BRAND
STRATEGY
EDUCATION
& ADVOCACY
FOR WOMEN
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Paper Route is a pioneering women-led brand development, education, and advocacy firm for women in sports and entertainment. We cultivate the talents and passions of our clients to create strategic brands and partnerships that increase revenue and agency, foster community, and drive positive societal impact.
At an individual level, we serve as brand managers and advocates, championing the interests of our clients to develop, safeguard, and expand their brands and equities. By amplifying the power of their platforms, we strive to develop enduring financial security and expand their legacies.
On a broader scale, we collaborate with teams, leagues, studios, and companies to spearhead purpose-driven programs and events aimed at advancing opportunities and visibility for women.
Consider us the newest addition to our client’s team—brand strategists, managers, and creative directors operating at the speed of culture.
Areas of Expertise *
Areas of Expertise *
Brand
STRATEGY
At Paper Route, we adopt a holistic foundational approach to brand development that extends far beyond the lens of the media spotlight. We strive to cultivate a deep understanding of their true nature and motivations, enabling us to effectively position their brands and protect their distinctive brand identities. Through meticulous audit methodologies, we delve into the core of their truths, personalities, passions, interests, values, culture, faith, and more. This deep exploration is vital for strategic personal brand development, allowing us to articulate authentic perspectives and deliberate points of differentiation, thereby crafting compelling and uniquely ownable brand narratives.
We craft living brand guidelines or brand bibles that serve as indispensable tools in fostering partnerships and exploring new ventures, ensuring the preservation of brand integrity, voice, and unique assets.
Brand
EXTENSIONS
We harness our clients' established brands and assets to explore new markets and broaden their offerings through entrepreneurial ventures. Whether it's introducing a new product or service, a unified brand extension strategy, identity, and activation plan are indispensable for a successful brand launch and monetization of a brand. This strategy encompasses line extensions, category extensions, and unrelated diversifications alike.
Partnerships
Brand partnerships provide exceptional avenues for expanding revenue opportunities. When backed by a clearly defined brand position and guidelines, potential partners can not only recognize the opportunity but also appreciate how our clients' personal brands amplify its value.
We help our clients identify brand opportunities, craft pitches, and collaborate on campaigns with brands that strategically and authentically align with their personal brands. Throughout this journey, we advocate for our clients, safeguarding their interests, brand identity, voice, and value.
Education
Outreach and education are essential in helping women understand the full power of their brands from the start. This is especially important for young collegiate and high school players who have opportunities due to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness).
We equip these women with resources and tools through workshops and speaking engagements, aiming to educate and cultivate their personal brands. Our educational objective is to empower young athletes to take a proactive approach, enabling them to define and safeguard their brands on their own terms, rather than inadvertently relinquishing control to corporate partnerships.
CREATIVE
Production
We are designers, makers, and builders, equipped with comprehensive, award-winning production capabilities to develop innovative content, products, and activations.
Explore our full range of our in-house services below.
What We Do *
What We Do *
Advertising
Art Direction
Apparel Design
Brand Strategy
Brand Positioning
Brand Architecture
Brand Communication
Copywriting
Competitive Espionage
Consumer Insight Mining
Content Creation
Cultural Scouting
Digital Branding
Data Research
Environmental & Interiors
Exhibitions
Experiential Design
Full-Service Production
Illustration
Installation
Interactive
Integrated Advertising
Naming & Nomenclature
Mural Design
Merchandise Displays
Packaging Design
Photo Art Direction
Print / OOH
Product Innovation
Retail Design
Social Strategy
Social Content
Target Audience
Visual Identity
Voice & Language
Website Design
Meet the Team *
Meet the Team *
Kristen Branch
Founder * CEO
A fierce advocate for women’s equity and a perpetual student of social movement study, Kris has a Master’s in Branding from SVA under chairman Debbie Millman. A Massachusetts native and graduate of Syracuse University, Kris has 20+ years of experience creating strategic brand and consumer-centric solutions for global CPG and publishing companies, garnering awards and establishing herself as a trusted go-to partner to reimagine the status quo. Embracing a global holistic creative strategy for her work, Kris focuses on the “big picture” and making connections on how cross-functional systems can accelerate and enhance business and brand strategies for her partners. Partnerships include Disney, Amazon, Live Nation, Sundance, Newell Brands, Sephora, Target, Walmart, and more.
Kris is the founder of the award-winning brand and design firm, Group Hugg. She continues to assistant teach for the Masters in Branding program for Dr. Ilene Feinman Semiotics of Social Movement course and the thesis semester.
In 2018, while a Connecticut Sun season ticket holder, Kris was inspired by the passion, grit, and tenacity of the players. The seeding idea of applying her experience to support women in realizing the full potential of their brands, creating lasting cultural change, and increasing equity for women was a mission that Kris was motivated to follow. Maintaining the vision and trusting the process, five years later, Paper Route launched in 2023 in Los Angeles. Go Sparks!
Roxanne Benefiel
Co-Founder
Rox is a compassionate and creatively driven brand director and communications master with a spirited determination. As Co-Founder of Paper Route, her ultimate goal is to prioritize the humble over the huge and community over the corporate. Rox has 15+ years of experience working with non-profit and startup companies in design, brand strategy, and marketing. She holds a Master’s degree in Branding from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Among other things, she has served as an executive board member for The One Club for Creativity (previously the Art Directors Club), actively volunteers and assists in local social movements, and is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at SVA.
Rox is the co-founder of the award-winning brand & design firm, Group Hugg. She is also a professional Astrologer and Dancer.
Advisors & Mentors
Debbie Millman
Dr. Ilene Feinman
Elizabeth Talerman
Kenna Kay
Daily Gist
Carolina Rogoll Christophersen
Bret Sanford
Hector Castrillon
+
Collective
Emelil Walter
Davis Luceriaga
Maureen Martinez
Tom McCormick
Amelia Nash
Stephen Miller
Rosemarie Albanese
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Meta Misson *
Meta Misson *
“Revolution is not a one-time event” -Audre Lorde
To build the revolution of equity for women, we recognize the need for a comprehensive strategy fueled by education, advocacy, and cross-industry partnerships. This strategy is our meta mission.
While our clients take care of business on the court, field, stage, and screen, we ensure their brands are managed and thriving, reminiscent of how a family diligently ensured newspapers were delivered and payments collected day after day.
The paper route wasn't just a job… it was a family business.
Grounded humans, doing groundbreaking work. We are Paper Route.