December 2010

We Had the Time of Our Lives

Here's one of those "It is with great sadness" letters from REACH President Ryan Sanders. Cue the Green Day...

For four years, REACH has made its clients look great with Madison Avenue services at Main Street prices. I am proud of the body of work we've created and the client service we've delivered. Last year was our best to date, and our people, processes and products are only getting better.

But even when business is good, there are some callings you can't ignore. This month, I was offered the opportunity to work full time helping people find deeper relationships with God and with one another at the church where I have volunteered for more than a decade. There aren't many opportunities that could have pulled me away from REACH, but this was one of them.

So on January 1, 2011, REACH will significantly downsize. What does that mean for our clients and vendors? Here are the Clif Notes:

* REACH is still available for limited consulting, creative and campaign management services.
* These services will be provided to a much smaller group of clients and delivered on a more relaxed timeline.

If your company needs a fully staffed agency with speed-of-business capabilities, REACH is no longer the agency for you. If, however, you have short-term projects or just need to discuss brand, marketing or ad strategies with someone, we're here.

REACH started in December 2006 with a borrowed computer and a lot of spare time. Though most of the credit belongs to Providence, good friends, and a thriving business community in Irving, I'm proud of what REACH became. Looking forward, I'm equally excited though about a new chapter. Irving Bible Church has been a place where my family has found deep healing, lasting friendships, and meaningful work. It's satisfying to see people helping people - feeding the hungry, healing the sick, restoring marriages, encouraging the overwhelmed. I couldn't dream of a better mission to invest in for the rest of my career.

If you've ever been a client or worked with REACH in any way, here's a big THANK YOU. You'll still see me occasionally at Irving city and civic events, and you're always welcome to check in at any time.

God bless and Merry Christmas!

July 2010

One Week Employee

For one week in June, the REACH full time staff grew by 33 percent. Recent Texas A&M graduate Michelle Attah was a REACHer for five days as part of the One Week Job Project. Here's the content of an articlepublished in explaining the short-timer's role.

One Week Jobs are a REACH
Irving resident, Michelle Attah, can't hold a job for longer than a week. If she did, she'd be in trouble. Attah is part of a summer-long program for young workers called One Week Job in which college students or recent graduates try out one job per week all summer. One of three workers chosen from hundreds of applicants nationwide, Attah began her summer odyssey at an Irving advertising agency called REACH. In a few short days, she has already helped design a logo, helped negotiate a $50,000 marketing plan, hobnobbed over swanky lunch fare, written content for client web pages, and given away more than $500 worth of prizes via an online marketing sweepstakes.

"It has been exciting and eye-opening to see how ad agencies work," Attah said. "If the next seven weeks are this exciting, I'll be very tired when the summer is over."

The One Week Job Project was founded by Canadian Sean Aiken in 2007. Taking the advice of mentors and teachers to find his passion, Aiken arranged to work one new job per week for an entire year. His quest drew media attention from the likes of CNN, 20/20, Good Morning America, and The New York Times. He has recently released a book about his experiences that year and a documentary film is in the making.

As an extension of his experience, Aiken started a program by which other young people can "try out" careers. For her part, Attah says she is eager to "see what's out there" to help her decide on a career path. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she holds a degree in psychology and a wide range of interests that make it difficult to choose a career.

"I know where she's coming from," REACH President Ryan Sanders said. "When I heard about the program, I immediately thought of the day during my sophomore year at A&M when my academic advisor told me I couldn't stall any longer. I had to choose a major. I resonated with the need to help young people find their passion. I hope we've helped Michelle get a little more clarity."

Attah was selected for the program based on a written application, a 60-second video, and her campaign to get others to vote for her on the One Week Job website. REACH is her first stop this summer. For the next seven weeks she will try jobs like radio deejay, river guide, concert roadie, and coffee bean roaster. She says she was grateful to start close to home.

"It's really cool to have found such an interesting company right here in my back yard," she said. "REACH does some really amazing things for its clients and I'm grateful for the 'behind the scenes' look at how a real ad agency operates."

To follow Attah's summer journey, visit her blog.
For more about REACH, visit our website.
And for more about One Week Jobs, go to theirs.

May 2010

A Brand Overhaul & Launch Party

No news since January? Sheesh! Well it's not been because there was no news to report. It's because we're been too busy to catch our breath! One of the projects we really poured ourselves into lately was a rebranding project for Glory House. Here's the whole story of that project along with some links to the Irving Chamber's coverage of our big launch event.

