• Nonprofit marketing for United Way meant a new positioning strategy incorporating old messaging.
  • Nonprofit marketing for United Way meant a new positioning strategy and new marketing materials: Hanging banner.
  • Nonprofit marketing for United Way meant a new positioning strategy and new marketing materials: Posters..
  • Nonprofit marketing for United Way meant a new positioning strategy and a new face for Facebook.

CASE STUDY

CLIENTUnited Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

MARKETMarion, Polk and Yamhill Counties, Oregon

PROGRAM2013 campaign messaging and design

A positioning strategy to create action.

The positioning strategy created for United Way builds on the national theme with 5 specific calls to action. The central message of LIVE UNITED to the Power of 5 refreshed the United Way brand with lively new design elements.

Business

The annual tri-county United Way campaign to raise awareness and dollars.

Audience

Employers, workers, individuals, non-profits and community leaders.

Challenge

United Way in the tri-county region had weathered some bumpy years with changes in leadership and a slow economy affecting giving levels. New Executive Director Randy Franke brings strong leadership and a fresh commitment to the community. When he started in 2012, he knew he needed a higher level of messaging, awareness and visibility for the 2013 campaign. Creative Company was hired to create messaging, then build an updated campaign that would carry the organization forward for the next five years.

Optimized

SIAAWARDS"SILVER WINNER in the Integrated Campaign Category"

Working with the campaign cabinet, and building on the national LIVE UNITED theme, our positioning strategy focused on adding simplicity and calls to action. To keep the message memorable and very shareable, we added “to the Power of 5” to the national slogan. We then designed visual elements that built on the United Way brand standards to add excitement and easy-to-remember visual cues. An effective positioning strategy is both visual and verbal.

united way save the date card r2 Save the Date postcard for the campaign kick-off.

united way donor brochure The brochures for donors (above) and for employers (below) emphasize “The Power of 5” and summarize where the dollars go as well as five reasons to give. Employers learn five reasons to bring a campaign to the workplace. Flyers were used as inserts and distributed at events.

united way employer brochure

united way facebook r2 Facebook headers bring more attention to the Power of 5.

united way pledge form r2 Updated pledge forms made it easier to designate funds, outlined 5 reasons to give, and summarized the impact just $5 could have on the community.

united way kick off invite r2 The multiple panel invitation to the campaign kick-off revealed community members who support the campaign with the Power of 5.

By creating 5 simple action statements and adding them to every touch point, we reinforced how easy it is to support United Way, and how even a little bit makes a difference. 

united way pull up banners r2 Pull-up banners used at various events bring attention to the key ideas and calls to action for the campaign.

With photos of recognizable local supporters in their LIVE UNITED T-shirts, with hands up, holding a hammer or dollars, we leveraged the national campaign and added energy to every communication. 

The positioning strategy integrated key messages and a bright visual system to create a unified, exciting campaign. LIVE UNITED to the Power of 5 will be this region’s campaign theme for the next 5 years, further extending the value of the new communication pieces.

Components

  • Messaging 
  • Identity system
  • “Save the Date” postcard/invitation
  • Kick-off invitation
  • Employer brochure
  • Donor brochure
  • PowerPoint templates/presentations
  • Pull up event banners
  • Hanging banners
  • Campaign posters
  • Pledge card redesign
  • Thank you note
  • Stationery and business cards
  • Word templates for stationery
  • Fact sheet layouts
  • Fact sheet templates
  • Kick-off event program
  • Kick-off event table toppers
  • Visual elements for video
  • Ask card
  • Facebook page banners
  • Website visuals

Results

United Way staff has already found people more receptive to the campaign when they can hold up a hand and say “here are five ways you can support United Way,” or “here are five reasons you should support United Way this year.”

Awards

  • Power of 5 Campaign: Service Industry Advertising Awards, 2013, Other Services, Integrated Campaign: Silver

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