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Growth comes from re-imagining the present.
We are a growth agency that helps disruptors - big and small - re-imagine their brand and category through forward-looking branding and innovation.
That’s what we call SOLVING FORWARD.
Home
Growth comes from re-imagining the present.
We are a growth agency that helps disruptors - big and small - re-imagine their brand and category through forward-looking branding and innovation.
That’s what we call SOLVING FORWARD.
About
About
About
What we believe
Size is no longer a guarantee of success or an impediment to growth.
The winners will be those that have the vision and the willingness to challenge their category.
Creatively shifting category paradigms through a forward-looking lens is essential to unlock growth.
Why we are different
We recognize that different growth levers need to be activated at different stages of growth (creation, acceleration, scale) and we adjust our process and scope accordingly.
Because we actively maintain a balance between our Fortune 500 and smaller clients, we are best positioned to help smaller players get ready for their next stage of growth and large companies act as nimble disruptors.
Not only do we invest our time in our clients' challenges, we at times invest our funds in their business.
Services
Services
Services
Insights/Foresight
qualitative research (online and live in traditional and non traditional venues)
quantitative research (consultation, management and analysis)
foresight analysis
Branding
brand strategy (positioning, brand architecture)
naming and messaging
packaging design / brand identity system
digital strategy and development
Innovation
growth opportunity / platform identification
co-creation / concept development
innovation roadmap / pipeline development
Work
Work
Work
Key Team Members
Key Team Members
Key Team Members
Eric Zeitoun
CEO & Founder
Eric has over twenty years of experience advising clients across B2B and B2C sectors in the development of their business, innovation and marketing strategies.
Prior to co-founding Black Bamboo, he started the global innovation practice of branding firm Dragon Rouge after developing the agency’s North American banding business.
Before Dragon Rouge, Eric held business and marketing strategy roles both on the corporate side (Sara Lee) and at various consultancies (Interbrand, Lippincott and LEK).
Born in Paris, he has lived in NY for almost 20 years. But you will more likely find him roaming the remote regions of Uzbekistan or tracking down the latest sushi counter in Tokyo.
Sarah Newkirk
Managing Director
Sarah has 20 years of brand, design and business strategy experience building productive partnerships with visionary clients, helping teams collaborate to create next-generation companies, products and experiences.
Prior to joining Black Bamboo, Sarah was a partner at the creative consultancy Lippincott, and later led business development efforts for branding firm Landor’s New York office.
Earlier in her career, Sarah held strategic marketing roles at a B2B tech startup and a human factors and furniture design company.
Despite living in New York her entire adult life, Sarah is sentimental about her New England roots and always looking to get back on a mountain. She is an avid reader and pop culture enthusiast, combining an affinity for lo-fi hobbies (print books, urban gardening, and baking from scratch) with curiosity about what’s over the next hill.
Clara Henning
Head of Strategy
Clara got her start in branding during an internship in college and hasn’t left the industry yet!
More than 15 years later, she has done strategy and innovation work for a variety of start-ups and global companies.
Before joining Black Bamboo, she worked at a mix of boutique and big agencies including Dragon Rouge, Siegel + Gale, Vivaldi Partners and Interbrand Healthcare across consumer goods, technology, healthcare, finance and professional services.
Originally from Argentina, Clara grew up in Europe and moved to New York City 11 years ago.
She still loves to travel although as a proud mom to a baby girl and a mini-dachshund, she is more often roaming the streets of Brooklyn than Bangkok.
Antonia Knobbe
Head of Insights
Antonia has worked in the field of strategy and insights for 20+ years.
Prior to Black Bamboo, she was at JSC Consumer Insights, where she was moderating and leading insights work for brand strategy, innovation, and creative development initiatives domestically and internationally across health, food, beverage, beauty.
She began her career in advertising as a strategic planner at Wells Rich Greene BDDP, where she first ignited her passion for uncovering rich insights and devising strategies for key clients.
A born and bred New Yorker, Antonia has a special interest in all subjects related to health and wellness, and loves exploring the nuances of (any) city or pushing her athletic limits in nature.
Marcus Hewitt
Creative Director
Marcus is a design leader who has built award-winning teams for several of the world’s leading corporate and consumer branding.
Prior to working with Black Bamboo, he was Creative Director at Dragon Rouge and before that CCO and Founding Partner of Sterling Brands.
Marcus started his career with Pentagram in London and helped establish the Michael Peters Group in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles.
A hands-on designer, Marcus has created new identity and packaging programs for large companies (Givaudan Roare, Constellation Wines, Burger King, Diageo, The Getty Museum, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive) and smaller independent businesses, as well as non-profits.
When he's not designing you'll find him with one power tool or another, renovating houses!