Polymath Motion, an award-winning motion design and production studio serving such recognized clients as Seagram’s VO, John Frieda and Febreze, has rebranded as OddBeast. The change ushers in a bold, new era for the company, which was founded in 2017 by 3D animation specialist-turned business leader Ronny Young. Watch the launch video and check out OddBeast’s portfolio.
“Polymath was too boring, sterile and even scientific sounding. It lacked personality and didn’t accurately reflect the creative vision and energy of our team,” explained Young. “We’re goofballs that love to have fun, and when we’re having the most fun, it comes through in our work. We produce the best pieces when we like it and are engaged fully from a creative POV.”
For Young, OddBeast is exactly that POV, starting with the name itself. “Beast,” he said, is just another fun way to say “expert,” and “Odd” represents not only a rare find, but also the disbelief expressed when people find out where the company’s high-caliber work is actually created.
“Clients have told us it’s odd that we’ve headquartered an international motion design company here in Kentucky when so many others are based in LA or New York,” he continued. “We’re planting a flag and owning that we’re Kentucky-based.”
Beyond the name, OddBeast’s red-and-white color palette is also more fun – classic, yet fresh and versatile – while the retro ‘70s/’80s racing vibes speak to motion, the studio’s sweet spot, embracing its mantra, “Never Not Moving.” Then, of course, there’s the animated mascot part of the company’s new logo, a thunder weasel named Todd.
When asked WTF a thunder weasel is and why this one is Todd, Young explained: “Weasels are known to be quick, agile, skilled and scrappy. Add a bit of thunder and you’ve got one badass little dude. We gave him the name ‘Todd’ after our head of production’s father, a handyman who knows a ton and can fix anything… very DIY.”
Commenting on the rebrand was one of the studio’s long-time clients, Laura Helton, Associate Director, Creative Marketing for Kao USA Inc., which represents such notable product lines as John Frieda, Jergens and Biore, among many others.
“Polymath consistently provided big ideas, fresh insights and impressive creative on every single project, even as my brands and brand identities have evolved over time. The OddBeast rebranding feels like they are growing and evolving as well, flexing their new and diverse capabilities,” she said. “And the best part? The cast of characters I get to work with: Smart, funny, passionate and committed to excellence on small and large projects alike, they do everything with purpose and pride. Who they are as human beings – just being themselves to the core – is what makes them stronger designers, editors, animators and photographers. It’s what makes them ‘OddBeasts.’”
The new brand strategy and identity were created by Dewhaus, a Cincinnati-based brand consultancy led by Peta and Nick Dew. Updates include a new name, logos, communication, colors, vibrant new website, advertising, environmental design and more.
Founded in 2017, OddBeast (formerly Polymath Motion) is an award-winning motion design and production studio filled with talented, scrappy creatives who have way too much fun transforming concepts into moving visual reality for major consumer brands and entertainment entities. For more information, visit https://oddbeast.tv/ or follow OddBeast on Instagram, LinkedIn and Vimeo.
