Rank Prize

The Rank Prize Funds award prestigious prizes to scientific pioneers in nutrition and optoelectronics — two disciplines linked by their founder, J. Arthur Rank, who built businesses in flour milling and film (yes, the gong). Founded in 1972, their alumni include Nobel Prize winners. The problem: their brand looked mid-90s, sounded bureaucratic, and one winner did not believe he had won because the email looked like spam. Their own board members could not agree on the organisation’s name.

We interviewed scientists, trustees, former winners and up-and-coming researchers. What emerged clearly was that the symposia were the real USP: rare events where young researchers form lifelong relationships with the most eminent people in their field. Our strategy had three aims: make Rank Prize clear, prestigious and genuinely inviting to a new generation of global talent.

We renamed The Rank Prize Funds to Rank Prize. The brand idea: ‘Where the brightest scientific minds meet.’ The rotating logo uses sunlight to link both disciplines, echoing the founder’s iconic gong. We rewrote the website in a warm voice with an occasional touch of poetry — ‘Take the bus from Windermere to scientific excellence. Better late than never, Dr Nobel.’ — and extended the identity across the 50th anniversary, social media, symposia and events.

Grant applications increased tenfold. Twitter followers doubled. Transform Awards 2023 winner.

Transform Awards 2023 winner

“The work you guys did for us was outstanding.” Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

“Our grant applications have increased and the quality has improved massively. We are seeing higher numbers of applicants from a wider variety of institutions, so we can be sure of reaching the most able researchers, whatever their background.”
Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

Grant applications x10     Twitter followers +100%

“We’re now getting grant applications for projects that have great potential for public good.” Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

“We’ve had so many compliments from stakeholders too, especially at the symposia.” Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

What we did

We led the full rebrand and rename: brand and communications audit, stakeholder interviews, brand strategy, positioning, naming and sub-brand architecture, visual identity, tone of voice, website rewrite and design, brand guidelines, social media, photography guidelines and 50th anniversary materials. The new name and identity gave Rank Prize the credibility to attract the world’s best researchers. Grant applications increased 538%.