Still digging through shared drives or Slack threads for the right logo? Or wondering if that blue is the blue? We get it. Keeping your brand consistent shouldn’t slow you down – and it doesn’t have to.
That’s where Brand Kits come in. Think of them as mission control for your brand. They are one central place for all your essentials: logos, fonts, colours, templates, and usage rules. No more second-guessing. Just fast, confident, on-brand design every time.
Make Brand Clarity Effortless
Brand Kits don’t just store your assets – they bring structure. Add notes and usage rules directly into the kit. What logo goes where. Which fonts to stick with. When not to use that secondary colour. No dusty PDFs or tribal knowledge – just clear, built-in direction.
It’s brand consistency, built into your workflow.
One Platform, Every Brand
Running multiple brands, campaigns, or regions? Brand Kits scale with you. Switch between kits in a click. Each one stays clean, organised, and tailored to its own look and rules. No mix-ups. No crossed wires.
Built for Speed. Made for Teams.
Whether you’re onboarding a new hire or working with an agency, Brand Kits give everyone what they need, and only what they need. Control access. Share links. Remove friction. No more “Can you send me the logo again?” emails.
Focus on What Really Matters
Brand Kits help teams move faster, reduce mistakes, and spend more time creating – not digging. Whether you’re building one brand or managing a whole portfolio, this is brand management that works.
The Chemistry Behind Every Strong Brand
At Project Neon, we believe consistency is just the start. The real magic happens when people, tools, and ideas align – when you find the right formula to create something unforgettable.
At Project Neon, we’re always exploring innovative ways to help our clients stand out. One of the most exciting tools in our creative arsenal today is AI-generated imagery. AI enables us to craft distinctive, brand-aligned imagery that captures the essence of a client’s business, audience, or sector, especially in environments that are difficult to access or represent.
A smarter way to visualize the unseen
Some environments are notoriously difficult to capture, like offshore oil rigs, remote industrial sites, and high-security facilities. Organising a photoshoot in these locations can be not only costly, but also logistically complex. That’s where AI can step in.
Take our recent work with Keystone as an example. Their core audience? Offshore operations teams. Instead of coordinating an expensive offshore shoot, we used AI to generate a series of bespoke images that authentically represent this environment. The results are visually compelling and strategically aligned with Keystone’s brand identity. Notice the consistent use of blue tones throughout the imagery, an intentional choice to reinforce Keystone’s colour palette and visual language.
AI as a creative partner, not a replacement
Let’s be clear: AI is not here to replace photographers. Real-life photography captures the authenticity, emotion, and human connection that no algorithm can replicate. Professional photography remains essential for showcasing your people, culture, and real-world presence.
However, every brand needs a library of industry-specific, situational, or conceptual images that complement photos from employees. Traditionally, businesses have turned to stock photography for this. But stock images are often generic, overused, and rarely aligned with your brand’s unique tone.
AI-generated images offer a compelling alternative. They allow you to build a custom image bank that is:
Tailored to your brand guidelines
Consistent in style and tone
Free from licensing restrictions
Visually aligned with your digital platforms
AI images perform well in digital environments. Whether you’re refreshing your website, launching a social media campaign, or updating your internal comms, AI visuals can provide a fresh, cohesive look that feels uniquely yours.
That said, AI does have its limitations, especially when it comes to large-format printing. For exhibition stands, posters, or banners, the resolution of AI-generated images may not meet the high standards required for print. In these cases, professional photography or high-resolution renders remain the gold standard.
From our designer
While AI-generated imagery opens up some incredible creative possibilities, it’s not without its quirks. Getting the perfect image often takes a lot of fine-tuning, the prompts need to be very specific, and it can take multiple rounds of editing to land on the right scene.
People are particularly tricky; AI can struggle with realistic human features and poses. And when it comes to highly technical subjects – like niche equipment or specialised industrial setups – AI sometimes falls short, simply because there aren’t enough accurate reference images online for it to learn from.
