Category Archives: Musings

posted by Teresa

Feb 20, 2012 @ 7:00am

Collaboration is the New Competition for Nonprofits

According to the Internal Revenue Service, there were over 1.5 million registered nonprofits as of December 2011, and nearly 60% have revenue of under $100,000. Even if you divided that up equally among all 50 states, that’s 30,000 nonprofits per state.

Take that in for a second.

Nonprofit organizations are filled with the very best people you would ever hope to find: hardworking, passionate, committed to making a difference. Doing everything they can on a daily basis to lessen the negative impact of various social crises. All while fighting the odds of too little time, money and manpower to affect the real kind of change they want to see around their particular issues.

While growth in the nonprofit sector may reflect a more noble nature among us all, the result is increased competition for limited resources. This reality means we’re looking at more nonprofits competing for the same dollars to treat more symptoms — without necessarily solving the underlying problem.

Attacking the root problems that are causing a preponderance of negative social conditions demands not more organizations developing more programs, but more organizations coming together and building the kind of scale that can address the real problem. This type of collaboration can take place in several forms:

  • Nonprofits that partner with each other in community initiatives around an issue
  • Nonprofits that formally merge with other nonprofits that share a similar mission
  • Nonprofits that build programs that can be replicated by other nonprofits in the country

Whatever the model, one thing is certain. We will never break the cycle of social ills that exist in our country until we step out of a parochial, separatist mindset and acknowledge that collaboration is the only way forward. A simple concept, but one that falls short of execution all too often, given too many competing agendas.

I’ll stop at that, and leave you with this look at two models for consideration. Which do you think has the most potential to solve the big problems that plague our communities? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

 

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posted by Cathy

Feb 09, 2012 @ 7:22am

Ethics, Gratitude and Crowson Stone Printing

A lot of water has passed under the proverbial bridge since I first opened the doors of the company now called Riggs Partners. I couldn’t begin to count the relationships that have come and gone in those 25 years: clients, consultants, employees, vendors. But there have been two constants since that very first C.C.Rigg’s day in 1987. Me. And Crowson Stone Printing.

The partnership between an ad agency and a printing company is a significant one. The Riggs/Crowson relationship is built on a foundation of deep trust and mutual respect; in all these years, neither has ever had to look over the other’s shoulder to inspect for quality, ethics, intention. Never.

In 1998, our company founded a little pro bono initiative called CreateAthon. In one phone call, Crowson quickly agreed to become a part of our “printers confederacy,” providing free printing for a number of CreateAthon nonprofits. In 2001, they stepped up with an offer to print it all.

Since then, Crowson Stone has provided free printing for more than 75 CreateAthon clients, with a market value that surely tops the $1,000,000 mark. (We don’t know the exact amount since Crowson doesn’t keep score.) And that number doesn’t take into account the countless projects they produce outside the scope of CreateAthon, either pro bono or at a nonprofit rate. It doesn’t take much of a leap of faith to suggest Crowson is among the most philanthropic companies in their industry. Certainly they are in South Carolina.

The past few years have not been easy for those in the printing business, and Crowson Stone is no exception. In spite of visionary leadership and significant (early) investment in digital, challenge after challenge piled at their door. Still they remained committed to their customers, refusing to compromise on quality, integrity, ethics. Under the leadership of John deLoach, a man among men, they continued to serve their clients with honor.

Like so many who love Crowson Stone, I was beyond happy to learn INDEXX Printing from Greenville, South Carolina, is stepping in with support. I believe this is a good business move for INDEXX, yes. But I also believe  that when they looked at Crowson, INDEXX saw a company with a soul worthy of saving.

Thank you, Crowson Stone, for all you have meant to me, to Riggs Partners, to the Midlands of South Carolina, and to the nonprofits you have served. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

And we extend a warm welcome to INDEXX Printing. You have not only demonstrated great business acumen in your partnership with Crowson Stone, you have already served this community well.

the early days at 819 Main Street

Our friend Dick Terry (with Catherine Traywick). For many years, he was the face of Crowson Stone to Riggs.

Hot Off the Press CreateAthon Party at Crowson Stone

Still doing good: John deLoach (l) and John Stiles (r) of CS; Dean Schuster (aka the deanguin) of truematter

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posted by Julie

Feb 06, 2012 @ 7:00am

Media Consumption Takes Super Bowl Ads Into Overtime

In the days of yore, Super Bowl ads were top secret. There were no extended versions or pre-releases. The time-honored strategy was to keep the high-dollar spot under wraps until the moment it ran. Then you either basked in glory or withered in shame the next day when Monday morning quarterback Donnie Deutsche rehashed the winners and losers on the Today show.

Those days seem to be passing. This week we saw the release of an extended two minute, twenty-five second Honda CRV Ferris Bueller-themed commercial. The spot, starring actor Matthew Broderick recreating his famous 26 year old character, will run in thirty second form on Super Bowl Sunday but by the time that spot airs most people will have already seen the extended commercial multiple times. In fact, it got more than 10 million views by the Friday of the big weekend.

