Tag Archives: Ideaworks

Together As One: A Look Inside the 2021 Ideaworks Calendar

Several months ago, our agency’s president and CEO Donna Hansbury penned a blog post about the feeling of home. She reflected on the importance of togetherness and of keeping human connection strong. And, as she always seems to do – even during a global pandemic – she looked at the bright side: How our team members continue to meet one another in new contexts, with our regular Zoom sessions providing unique glimpses into each other’s lives and homes.

Around this same time, we started discussing our 2021 agency calendar—on Zoom, of course—putting our heads together to land on a topic we were passionate about, and that would inspire others to have the kind of year that we are all still hoping for: One that is upbeat and positive. Healthy and happy. A year that brings us all back together as one.

Too often, we look at a year as a disjointed series of starts and stops, months’ ends and months’ beginnings. And, truth be told, it wasn’t uncommon to hear us talk about 2020 with frustration and worry from time to time. But we always came back together, refocused our attention on the positive, and remembered that we don’t need to look at a year in fragments or define it by that which is negative and divisive. We can—and should—look at a year as an interconnected series of moments, experiences and celebrations that bring us all together as one.

As our conversations unfolded, diversity and inclusion quickly became our theme, and from there, the 2021 Ideaworks calendar was born.

Each month’s calendar card features a unique illustration that highlights a particular diversity observance, like Women’s History Month in March and Pride Month in June. But, because we believe in creative ingenuity and the beauty of turning something on its head, the real magic comes when you flip the cards over and they form our mural. You’ll see everything come together, like how the spirited little girl playing on a jungle gym for International Youth Day in August is the same girl who’s climbing a ladder for International Women’s Day in March.

We don’t want to give it all away, so we invite you to email Alyssa Ellsworth at alyssaz@ideaworks.marketing if you’d like to receive a calendar of your own. You can also request a poster print of our originally designed Together As One mural for your home or office by clicking here.

From all of us at Ideaworks Marketing, happy new year. Let’s celebrate all that brings us together.

JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR FALL INTERNS!

This fall, we are excited to welcome our new marketing communications intern, Michael Morgan, and new graphic design intern, Cienna Tohme, to the Ideaworks team! 

Michael is a senior at the University of Scranton, majoring in strategic communications with a track in advertising and a minor in business communication. Last spring, he worked as a social media marketing intern and is the active president of the University of Scranton’s advertising club. Michael is a basketball fanatic and enjoys going on long hikes in his free time. Marketing is a strong passion of his; Michael cannot wait to begin his career in this exciting industry. 

“I am grateful to be a part of the Ideaworks team and cannot wait to get started!”

Cienna is a senior graphic design major at Wilkes University. She loves nature, enjoys creating art and is fascinated by astrology. Cienna is a talented individual who cannot wait to make her presence known through her work.

“I am so excited to begin creating, along with gaining practical work experience in a professional setting.”


Not a Place, But a Feeling

This month, Ideaworks Marketing celebrates its 22nd anniversary, and that has me thinking about home.  Over the last few months, I’ve missed our office at 197 Wyoming Ave. As grateful as I am for the technology that allows us to work from our own homes, there is something special about being together under the same roof.

197 is not a sterile workplace, but a vibrant, homey space where we share a significant part of our lives together. I miss the faces, the hellos and goodbyes, the encouraging words. And I especially regret missed opportunities to gather in our conference room for celebrations large and small – a birthday, a holiday, a special recognition or – this month – an anniversary celebration.

There’s always a bright side, however, and for me it’s been this: Our weekly Zoom meetup gives us all a unique insight into each other’s lives and homes. We’ve met each other in new contexts – in makeshift offices in living rooms, kitchens, and porches. We’ve been Zoom-bombed by children and significant others – including Peter Steve’s beloved Portuguese Water Dogs, Crispin and Dante. And through the magic of green screen backgrounds, we’ve been transported to Alyssa’s honeymoon in Italy, an airline lounge at JFK, and even the Simpsons’ living room!

And, of course, we’ve all been grateful to spend more time with our loved ones. Carla Henry was able to spend a week working from her parents’ house in Kentucky, and I welcomed family, including my two favorite people in the world – 3 ½ year old Harper and her new baby sister Hazel – to come for a visit (in a socially-distant mobile home in my driveway).

In all of these ways, we have adopted new strategies for maintaining team spirit and the feeling of home. We have begun to spend more time in the office, as individual needs require, but we’re following the changing situation and regulations closely. We hope to make our way back to 197 soon.

Stay safe. Wear a mask. And don’t hesitate to reach out to let us know how you’re doing.

Donna Hansbury, President and CEO

Stay Inspired

While I was scrolling through my social media feeds, this anonymous aphorism caught my eye: “When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is.” In our last blog post, we outlined our initial response to COVID-19, but today I’d like to discuss how our agency worked through some of the adjustments we have made during the pandemic and quarantine.

For me, and for the entire Ideaworks team, it all comes down to this: staying inspired.

To inspire – to influence or animate with an idea or purpose — lies at the heart of our identity and mission. Ironically, for the present moment, the word comes from the Latin inspirare, which means to blow into, or breathe upon – but even in ancient Rome it took on the figurative sense of “to excite and inflame.”