The Challenge
Our good friend Jo Ann Goin started her business in South Irving 10 years ago and called it Glory House Catering. Then she got a facility on Main Street in the Irving Heritage District and started hosting events like wedding receptions. She named the on-site event business Receptions On the Main. Later, she started opening the facility for lunch and called that business Glory House Bistro. So by early 2010, Jo Ann had three different businesses, each with its own name, phone number, website, etc. Her building was covered in signage, no piece of which matched the others. And her marketing materials were overloaded with messages from three businesses. Add to all that the fact that her logo looked a bit dated, and it was clearly time to push "restart" on Jo Ann's brand.

It was another good friend, Jeff Youngblood at FASTSIGNS Irving, who pointed Jo Ann our way. Jo Ann ordered some printing from Jeff and before he printed a piece with three different business names, he suggested that she talk to REACH.

The Rebrand
First, we combined her businesses. This was not a complicated step but one that was understandably hard for Jo Ann given the amount of time and capital she had put toward building a name for Receptions On the Main. But Jo Ann is a GREAT client. She trusted our counsel (and Jeff's) and we combined all three businesses under one name. Her services all fall under Glory House. And the logo makes it clear that she offers catering, receptions, and a bistro.

Then we worked on implementing her new, cleaner look into operations, specifically signage. We convinced her to take down several signs and use fewer, simpler signs. Jeff at FASTSIGNS helped a lot, especially when it came to placement of signage on her two delivery vans.

The next step was revamping, rebuilding, and combining web sites. We designed from scratch but used much of the same content that existed on her old sites. We updated all the copy, chose better solutions for her photo galleries and site hosting, and added a few custom touches like a Print CSS to make it easy for bistro customer to print the weekly menus. We also worked closely with EBM Corp. to make sure we didn't disturb her search engine optimization by breaking long-established links from other sites. The finished product is a web site that we're counting as one of our best. Check it out at www.gloryhousecatering.com.

The Release
Finally, we got to think about showing off all this new work! Glory House hosted the monthly after-hours mixer for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. We consulted with Jo Ann about colors, favors, drinks (blue margaritas!) and other details and while we'd love to take all the credit, Jo Ann's party planning instincts really kicked in here. She extended her new brand to every last detail of the party which was very well attended.

So there's one happy rebranding story from REACH. For more (because I'm sure there are hundreds of you reading this who just can't get enough) see the links to related articles on the chamber's website complete with lots of photos.

Launch Party Article.
Small Business Connections Article.

January 2010

Sneak Peek

We've been working hard on a new campaign to tell people that FASTSIGNS sells more than just vinyl banners. Specifically, we're reaching out to facility and property managers. The first ad drops this Friday in the Dallas Business Journal followed by another in Network magazine. But you get a sneak peek here first.
 

November 2009

100 Wells!

A big announcement from Water Is Basic this week. REACH is proud to be involved with bringing clean drinking water to 200,000 Sudanese over the past three years. REACH and Water Is Basic were formed at roughly the same time and have enjoyed a close relationship. The 100th well in Sudan is an important and joyous milestone. We at REACH would like to celebrate by contributing more to the efforts to bring life-giving water to the "least of these." Please watch this video for information about how you can help. And please pass this along to friends and co-workers. And please follow or friend us to support the cause!

September 2009

We Are the Champions, My Friends...

REACH was named a "Small Business Champion" at the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Breakfast of Champions event September 10 at the Westin DFW Airport North. More than 200 small business leaders from Irving, Arlington and Coppell attended the event. REACH Founder Ryan Sanders served on a panel in a breakout session on "Marketing Your Business for Success". Videos from the workshops should be available to attendees soon via the REACH website.

September 2009

Big Win

Twenty-two North Texas FASTSIGNS franchises have engaged REACH to direct marketing and advertising efforts for their stores next year. The cooperative of 18 store owners voted unanimously to hire REACH after reviewing proposals and qualifications from three local agencies as well as FASTSIGNS' corporate marketing department.

"We are very optimistic about working with REACH," Co-op President and Irving franchisee Jeff Youngblood said. "We're looking for a way to take our marketing to the next level and after considering three agencies, we're convinced that REACH is the one to help us get there."

REACH President Ryan Sanders said his agency's approach to promoting FASTSIGNS in DFW will focus on direct marketing to business, property and construction managers who make decisions about signage vendors. Long considered a retail shop for banners and other vinyl signs, FASTSIGNS also produces high-quality dimensional and architectural signage.