That said, the pace of development is astonishing. The improvements we’ve seen in just the past year are huge, and the software is evolving on a near-weekly basis. We’re constantly keeping up with the latest advancements, and if progress continues at this rate, who knows what will be possible a year from now!
The winning formula: blend AI with reality
The real magic happens when you combine the strengths of both worlds. Use AI to build a flexible, brand-aligned image bank for digital use, and complement it with authentic, high-quality photography for people-centred storytelling. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both: efficiency, creativity, and credibility.
At Project Neon, we’re not just using AI for the sake of innovation, we’re using it to solve real-world challenges and elevate our clients’ visual identities.
Want to see what’s possible? Check out the AI-generated images we created for Keystone. They’re proof that with the right tools and creative direction, the future of limitless brand imagery is already here.
At Project Neon, we’re more than a team; we’re a mosaic of cultures and perspectives. Norwegian, Scottish, English, Irish, Portuguese, French and Italian minds working side by side. We thrive on collaboration, and we believe that great ideas are born from great conversations.
We wanted to create a space where those conversations could happen more often locally. Stavanger is a city that’s as international as it is innovative, full of expats, professionals, and creatives who are eager to connect. We couldn’t regularly find a space to do this, so we decided to make one ourselves!
Neon Nights launched in February 2023. A free, informal event series where a guest speaker is invited to share their story in a relaxed “fireside chat” format. After that, the evening is all about open discussion and networking.
What is Neon Nights?
Neon Nights isn’t your typical industry event. It’s:
Casual – Come as you are, grab a drink, and unwind after work.
Inclusive – Held in English to welcome Stavanger’s international crowd.
Community-driven – Focused on building real relationships, not just LinkedIn connections.
The Project Neon team has been described as enthusiastic and colourful and these events reflect exactly that. The event is engaging, and full of the kind of energy that makes people want to stay long after the official program ends.
Real connections, real impact
So far, we’ve hosted 9 events, and the stories that have come out of them are the reasons we keep hosting them:
“The journey that began with curiosity and ambition led me right to where I needed to be.
I had been attending Neon Nights for a while, each event bringing fresh energy and intriguing opportunities. One particular evening stood out – the next gathering was hosted by a company I had long admired, one I had hoped to work for someday. It felt like the perfect chance to gain insight into their world.
As fate would have it, my plans shifted unexpectedly. Instead of mingling with potential future colleagues, I found myself attending a presentation by one of my own coworkers. A twist I hadn’t anticipated – but one that, in hindsight, made all the difference.
Fast forward a year, and I’m celebrating my one-year work anniversary. Project Neon continues to draw in industry leading voices.” – Andreea Elizabet Ungureanu, ONS
“Neon Nights has quickly become one of my favourite fixtures on the calendar. Every gathering delivers a great and relevant chat with local marketing leaders, followed by relaxed mingling. Because the talk comes first, everyone walks into the mingling session with ideas and an easy conversation starter – no awkward small talk.
I’ve made some great connections and collaborated on multiple projects with people I met during the post-talk mingle. Huge thanks to the Project Neon team for creating such a fantastic forum for Stavanger’s marketing community; See you at the next one!” – James Froment, Flare Media
“Neon Nights truly offers the ideal synergy of professional development and networking opportunities. It brings together industry experts who share insights on pertinent and engaging topics within a welcoming, diverse, and approachable community, complemented by an excellent post-event reception. Beyond fostering new connections, Neon Nights has been instrumental in sparking successful collaborations, resulting in the delivery of six projects to date with Project Neon. I highly recommend Neon Nights to anyone aiming to advance professionally and forge new friendships.” – Ambrozie Pura, Rendering.no
Even for those of us at Project Neon, Neon Nights has been a fantastic place to make great connections. It’s where we first met Ambrozie Pura from Rendering.no, who’s now our go-to for 3D animation. It’s also where we connected with James from Flare and Andres Denesh Gerbasi from Rastløs. Since then, they’ve become part of our extended creative team, collaborating with us on multiple projects.
These stories aren’t just anecdotes; they’re proof that valuable connections can make a true impact.
