Happy birthday to us! We can’t believe how fast 8 years have flown by. What started small and mighty has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. Along the way, we’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most incredible brands, people, and communities, and none of it would have been possible without the support of our team, families, clients, and extended network.
From day one, our mission has been to make an impact. And because of you, we get to keep pushing boundaries, telling important stories, and shaping the future of the industry. So today, as we celebrate 8 years of PufCreativ, we just want to say thank you for believing in us, growing with us, and being a part of this crazy ride.
Looking Back On Our 8th Year
Eight years in, and we’re still leveling up. This year brought some incredible wins, proving that hard work, creativity, and a commitment to impact always pay off.
Industry Recognition
We’re beyond honored to have taken home the EMJAY Award for Branding & Marketing Agency of the Year for the second year in a row! Honestly, we didn’t think it was possible, but here we are. A HUGE thank you to our clients and industry peers for recognizing the work we pour our hearts and minds into every day.
Of course, this isn’t our first rodeo. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of earning recognition from the CLIO Awards, CMA Sevens, and other prestigious industry honors. Each one is a reminder that storytelling, strategy, and social impact can (and should) go hand in hand.
Big Moments This Year
This year was packed with milestones that pushed us forward and expanded our reach. These are a few of our favorites:
Play. Party. Purify. At MJBizCon
MJBizCon is the biggest cannabis industry event of the year, and we showed up in full force. We planned and coordinated activities like:
- Golden Paddle Showdown Pickleball Tournament
- Blaze of Glory: Nevada Brand Showcase
- Breathe & Heal: Sound Healing Brunch
Our events drew countless faces, familiar and new, who shared in our love for the plant and the community. Collaborating on these events with brands like Polar Gold and Joint Venture Co. made every moment that much more meaningful.
Giveback Initiatives
Fat Nugs Magazine Website Launch
If you haven’t heard of Fat Nugs Magazine, you aren’t as tapped into cannabis culture as you could be. This fully independent publication tells it like it is, takes a stand, and doesn’t take sh*t from corporations.
Fat Nugs amplifies authentic voices in the industry, and creating a new site for them was a true labor of love. They deserved a full makeover of the online space they created—one dedicated to the culture, the community, and, of course, the fattest nugs—without paying full price. And that’s exactly what we gave them.
Cannabis Impact Fund
The Cannabis Impact Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to equity, justice, and social responsibility within the cannabis space, and we wear being a founding member as a badge of honor. Since its inception, we’ve provided discounted services to support CIF’s mission to make sure their message reaches the right audiences and drives real action.
This work is deeply personal to us because we believe the cannabis industry has a responsibility to give back to the people and communities who have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Through powerful storytelling, advocacy campaigns, and ongoing support, we’re honored to help CIF push for racial justice, community reinvestment, and corporate accountability.
ButACake Website Build
Just like in any other industry, independent, minority-owned businesses often face the biggest hurdles. When we heard about Matha Figaro and her company ButACake, we wanted to make sure we did what we could to support her budding business. We gifted a custom-built, high-quality website to ButACake, the first (and only) independent woman- and minority-owned edibles company in New Jersey.
Matha has built her company with grit, passion, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, quality, and community empowerment. Plus, her edibles are freakin’ delicious. She has a degree from Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts, so you know they slap. Since launching the website, we’ve developed an incredible relationship with Matha, watching her brand grow and thrive despite the challenges of the cannabis industry.
Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is
Over the past eight years, we’ve helped raise over half a million dollars for nonprofits across the country through events, marketing campaigns, and strategic partnerships. Most recently, we sponsored the Prisoners Edition of Fat Nugs Magazine, a powerful initiative amplifying the voices of those still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. This fundraising initiative was put on by Beard Bros Media, Freedom Grow, and Jailed for Weed to support cannabis prisoners and their families during their sentence and post-release.
Along the way, we’ve had the opportunity to co-found several impactful organizations dedicated to social justice, sustainability, and education within the cannabis space.
- Companies Doing Good: A consulting community and educational platform dedicated to building a racially just, planet-loving, and people-centered cannabis industry.
- Cannabis Impact Fund: A nonprofit rooted in racial justice, environmental sustainability, and community engagement, ensuring the cannabis industry prioritizes the communities it was built on.
- Cannabis Creative Movement: An educational guidebook series that raises awareness about key issues while directly supporting nonprofits tackling those challenges.
Case Studies
1. Gentlemen Smugglers
Gentlemen Smugglers rolled out their new THC beverage mixers, SIPS, and we were there to help bring their vision to life. We crafted branding that introduced SIPS to the market with a bold, rebellious edge, staying true to the Gentlemen Smugglers legacy while tapping into the rising demand for cannabis-infused drinks.
2. Shore House Canna
Our SEO strategy for Shore House Canna is driving impressive growth, with a steady influx of new visitors, meaning more potential customers are discovering the brand every day. Organic search remains the leading traffic source, supporting our goal of building long-term visibility and connecting Shore House with the right audience at the right time.
3. Healing Manifested & Psacrament
When we say we’re getting into psychedelics, we mean we hit the ground running with Psacrament, produced by Healing Manifested. This project has been all about blending education, advocacy, and brand voice to support a conscious, community-driven approach to sacred plant medicine.
4. Aura Canna Co.
Aura Canna Co. needed a website that was as inviting, educational, and user-friendly as their dispensary experience. We built a sleek, intuitive site that not only showcases their premium cannabis offerings but also helps guide both new and experienced consumers through their unique cannabis journey. Now, Aura’s sleek and seamless digital presence reflects its commitment to quality and community.
Not only that, but our SEO team went to work on garnering traffic. In just six months, Aura’s website saw a significant growth in visitors, especially through organic search. Through strategic keyword targeting, content optimization, and technical SEO, we helped Aura dominate search rankings and connect with more cannabis consumers than ever before.
Expanding Our Reach & Looking Ahead
While cannabis remains at our core, we’ve been diving into psychedelics, hemp, and beverage marketing, working for brands that are redefining these industries (because you know we wouldn’t want to do it any other way).
The lessons we’ve learned from years of shaping cannabis narratives translate seamlessly into these new sectors, allowing us to craft strategies that educate, engage, and inspire. The future is intersectional, and we’re so here for it.
ICBC Berlin
The cannabis industry is international! Our CEO John Shute will be heading to ICBC Berlin to connect with some of the biggest players in international cannabis. He’s looking to bring back intel on market trends and policy shifts to stay ahead of the game and keep our insights fresh. Are you going too? Hit us up so we can connect!
Ongoing Improvements
We’ve always believed that good enough isn’t good enough. That’s why we’re constantly refining our operations, services, team dynamics, processes, and overall strategy to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re staying ahead of digital trends, streamlining workflows, and strengthening our internal culture to keep PufCreativ at the top of our game and the top of the cannabis industry.
We’re proud of what we built, but we’re even more excited about what’s next.
8 Years. Infinite Impact.
Even though we’re celebrating 8 years, it still feels like day 1 when we set out on our mission to elevate the industry, uplift communities, and make the world a better place through impactful, purpose-driven marketing. Every project, every partnership, and every campaign is a step toward that bigger vision, and we’re bursting with gratitude for this incredible industry that is more like a compassionate community.
So to our unstoppable team, our visionary clients, dedicated partners, and everyone who’s supported us along the way, we can’t thank you enough. You’re the reason we’re here, and we can’t wait to see what we build together next. Let’s keep making waves.
