About

We believe…

In trust before tactics.

In listening deeply before designing boldly.

In strategy that inspires and creativity that moves.

We believe branding is a promise, a relationship, a story worth believing in.

We lead with purpose, build with insight, and always put people first.

We’re not just designers, strategists, or marketers;
We are creative partners committed to clarity, connection, and results.

We are The Trust Dept.
A relationship-first agency.

Relationships first. Results that follow.

The Trust Dept helps business leaders and marketing teams transform complexity into brand clarity and strategic growth. We combine insight, creativity, and emotional intelligence to build brands people actually believe in.

We serve clients who want more than a vendor. Our clients want a trusted confidant who can bridge business challenges with big creative ideas.

Meet Paul Carew

From Philly to NYC to the creative frontier of Idaho, Paul’s career has been defined by adaptability, grit, and a deep commitment to people.

As founder of Carew Co. in the mid-2000s, he built a reputation for trust and insight. After merging with BrandCraft, he continued leading with purpose—mentoring talent, guiding teams, and driving impact for clients across industries.

Today, Paul brings that same energy and vision to The Trust Dept, a branding, design, and marketing agency built around what matters most: clarity, creativity, and relationships that last.

Don't Just Take Our Word For It

Making my dream of Acidity Vineyards come to life was an amazing journey. Paul understood and heard my vision for a sophisticated, modern brand that needs to stand out. The collaboration and communication throughout were paramount to success. I especially appreciated how he maintained his expertise while concurrently showing us newbies tremendous patience. We are thrilled with the outcome and excited about how the system will support our future growth!

-Devin Zendel, Owner, Acidity Vineyards

Paul is an exceptional brand and marketing ninja. He's worked with me as a peer and manager, and more recently I have been a client. Paul always seems to know the newest things going on, from marketing methods and design techniques to rising design rockstars and trends in pop culture. He is equally trustworthy and fun loving. You can count on Paul to bring the right strategy and resources to get standout design, smart strategy, and impactful results.

-John Liebenthal, Marketing Director, Autovol

I first discovered Paul’s work years ago in a national design publication — I was immediately struck that someone from Idaho had not only been featured, but had won. (Paul would never mention that himself; I can as a fan of his work.) After meeting him personally, I’ve remained consistently impressed by his aesthetic intelligence.

When we began exploring franchise development, he was the first person we wanted to work with because we knew he would create a brand with substance.

—Angie Wood, Commercial Services, Alliance Title & Escrow

Paul has the ability to see the bigger picture without losing sight of the details that often make the difference between good and outstanding. He has strategic vision, an excellent eye for design, and most importantly, his work is always relevant–to both the desires of the consumer and the needs of the brand. When you partner with Paul, good things will happen.

—Don Smith, Senior Copywriter, ServiceNow

For more than 20 years, Paul has been the creative force behind BBSEF’s Ski Swap advertising. Now, through The Trust Dept., he continues to bring bold design, clear messaging, and honest partnership—helping our BBSEF’s Ski Swap grow into one of the nation’s largest and making our event shine year after year.

—Shannon Carrell, Executive Director, Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation

I had the pleasure of working with Paul for many years while he was leading the charge at Carew Co. My company, Port One Five, was a development partner for Carew Co., and we teamed up on close to 100 projects together.

Paul is hands down one of the most passionate businessmen I've had the chance to work with. His deep expertise in both marketing and design made our time together not just enjoyable but also incredibly educational.

—Nick Hough, Founder, Engineer, and Entrepreneur