Financial Services + Consultancy

DeadHappy

Background

We partnered with DeadHappy to revolutionise their brand identity by creating ‘Skull Man,’ a distinctive mascot designed to engage a younger demographic and challenge traditional perceptions of life insurance. Our work encompassed character design, photoshoots, video production, and the development of an augmented reality (AR) experience to bring Skull Man to life across various platforms.

The Brief

DeadHappy, a forward-thinking life insurance company, sought to make life insurance relevant and appealing to customers in their twenties and thirties.

Recognising the need to break down societal taboos surrounding death, they aimed to infuse their brand with humour and boldness. DeadHappy approached us to develop a unique brand mascot that would personify their unconventional approach and resonate with a younger audience.

Dead Happy mascot reading a book and meditating

The Man in the Mask

Our objective was to design a mascot that encapsulated DeadHappy’s fearless brand ethos. Drawing inspiration from LA artist Butch Locsin and cultural figures like Frank Sidebottom, we conceptualised ‘Skull Man’ as a larger-than-life character embodying a devil-may-care, death-acceptance attitude.

Once the concept was decided, we then had to bring Skull Man to life.

An oversized skull mask was created by a skilled fiberglass sculptor, which served as the focal point of the character.
To create a striking visual contrast, Skull Man was dressed in a pristine white suit complemented by accessories.
Strategic pops of colour were incorporated to complement DeadHappy’s brand palette.
A variety of props were featured to convey different brand messages and add depth to the character’s persona.

The Dead Happy mascot walking a dog and putting the bins out

Bringing Skull Man to life

To fully realise Skull Man’s potential, we organised a week-long photoshoot at a spacious local studio. This setting allowed for creative flexibility and the inclusion of diverse props to enhance the character’s narrative. Each photoshoot setup was designed to represent one of DeadHappy’s six key brand messages: Easy, Quick, Helpful, Confident, Logical, and Joyful.

In addition to the photoshoots, we produced a short video featuring Skull Man navigating the streets of Leicester. This real-world interaction showcased the character’s uniqueness and reinforced DeadHappy’s brand identity.

Skull Man became a crucial part of the DeadHappy brand. He was used across social media in ad campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, and features on the brand’s website.

Dead happy insurance mascot with popcorn and kitchenware

the dead happy mascot looking through an old camera

Augmented Reality Experience

To further engage DeadHappy’s tech-savvy audience, we developed an augmented reality (AR) filter using Spark AR.

This interactive feature allows users to superimpose Skull Man’s mask onto their own faces via Instagram and Facebook. The AR filter includes customisable elements, such as mouth movement, eye socket variations, and a 360 degree view of the skull from all angels.

The AR experience not only enhanced user interaction but also amplified DeadHappy’s social media presence, fostering a community around the brand.

Dead Happy augmented reality photo filters with skulls on people's faces

Impact and Reception

Skull Man has become an integral component of DeadHappy’s branding strategy. The character features prominently across social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, and features on the company’s website.

Investment + Wealth Management

Mattioli Woods

What we did

We worked with Mattioli Woods to produce a compelling brand video that highlights their dedicated team and rich history. We developed an inspirational script, captured authentic footage of their staff in their state-of-the-art Leicester offices, and edited this to create a narrative that resonated with both clients and employees.

The Brief

Mattioli Woods, one of the UK’s premier wealth management firms, offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including pensions, ISAs, asset management, and employee benefits. Recognising that their people and heritage are key differentiators, they sought to create a brand video that authentically showcases their workforce and company story. We brought this vision to life through a people-focused and visually engaging production.