Eric Rob & Isaac

The stars of the Arkansas marketing and advertising world were out in full at the Arkansas ADDY Awards, held at the Argenta Community Theater. It was a night of reconnecting with old friends, recognizing great work in the industry and lots and lots of live tweeting. We did pretty well, especially with the stellar work we were up against.

Before you see the list of the awards (misleading link, we know, deal with it), we’d first like to thank all our clients for an extremely fun, amazing, challenging, creative, surprising, productive, imaginative and victorious year. Without their valued trust and cooperation, we wouldn’t be here. Well, we’d still be alive – there wouldn’t be a company. You get it. Anyway, without further adieu, here’s what we won:

• BRONZE
• American Advertising Federation Little Rock 2011 ADDYs Campaign
• Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics “Get Back to Life” Mixed-Media Campaign
• Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Video
• Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Report
• Goldman Recycling “Keys” Ad
• Mitchell Williams Take Time To Give Annual Review Video
• Riverfest “Let Yourself Go” T-Shirts

• SILVER
• Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics “Get Back to Life” TV (”Home”)
• Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics “Get Back to Life” TV Campaign
• Conway Development Corporation “Fertile Growth” Ad
• First Security Bank UCA Jumbotron Animation
• I.O. Metro Mixed-Media Campaign
• I.O. Metro Profile Book
• Lenderman Dental “Football” Ad
• Methodist Family Health Print Campaign
• Mitchell Williams Holiday eCard Video Animation

• GOLD
• Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics “Get Back to Life” TV (”Athletics”)
• Bethlehem House Point-of-Sale Display
• Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Campaign
• Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Blocks
• First Security Bank “Grapefest” Ad
• I.O. Metro Holiday Card
• Mitchell Williams Holiday eCard
• Riverfest “Let Yourself Go” Mixed-Media Campaign

• SPECIAL JUDGES AWARD
• Bethlehem House Point-of-Sale Display

In case you stopped counting at some point, Arkansas Children’s Hospital is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Throughout the last century, Children’s has emerged as a nationally recognized and highly treasured Arkansas institution. And we were stoked when they asked us to help them develop a campaign to commemorate their 100th birthday.

100 Years Young: That’s the slogan we created for the campaign and one that truly epitomizes Children’s heritage in Arkansas. On the microsite we developed – www.ach100.org – you can explore their rich history and browse through several personal stories of children and families whose lives have been forever changed because of the experienced, dedicated and compassionate team at Children’s.

To coincide with the centennial campaign, we also produced a TV spot highlighting Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), featuring an inspirational true story. Check it out.

Please join us in wishing a very “Happy Birthday” to one of Arkansas’ greatest gifts. Here’s to another 100 years of care, love and hope – right here in the Natural State.

While the fortunate consider the thread count on their sheets or which take-out to drive thru, others go without a bed to lay their heads or food to feed their families. Our new client, Bethlehem House, has made it their mission to provide these individuals with a warm bed and warm meals within a safe, comfortable shelter. But the 100-year-old Victorian house in Conway that has housed the program since 1991 is in desperate need of immeasurably costly repairs. It’s falling down around staff and residents. Literally. In November, the leg of a resident’s bed fell through the floor, straight to the ground. So this holiday season at ERI, we’ve made it our mission to help them build a Home for the Homeless.

“Offering a hand up, not a hand out” is Bethlehem House’s mantra, and it truly fuels their whole existence. They don’t just offer a meal or a place to sleep for the night. Rather, their goal is to encourage, equip and motivate homeless individuals to take the necessary steps to change their life situations. Their Home for the Homeless campaign is now underway to raise $1.3 million to build a new home to serve the area’s growing homeless population – many of whom are families with children. We were privileged to help them create a promotional strategy for the campaign, which included the development of the donation box pictured above. that will be displayed in businesses and other organizations throughout December. (Recognize the free talent?) If you happen to see one while you’re out, please consider doing your part to help. Or, if you don’t find yourself in the Conway area anytime soon, you can donate online here.

A structurally safe and adequate space is critical for Bethlehem House to carry out their more important work of investing in the lives of those touched by their program. This Christmas, please help them continue to transform lives in powerful ways.