Also grabbing viral momentum was a spot United States viewers normally wouldn’t have the pleasure of seeing. Budweiser’s heartwarming two-minute Flash Fans spot, which will air in Canada during the Super Bowl, became a pregame sensation three days before kickoff.

There’s great post-game action right here at the University of South Carolina, where faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Journalism School gather annually to vote their favorite Super Bowl spot in Cocky’s Super Ad Poll (on Twitter at #UofSCAdPoll). You can get in on the action, too. Vote here (from the end of the Super Bowl until 10am Monday morning). Once voting ends, the winning spot’s creative team will be recognized and invited to visit USC to get their coveted Cocky Award. What a treat for aspiring students to have the opportunity to talk shop with standout creatives! Maybe if I sweet-talk Ad Poll founder Professor Bonnie Drewniany she’ll let me sit in the back row.

Personally, I’m glad some of the cats are being snuck of the bag. There will always be surprise spots during the game. But I love that we get some overtime action out of Super Bowl commercials these days. Even better, we see ones that we’d never get to see in the first place.

It was always hard to get people to be quiet during the game-time commercials anyway.

What do you think? Should they be kept under wraps or enjoy an early release?

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posted by Teresa

Jan 18, 2012 @ 7:00am

TEDx Columbia: A beautiful day

Sharing CreateAthon and the pro bono love

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining 14 other speakers and performers at the inaugural TEDx Columbia event. What began for me as an Oh my God, how will I ever have time to prepare for this item on my never-ending list became a transformative experience second only to CreateAthon, my subject de jour.

While I was more than humbled to have the opportunity to spread the CreateAthon gospel on such a distinguished stage, I was more moved by the cumulative effect of the day. It crept inside me as these words bounced in and out of every conversation.

What if. Who knew. We can. You can. I did. I asked. Yes.

There also was a lot of talk during the day about Columbia and the undiscovered potential of our city as evidenced by the talent, intellect and passion of everyone assembled at TEDx Columbia. The mere fact that we “did TEDx” was viewed as a great achievement. Certainly it was.

I submit the greater outcome of the day, however, lies in a heightened awareness of the other. Look at what that other person is doing. Look at the terrible thing that happened to her, and what she did with it. Look at the risk he took.

TEDx gave us a day to put down our own ego-driven lens and peer through the lens of the other. To soak in our fellow man’s distinctive experiences, and to consider just how vital it is that we all see the world a little bit differently.

After all, if two of us are exactly the same, one of us is irrelevant (to quote Jay Coles).

I think the world’s a little more beautiful today, being reminded of that.

So many thanks to the incredible TEDx Columbia team and fellow speakers for inviting me to be part of this incredible experience, for working so hard to make it such a success, and for entering my life as new friends.

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posted by Ryon

Jan 11, 2012 @ 9:29am

Type Observed: HOBO

I see the typeface “Hobo” in a lot of different places — labels, signs, posters, logos – the list goes on. I once thought that this was one of the ugliest type designs out there, but I now realize that it’s not the design itself, or even the terrible name — it’s mostly because of how it’s used and misused. Of all the type crimes out there (thank you Ellen Lupton: http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/contents/extras/#Type_Crimes), you’ll often find Hobo as a nearby accomplice. And I’ve certainly made my jokes about this “awful” typeface over the years, but once I studied the origin and the history of this design, I’ve become much less critical.

Stylistically, Hobo looks like something crafted from 1970′s, but was actually designed in 1910 towards the end of the Art Noveau Movement. It was designed by Morris Fuller Benton, one of America’s most prolific typeface designers. After closer examination, the letters are actually well-proportioned (when typeset properly) — every part of each letter is curved, which gives it a decorative effect, but with a modern twist. It’s lowercase letters are unique — descenders that do not drop below the baseline. Yeah, it’s weird — but it’s designed to be a display type. Fairly progressive for 1910, considering that most typography from that period was very decorative and ornate.

So I’m no longer a Hobo-hater. I just hate seeing it being misused.

Note: If you’ve seen examples of Hobo type out there (good or bad), please send  some pics my way – I’m starting a collection of images and would love to include yours! Thanks.


The oldest use of Hobo I've ever seen!

Type Crime!

 

 

 

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posted by Cathy

Jan 06, 2012 @ 5:51pm

Lee Clow’s Beard

The best tweet I’ve seen in a long, long time.

 

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posted by Cathy

Dec 23, 2011 @ 6:55am

A Little Christmas Story

I was digging through the attic earlier this week looking for a box in which to wrap a Christmas gift. I came upon this one and had my annual thought regarding it:

I can’t use that box. I love that logo too much to just let that box go.

the coveted box

And then I had a little talk with myself about how ridiculous I was being. How completely over-the-top consumeristic to hold on to a BOX.