"It didn?t take much market research to learn that the vinyl market is saturated," Sanders said. "Part of our job will be to educate our target markets about FASTSIGNS capabilities beyond banners."

September 2009

Breakfast of Champions

REACH founder Ryan Sanders will be a panelist at an upcoming business seminar hosted by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. The first ever Breakfast of Champions chamber event will take place September 10 at 8 a.m. at the Westin DFW North Hotel at 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway in Irving.

Ryan will be featured in a breakout session called Marketing Your Business for Success along with corporate identity artist David Fiegenschue and online marketing guru Wael Salama. The breakout is an encore of the same panel featured at the April 2009 Coffee Break networking event. The marketing session is one of nine breakouts at the event designed to help small business owners improve their companies.

REACH was also involved in planning the event and designed invitations and some of the table decor. REACH will also provide video services allowing the chamber to post discussions online after the event for those who take part.

The event will feature a keynote address by Mary Scott Nabers, former Texas Railroad Commisisoner and CEO of Strategic Partners, Inc. who will speak on "Success In Selling to the Trillion Dollar Government Marketplace"

August 2009

Announcing Rupees for Referrals

Go to dinner on us ... Start a business for a needy family ... Don't spend a dime.

We at REACH have been spouting off a lot lately about "getting creative" in the recession and "investing in marketing now" to reap returns when the recession is over. Well, it's time we put our money where our mouth is. REACH is announcing Rupees for Referrals - a unique program to ignite business and help people in need. Here's how it works:

1. We're inviting all of our current clients, partners and business associates to pass along information about our top-notch creative services to anyone they know who is interested in hiring us.
2. Those businesses referred by our network call us to discuss their marketing needs.
3. For every such referral produced, we'll reward the referring individual (not their company) in two ways: with a $50 check made out to them, and with a $50 donation to the Dalit Freedom Network business development program in their honor. Dalit Freedom Network is a human rights organization that advocates for India's "untouchable" class - one of the most oppressed people groups in the world.

That's it. Go stumping for REACH and get $50 back, plus a good feeling from helping someone who could really use it. Everyone wins!
(We should definitely go into politics.)

About DFN: Dalit Freedom Network partners with the Dalits in their quest for religious freedom, social justice, and human rights by mobilizing human, informational, and financial resources.

July 2009

New Blog!

In an effort to help our clients and other small businesses during these tough economic times, REACH has launched a new blog at recession-is-opportunity.com with tips and stories for how to continue to grow and market businesses even when the "going gets tough." Please check it out!

June 2009

In Touch

Stay in touch, and visit our blog at reachyourmarket.wordpress.com.

April 2009

Newsmakers

REACH received recognition and a gift at a reception for Irving newsmakers at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas April 2. The event was a gathering of notable businesses and leaders who have made news in Irving over the last quarter. About 80 businesses were recognized including ExxonMobil, the Four Seasons, and Wal-Mart. Other communications companies honored included Cooksey Communications and Numantra. All of the Irving U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Award winners were also recognized. The program was sponsored by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Irving City Councilman Joe Philipp.

March 2009

REACH 2.0

Follow REACH on Twitter.

February 2009

Ambassador of the Quarter

REACH President Ryan Sanders was named Ambassador of the Quarter for Fourth Quarter 2008, the Greater irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce announced today. REACH has been a member of the Irving Chamber since January 2008 and Sanders has been an ambassador since June. REACH is an Irving marketing agency that helps clients reach their potential, reach their market and reach out.

Irving Chamber Ambassadors serve as liaisons between Irving Chamber staff and its members companies.The Ambassador Program exists to promote, serve and participate in the growth and development of the chamber and its members through attendance at civic and community functions and events; to serve as a public-relations arm of the Chamber; to deliver Chamber information packets; and to assist with recruitment and retention of members.

To win Ambassador of the Quarter, an ambassador must show commitment to the Irving Chamber and its members by supporting its mission, attending events, advocating on its behalf, and serving as a strong business proponent. To become an Irving Chamber Ambassador, a candidate must be a member in good standing with the Irving Chamber and must successfully complete the Ambassador Training Program.

As part of its commitment to community involvement, REACH staff members attend several Irving Chamber events each month. REACH also serves as a communication resource for the Irving Chamber. REACH has designed invitations and other print collateral for events such as the Irving Chamber Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony, and the Irving State of the City Address. Currently, REACH is engaged in a planning process for marketing a city/chamber safety education program to surrounding North Texas communities.

