We Build Great Brands.
Great brands don't just happen.
They’re woven together with clarity, strategy, and a deep understanding of the people they serve.
This is the work Brand Shepherd does for brands that want to thrive.
The Way of a Shepherd.
We guide brands to find their true identity, attract the right audience, and create lasting connections. And yes, we’ve even had a brand-loving dog, Jake, who taught us a thing or two about loyalty.
The inspiration behind the concept of brand shepherding came from our beloved family member, Jake the Border Collie. Jake was always fond of structure, and he loved to herd our kids and anything else we asked him to organize.
We envisioned Jake taking on the role of a brand shepherd, helping to strategize and bring the brand’s needs into order. He would be responsible for guiding, growing, and protecting the brand, ensuring it remained healthy and strong.
This is exactly what we aim to do at Brand Shepherd. We focus on brands with specific target customers that require guidance, growth, and protection to flourish.
Our role is to be your brand’s shepherd.
the brand shepherd story
In 2026, Dan and Andrea Crask founded D&A Design in Wyoming, Ohio–near Cincinnati–as a side gig while they both worked in and led creative teams for other brands.
Acting as the creative wing for a variety of other agencies and brands, D&A Design builds long-lasting partnerships that establish a reputation for top-quality strategy and creative work. A 5-year plan is put in place to turn D&A Design into a full-time career.
The 5-year plan becomes a 2-week plan due to the economic problems that would turn into the Great Recession, and D&A Design forms as an LLC, becoming Dan and Andrea's full-time careers.
As Dan and Andrea add more clients and staff, "D&A Design" no longer aligns with the agency's vibe and mission. After watching their Border Collie dog, Jake, and his herding ways, Dan renamed the agency Brand Shepherd.
The 2010s were a decade of steady growth for Brand Shepherd. The agency became a fixture in the Cincinnati creative space, working with brands of all sizes and stages, from Fortune 100 multinational corporations to early-stage startups. Cincinnati provided a rich, fertile environment for Brand Shepherd to grow.
As Brand Shepherd grows, brand-building through pre-creative strategy becomes a cornerstone service, and Dan draws on his experience to create a framework that gives brands a clear understanding of their presence, people, and purpose. Vibe, Tribe, & Why® is born and begins providing clarity to Brand Shepherd clients.
After 13 years of starting and growing Brand Shepherd in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Crasks pack up the agency (and their family) and head south to the Knoxville, Tennessee area. It turned out to be well-timed, as the global pandemic would fundamentally change the world just six months after they relocated.
We were all impacted by the global pandemic years, and for Brand Shepherd, it was a time to go all-in on what we do best: Give clarity to brands and then apply it everywhere. Clarity became the #1 thing we were known for, and despite many challenges, clarity of Brand Shepherd's purpose prevailed.
2026 marks 20 years in business for Brand Shepherd, and we have never been more creative, focused, and efficient for the people who entrust us with their brands. As we navigate times of uncertainty, the addition of AI to workflows and rapidly evolving buying habits among B2B and B2C customers, we continue to provide our clients with the clarity they need to lead.
Here's to at least 20 more years of guiding brands to clarity!
the brand shepherd approach to work
guide
Brand Shepherd provides clarity for your brand so it reaches its ideal, most profitable customers.
grow
Brand Shepherd grows your brand with creative services that range from Brand Identity, Web, Packaging, and Marketing.
protect
Shepherding brands means protecting them from inconsistencies in how they are presented to ideal customers.
the core beliefs of brand shepherd
Your brand, simplified through clarity. A straightforward and transparent profile for each of your brand’s ideal customers. Your brand’s market presence is conveyed in a simple and comprehensible manner. The fundamental purpose of your brand is articulated in a straightforward and lucid manner.
We approach our work and relationships with humility. Every project is an opportunity we’re grateful for. We appreciate the people we collaborate with. Our mindset is rooted in gratitude and respect.
Efficiency is embedded in everything we do. Our process is streamlined from ideation to execution. We focus on clarity and precision, avoiding unnecessary complexity. Every detail is intentional, ensuring maximum impact with minimal waste.
