Posted on June 3, 2009 @ 10:42 am by ehuizenga

A Dream Client

Barrel of Monkeys may be as close as some of us will get to a dream client. They have a fun product (imagination), a great target (pretty much everyone) and a city-wide, loyal following. They just needed fresh ideas on how to keep everything moving forward.

This organization is known as an after- and in-school creative writing program for underserved Chicago Public School kids. A talented, dedicated group of actors and musicians takes the kids’ stories and performs live onstage in the schools, and each weekend at a theatre. They’re also the hosts of their annual black-tie fundraiser, Fancy Schmancy. We needed to clarify these individual missions first, then present creative ideas in a way that seamlessly conveyed the tremendous impact Barrel of Monkeys has on kids.

We began with research (i.e., the Sunday matinée). We left knowing more people needed to see a) how frickin’ funny kids’ stories can be, and b) what a phenomenal job the performers do to interpret the stories while singing, dancing, and of course, wearing silly hats.

Our intent was to present a collaborative, yet guided show on May 27, and the clients enthusiastically responded. We began with a voice piece, followed by two possible identity directions, a homepage makeover, multiple PR ideas, Fancy Schmancy promotion ideas and miscellaneous options we frankly liked too much to cut.

As the flip charts flipped, lots of laughter was heard. No one could hear the nodding of heads, but trust us, there was a lot of that, too. Above all, it was truly gratifying to share ideas and have clients say, “We’ve been wanting to make that happen for a long time.” A dream, indeed.

Written by Anne Hagerty

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