It may sound cliché, but it’s never been truer. If a picture says a thousand words, then a video tells your story. Visual narratives are a mandatory in today’s digital age, and we’re chuffed af to introduce you to our premiere creative partner Owl & Stag Productions. We partnered with Owl & Stag on our recent branding project for The Greater Bangor Region, and the experience was easy, seamless, and refreshingly creative-forward. While we handled the behind-the-scenes strategy, Persona development, visual identity development, and long-term capacity planning for the region, Owl & Stag drove the creative process in many ways we hadn’t even anticipated! We hired them to digitally tell the story of The GBR through planned photoshoots and video capture, but the team at O&S really took the lead in terms of creative framing, positioning, copywriting/messaging development, and more. When combined with our superior graphic design chops, we were able to knock it outta the park for Bangor!
For those of you who didn’t get to meet Owl & Stag’s founder, Phil Kwarta, at our IDA party in DC this year, we sat down to discuss why Owl & Stag rocks so hard, and how Phil’s approach to digital storytelling is a differentiator that goes well beyond most event photographers and videographers. We asked Phil for their elevator pitch, and he instinctively explained that “Owl & Stag is a video production company focused on the placemaking space that develops creative strategy, and creates the highest quality visuals for your place to entice people to visit and engage with you. This helps foster new experiences and allows folks to create memories that last a lifetime,” and we’d have to agree.
When we asked Phil how Owl & Stag is different, he expounded that, “Owl & Stag takes the guesswork out of creative strategy. Many folks think it’s just point and shoot. We know how much more goes into this before ever turning on a camera. First, we want to get to know the people of the places we serve. What do they love about their town? What’s left to be desired? From there, we develop a comprehensive ideation package with campaign ideas that will make people WANT to go there. It’s more than just bars and restaurants, or attractions; it’s the vibe of the place; what does it FEEL like to visit? That’s what we aim to capture, because at the end of the day, tourists can go anywhere, and we want to make them think “Oh, I’ve gotta check that place out! It looks like one hell of a time!” From there, we create a detailed plan of action to make sure we capture the essence of your place and that shines through in every edit, every ad, every piece we craft for you. This level of comprehensiveness is what sets us apart from everyone else who makes videos,” and we know from experience that their expertise in digital storytelling and developing location-specific narratives is a superpower we’ve not seen wielded like this in place management before.
Aside from many successful commercial campaigns for big brands like Bissel, NFL Films, CertaPro Painters, IBX, and more, Phil admitted that The GBR project was his favorite to date, because, “Our most memorable client was getting to work with the fine folks of Bangor, Maine, the GBR as it’s now known. Not only did Lisa Sturgeon and Betsy Lundy show us the best time, but we also got to know just how much The GBR means to them and how much history the region possesses. They not only took us to the best spots around to get killer footage — they trusted us to represent them and showcase everything The GBR has to offer. This level of collaboration allowed us to put together a campaign that has brought literally millions of eyeballs to bolster the region’s tourism economy and incite the virtuous cycle. Our partners at Bright Brothers Strategy Group helped make all of this possible and, through their impeccable leadership and planning, helped get our content out there and put The GBR on the map!” Well said, Phil.
With extremely affordable price points starting around $15K, Owl & Stag is primed and ready to make your place pop! And if you want another taste of their digital storytelling chops, simply watch this delicious little sizzle reel they made for us!
Photo credit: The GBR Maine
Step aside oldheads, there’s a new creative consultancy in town and they’re doing BIG things! We’re talking about BIG Creative Consulting, recently launched by everyone’s favorite LinkedIn personality, Chip. Yes. Just Chip. Like Madonna and Cher before her, Chip has but one name. He actually has two, and they’re the same; Chip Chip, and many of you may already know Chip from his previous lives in placemaking, place management, and most recently as a VP from Block by Block. Chip and his partner Abra have launched their own creative consultancy, and we’re here to cheer them on. But the biggest news around this launch is their brand new podcast, Sidewalk Ballet! If you’re a fan of Jane Jacobs (and you had better be, if you’re reading THIS newsletter), you’ll recognize the clever and inventive title as one of Jacobs’ core tenets of urban life. But urban life has changed a thousand-fold since Jane was with us — and case in point, around 158 million people in the U.S. listen to podcasts monthly. That’s a lotta hungry ears, people!
