Munich Re

The chosen concept of transmission was a rendition of the communication which passes between the consumer and Munich Re through the services of Great Lakes. A studio photographer was commissioned for a two day shoot to attain the light based imagery. A number of different techniques were employed in order to generate light patterns across a varying series of art images. Props included everything from a toy lightsaber to a digital projection onto steel bars. For the portraiture imagery, we turned to Battersea Park in south London, for it’s warm and interesting lighting environment. The publication has launched Great Lakes firmly into the market creating instant recall and memorable brand recognition. In a somewhat dry and formal sector, the publication continues to draw attention and debate.

Covering London

The purpose of the Munich Reinsurance General Branch Portraits Brochure is to allow Munich Re’s clients to understand who works in various departments and to give contact details for each person. Firedog wanted to inject interest into the brochure and developed a strategy where the reader is engaged to read the brochure and also to hand it on to others. Firedog’s recommendation was to focus on locations within London that illustrated ‘coverage’ – this was a metaphor of how Munich Re covers the interests of their clients.

Combining location shoots and stock imagery, each location had informative insights into London many people may not already know, ensuring the brochure offered value to as wide a spectrum of people as possible. To add additional value to the brochure and draw attention to Munich Re’s present activities, Firedog recommended relevant and current topics such as the 2012 Olympics to give true value to the copy. The brochure was given longevity by the use of a pocket that kept the employee information. If this needed to be updated, it was a simple case of replacing an A4 data sheet rather than replacing the entire publication. The result is a formal yet engaging publication that not only informs the reader of Munich Re’s capabilities, but also about handy little known facts of London’s heritage.

Reflections : Internal communications on current affairs

As part of our retainer, we were tasked to ensure that all marketing collateral adheres to brand guidelines produced out of Munich, while making the design more contemporary and appealing to an evolving marketplace. We supported the client in taking editorial direction and advise on pagination and flow. Firedog was tasked to inject a much needed premium design feel into the Munich Re corporate communications publications family. Working closely with the firm’s Headquarters in Munich and the recent brand guidelines, the revised design engages the reader’s interest and gives them more reason to hold on to and read the marketing collateral.

We capitalised on the use of imagery in creating a lighter read, by using an abstracted graphic visual language in support of the more standard reinsurance content. We also carefully balanced the use of colour so that the publications had a certain feel for each edition. Firedog has subsequently sent to press five editions of the internal communications brochure entitled Reflections and a comprehensive graduate brochure. Ultimately this has created a vibrant perception of Munich Re within a very traditional industry.

Communicating partnership with Allfinanz

Firedog was asked to produce a brochure that would illustrate the new relationship that Munich Re enjoys with Allfinanz. The pioneering technology created by Allfinanz that is revolutionising the reinsurance industry had to be symbolised from start to finish. Firedog understood the most important element of the relationship with Allfinanz was how the technology is going to save Munich Re time and money in the long term. Therefore, we selected imagery of modern aspects of working life. Motion photography of a city landscape injected a sense of momentum, whilst zoomed in imagery of LCD’s and elevators reinforced the modern methodologies being adopted. Firedog was then responsible for the timely delivery of the print files that were urgently required in Shanghai. The brochure was given longevity by the use of a pocket that kept the employee information. If this needed to be updated, it was a simple case of replacing an A4 data sheet rather than replacing the entire publication.

Firedog has a great deal of experience in financial services branding of businesses across UK, Europe and further afield. Have a look at our campaign, print and communications design case studies for more!