The Splinter Group

The Splinter Group The Splinter Group provides design, marketing and advertising services to clients who understand that big ideas don't need to come from big firms.

And that big results often follow big ideas. The Splinter Group began in 2000 after branching off (splintering, if you will) from Disney-owned Mammoth Records. After working together at the record label for twelve years as GM and Creative Director, respectively, Steve Balcom and Lane Wurster decided to get into a more honest line of work — advertising. Our idea was to take what we had learned about branding and marketing music products and offer it to businesses and organizations that were interested in a more creative marketing approach. Sixteen years on, The Splinter Group has stayed true to its mission and has earned a reputation as one of the most agile, creative shops around. We tell compelling stories about things we believe in, whether it be a retailer, a restaurant, a brewery, a technology company or a band. We seek to capture the essence of our client’s work (both what they do and how they uniquely do it) and turn that into an easily-understood narrative. The story generally begins with a visual identity and is then conveyed via a variety of modes, generally dependent on budget. While we see ourselves as brand developers, The Splinter Group is a full service agency. Each and every day you will find us designing collateral, developing websites, planning media, devising PR campaigns, creating social media and loyalty platforms and doing just about anything else our clients need or want. We collaborate closely with our clients, creating custom work that is inspired by their personalities and unique approaches. We undertake this task with a tremendous sense of responsibility and respect. Over the years we’ve developed a few operating beliefs:

1) Marketing can’t be more important to us than it is to the client.

2) The worst type of client is one you don’t care about impressing.

3) The second worst is one who knows exactly what they want.

4) We’ve kept our shop small and we don’t have a B-game. If we can’t give a project our best attention, we’ll pass rather than disappoint.

5) With no disrespect to Keith Richards, Mick Taylor was the Stones’ best lead guitarist. If you’re still reading this, we should talk…

Memphis just got bigger and badder with the opening of the 29th BBB location. We gave the restaurant, located in the hap...
10/15/2026

Memphis just got bigger and badder with the opening of the 29th BBB location. We gave the restaurant, located in the happening Cooper Young neighborhood, the royal treatment with custom graphics inside and out. Chef John Currence also commissioned a piece of work from Memphis folk artist Lamar Sorrento for local flavor. We're currently working on graphics for two more BBB locations that are opening this fall.

We just wrapped up an exciting environmental design project for the North Carolina School of Science and Math. We were h...
10/13/2026

We just wrapped up an exciting environmental design project for the North Carolina School of Science and Math. We were hired to redesign the timeline graphics at their Durham and Morganton campuses, highlighting significant points in the history of NCSSM. The panels feature imagery of key figures including Governor Hunt and Senator Sanford and such alumni as musician Rhiannon Giddens and astronaut Christina Koch. Big thanks to Accent Imaging for flawless production and installation of our design.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill are action-packed with upcoming events and we're honored to be the design and promotion crew be...
10/09/2026

Carrboro and Chapel Hill are action-packed with upcoming events and we're honored to be the design and promotion crew behind them. Between Bike Loud! (tomorrow, 10/10), The Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival, The Popsicle Concert Extravaganza and the ongoing happenings at The Carrboro Farmers' Market, big fun is in the air. See ya there!

The third-annual Bike Loud! event is this Saturday and it looks like we're going to have a beautiful day. There are cour...
10/06/2026

The third-annual Bike Loud! event is this Saturday and it looks like we're going to have a beautiful day. There are courses of 22, 55 and 66 miles for the cyclists, and a post-ride party featuring live music, food trucks and Steel String B**r for the rest of us! Come on out to Pluck Farm for a community celebration with all proceeds benefiting the Be Loud! Sophie Foundation.

Big news out of the Sandhills! The votes are in and James Creek C***r House was just named the  #2 C***ry in the nation ...
09/29/2026

Big news out of the Sandhills! The votes are in and James Creek C***r House was just named the #2 C***ry in the nation in USA Today's Readers Poll. As fall rolls in, now is a perfect time to make the trip to Cameron to find out what makes James Creek such a magical place. We're raising a virtual toast to the entire JCCH crew. You'll always be #1 in our book!

The 29th annual Carrboro Music Festival is this Sunday, featuring over 100 acts performing at dozens of venues throughou...
09/25/2026

The 29th annual Carrboro Music Festival is this Sunday, featuring over 100 acts performing at dozens of venues throughout the Town. Come on out and enjoy all kinds of music all day long and all for free! We designed this year's commemorative t-shirt, which was printed by our friends at The Merch. Rock on, Carrboro!

Venable is back from their renovations and better than ever! We stopped by this week for some classics like their Fried ...
09/23/2026

Venable is back from their renovations and better than ever! We stopped by this week for some classics like their Fried Chicken, Pad Thai, and Calamari. Swing by to check out their new look, and of course to try all the delicious menu offerings!

We’re sad to report that there was a fire at Tonya’s Cafe & Bakeshop in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 1...
09/21/2026

We’re sad to report that there was a fire at Tonya’s Cafe & Bakeshop in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 19. Fortunately, nobody was hurt but the fire, smoke, and water damage from the event will close the Cafe and Bakeshop for the foreseeable future.

Tonya plans to rebuild, but for now, she is focused on retaining staff and honoring catering, bakery, and other commitments to our customers. She has launched a gofundme to support her team through this difficult time. Please give if you are able. https://gofund.me/e21e7b653

Our friends at the 1957 Hospitality Group are at it again! They’ve cooked up an exciting new breakfast and lunch concept...
09/11/2026

Our friends at the 1957 Hospitality Group are at it again! They’ve cooked up an exciting new breakfast and lunch concept called Daybreaker that will debut with weekend pop-ups at the Cheat’s location in Charlotte’s South End. We’ve had big fun creating the visual identity for the brand, designing the website, menus, signage and more along with handling marketing and PR. Daybreaker promises “sandwiches that sandwiches dream about.” We’re in!

Carrboro’s best kept secret just got a whole lot tastier. Our friends at B-Side Lounge have launched their new small bit...
09/03/2026

Carrboro’s best kept secret just got a whole lot tastier. Our friends at B-Side Lounge have launched their new small bites menu, featuring old favorites like the bacon-wrapped dates, as well as a specialty cocktail menu.

We got the pleasure of tasting through the offerings and, we’ve gotta say, if you haven’t given them a try yet then you’re missing out. Get on over to B-Side Lounge for a drink and some small bites to share, and let them know Splinter sent you!

Address

605 W Main Street, Ste 201
Carrboro, NC
27510

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