House of Sports

Services

Branding strategy, repositioning and visual identity

Objectives

The value proposition, communication, and visual identity are misaligned, putting HOS behind competitors. As a result, they struggle to reach and inspire the next generation.

Solutions

Create a strategic brand repositioning that clarifies vision, values, and core messaging. A foundation that enables a consistent, trustworthy brand with lasting impact.

Results

I conducted a brand engagement session to define brand values, reshaped the mission, and researched positioning and competitors. This resulted in a manifesto and a full rebrand with a new visual identity, logo, and corporate identity.

The Client & The Process

House of Sports is a full‑service sportmarketing agency based in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel that has been active for over twenty years in the heart of the sports world. With a team of around one hundred specialists, they develop strategy, sponsorships, campaigns and events that use sport as a powerful stage to connect brands, athletes and fans and to achieve concrete business objectives.

The process was collaborative and insight driven, starting with brand engagement sessions to align stakeholders on values and ambition. Research into positioning and competitors informed a clear strategy, leading to a manifesto and a rebrand expressed through a new visual identity, logo, and corporate identity.

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house of sports positioning

Project Focus

Branding consists of three main pillars; positioning, promise, and performance. In this project, the primary focus was on positioning as the strategic foundation of the brand. Within this pillar, we defined the brand values, core promise, vision, mission, and tone of voice, supported by a manifesto and a competitor analysis to clearly differentiate the brand.

This strategic work formed the basis for translating the brand into a renewed visual identity. The insights from the positioning phase guided the development of a new logo and corporate identity, ensuring the visual expression consistently reflects the brand’s essence and direction.

(Re)definining the brand

The positioning phase started with a brand engagement workshop, in which I guided a selected group of 12 to 20 stakeholders through structured discussions around identity, values, and ambition. In parallel, I developed an online survey to gather insights on competitors, self image, and external perception, allowing both reflection and validation of the brand’s current position.

The combined outcomes of the workshop and survey were analyzed and translated into a strategic positioning document. This document defined the brand prism, repositioning strategy, and brand archetype, providing a clear and actionable framework for the brand’s future direction.

research-slides

Stylescapes

In the House of Sports project, stylescapes were used as a strategic bridge between brand positioning and visual identity. They translated the defined values, manifesto, and archetype into distinct visual directions, allowing stakeholders to experience and evaluate the brand’s tone, energy, and ambition before committing to a final identity.

stylescape

Concept 1 / Legacy

House of Sports is the enduring force in sports marketing, carrying decades of expertise forward while shaping the future of the game with every generation it inspires.

Concept 02 / Fire

House of Sports is the relentless flame that ignites ambition, fuels bold ideas, and drives brands and athletes to perform at their highest level.

Visual identity

The new visual identity marks a confident evolution of the House of Sports brand. The highly detailed, twenty year old torch logo was reimagined into a bold, abstract symbol that captures the raw energy, focus, and ambition of the company today. Stripped of unnecessary detail, the torch became more powerful and iconic; a mark that reflects strength, clarity, and forward momentum.

This refined identity aligns seamlessly with the brand’s bold character and competitive mindset. It is designed to perform across every touchpoint, from digital to physical, while preserving the torch as a timeless symbol of passion, excellence, and leadership in the world of sports.

Manifesto - Igniting Excellence

For two decades, ‘House of Sports’ has proudly carried the Olympic torch in the realm of sports marketing, embodying enduring spirit and unwavering commitment. In the heart of sports, intimately connected to its pulse, we breathe life into campaigns, anticipate industry shifts, and craft sporting legacies. Our culture is an atmosphere where passion blazes bright—each team member a dedicated flame bearer. Our ideal client dares to dream boldly, possessing the courage to forge uncharted territories. Trust is the cornerstone of our partnerships—a mutual flame lighting the path to shared success.

We speak with the resounding authority of the Olympic anthem, our words igniting action and echoing the triumphs of victories. We inspire with strategies leaving clients relieved and ready to conquer new heights. Our impact is measured by brilliant results, where ideas burst into achievements and legacies are etched into sports history.

In the Heart of Sports, we are not just marketers; we are guardians of the eternal flame, illuminating the path forward and igniting dreams. Let the flame endure.

house of sports logo

The new visual language

The new visual language expresses the positioning classic eccentric by combining timeless restraint with bold, expressive energy. Classic credibility is conveyed through disciplined layouts, strong typographic structure, and desaturated or black and white photography that emphasizes heritage and focus, while eccentricity is introduced through the vivid use of bright orange, flame inspired elements, and a distinctive, character driven typeface. The abstract torch acts as a dynamic centerpiece; scaled, cropped, and applied with confidence to create tension and movement. This contrast between calm, classic imagery and fiery, unconventional accents results in a visual identity that feels authoritative yet daring, rooted in tradition while unmistakably forward looking.

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letterhead-corporate-identity
house of sports social media

Brand book & Toolkit

The 44 page interactive brand book brings the House of Sports identity to life in a clear, inspiring, and practical way. It translates strategy into design, outlining the brand story, positioning, and visual language in detail. Through direct links to a dedicated toolkit, it empowers teams and partners to apply the brand consistently across all touchpoints.

Role: Lead Brand Strategy & Art Direction

House of Sports
Creative Lead
Nick Koster

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