Outpost379

Our Field Notes
Guide to Business

Branding

At Outpost379, Branding Starts at the Trailhead.

We help uncover the emotional core of your brand—your "why"—and map how that comes to life. It's about purpose, clarity, and connection.

Brand Archetype

A Story-First Framework to Uncover Your Brand's Personality

A personality that people can recognize and trust across touchpoints, campaigns, and conversations. The brand archetype shapes how your brand speaks, what it prioritizes, how it shows up in everything from ad copy to internal culture. It helps everyone—from marketing to medical affairs—speak with the same voice. Done right, it becomes the soul of your brand.

Brand Architecture

The Strategic Structure for Your Brand

The brand architecture helps us get at the heart of WHY the brand exists in the world and how it serves the needs of its customers. When your brand architecture is clear, people know what your brand stands for, what you offer, what is in it for them, and most importantly, why it matters. That kind of clarity doesn’t just make the journey smoother—it builds trust.

Brand Strategy

Building a Trail Map for Your Brand

Every branding project goes beyond designing a distinct logo and brand narrative. We think of brand strategy like a trail system in a national park. When it’s well-marked, you always know where you are, where you’re going, and what to expect.

Every brand strategy is carefully crafted for Making Health—Human.

Brand Design

Designing

We go beyond impactful creative design to help brands define their unique place in the world and their own path forward. We align business ambition with brand expression.

Unifying who you are with what you do.

Ready to transform your business branding?

Our team of communication experts are ready to help you connect your brand with your business.

Our Portfolio

We Know Branding

See how we define brands.

View Our Full Portfolio

We created a new brand platform that was visually integrated across all national locations of the YMCA.

We built a brand from scratch to express expertise, precision, and possibility in medical aesthetics.

We rebranded a company dedicated to redefining the future of healthcare education.

We unified a network of end-of-life centres with a single, compassionate brand identity.

About Us

WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST

Patients, doctors, or consumers. Regardless of who we’re talking to, one thing remains the same; people are people. And there are two truths about people. One, we all deserve respect, and two, we love stories. Outpost379 dives deep into the emotions and authentic human narratives that matter, ensuring our messaging doesn’t just inform but deeply connects.

WITH RESPECT & HUMILITY

We are humbled by the humans we serve—patients, families, and the professionals dedicated to their well-being.

And we strive to always treat medical conditions—as well as humans and the human condition broadly—with respect.

WHILE CALMING THE CHAOS

We pride ourselves on being level-headed and pragmatic, to “calm the chaos” both for our clients and our audiences. We simplify the complex of science and healthcare.

And in our day-to-day interactions, we strive to be clear, concise, organized, and solution‑oriented. We keep it real. We help land the plane.

AND DOING GOOD ALONG THE WAY

We believe it is possible to do good for our clients and society at the same time. We align our efforts to causes that improve our world, both in the clients we partner with, as well as how we execute the work.

Our People

Meet Your
Guides:

Valerie Smith

President

Zachary Durisko, PhD

VP, Medical & Strategy

Ben Steele

Executive Creative Director

Diana Freeman

VP, Client Services

Katherine Barks

VP, Consumer & Business Strategy

Sacha Lai-Svirk

Vice President

At Outpost379, sustainability is part of how we are

We’ve earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal, placing us in the top 5% of companies for environmental and social responsibility.

Our near-term, science-based targets have been approved by the SBTi, and we’re proud to hold a B rating from CDP, reflecting our commitment to meaningful climate action. For us, sustainability isn’t a side effort, it’s how we create lasting impact for the people, planet, and the brands we serve.

At Outpost379, our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven into everything we do, including sustainable procurement.

We strive to partner with suppliers who reflect values of representation, fairness, and social responsibility. By actively sourcing from diverse- and women-owned businesses, and setting ethical procurement standards, we amplify underrepresented voices while ensuring environmental integrity at every step of the supply chain. Our holistic approach makes health human not just in our brand, but in the communities and ecosystems we serve.

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that Outpost379 is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations.

We respectfully acknowledge that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come. We are all Treaty people.

As Outpost379, we are committed to fostering respectful relationships and supporting reconciliation efforts that uphold the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples. We strive to ensure that our initiatives, partnerships, and community spaces reflect inclusivity, celebrate cultural diversity, and contribute to a shared vision of connection and mutual respect.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we pledge to learn, listen, and act in ways that support the aspirations of Indigenous communities while working together to build a vibrant and thriving space for everyone.

If your brand or career could use a more human touch, we should talk.

Val Smith
val.smith@outpost379.com
705.761.0625