Our highest ambition is to discover, define, and leverage the unique voice and purpose of each client. We don't skim the surface: we go deep. Because your donors are hoping to be inspired by you (not us).
DISCovery
We get to know each client through a rigorous discovery phase. We conduct extensive interviews with internal and external stakeholders, along with in-depth research from a reading list we compile with the client. We make an in-person site visit, attuning ourselves to the landscape and character of each organization. During this time, we are searching out common themes and pride points that even our clients may have overlooked.
During this stage, we also ask each client to appoint a small group of individuals who will advise and provide official approvals throughout our engagement. We deliver a final discovery report to this "approval group," which then guides subsequent phases of our work.
positioning
Next, we move into the positioning phase, which lasts roughly 12 weeks and culminates in a final positioning document. For campaigns, we establish campaign title, core messages, and other elements to build a persuasive case for giving. For institutional brands, we distill the core attributes that make each client distinctive and competitive. For all projects, we present a visual identity and show design ideas for a wide range of possible tactics covering web, print, film, and social media. We present our final positioning document in person to the client's approval group.
execution
The approved positioning document serves as our foundation for execution. During this phase, we produce the necessary components to ensure a comprehensive and successful launch of the campaign or brand. For campaigns, this includes such deliverables as mircosites, printed case statements, launch films, annual fund appeals, social media strategies, and event collateral. We often write a year-by-year communication plan that outlines a calendar and content strategy for the internal communications staff to follow. For brands, we produce style guides, websites, brand films, magazine re-designs, and other tactics to ensure consistency across a wide range of media.
collaboration
Another important characteristic of our work is an emphasis on collaboration with advancement staff. We believe that successful advancement communication must be based on fundraising strategy. Before we make recommendations, we will consistently turn to staff and fundraising counsel to understand how and when they interact with prospects, conduct appeals, and generally go about their business. In the end, transformational philanthropy emerges from relationships, rather than brochures or websites. Our job is to (a) create a coherent, consistent “story” for the campaign that will enable leadership, staff, and volunteers to speak with one voice; and (b) to create compelling tools that will “hook” target audiences and help open the door for advancement staff to do their jobs. In the end, close collaboration with advancement staff makes their work and our work that much stronger.