Project Neon offices in the heart of Stavanger
Our Speakers So Far
We’ve been lucky to welcome some truly fantastic local voices, including:
Maiken Økland – Zaptec
Eirik Hogstad – Stavanger Oilers
Marthe Reienes – Stavanger Business Region
Inger Johanne Stenberg – ONS
Hans Ludvig – Lervig
Pål Oftedal – Lærdal Medical
Lena Antonius – Stavanger Kommune
Geir Søndeland, RA Stavanger
Each one brought a unique perspective, sparking conversations that continued long after the mic was turned off.
What’s next?
We’re not stopping here. In fact, we’re turning up the brightness.
As we look ahead, we’re exploring ways to evolve the Neon Nights format and introduce a second edition with a fresh twist. (Spoiler alert: it’s happening in the morning!)
We want to something that fits different schedules, sparks new conversations, and continues to build meaningful connections.
But don’t worry, Neon Nights as you know and love it will always be there!
To stay in the loop then make sure you keep following us on LinkedIn. We’ll be releasing the latest updates there.
At 15, we had a school assignment to choose a place for a two-week work experience placement. At the time, art was my favourite subject – the one lesson I genuinely looked forward to. The creative freedom made it the best part of the school week. It got my brain working in the right way.
I was already experimenting with design software back then, messing around with early (cracked!) versions of Photoshop and getting pretty familiar with how it worked. So, for my placement, I applied to a local design studio.
Those two weeks were incredible. I started with tiny design tasks, but since I already knew my way around the software, the work quickly became more involved. By 16, they’d taken me on as a “Very-Junior Designer“. My routine became school until 3:30pm, then straight to the studio for a 4pm start, working a couple of hours each evening. Branding, layouts, assignments – I loved every second. This was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I felt so lucky to find it so young.
At 16, I happily left school and skipped A-levels. The only other students leaving that year were four boys who weren’t allowed to stay on (!) but there I was, off to Leeds College of Art to study a two-year Graphic Design course. I’d found my calling. Funnily enough, during this time I actually went back to tutor the design software to my former art teacher on my days off, how tables so quickly turned!
Those years flew by, followed by a degree in Graphic Design. Throughout university, I interned at as many places as possible, eager to get into the working world. I was itching to graduate. Those five years solidified my passion for design. The balance of creativity and social aspect of working directly with clients felt just like those first art lessons – nothing had really changed.
By the time I graduated at 21, I had already been a junior designer for five years and knew I was ready to take the plunge. I set up my own design practice on day 1 of graduating, then working with incredible clients from all over the world which then happily merged with my other lifelong passion: music.
Now, back to being 15 again with a different spin.
I’m walking down the high street in Leeds and was handed a CD promoting a local club night at Gatecrasher (a huge club brand at the time – who remembers?). At 15, I was way too young to set foot inside any club, but I put the promo CD on anyway. And wow. My ears exploded. I had never heard anything like it before—house music. That was it. I was hooked.
I soon got myself some DJ decks and, I’ll admit another cracked piece of software (!), and started figuring it all out. A familiar story.
Once again, I found myself drawn to something that blended that creativity and social experience again. Just like with design, I threw myself into it. I DJed at house parties throughout college and university, then in clubs around the city after graduating.
My life has since always revolved around two things and become a confluence of music and design. Over the years, I worked on projects that combined both, taking me to some of the world’s biggest dance music hotspots – Ibiza, Tulum, Amsterdam, Manchester (the latter of which is where now call home). Sorry Norway, I love you, but your dance music scene needs more!
Design and music give me the same sense of purpose. Weekdays, you’ll find me deep in design work. Weekends, I’m in the DJ booth – either playing or supporting friends. Two parallel journeys that have led me exactly where I am now 15 years later, at 30. I feel incredibly lucky where I am right now: working with the amazing Project Neon team, working on awesome projects, all while listening to beautiful beats all day!
The company values of Proactive, Engaged, Vibrant actually align perfectly with everything that’s me.
