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December 2008 In this Issue Hello Again... Welcome to the sixth issue of Fifth Letter's email-based newsletter. You are receiving this message because you are a current client, business partner, or someone who has expressed curiosity in learning more about our studio. We hope you enjoy our occasional missives enough to pass them along to a friend or business associate. Conversely, feel free to unsubscribe at any time. We have made it very easy to do.
We've been hearing a lot of horror stories these last few months regarding the economy. Companies are either merging or heading for bankruptcy. People are being laid off by the thousands. Bailouts. It's enough to make you want to stick your head back under the covers each morning. Or is it? As Warren Buffet once said, "We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful." In other words, quite often downtimes can be opportunities in disguise. So what does this have to do with marketing and creativity? This economic climate rewards those who stay the course. Many of your competitors are sitting on the sidelines. They've cut their marketing budgets, delayed new product introductions, or are even shutting their doors altogether. These are all opportunities for you to get in front of new customers and communicate why you're different. Your product is stronger, your service better, your business growing. If you can share good news, you may find more people are attracted to you. Let's talk about some of the ways we can make you magnetic.
Let's switch gears and discuss the holidays. Some of you are in parts of the country that are knee-deep in snow right now. Others haven't seen the white stuff in years. Regardless, we feel that our seasonal competition won't be favoring one climate over another. We want you to build a snowman. We'll even supply the parts for you to get started. Email us to ask for your snowman kit. (Some of you will be receiving them in the mail as part of our holiday thanks, but our elves don't always remember everyone.) If you haven't received your kit yet, or if you need another for an office mate, let us know and we'll get one out the door. But this isn't your ordinary competition. You see, we've turned the tables on you. We want you to be as creative as possible with your snowman. Add extra arms. Paint it. Accessorize. Then take a photo or two and share it with the rest of us. Once you've finished your masterpiece, visit our photo blog (www.fifthletter.myphotoalbum.com) and post your shot in our gallery, vote on others, and add comments to help sway the vote. Don't worry. We'll include some instructions in the kit. The winner (judged solely by the Fifth Letter office staff) will receive an 8 gigabyte Apple iPod nano (you choose the color) or the monetary equivalent donated on your behalf to a charity of your choice. The deadline? January 15, 2009.
In our last newsletter, we wrote about how we had picked up a few awards. Imagine our surprise when we opened the Print Magazine Regional Design Annual to not only see one of our projects, but two. As it turns out, our identity system for Norton Street Business Services was also pleasing enough to be included. Not a bad way to end the year if we do say so ourselves.
Elliot Strunk, our creative director, was asked to participate in a conversation at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham in November. The topics of conversation included a focus on the journey to launching and operating a design studio, the creative process and staying inspired, and what employers look for when hiring young designers. We also provided a list of resources (such as books, magazines, websites, and professional organizations) that inform both current and future designers. Want a copy of the list for yourself in PDF form? Simply send us a note to let us know. Interested in having Elliot speak at your company or group function? Fill out our speaker contact form to get started.
Education Resource Group is a three-year-old consulting group run by two former teachers. They work with school administrators, teachers and parents to help children become better learners through a combination of workshops and onsite instructional coaching. We just put the finishing touches on a new identity system for ERG, including a new logo, letterhead system, and electronic templates for both email and newsletters. Our goal was to play off the traditional look of notebook paper and other educational materials in a fun and engaging way to showcase the unique approach that the ERG staff takes when working with their clients. We have some more projects in the works with ERG and look forward to sharing them once we've finished.
Thanks to our clients and friends, 2008 has been Fifth Letter's best year yet. We appreciate the trust, support, references, and opportunities to help make our clients and their organizations think more strategically and work smarter. We hope that all of you have a safe holiday season and a wonderful 2009. See you soon.
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