Johnny Cashew is not your average nut brand. They’re young, hip, and all about doing good while doing business. Their vibe speaks directly to the youth—think cool, conscious, and crunchy. What really sets them apart? They partner up with Mama Cashew to make sure the farmers get paid fairly and can live a decent life. No corporate middlemen squeezing the juice here. Their unique approach also cuts down on shipping time and costs by creating a smarter route straight to the Netherlands and beyond. So their customers get tasty cashews that do good from farm to snack bag. Pretty sweet deal.
This mix of social impact and youthful energy means Johnny Cashew needed a way to tell their story that matched their brand. They want their audience to understand not just what their product is, but why it matters—how every crunchy bite supports farmers and fights inefficiency in the supply chain. That’s where we stepped in.
The story actually started in an elevator. Yep, a real elevator pitch—literally. One of our team members struck up a conversation with Freek, the founder of Johnny Cashew, without even realizing who he was at first. A few coffees and chats later, we pitched an idea: a slick, animated explainer that breaks down their journey from farmer to consumer, spotlighting why their brand is so important.
Freek loved the idea. Timing was tight—they needed this animation to shine at the upcoming presentation for the “Coolest Brand in the Netherlands” award. The mission was clear: craft a 2-minute animation that would explain their process, values, and vision, making their pitch stand out in a big way. No pressure, right?
The Process
With just 2 to 3 weeks on the clock, things moved fast. We started by locking down a Dutch voiceover to set the tone right, then imported all the visual assets into After Effects. The storyboard and script were provided, but plenty of back and forth followed—Charlotte, their marketing manager, was hands-on, tweaking the voiceover and visuals to nail the brand’s vibe.
We stayed flexible through multiple rounds of revisions, even reworking parts of the storyboard when needed. It was a juggling act—balancing their brand guidelines with animation flow, syncing everything to voiceover, and sprinkling in some fun transitions. Oh, and a quick shoutout to sound design: adding the right sound effects and finding African-inspired music really brought the scenes to life. There were some financial risks taken on our side too—paying for VO upfront before receiving payment taught us a thing or two about managing creative projects!
The Outcome
In the end, we delivered an animation that felt made-to-order for Johnny Cashew’s brand—clean, clear, and full of their youthful energy. The highlight? A cool transition where a cashew falls, lands in their branded packaging, and magically transforms into other products like ice cream and vegan snacks. This visually told the story of how their products reach consumers and showcase their diverse offerings.
The anination hit all the right notes for the client. Smooth transitions, solid sound design, and a voiceover that nailed the Dutch tone made it perfect for their big presentation. Sure, it could have used more time for background animations or character movements, but given the tight deadline, what we delivered was exactly what Johnny Cashew wanted—and they loved it.
Most importantly, the client was happy—really happy. While it’s still early to measure the full impact on sales or brand visibility, the animation gave them a polished tool to tell their story in a way that fits their vibe. And honestly, helping a brand that supports farmers and does good in the world? That’s a win we’re proud to be part of.
The Impact
Here’s the kicker: Johnny Cashew went on to win the Coolest Brand in the Netherlands award, with the animation playing a key role in their presentation. It helped them stand out, making their pitch more engaging and memorable. Even though the animation hasn’t hit their online marketing channels yet, it’s become a trusted asset in their offline presentations and marketing funnels.