Traction (company)

Traction is a branding agency located in Cincinnati, Ohio. They produce identity development work for a variety of local, national, and international brands.

History

Anthony "Tony" James Neary, an award-winning designer and illustrator, founded Traction in March 2007. The first year, the 400-square-foot office in the Over-the-Rhine region of Cincinnati often went without overhead lights to keep energy costs down. Neary’s first big project with Traction was rebranding the Enjoy the Arts campaign, which garnered much local attention for its ability to be a “living brand” while promoting the arts in Cincinnati.

Organization

Traction moved to their current location on Race Street in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2008, and has developed brand design for some of the world’s most successful and influential businesses. Traction’s identity development portfolio includes the NBA, NFL, NASCAR, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the UIFL, downtown Cincinnati festivals like Oktoberfest and Taste of Cincinnati, and much more. They developed branding for almost every team in the Ultimate Indoor Football League, created packaging design for the Kroger Company, and have worked on a number of projects for Procter & Gamble.

According to the website, Traction chooses to “focus on the things we love and things that matter,” which drives their selection of new clients, the creative process, and their focus for what is important in life and business.

Awards & Recognition

In 2011, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce named Traction the Emerging Business of the Year. The honor is awarded annually to small businesses operational five years or less as part of the Chamber’s annual Small Business Excellence Awards.

In the past, Traction has been featured on TheDieline.com (the definitive guide to excellence in package design), and in Cincinnati’s Business Courier. Their designs have appeared in 5 of the 7 volumes of Logo Lounge (the world’s premier logo publication). Tony Neary, on behalf of Traction, was a featured speaker in Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory’s Shop 52 Series on running a small business.