Proactive – I’ve always created my own opportunities. At 15, I taught myself to design. The same drive got me into music—learning, practicing, and putting myself out there.
Engaged – Whether in design or music, I’m all in. From late nights designing to late/early(!) mornings DJing at clubs, I’ve always immersed myself in the creative world, constantly learning and listening.
Vibrant – Energy and passion fuel everything I do. Whether designing for global clients or listening to music in top dance spots, I thrive in fast-paced, creative environments.
And here’s a song from that CD that in kicked it all off:
Syttende mai – 17th May – is loud, proud, and packed with symbolism. The day somehow singlehandedly manages to create an unmatched sense of unity– in a way that probably only the winter Olympics and women’s handball finals comes close to imitating.
The day is spent (paradoxically) acting in a very un-Norwegian way: smiling and chatting to strangers, dressing up, joining group activities and loud chanting.
As such a definitive point in the Norwegian calendar, we couldn’t help but wonder: what can this iconic day teach us about building a standout brand?
Here are 7 lessons every business can borrow from syttende mai:
1. Own your identity
On 17th May, Norwegians don’t try to be anyone else. From wearing their traditional dress (bunad) to waving the national flag with zero irony, the day is all about celebrating Norway’s cultural image..
The lesson: Strong brands embrace what makes them unique. Don’t try to be everything to everyone or emulate your competition. Define your voice, lean into your strengths, and let your audience connect with the real you.
2. Consistency matters
Every year: same date, same activities, same decorations. You look forward to the ritual of the day, and it never gets old. That’s the power of consistency.
The lesson: Showing up regularly and recognisably is key to brand awareness. Your tone, visuals, and messaging should be as easy to spot as a guy in a bunad…
3. Make people feel part of it
There’s no passive audience on 17th May – everyone’s a participant. Whether you’re marching, watching the parades, having champagne for breakfast, or just carrying a tiny flag, you’re involved.
The lesson: Great brands don’t just talk at their audience; they invite them in. Think community, joint celebration, and co-creation. Build campaigns that make people feel seen, included and part of something bigger.
4. Emotion drives connection
Pride, nostalgia, joy… syttende mai stirs something real. And in a digitally evasive world, real experiences are incredibly powerful. That’s why people come back for it, year after year.
The lesson: Don’t just sell features. Tap into emotions. Tell stories. Create moments where your audience can have human connections.
5. Visuals matter (a lot)
In the weeks leading up to 17th May, most people have been tidying their gardens and put up Norwegian flags. On the day, beautiful bunads, bunting and flowers are everywhere. . It’s designed to be seen, photographed, and remembered.
The lesson: Visual identity isn’t decoration, it’s communication. Strong, consistent visuals tell a story and help your brand stand out.
6. Celebrate success
17th May is a celebration of independence, unity, and national progress. It’s celebrated with pride and positivity. Even janteloven takes the day off work.
The lesson: Don’t be afraid to share wins. Celebrate your milestones, product launches, partnerships and progress. People love a positive story.
7. Brand Alignment
On 17th May, there’s an unofficial rule – kids can eat as much ice cream as they want all day! As a result, in 2023, over 30 million ice creams were sold in Norway during the week of National Day. That’s more than five per person.
The lesson: if you can find a strategic brand alignment then they can be powerful. Finding a route to integrate your brand into your audiences’ experiences can help build loyalty and impact.
In Summary:
If 17th May were a brand, it would be:
✅ Clear in purpose ✅ Consistent in message ✅ Emotionally resonant ✅ Beautifully designed ✅ Wildly popular
How I swapped the pebbled shores and ocean breeze of Madeira for the majestic fjords of Norway, with a few unforgettable stops along the way.
I grew up on the breathtaking island of Madeira, where the sea sparkles year-round and the sun fills your heart (and soul) with energy. Life there is vibrant and warm, just like the people. That love of movement, connection, and creativity has shaped everything I do. And honestly? My journey so far has been full of waves, wonder, and a few plot twists I never saw coming.