Enter the Sidewalk Ballet. Straight outta the gate, Chip has focused on interviewing some of the top industry luminaries and thought-leaders for Sidewalk Ballet. The podcast is available on all major platforms, and Chip has already interviewed the likes of Majora Carter, Dr. Christine Brooks, PPS Placemaking’s very own Nate Storring, and one of our “patron saints,” Jay Pitter — with many more lining up in the wings. Chip told us that, “I’m a big podcast fan, and yet I haven’t found a conversation that really sits in this space, at least not in the States. So here we go. I started reaching out to some superstars and asked them if they would talk to me, and now, we’ve got a podcast,” and that’s not all. Chip teased his forthcoming roster of illuminating interviews and conversations in the queue. With much anticipation and celebration, please join Bright Brothers in welcoming Chip, Abra, BIG Creative Consulting and Sidewalk Ballet to the fray. Now give a listen and let us know whatcha think!
Photo credit: by Sidewalk Ballet
Plot twist: People actually want to support tiny businesses! The email marketing wizards at Constant Contact peeked at 12,000+ campaigns and discovered something delightful: “shop small” subject lines crushed it with 45% open rates, while desperate corporate begging like “mega sale” and “today only” flopped harder than a fish on dry land (0-1% clicks—yikes). Even Amazon Prime Day couldn’t compete, limping in at 41.3% opens because apparently we’re all exhausted by Big Shopping Event™ hysteria.
The moral? Consumers want authentic, community-vibing messages over aggressive salesy nonsense. Small biz confidence is soaring to 2017 levels, proving that even in our chaotic economy, folks still have warm fuzzies for the little guys. So make sure your comms are lined up to support your ratepayers now through the New Year because who knew sincerity beats screaming “BUY NOW” in all caps?
Photo credit: by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
This is the way you make your downtown festive af for the holidays! In this economy, it’s back to basics, and while this easy-lift program is easily replicable, it nails the basics of downtown transformation and sets the stage for the holidays. Everyone knows you prep your place before inviting people over, and in Tulsa’s case, this public/private realm activation sets the stage of downtown to complement the draw of big crowds coming in and making memories during “Downtown Days of Wonder”. Big props to the Downtown Tulsa Partnership on their “Window Wonderland” campaign. And for the rest of you out there, use this as “R&D” aka ripoff and duplicate, (as we say in IDAland)! Happy Merrying!
Photo credit: by Maria M. on Unsplash
A Twin Cities artist Dio Cramer is mapping where locals have locked lips for the very first time. The Twin Cities First Kiss Map has collected nearly 350 smooch stories, and honestly? It’s the most romantic spreadsheet you’ll ever see.
Here’s the deal: Submit your first-kiss tale (with anyone, not just the first) via Google Form, and Cramer plots it on their ever-growing map of metropolitan makeouts. A gorgeous print edition drops this winter, because love deserves gallery walls. The juiciest spots? That chaotic corner at 26th and Lyndale (CC Club, we see you). Cathedral Hill’s streets, apparently holier than thou. Even MSP Airport got some action—one kiss so good, both people submitted it separately. Our favorite? The Seward couple who kissed during a COVID birthday parade while it randomly started snowing. Chef’s kiss, literally.
Sure, the map skews toward south Minneapolis and St. Paul hotspots Cramer knows best, but that’s the charm. Every pin reminds us that the Twin Cities is basically one giant romance novel waiting to happen. Summit Avenue sunsets? More like Summit Avenue smooches!
Photo credit: by weston m on Unsplash
“I’m a big podcast fan, and yet I haven’t found a conversation that really sits in this space, at least not in the States. So here we go. I started reaching out to some superstars and asked them if they would talk to me, and now, we’ve got a podcast.” — Chip Chip speaking about Sidewalk Ballet
