Wilmington-based company Creature Theory just took home seven Craft Beer Marketing Awards for work that spans from Alaska to Georgia. But locals are more likely to have seen their brand designs for local food and beverage companies. 

Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream, for example, needed pint containers. Panacea Brewing Company's VW bus is taking flight on the new line of canned kombucha. And End of Days Distillery wanted an interesting look for a line of ready-to-drink cocktails. As these local businesses are expanding, they turned to Creature Theory to help them tell their story to a larger audience.

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The branding and design agency was one of the first businesses to move into Coworx co-working space in the Cargo District five years ago. Matt Ebbing said he and his family moved to the area to be closer to their extended family, and because Wilmington is a great place to live. 

At the time, he had worked for similar businesses from New Zealand to Colorado. He had a lot of contacts with a wide range of clients, but not many local ones. Several of them also happened to brew beer or make other tasty products. 

“I really like working with food and beverage businesses because I think there is an intrinsic passion as to why the founders started,” he said. 

Since then, the company has grown to a staff of eight full-time employees. Among their clients, they count 12-15 breweries that span seven time zones, including ones in the Philippines, Italy and Germany.  

It was for some of that work that the group was recently awarded two platinum and five gold Crushies at a recent event honoring achievements in marketing for the craft beer industry.  

One project was a complete rebranding campaign for Alaska’s 49th State Brewing.

“They are up-and-coming and looking to build a footprint beyond Alaska,” Ebbing said.  

He said he built on his experience as a glacier-climbing alpinist to help the business tell their story in a new way.  

They also took home a sustainable/innovative merchandising award for a collapsible adventure dog bowl that’s available in the Carolina Brewery taprooms in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro.

“They have a very on-the-go, coastal attitude,” said Amy Anderson, account executive with Creature Theory. “This is a dog bowl that people can take on the boat, or hiking. It's really an honor to win for something that's environmentally friendly and sustainable."

For a relatively small company, they're proud to win so many of the awards, but is is also fun to work with Wilmington-based businesses, Ebbing said.

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Boombalatti’s, for example, needed pint containers for ice cream lovers to grab and go at their locations in Wilmington and Hampstead – and for nationwide shipping. Their Boom Boxes are available for shipping in three 6-pint collections.

“It was really interesting taking what was a brand sign and a line of T-shirts and bringing that to life for something that will be shipping across the country," he said. 

For longtime client Panacea, they crafted cans for two signature kombuchas (Blueberry Lavender and Triple Berry Ginger), and three hard kombuchas (Lavender Hops, Raspberry Lemonade, and Pineapple Hops).  Another local beverage business, Tama Tea, has new glass bottles for its Rosé Maté tea. 

Fellow Cargo District resident, End of Days, has also been in production for a line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails. They’ve released three so far and wanted them to stand out on the shelves at North Carolina ABC stores. Look for a collaborative video campaign coming soon. 

Right now, about 70% of Creature Theory's clients are based outside of North Carolina, but they'd love to work with more people in the Wilmington area.

"It's always fun talking to people about what is individual and unique about their brand, and letting that guide us," Ebbing said.

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.