Endangered Species Chocolate

With a mission to support endangered wildlife and backed by research, Brandsmith worked with Endangered Species Chocolate to transition the chocolate bar with the animal on it into a new species — a chocolate brand with premium appeal.

STRATEGY • NAMING • BRANDING • PACKAGING • 3D • COPYWRITING • DIGITAL CONTENT • TRADESHOWS • CAUSE • SHOPPER • ADVERTISING • SALES COLLATERAL

Endangered Species Chocolate's original packaging designs for the 3oz Rainforest, Tiger and Rhino dark chocolate bars

3D renders of Endangered Species Chocolate's new packaging for the 3oz Rainforest, Owl and Eagle dark chocolate bars redesigned by Brandsmith

3D renders of Endangered Species Chocolate’s innovative 1.6oz Giraffe and Butterfly ESC DUOZ bars laid out in an alternating mosaic pattern on a teal background

A NEW SPECIES IS ON THE LOOSE

With ESC's mission to support endangered wildlife it was key to incorporate design elements that maintained a connection to animals, while also delivering on the goal of making the brand easier to find on shelf. Together we developed new packaging concepts for more than 30 premium chocolate products, which debuted in late 2018. We’re continuing to push the brand forward on all fronts as ESC explores and rolls out new, innovative products.

Silhouette of a Samburu Warrior in full dress at sundown at the Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Kenya

Two Rothschilds giraffes standing side by side at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.

Giraffe pattern plate set on a solid wood table with an ESC DUOZ peanut butter + caramel Giraffe bar laying on top

ESC’s CEO, Curt Vander Meer, sitting on top of a Jeep with binoculars looking for wildlife on a safari in the Masai Mara game reserve in Narok County, Kenya

Tod Dalberg hand feeding two Rothschild giraffes outside of Giraffe Manor in Nairobi

Two Rothschilds giraffes poking their heads inside the windows of Giraffe Manor in Nairobi

A baby elephant being hand fed a bottle of milk at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya

Panoramic view of the Masai Mara from a single engine plane flying over a mountainous river valley

Curt Vander Meer peeking out the top of a jeep with binoculars surveying the Masai Mara game reserve in Narok County, Kenya

A Samburu Warrior in full dress smiling at the sunset in the Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Kenya

“Brandsmith is amazing to work with. Their team became an extension of the ESC marketing team and were fully committed to the successful relaunch of the ESC brand.”

— Tod Dalberg, Director of Brand & Marketing

Instagram post of 3D renders of Endangered Species Chocolate's redesigned 3oz dark chocolate Tiger bar laid out in a mosaic pattern with a cup of espresso on top

Instagram post of a 3D render of the redesigned 3oz dark chocolate Grizzly bar surrounded by raspberries on a teal background

Instagram post of 3D renders of the new ESC DUOZ Butterfly and Giraffe bars surrounded by rose petals on a pick background

3D renders of Endangered Species Chocolate's redesigned packaging for the Panther, Owl, Grizzly, Rainforest, Puffin, Wolf, Tamarin, Rhino, Eagle and Tiger 3oz dark chocolate bars laid out in an alternating mosaic pattern on a lime green background

“Brandsmith is solid group of good people that knows what they’re doing. They bring new ideas, a fresh perspective and top notch designs… and they like to have a few laughs in the process.”

— Elaine Vulcano, Brand & Partnership Marketing Manager

ESC's plant-based 3oz oat milk dark chocolate Gorilla bars propped up against a pink box for the Ellen DeGeneres BE KIND subscription box photo shoot

Stack of three Ellen DeGeneres BE KIND spring edition subscription boxes

A spread of Ellen DeGeneres' favorite, handpicked products for the spring edition of Ellen's BE KIND subscription box

Eat Chocolate, help save wildlife

In 2020, ESC debuted an innovative line of plant-based chocolate bars featuring oat milk — a healthier, more sustainable alternative to dairy. In keeping with the ESC mission, they partnered with The Ellen Fund who also supports their GiveBack partner — The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — to include the Gorilla bar in the spring edition of Ellen's BE KIND subscription box. Together they’re spreading the oat milk love and raising awareness about conservation for wild gorillas.

The black and white cover of a printed 2019 Impact Report from Endangered Species Chocolate featuring elephants crossing a river in Africa