Next Level Pet Food

Kick powers breakthrough brand launch in crowded pet food market

Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 31, 2024 — Kick, a Minneapolis-based strategic creative agency, is proud to announce the rapid rise of client Next Level Pet Food from a promising idea to a key contender in the national pet food market. Within just a few months, Kick orchestrated a full-throttle launch for the new brand, strategically shaping every element of the branding system and packaging to ecommerce and retailer tools, as well as a dynamic omnichannel campaign.

Founded by pet food industry veterans, Scott Glover and Antoine Albin, Next Level was born from the desire to create a product that leveraged every manufacturing and nutrition learning the duo had picked up over their decades of pet food experience. The challenge for Kick was to craft a striking identity system and launch strategy that clearly communicated their unique differentiators. The result of the collaborative effort is the most nutritious scientifically formulated pet food available at a common-sense price, made in a facility purpose-built to control quality and consistency at every step.

“We came to Kick with a handful of products that we were really passionate about, and they helped us turn those separate pieces into a solid brand that continues to grow and evolve,” said Glover. “We’re leaning on their expertise to take what we know about pet nutrition and the product we’re putting in the bag and turn it into something that retailers and customers can immediately get behind.”

As brand elements took shape, the marketplace shifted to create a unique opportunity. Both Next Level and Kick pivoted swiftly to accelerate go-to-market strategies. Kick was tasked with rapid development and deployment of key launch elements, including a website, ecommerce capabilities, trade show collateral, sales tools, retailer pieces and more.

“Because we had a solid strategy and identity in place, we were able to act quickly, double down on ad spend and take full advantage of the opportunity with a dynamic, full volume launch,” said Stefan Hartung, Co-Owner and Creative Director of Kick. “Just a few months later, we’re already transitioning from driving awareness and interest to line expansion.”

The collaboration’s success is evident in the numbers. Since its launch in August 2023, Next Level Pet Food has expanded from zero distribution to a retail presence in more than 45 states and is experiencing a consistent double digit monthly increase in retailer partnerships. Direct ecommerce sales are growing by double digits month over month, and digital communications are surpassing all industry benchmarks for click-through rates.

Albin shared his satisfaction with the results of the launch. “Kick has been and continues to be a pivotal partner in establishing the Next Level brand as a real player in the pet nutrition market. Their strategic guidance and creative input have been crucial in our early successes.”

About Next Level Pet Food

From the moment an ingredient enters the Texas-based Next Level Pet Food manufacturing facility to loading bags on the distribution trucks, Next Level prides itself on controlling quality at every step. That’s because this independently-owned business built their entire company—from the science-backed formulas to the manufacturing plant itself—from the ground up, leveraging expertise gained from decades of pet nutrition experience and leadership. The founders knew they could create better nutrition at a better price point, so they did just that. Now, Next Level Pet Food is fueling the whole-body health and longevity of pets around the country with science-formulated super premium pet foods and supplements. Learn more: https://nextlevelpetfood.com/

About Kick

Kick is an independently owned global strategic creative agency, delivering badass ideas and experiences for forward-thinking brands — from innovative startups, challenger brands and established Fortune 50 companies. Clients include 3M, Becton Dickinson, Blackwood pet food, Cargill, Compana Animal Health, LonoLife, Next Level pet food, Pace Labs, Prestige Beverage Group, Spryng® veterinarian medical devices and Triple Crown Nutrition. Our expertise spans from brand strategy and identity systems, to packaging, websites, multichannel campaigns and social media, with more than a little of everything in between. Learn more: www.kickmpls.com.