Mar
16
We’d like to thank the Academy…
March 16, 2009 | 2 Comments | Written by Lindsay Talsness
Metro Studios was recently honored with four awards (otherwise known as ADDYs) from the American Advertising Federation of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. We had a great time working on these projects and are extremely pleased with the results they’ve produced for our clients! Here’s a rundown of the honored projects:
Client: Clearheart Spirits
Project: Internet Marketing Campaign
Silver ADDY – Web/Online Campaign
Metro Studios created a new website for Clearheart Spirits, as well as optimized the website for optimal search engine placement. To further launch their internet marketing efforts, John Whaley, our director of internet marketing used social networks such as YouTube and Facebook to help drive traffic back to Clearheart’s website. We also completed an online media campaign including banner and video ad placement within a variety of vertical markets.
Client: The Rose Company
Project: Identity Collateral
Silver ADDY – Collateral Material: Stationery Package
The Rose Company is a local retailer who supplies specialty promotional products. Metro Studios was responsible for the design of their logo, as well as the creation of a unique set of identity materials for the company. We chose a light green paper stock that complimented the rose icon and solidified the brand.
Client: University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
Project: “Letters” video
Silver ADDY – Public Service – Broadcast/Electronic – Audio/Visual
Metro Studios was commissioned to write, produce, shoot and edit this touching fundraising video for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. The hospital wanted a video that they could play at a series of fundraising dinners they were holding in various locations around the state. At the very first dinner where the video was played, the goal was to raise $50,000, but the hospital ended up with $100,000 by the end of the night. The Children’s Hospital Medical Director said “of all the videos we have done for twice the budget, none came close to the quality and emotional pull as this one produced by Metro Studios”.
Client: St Luke’s Hospital
Project: Women’s Health Interactive Flash Video
Gold ADDY – Interactive Media
Mark Jones, Metro Studios’ Manager of Web Services, built an interactive flash video application for St. Luke’s Hospital Women’s Health. The video featured a variety of experts and everyday women addressing women’s health issues.
Feb
12
Green Graphic Design:
It’s Not Easy Being Green
February 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment | Written by Kendra Smith
What does it mean to practice green graphic design? The phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” does convey an important message, but just skims the surface of the effective ways you can practice sustainable design.
There are three questions we should ask ourselves before beginning a print marketing piece.
1. Why? As in, why do we want to produce this as a print piece?
Before launching a print campaign, ask yourself what the purpose of the campaign is, and whether it will be an effective means of getting your message out to consumers. Unfortunately, all too often, print campaigns that begin with the best intentions simply end up recipients’ trash, without building your business.
Ask yourself questions like:
- What is the purpose of this print piece?
- Who are my target recipients?
- What is the most effective way to communicate with them?
This leads to my second question…
2. What? As in, what alternative marketing methods may be just as, if not more effective than a print campaign?
Here are some alternative ideas to using a print piece (Shameless plug: Metro Studios would be happy to help you make any of these ideas a reality).
- E-mail marketing. What about converting your quarterly newsletter into an e-newsletter? Or, why not send an e-mail instead of a postcard? E-mail marketing is an easy, inexpensive way to market your business.
- Text-messaging. If I received a text message announcing that all jeans are 50% off until Sunday at my favorite clothing store, I would be more likely to remember to check out the sale than if I’d received the same message as a postcard.
- Chalkboard/whiteboard in front of your business. Need to advertise today’s specials? Instead of using fliers, why not try placing a chalkboard or whiteboard prominently outside your business, showcasing your specials.
- Street sandwich board. Hire a high school or college student to hit the streets for your business! It’s a unique, eye-catching, and personal way to advertise.
3. How? As in, how can we print responsibly?
Attention printers: don’t cash in your 401k quite yet. Printing is certainly not going to disappear, and those who practice green design don’t expect it to either. I think there will always be a need for physical, printed materials to touch and to hold. The challenge, however, is producing these materials in ways that aren’t harmful to our environment.
Here are some simple ways to print greener:
- Purchase sustainable printing products such as vegetable-based inks, and cleaning and processing solvents without environmentally harmful compounds.
- Plan press runs carefully to minimize energy use.
- Minimizing paper waste when doing proofs by e-mailing digital files, rather than using paper proofs or CDs.
- Request use of eco-friendly paper, either certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, or milled using an alternative energy source such as wind or solar power.
Metro Studios has access to all of these green resources, and strives to reduce waste when working with print vendors. We are increasingly practicing sustainable design, and are always looking for better, greener ways to market our clients’ products and services. Overall, our goal is to not only save natural resources – but also your own through innovative, creative marketing techniques.