OMA COBY'S OLIEBOLLENBAR
OMA COBY'S OLIEBOLLENBAR
Unfortunately, the loneliness among elderly is still way too high. Oma Coby's Oliebollenbar is committed to fighting loneliness by selling old-fashioned delicious oliebollen.
Mark came to me with a bold idea: he is determined to eliminate loneliness among the elderly.
His inspiration? His darling oma Coby.
creative direction / brand shoot / brand / webshop (shopify)
During the Covid pandemic, Mark initiated a birthday card campaign via Instagram for his grandmother's (hereinafter referred to as "oma," Dutch word for grandmother) 95th birthday. She received over 200 cards, gifts, and flowers from all over the country. The impact on her was tremendous. Despite Mark's family and him regularly visiting oma, she still somtimes feels lonely, as do many other elderly individuals. It saddens Mark to witness the loneliness experienced by the elderly.
The success of the card campaign inspired Mark to do something for lonely seniors. The combination of the December season and Oma Coby's family recipe was a perfect match for Mark, leading to the birth of Oma Coby's Oliebollenbar.
With the proceeds from the Oliebollenbar, Mark highlights and celebrates seniors like Oma Coby, as he believes every elderly person deserves to shine. The profits go to the De Tijdmachine Foundation, which helps lonely seniors by reviving memories of the past with party’s, and their approach has been proven effective over the years.
Mark needed a creative partner to bring Oma Coby’s Oliebollenbar come to life.
*This project was entirely done on a voluntary basis.
Brand Shoot
Oma needed to get her hair done: it was time to get her photo taken.
In order to convey the authentic essence of traditional and delicious Dutch oliebollen, we decided to organize a brand photoshoot.
I scoured various thrift stores to secure the appropriate props and get the set dressed appropriately. We wanted it to feel like you stepped into a time machine.
All photographs were skillfully captured by the talented photographer Rutger Geleijnse from Oxford House
Mark (Oma Coby’s grandson)
“Thanks to our collaboration, great creative ideas have come to life. Since 2022, I've been working closely with Charlotte, leveraging her creativity and branding expertise by asking the right questions.”
With the concept of 'Grandma Coby's Oliebollenbar,' my aim is to unite lonely elderly individuals with those who want to combat loneliness.
To ensure the success of an idea, it requires both vibrancy and coherence. This groundwork, established within a clear framework, was laid out through the roadmap we developed during our interactions. By giving proper attention to this, it naturally led to subsequent branding decisions.
Charlotte remained committed and is now recognized as a key supporter, or 'Friend of Coby.' Reflecting on our journey, I can confidently say that entrusting her with the leadership of all aspects of the brand, including website development, design, and content creation during the busy oliebollen season, was a decision I do not regret.
'Grandma Coby's Oliebollenbar' has become a household name, sparking conversations about elderly loneliness. My ambitious vision has become a reality, all thanks to Charlotte.
Brand
To authentically convey the narrative through visuals, Oma Coby's Oliebollenbar sought a distinctive brand identity. The genuine and traditional essence of Oliebollen, which fills us, proud Dutch individuals, with nostalgia, required a visual translation into the brand.
The goal of the branding was to create a cozy and warm atmosphere, bringing back memories of the holiday season and the comfort of one's own oma. It also aimed to radiate a cheerful and lively feel, playfully capturing the essence of the 60s – a time when the elderly were in their prime, filled with joyful memories.
60s patterns were added to get that nostalgic feeling.
With limited financial resources, we turned to stamps as a creative avenue, and used them to feature branding on the packaging of the Oliebollen.
Oliebollen are a true holiday tradition – the irresistible smell, the crispy outside, and the soft, fluffy inside filled with raisins (or just plain and simple). But why should you have to wait in long lines in the cold to get them?
We believed ordering oliebollen should be as easy and accessible as grabbing a cup of coffee. That’s why we brought Oma Coby’s Oliebollenbar into the digital age!
Webshop
With a modern webshop built on Shopify and fully integrated with iDEAL, customers could order their favorite oliebollen with just a few clicks. No hassle, no stress – just quick and easy. They could select their preferred pickup location and time, ensuring smooth logistics and guaranteeing fresh oliebollen right when they needed them.
This perfect blend of tradition and technology proved that craftsmanship and innovation can go hand in hand. We combined the nostalgic feeling of grandma’s kitchen with the convenience of today’s world – and it was a recipe for success!