The beautiful shores of Madeira
After studying in Porto (hello, stunning Douro River views!), I landed my first real job at the Casino of Madeira as a Marketing and Commercial Assistant. It was everything you’d imagine: a buzzing atmosphere, live music, dazzling performances, and fascinating people from all over the world. I worked on strategy for the gambling room and event promotion. It was a wild and exciting early-career adventure. But eventually, I realised nightlife wasn’t my forever scene.
Life at the Casino da Madeira
Time for a change
Next stop: Guernsey. What began as a quick visit to friends turned into a couple of seasons working at a hotel – still close to the sea, but with a totally different rhythm. And just when I thought I’d caught my breath, life had another surprise in store.
Working for a social enterprise was rewarding and inspiring in equal measure.
My partner (now husband) moved to the Shetland Islands, and I soon followed. I ended up staying nearly four unforgettable years. If you’ve never been, picture dramatic cliffs, powerful storms, puffins in summer, the Shetland Folk Festival, and the blazing spectacle of Up Helly Aa. While there, I joined a brilliant social enterprise as Marketing Manager, working with a passionate team on a truly important mission: inclusivity. We hit some proud milestones, like getting our products featured at Scotland’s Bute House, and even in Vogue UK. Yes, that Vogue!
Then came Norway…
When my husband received a job offer in beautiful Stavanger, we couldn’t say no. Sure, it’s not quite as warm as Madeira, but the nature here is just as powerful – peaceful fjords, rugged coastlines, auroras, and that same ocean that’s always felt like home.
Life by the fjords!
My first role in Stavanger was with a fast-growing SaaS company. It was a creative whirlwind, and a steep (but fun) learning curve. I worked on content strategy, inbound marketing, and employer branding.
And that brings me to Project Neon, the bright, bold and ambitious agency I now call home. We’re a small team, but full of creativity, energy, and big ideas. Every day is different, and that’s just how I like it
Looking back, it’s been quite the journey. From island shores to northern lights, from glittering casinos to purpose-led missions.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: home is a feeling. And I’ve found mine by the sea, doing meaningful work with good people. And YOLO? I’m living it.
This week, a client asked us whether they should bother with a hashtag strategy on LinkedIn. It’s a great question—are hashtags still relevant in today’s LinkedIn landscape?
If one client is asking, chances are other people are wondering the same thing. So, we’ve taken a closer look at this topic to give you a clear and actionable answer.
The role of hashtags
Hashtags were originally designed to make content more discoverable and help define your business’ audience. In the early days of social media, they were seen as essential tools to boost visibility, track campaigns, and drive engagement.
But as social platforms—and their algorithms—have evolved, so has the debate about the role of hashtags. So what’s our advice for 2025?
The best practices for hashtags on LinkedIn in 2025
Firstly, hashtags remain a usable tool for categorizing content and reaching relevant audiences. However, their effectiveness is contingent upon thoughtful and strategic application. Here are three top tips to remember:
Limit Hashtag Quantity: Data shows that posts with 1–3 hashtags see the highest average engagement on LinkedIn—approximately 14.7 likes per post. By comparison, posts with zero hashtags or more than three often perform worse. This isn’t a volume game; it’s about balance. Keep it concise and stick to three or fewer hashtags per post. (Source: Statista)
Choose relevant hashtags: Pick hashtags that directly relate to your content and audience. Our advice – use one branded hashtag (like your company name) and two that tie into your post’s topic. Niche or industry-specific hashtags can help you connect with professionals interested in those topics
Avoid Overused Hashtags: Generic hashtags like #Innovation have a historic large following, but based on latest reports, they won’t necessarily connect you to your target audience. Instead, focus on specific, less-saturated hashtags that align closely with your message and content. (Source:The Social Shepherd)
Our verdict
Don’t over think it: hashtags are no longer a make-or-break part of your LinkedIn strategy. They can still add value, but they shouldn’t take up time or focus. Instead use your energy to create great, credible, and authentic content.
