+ Project information — Nub Cigars
Small Cigar. Big Impact.
The Challenge
When Nub entered the market, it was already known for its compact size and bold flavor — but not for its brand clarity. The product was distinctive, yet the presentation lacked consistency and shelf appeal. In a category where purchase decisions are often made without sales assistance, Nub needed a brand system that educated, attracted, and converted — right at the point of sale.
Our Approach
OGK® conducted a comprehensive brand audit to uncover every opportunity for optimization. From refining the logo and color palette to rethinking packaging, paper stocks, and print production, every element was re-engineered for quality and cohesion. Our key innovation: transforming each cigar’s cellophane wrapper into an educational and persuasive touchpoint. We added clear descriptors — spice factor, tobacco origin, region, and leaf wrapper — allowing customers to make confident choices without guidance. The design not only stood out visually but created a smarter, more transparent shopping experience.
The Outcome
The rebrand lit up the industry. Nub’s new look and educational packaging quickly became a model for clarity and consumer engagement, driving both recognition and sales. What began as a simple optimization evolved into a powerful shift in how premium cigars communicate value — redefining the small-format cigar as a big contender.
Takeaway
When design informs as much as it inspires, even the smallest product can make a massive impression — and Nub proved it.
Package Design
The main focus was how to best unite the Nub portfolio and the master brand’s established design elements — primarily the colors white and gold, natural wood, and classic red and black — while also making the range recognizable in its own right. It all had to reflect the brand’s positioning as “Cigars of Class.” The various styles used were to designed to note the different types of blends for each of the cigars and assist in making them recognizable worldwide.
Retail Education
Many times there is nobody available to guide a customer on the specifics of a cigar prior to or during the purchase process. Therefore, we created the first-ever cellophane wrapper description tool. This was such a tremendous concept because the majority of aspiring aficionados want a mild flavor but rarely understand the components of the cigar itself (leaf wrapper, spice factor, tobacco, region). With this value-based education in hand, novice consumers can now make better purchasing decisions without having to connect with an employee.
Packaging Options
We developed a distinct set of features for each of the portfolio’s sub-brands. This was based on a combination of the cigar’s persona, the back story created, and the feeling we hoped to trigger in the end user. We needed to produce opulence for specific Nub blends, with textures and colors that would compete with similar master brands.
Unique Design
The relationship to the Nub master brand was introduced through assorted graphical resources such as the white and gold color palette and the use of a customized typeface as the secondary logotype.
Materials & Finishes
A carton box is one of the most popular forms of packaging, and it is immensely important and appealing to consumers of tobacco products. We analyzed various forms of carton boxes for protection, transportation and presentation purposes. We analyzed a wide variety of printing and post-printing finishing activities, including various kinds of special inks, papers and printing types.
Target Audiences
To reach the ideal audience, we deployed our cigar-smoking creative crew to research multiple retail tobacconists in Florida. Our education demonstrated that affluent, busy executives were the tailor-made clientele. Factors considered included the amount of time it took to smoke a Nub cigar, price point, and the perceived stature it embodied (it looked the part).
Messaging Strategy
OGK embarked on a complete content solution where the identity and packaging design would echo the positioning and brand story. This even included a Mighty Mouse silhouette on marketing materials to reflect the cigar’s “hearty” character. The brand tagline that we developed, “Made to be enjoyed,” was a universal phrase that could connect with multiple audiences.
Marketing Positioning
With a large variety of manufacturers producing countless shapes and sizes of cigars, standing apart from the competition was a major task. Due to the magnitude and proportion of the Nub cigar, we positioned this unique product based on the available time the smoker had, as well as how and where they intended to enjoy their cigars. Then, based on the personality, price point, quality of packaging and content, we determined that going head to head with major master blends such as Davidoff was the best path to success.