December 2008

Still Growing

In December, Reach engaged its third full-time team member - Amyjo Measles. With experience as an Assignments Editor at CBS 11 TV and Public Relations Manager at Casa Manana Theater in Fort Worth, Measles is well-rounded and well-positioned to provide outstanding account management to Reach's clients.
 
Measles will manage the agency's relationship with several existing clients and will also assist in presenting Reach services to prospective clients. She's a little bit AE and a little bit sales ... a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n roll.

September 2008

Building the Team

In August, Reach engaged full-time help from its first Art Director - a prodigy, connoisseur of music, and self-proclaimed tech geek named Jeremy Segars. With valuable agency experience at two leading Dallas design firms, Segars brings youthful creativity and seasoned professionalism to Reach's growing team. Segars will oversee all of Reach's creative services and, in fact, has already been the creative genius behind print and interactive designs for clients like US-Analytics, Irving Cares, and the Dallas Bar Foundation.
 
A graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce, Segars' most recent post was as a Production Artist at Dallas' Matchbox Studio where he serviced commercial real estate clients as well as providing prepress support, IT support, web design, and other artistic functions. He also interned at RSW Creative in 2007. In eighth grade, he won his school's science fair with a groundbreaking study of paper airplanes.

June 2008

Help Wanted!

The good news: Reach has been SWAMPED with business lately. The bad news: Last night my little girl asked me, "Daddy, why do you have to work so long?" The news for job-seekers: While Reach will continue to employ contract talent for many projects, the company has reached the point where it needs another full-time staff person. We have posted two jobs on the Irving Chamber job board - one for an art director and one for an account manager. We won't be filling both of these positions at once, but we are open to good candidates for either position and then I'll adjust my efforts to balance.

June 2008

Branding Big Business

Reach has been engaged to create an entirely new brand/message/taglines and marketing strategy for US-Analytics (www.us-analytics.com). US-Analytics is a nationwide IT consulting company specializing in business intelligence infrastructure, application development and support services. All that means these guys can find the "on" button. Look for new look and new messages for US-A soon.

April 2008

New URL

Admittedly, Ichthus is a difficult word to remember, much less spell. So the good people of our guild have made it easy! As of April 1 (and no, this is not a joke), users can find the Reach website at a new, easy-to-remember url: www.IdeasThatConnect.com

March 2008

Chamber banquet coming

Invitations to the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce 76th Annual Membership and Awards Ceremony are speeding to chamber members and partners now. Please consider attending this event and, if your company is not yet a GILCCC member, please consider joining. They're good folk. www.irvingchamber.com

March 2008

Hometown happenings

Reach has been engaged to provide creative services for several Irving business and community organizations this month. Among them are:

February 2008

We have a winner!

Reach gave $100 cash to one lucky winner at the Lockheed Martin/Chase Entrepreneur Expo in Fort Worth on Friday, February 8. Linda B., a U.S. Post Office employee, was the only visitor to the Reach booth to toss a ping-pong ball perfectly into one of the plastic water cans used throughout Sudan and other developing countries to transport water. For her amazing circus shot, Linda received a crisp Franklin and Reach contributed a matching $100 to Water Is Basic on her behalf.
Way to go, Linda!
For more information about Reach's partnership with Water Is Basic, click here.

January 2008

Trade show bound

Reach will make its first trade show appearance next weekend. Booth #109 at the 2008 Lockheed Martin Chase Entrepreneur Expo at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 8 will feature information about the company as well as free water from Water Is Basic and the chance to win $100 cash! For more information about the show, visit www.TheExpo.org.

December 2007

Another addition to the Reach team

In addition to various freelance artists, writers, designers and developers, Reach has expanded its team to include the part-time services of marketing veteran Natalie Reid. With more than a decade of experience, Reid's strategic thinking and can-do personality make her a considerable asset to the Reach team. As a freelance consultant, Reid has planned special events for Clear Channel Corporation, managed ad sales for national Women of Faith conferences, and directed marketing copy for Premier Radio Networks. She has extensive experience in radio having worked for local stations KRLD and KWRD.

November 2007

Reach chosen for Dallas Bar Foundation projects

The Dallas Bar Foundation recently engaged Reach to revitalize its internal communications with a quarterly print newsletter and monthly HTML email blasts. With a new executive director, new logo and new energy, the foundation looks to improve on its already stellar record of supporting law-related education, legal services for the poor, furtherance of justice, and historical preservation. The Dallas Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the 9,000-member Dallas Bar Association. For more information, visit DallasBar.org.