Also, re-direct your hashtag energy into encouraging employee engagement. Posts with comments, reactions, and shares from your team perform better in LinkedIn’s algorithm than those packed with hashtags.
So, while hashtags still have a role, they’re just one small (and getting smaller) piece of the puzzle. Focus on creating meaningful content and building connections, and you’ll see better results.
There was a moment when I clearly realised that yes – this is it – I’ve got the dream job.
It was 6 am and I was sitting behind a camera in a TV studio in New Zealand, watching my client get interviewed by the morning show hosts. I was a PR consultant in a small agency in Auckland and I had worked hard for this moment. The story was great, the client answered the questions with ease and made the hosts laugh. Afterwards, she came to me saying “now that’s an opportunity money can’t buy”. And I couldn’t agree more.
That was eight years ago, and I’m happy to say I’m still in a role where storytelling is at the heart of what I do. My name is Cathrine and together with Claire I look after all PR activities for Project Neon’s clients, as well as content production and account management. Because I have always had an impulsive ‘seize the day’/ ‘carpe diem’ mindset with an above average sense of adventure, my friends got used to hearing me say ‘let’s go and volunteer in Brazil!’ one day, and then the next: “actually, a yoga retreat in Spain is what we need!” Agency life really addresses that adventure itch in every way. It lets me delve into different industries, companies and people’s stories and seeing the world from their perspective. No day is ever the same – and I love it! I strongly believe that storytelling is not only key to communication and marketing, but also sales, recruitment and effective management. It is a part of every business aspect and it’s something you need to get right if you want to inspire your employees, shareholders, customers, and partners to be a part of your journey.
Many struggle to differentiate PR from sponsored content like advertising. For me the main difference is the TV interview example above. We listed the benefits the company offered society and what made them stand out, found the story that resonated with the audience, got the media interested, and the resulting interview was engaging and free of paid sponsorship lingo. The enrolment to their services and product sales skyrocketed as a result – which was obviously a welcome bonus – but it was the fact that we now had a humanising story that defined the brand which was the real win. And because the story came to life during a conversation with a reliable source, their audiences related to it and trusted it. Trust is something advertising money can’t buy.
Creating a good story and getting a media hit for a client still gives me a high! It’s the best feeling. I am writing this after helping a client prep for an interview with Stavanger Aftenblad, and it really feels like a boomerang journey.
I started my storytelling journey in Stavanger as the editor of my high school newspaper ‘Marken’s Grødem’. As it was a serendipity that I ended up at the editor’s desk, I want to take this opportunity to thank my media teacher who pushed me to take on the role and opened my eyes to my love for writing, and then encouraged me to pursue it as a career. It’s funny thinking of the thousands of people you meet throughout your life, and all it takes is one person to change the course of your life. I covered things like drug use among students and sport competitions. Not technically a job, and no Pulitzer prize stuff, but it still made me feel like a Kathy Couric in the making!
After several years of travelling, I started my communication degree at Curtin University in Australia, where I got to work on incredibly interesting and important issues like the stolen generations and Aboriginal rights. I also met a Kiwi there (who I ended up marrying and having three kids with) who made a convincing argument of why we needed to move to New Zealand.
I then spent another 8 years down under, working for a few different PR agencies in Auckland and doing a master’s in communication and sustainability. While the stories I worked on in Australia were mostly about people, in New Zealand the focus shifted to planet. I spent years exploring how to avoid greenwashing and best communicate sustainability initiatives.
I guess I should offer the answer to that question? Yes, it’s the dreaded ‘it depends’! But most of the time, if you stay honest and transparent, stick to the facts and focus on the benefits of your initiatives, you should be safe. However, the main thing is to do it for the right reasons. Sustainability can be good PR, but it should not be PR.
Being back in Norway, I not only get to connect with my own roots, but I get to connect people with planet stories in the form of innovative local entrepreneurs and energy companies. Many of them truly punch above their weight when it comes to sustainable solutions, and I’m excited to be a part of their journey.
Although this is THE END of this piece, it is only the beginning of my Project Neon story – and I can’t imagine a better team to write it with.
