GrahamSpencer

In 2023, GrahamSpencer conducted a research and insight-driven rebranding of the lovely little City of Freeport, Illinois. What does that have to do with Chicago/Rockford International Airport, O'Hare International Airport and the five-times GRAMMY-winning Roger Miller standard King of the Road? Quite a bit, actually. It's a tale of ambitious thinkers, an unforgettable melody and the freedom of the open road. For the rest of the story, please join us on our website. https://lnkd.in/g8x7mB22

Good question!

Jay wrote a few words about digital and social advertising in this month's edition of The Voice ...

As we look forward to 2024 during this year's holiday season, we pause to thank our clients, friends and family for their fellowship. May the new year bring you joy, peace and hope. ❤️

Locavore Farm in rural Kankakee County is the kind of unique, authentic asset that any Destination Marketing Organization in the world would be proud to feature in its promotions. Visit Kankakee County engaged GrahamSpencer to do just that. Founded on the principles of soil health, healthy organic food and warm, communal experiences, the story of Locavore’s founding and rai·son d’ê·tre is as fascinating as its food and experiences are fulfilling. Join us for a Case Study on our website and learn how GrahamSpencer is telling the story of Locavore in a measured, inspiring way via digital advertising, video storytelling and more.

J.R. SULLIVAN’S HOMETOWN HOLIDAY REDUX: HOLIDAY INSPIRATION WINS THE DAY In the wake of J.R. Sullivan's Hometown Holiday the Final Curtain show in 2019, Rockford's Real, Original Father Christmas began receiving emails, texts, calls and letters encouraging him to bring back the popular seasonal variety show. In 2023, J.R. awoke from his long winters’ nap to once again assemble his merry cast of legendary performers to warm the holiday spirit in his beloved hometown of Rockford. Within a week of introducing and promoting J.R. Sullivan’s 2023 Hometown Holiday Redux, the show sold out, leaving many surprised revelers at the door with no tickets in hand. Learn how we helped turn a lump of coal into a fresh new theatrical experience for Hometown Holiday fans - and how you can join in the fun!

In the summer of 2023, an exciting $421 million redevelopment deal was struck between the City of Rockford and J. Jeffers & Co. of Milwaukee to transform the historic, sprawling Barber Colman manufacturing complex into a modern mixed-use development. It is an exciting win for beleaguered southwest Rockford, one that was a long time coming. For the rest of the story - including how GrahamSpencer and high-quality marketing storytelling fit into the plot, please join us for a Case Study on our website. https://lnkd.in/gAnTUJ4C

In 2008, GS partnered with Rock River Valley Blood Center to create a new brand identity, messaging strategy, website and more to better attract donors. The strategy focused on donors’ generosity rather than recipient need. Learn why on our website! https://lnkd.in/grV4Mjvw

Visiting Rocky Wirtz: An Interesting Encounter With a Genuinely Nice Guy Ten years ago, in July of 2013, GrahamSpencer was engaged by Chicago/Rockford International Airport to help craft a proposal to convince Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology to locate a new campus it was considering building in the Rockford Region. In the course of producing the video that was a central deliverable element of the strategy, we interviewed Rocky Wirtz in his office on North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. We invite you to view the News Blog on our website for the whole story about that fascinating encounter with the legendary Chicago Blackhawks owner. https://lnkd.in/g7iH7kEf

This week, Jay Graham was invited to discuss our most recent project for the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau ‘s Annual Meeting at The Majestic in downtown Kankakee. The project is a five-part documentary video series called “Farm to Farm Table” that will tell the inspiring story of Locavore Farm - a truly amazing Regenerative, Organic farm in Grant Park, IL. Jay enjoyed listening to other presenters talk about all the wonderful progress Kankakee County is making in building its brand and tourism economy and making good use of Community Tourism Action Plan (CTAP) grants. Funded programs include Locavore Farm, the Kankakee Riverfront Society, the Village of Bourbonnais, Adventure Christian Church / Adventure Commons, the Bourbonnais Township Park District, the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County & Kankakee County Historical Society, Connect Roasters, Deer Ridge Barn, Knack Brewing Fermentations and the Collaborative Initiative to Revive Kankakee Arts. Stay tuned for more on GS‘s Farm to Farm Table series for VKC & Locavore soon.