Wrapped in Creativity

PCT announced Peace Out, Pests!, a family-owned pest control company in Grand Rapids, Mich., as the winner of our seventh annual Vehicle Wrap Contest, sponsored by Oldham Chemicals Co.

PCT’s judges liked the fun, colorful and eye-catching artwork that clearly communicates pest control services and the company’s mission of bringing “peace of mind” to customers dealing with pest control issues. Judges also thought this vehicle wrap is one that would be noticed on the road for its groovy, free-spirited liveliness.

This year’s winners, husband and wife duo Brian and Lauren Marcy, started their first home services company, Grand Home Inspection, 10 years ago. Brian Marcy said after countless requests for pest control services from customers in Southwest Michigan, the two decided to use their entrepreneurial experience and dive into the pest control industry to extend their business operations.

“We’ve made friends throughout the years going to different conferences, so I flew out to Arizona and Florida to train with technicians, worked with some [business coaches] and did the course work that the state of Michigan requires,” he said. “My wife does a lot of the sales and marketing of the business and works to keep the home inspection business running.”

The family came up with the name Peace Out, Pests! and created a vehicle wrap that would draw the attention of drivers on the road to call their company for pest control services, Marcy said.

“We wanted to put a smile on people’s faces and wanted something that sticks in your mind and is memorable,” he said. “The inspiration was the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo and we’ve been having fun with the branding ever since then.”

After one year on the road, the vehicle wrap has paid off, Marcy said.

“I’ve had calls from customers saying they hired us because of the vehicle wrap,” he said. “Having prior business experience, we have more freedom to be creative and we don’t need to show up on Google as fast as possible.”

See the 10 finalists from this year’s contest.

The author is senior digital editor of PCT.