But it does speak to the power of a really great identity, doesn’t it?

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posted by Teresa

Dec 19, 2011 @ 12:35pm

TEDx: Exponential Impact for Nonprofits

Earlier this fall, I was both surprised and delighted when I discovered my dear friend Julie Turner had nominated me as a potential speaker for TEDx Columbia. Founded as a four-day video conference in California 25 years ago, TED is now an international program committed to Ideas Worth Spreading. Presenters are asked to talk about their passions, inventions, beliefs, observations — the ideas they have that can spark change in the world. Talks are captured on video and viewed worldwide.

TEDx events allow people to use the “talk” model as a tool for effecting change in their own communities. On January 16 (MLK Day), I’ll have the honor of joining seven other speakers in the first-ever TEDx Columbia event. I’ll be talking about CreateAthon, and the incredible things that can happen when you let a big idea go in the world. Others will share stories on topics ranging from First Amendment Rights and brain damage research to urban farming and a program that uses rescue dogs to teach compassion and character development.

To say I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of joining the distinguished ranks TED presenters is an understatement indeed. So being me, I began the task of preparing my presentation by researching other TED presentations. I was amazed to find the types of topics that were tagged at TED.com: the arts, humanities, animal rights, environmentalism, social justice, health, education, energy, philanthropy. A treasure trove of good.

Meanwhile, back at TEDx Columbia, I thought about the amazing story of Anna Bigham, one of my fellow presenters. She founded a nonprofit organization called Hidden Wounds that provides interim and emergency counseling services to combat veterans and their families. Her work honors her beloved younger brother, who took his life while struggling with PTSD. To realize I will be sharing a stage with someone like her — with such a noble and noteworthy cause — has humbled me even more. And what a gift the TED organization gives by lending a stage to nonprofits and their causes, as well as commercial endeavors that can make a difference in the world.

If you have a cause you’re passionate about, or just looking for a little inspiration, I encourage you to spend some time with TED. If you have a TEDx event in your area, consider how you might introduce your cause to the audience of inspired doers and thinkers in the TED universe. If you don’t have TEDx nearby, organize a team and make it happen now.

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posted by Cathy

Dec 15, 2011 @ 3:41pm

Goodwill for Goodwill. And There’s a Prize!

from chair spindles to gorgeous tree ornaments

We couldn’t be happier about this one if we tried. Working with Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands SC is a dream assignment—powerful mission, great people, interesting projects.

A wonderful bonus of the work we’ve done for Goodwill is the friendships we’ve developed along the way. Good Life blogger Kendra Ardis, for instance.

We first met Kendra when she responded to our Craig’s List ad looking for The Perfect Person to help us develop and launch our first lifestyle blog, The Good Life. The blog centers around the definition of thrift we love the most, from Wikipedia:

the recycling of formerly-owned items, finding new use and new love for vintage material goods which had been thrown out, and the thrill of imagining what the former life of the item was like

A thrifter from way back, Kendra is the Perfect Person to write The Good Life.

wouldn't these look swell on your tree?

As a bonus, Kendra and The Good Life brought to us another artist who takes thrift to a new level, Barb Blair of Knack Studios. In a guest post on The Good Life, Barb transforms these old chair spindles into the most incredible Christmas Tree ornaments around. What’s more, she’s allowing The Good Life to give them away a set of 12 in a contest on the blog’s Facebook page as a way to bring more people who love the art of thrift to the blog.

(To enter to win these ornaments, just click on this link. Deadline is midnight tonight.

Maybe it’s just the traditional feeling of goodwill (pardon me) the holiday season brings, but we’re feeling grateful for so many things that came to Riggs Partners wrapped in the Year 2011—not the least of which is a wonderful new client and all the relationships therewith. We are truly grateful.

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posted by Julie

Dec 01, 2011 @ 5:14pm

We’re still sticking together.

The concept of community was very different in the 1950’s. It was a physical place where a group of people lived. It probably had sidewalks and a few white picket fences. But the most important feature was the cluster of people who interacted with each other to form this place.

Many of today’s most successful communities are nowhere to be found, per say. Their address starts with www but their sense of community is as strong and solid as a 1950’s ranch home.

It’s been an interesting evolution to experience. The shift from push to pull is a welcome change for most. Our world is more open. There are more people, more ideas and more opportunities than ever before. Especially when it comes to communities and audiences.

Love bacon? Handmade gifts? Restoring BMW’s? Knitting? Knitting clothes? Knitting clothes for dogs?

It’s interesting we now have so many more spaces to join with other likeminded people. We have professional and social sets we can select and sort at will. And always on our own terms.

The community concept hasn’t gone anywhere. Even better, it will continue to grow and evolve.

In short, the world is becoming more niche, and responsive brands have to embrace this. Differentiating, often to the exclusion of some, is paramount to relevance in today’s highly defined online communities.

 

 

 

 

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