLUTION: Our creative concept featured prominent historical figures, demonstrating how their unwavering dedication to their mission led to extraordinary achievements—free from HR distractions. The campaign increased brand awareness, resonated with decision-makers, and drove a significant uptick in lead generation and conversions.

TRINET HR

Magazine Print 2

TRINET HR

Magazine Print 3

MAYO FAMILY WINERY

Small Space Print

CHALLENGE: Mayo Family Winery, a boutique, family-owned winery in Sonoma County, sought to increase brand recognition among wine country tourists and San Francisco/Oakland residents. The goal was to entice visitors to experience the winery firsthand, highlighting its exceptional reserve room and exclusive tasting experiences.

SOLUTION: We developed a distinctive design style that seamlessly integrated into Mayo Family Winery’s advertising, reinforcing its reputation as a high-quality winery dedicated to craftsmanship and sustainable winemaking. This cohesive and visually compelling approach increased engagement and drove a rise in visits and reserve room tastings.

Fact:

Direct mail, when executed with compelling creative, has demonstrated its effectiveness in reaching and engaging target audiences. According to a study conducted by the Data & Marketing Association (DMA), direct mail response rates have experienced a resurgence, with a 5.3% response rate for house lists and a 2.9% response rate for prospect lists in 2023, both marking significant increases from previous years. Furthermore, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) reported that direct mail with strong creative not only captures attention but also drives action, with an estimated 84% of recipients taking action based on the content received. These statistics underscore the enduring value of direct mail as a strategic marketing tool, particularly when combined with compelling creative executions.

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OOMA

Direct Mail

CHALLENGE: Ooma, a leading provider of cloud-based communication solutions, sought to launch a direct mail campaign targeting businesses to introduce them to Ooma Office and highlight its advantages over traditional phone services. The goal was to create a high-impact mailer to capture attention, drive engagement and lead conversion.

SOLUTION: We developed a creative and eye-catching direct mail campaign featuring vivid imagery of office workers in unexpected and humorous situations to capture attention immediately. This engaging and memorable approach boosted response rates, strengthened brand recall, and significantly increased business inquiries and conversions.

OOMA

Direct Mail 1

OOMA

Direct Mail 2

OOMA

Direct Mail 3

OOMA

Direct Mail 4

BANK OF MARIN

Newspaper Print

CHALLENGE: Bank of Marin, a community-focused financial institution serving Northern California, aimed to strengthen its connection with local businesses and raise awareness of its newly developed business programs to support regional enterprises. The goal was to engage the local business community and highlight tailored financial solutions.

SOLUTION: We developed a multi-channel campaign centered around celebrating local business leaders, showcasing their success stories as a testament to Bank of Marin’s commitment to the community. By sharing real-world case studies, we highlighted how the bank’s tailored financial solutions helped businesses thrive and grow.

AMBASSADOR TOYS

Magazine Print

CHALLENGE: Ambassador Toys, a specialty toy store known for its curated selection of high-quality and educational toys, aimed to increase foot traffic across its four locations during the crucial holiday season. At the same time, the store sought to reinforce its brand positioning as a community-focused business dedicated to providing enriching toys.

SOLUTION: We created a heartwarming series of nostalgic ads designed to evoke the magic of childhood Christmas memories while showcasing Ambassador Toys’ extensive selection of gifts and services. This emotionally resonant approach successfully captured the holiday spirit, increased foot traffic across all locations.

AMBASSADOR TOYS

Magazine Print 1

AMBASSADOR TOYS

Magazine Print 2

AMBASSADOR TOYS

Magazine Print 3

AMBASSADOR TOYS

Magazine Print 4

MEDJOOL RESTAURANT

Magazine Print

CHALLENGE: Amid San Francisco’s thriving restaurant boom, Medjool, a renowned Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and rooftop lounge, faced the challenge of standing out in the city’s competitive dining scene. The restaurant sought to elevate brand awareness and highlight its exceptional cuisine and stunning rooftop views.

SOLUTION: We developed a strategic print campaign for San Francisco’s top publications, featuring stunning, authentic food photography and engaging headlines to capture attention and entice diners. This approach successfully elevated Medjool’s brand awareness and drove a significant increase in reservations.

MEDJOOL RESTAURANT

Magazine Print 1

MEDJOOL RESTAURANT

Magazine Print 2

MEDJOOL RESTAURANT

Magazine Print 3

WENTE FAMILY ESTATES

Magazine Print

CHALLENGE: Wente Vineyards, a historic, family-owned winery known for its exceptional wines and hospitality experiences, sought to create a campaign to showcase the diversity of its offerings—from award-winning wines to unique tasting experiences. The goal was to elevate brand recognition and highlight its legacy of excellence in winemaking.

SOLUTION: We developed a modular ad design that allowed us to highlight each of Wente Family Estates’ unique offerings individually while reinforcing the message that the winery provides a rich and diverse experience beyond exceptional wines. This flexible and visually engaging approach increased visitor engagement, visits, and event participation.