Case Studies
Project:  Promote Del Ray Greens, the first private LEED certified building in Alexandria’s Del Ray.  Use the opportunity to build the reputation of the building’s owner, an Alexandria based entrepreneur who owns four businesses.
 

Solution: Developed and promoted a contest with Alexandria and Arlington County School Systems for students to design a mosaic to adorn the front entrance of the new green building. 

 

Results:  More than six schools participated.  Alexandria’s Mayor was among the judges.  The Alexandria Connection, The Arlington Connection, the Alexandria Times, The Washington Business Journal, and NewsChannel 8 all covered the contest as well as profiled the owner.

 
Project:  Educate the public about FACETS’ work to end homelessness in greater Fairfax as well as showcase its volunteer corps.
 

Solution: Using basketball’s “March Madness” as a hook, FACETS launched a “March Madness Move In” event, moving five homeless families out of shelters and into apartments over one weekend.  We promoted the event to the press with a media advisory that incorporated the theme, arranging for one of the families to speak to the press about how they came to be homeless and what the new home meant to them. 

 

Results:  The event was a terrific success, generating coverage—with photos—in the Fairfax Times, Connection Newspapers, WJFK Radio, the Observer, and the Washington Post.  With little budget, we were able to tell an important story about FACETS’ work and about those struggling to get back on their feet.  The media coverage helped FACETS build more name recognition as well as inspired its volunteers.
 
Project:  Help build reputation of the Child Welfare League of America as the leading voice for children. 
 
Solution: Built and implemented a multi-faceted media plan that included setting up reporter meetings, promoting news, developing an online op-ed and comment process, and nurturing relationships with press and other media-related organizations.
 

Results:  To date, the CEO has on ongoing blog on Huffington Post, regularly comments on media stories related to child welfare on major media outlet websites, started relationships with several key child welfare reporters, forged relationships with the Washington Association of Black Journalists and the Journalism Center for Children and Families, and participated in an editorial board meeting with the Washington Post.

 
Clients Helped

  • Aquarius Sports Group

  • Comitatus Consulting

  • Child Welfare League of America

  • Doorways for Women and Families

  • Dry Home Sun Solutions

  • epiphany productions, inc.

  • FACETS

  • PR Web

  • Oliver Wyman and Associates

  • Ulman Cancer Fund
 
 
Testimonials

"Creative Strategies' counsel and product were on target. As an entrepreneur, I needed a a marketing communications strategy to promote my businesses’ products, but a big firm was not in our budget.  Shawn’s insights and expertise proved invaluable and her product outstanding.  I’ve also used her services to help my clients’ succeed."
--Julie Wadler, epiphany productions, inc.
 
"Shawn was a driving force in the success of Hoops for the Homeless--one of the region's most successful charitable events.  The visibility she garnered for the event, the issue, her company, and nonprofit beneficiaries was unprecedented.  The soup to nuts communications strategy she developed and implemented--that included negotiating media sponsorships--was key to the event's success."
~Frances Becker, Executive Director, Carpenter's Shelter, and founder of Hoops for the Homeless.
 
"Shawn led our Board Public Education Committee for several years. At the time, our communications program was in its infancy. With her insight and knowledge, our communications efforts grew, matured, and became more sophisticated. Her guidance greatly enhanced our ability to attract new funders and volunteers and effectively serve children and families in our community."
~Diane Charles, Executive Director, SCAN of Northern Virginia