JONATHAN BURKS
Brand Story—
BLUE NORTHER HARD SELTZER
Blue Norther Hard Seltzer brought me in to elevate their presence in Austin’s saturated beverage market, where limited distribution made effective social media, email marketing, and event presence essential. I expanded the brand identity into a cohesive creative system across digital, social, print, POS and on-site experiences—from weekly promos and seasonal campaigns to large event activations. My work spanned concepting, visual design, product photography direction, and illustration/art direction, while aligning closely with partners to maintain brand consistency. This unified approach strengthened Blue Norther’s visibility and positioned the brand as a standout in Austin’s culture and beverage scene.
Challenge:
Blue Norther needed a cohesive brand presence that unified their product, event space, and community involvement across social, email, ads, billboards, and partner campaigns. The brand also required refreshed packaging that stood out on shelves and better reflected its Texas roots. The challenge was creating a unified, modern brand expression that could drive visibility and community impact.
Strategy, Execution, & Results
I expanded Blue Norther’s identity into a cohesive creative system across digital campaigns, social content, billboards, and on-site event graphics, ensuring every touchpoint stayed on brand. I oversaw a full packaging refresh with a local illustrator to boost shelf impact and reinforce the brand’s Texas roots. These efforts increased visibility, earned media recognition, and strengthened Blue Norther’s presence in Austin’s beverage and culture scene.
A Socially-Fueled Brand
I leveraged Blue Norther’s social presence and deep cultural ties to build a highly engaged community that consistently showed up—online and in person. By aligning content with local trends, events, and Austin’s unique energy, I created campaigns that sparked buzz, drove sold-out events, and kept followers returning for more. This sustained engagement not only strengthened brand loyalty but also translated into increased product demand and expanded retail placement across the city.
View Blue Norther's Instagram feed HERE.