To be sure, the quarantine changed the way we operate – for example, by moving conversation and collaboration to online meeting apps and quick text messages. We regularly meet for all-hands check-ins, and I’ve been sharing jokes and thoughtful quotes to keep everyone engaged. But our focus remains the same: coming up with ideas that work.

As our clients faced mounting challenges – including serious reductions in revenue and even the shuttering of businesses – we have been helping them craft strategic communications to keep customers engaged and aware of changes in their hours, their services, their facilities and their menus. More recently, we have been supporting clients’ moves to reopen business with new safety measures in place, and even to launch new ventures in facilities management and food service with enhanced infection control and social distancing measures in place.

As we all find our way through this rapidly evolving environment, please accept my best wishes for continued success in all of your endeavors – not only in business, but also in your personal lives and in your communities. Great things are always right around the bend, and with the right attitude you will be ready to meet them. That’s where your power is. Stay inspired!

Peter Steve, Owner and Chief Creative Officer

A Note From Our Spring Content Intern

Hi, all! I’m Jen, and I’m the new Content Intern here at Ideaworks. I’m a senior at King’s College, where I major in professional writing and minor in literature.

I’ve held previous internships in writing and public relations, and I currently hold two jobs on campus as the English department’s student assistant and as a Writing Center tutor.

My future career goals include any sort of job that will allow me to put my writing and editing skills to use, and I have an especial interest in the field of nonprofits regarding both grant and proposal writing. My hobbies and interests include reading, spending time outside and learning how to cook.

I’m really excited to join the team here to learn more about the digital marketing landscape and pick up some new skills along the way!

Lifelong Learning = The Key to Success

This article was penned by Chelsey Tupper, director of operations and client development. 

Learning has always been an integral part of who I am. That’s probably because I was raised by two parents who realized the value of a solid education and both loved uncovering new knowledge. My mom and dad worked fervently to provide my sister and me with educational travel opportunities and even afforded me the ability to go to the college of my choosing. My parents gained their love for learning from their parents, and at the age of 33, I’m beyond blessed to still have the mentorship of all six of these individuals. I’ve witnessed firsthand from my family the importance of lifelong learning, from reading countless books (for pleasure and work) to learning history and trivia to staying abreast of changing trends in your profession and developing new hobbies. Further, I’ve learned that lifelong learning doesn’t just help you excel professionally but also keeps life fun, fresh and fascinating.

Aside from my parents and grandparents, I’ve been fortunate enough to have several mentors throughout my life, and the list only continues to grow. I love listening to others and learning all that I can from the people I meet because each of us has our own, unique experiences to share; it’s incredible what you can soak up from others if you just pay attention and listen. Two individuals whom I’ve been lucky enough to have as mentors over the past three years are my bosses Peter Steve and Donna Hansbury. Peter’s outlook on learning and bettering yourself is very similar to that of my parents and grandparents. He is always reading and researching, and he impresses the importance of this practice upon the Ideaworks team. Peter continuously says that reading all we can about our industry and those industries of our clients is what makes us an invaluable partner. And he’s right. Developing fresh solutions to our clients’ challenges and guiding them in the right direction are what make our clients come back to us, project after project, trusting in our ability to help them succeed. Donna has taught me to become a more strategic thinker and problem solver. For example, she has shown me the importance of taking the time to figure out a new program or concept, and not being too quick to ask others for assistance before delving into  it myself. It’s difficult to find solutions to such things if reading and researching aren’t part of your core, everyday tasks – yet another reason to embrace lifelong learning.

Back in April, I spoke at a local university as part of its annual communication conference for high school juniors and seniors. The conference helps students discern career paths within the communication industry. I love speaking to high school and college students because I remember when I was in their shoes, and listening to young professionals share their career stories and advice was always helpful and inspiring. For this particular engagement, I chose to speak about the value of lifelong learning and how vital it is for success in college and beyond. Throughout the presentation, I shared the advice I’ve gained from Peter and Donna, along with what I’ve learned from my own life experiences. Several students asked questions following the presentation, wanting me to share additional insight into how they, too, can adopt the “always be learning” mindset.

While I may never know which tips, tricks or stories from my presentation my audience found most inspiring, I’m confident that they, too, walked away with something valuable. And as I reflect on that experience and the many I’ve had to shape me into the professional I am today, I realize that there’s nothing more gratifying than helping one of those students reach an important realization: Lifelong learning really is the key to success, and you never know where its influence stops. I am certain that my parents, grandparents, Peter, Donna and the many other mentors I’ve been blessed to have would be proud that I am committed to paying forward what each of these individuals have impressed upon me.

Welcome to the Ideaworks team, Carla and Jorge!

 

This fall, we excitedly welcomed two graphic designers, Carla Henry and Jorge Ariza. Carla and Jorge join Patty Pugh on our creative team, responsible for employing their design prowess and artistic aptitude to bring our clients’ visions to life.

Ever since she was a little girl, Carla always had a creative eye, which is why she chose to major in graphic design. Earlier this year, she graduated from South Hills School of Business & Technology with her associate’s degree. Carla joins us from Posture Interactive, a Scranton-based digital marketing agency, where she served as an intern. In her free time, she enjoys playing Nintendo® games, binge-watching TV shows and drawing silly cartoons in various mediums.

 

Like Carla, Jorge has also had a passion for art and design from a young age, starting with drawing in elementary school. He graduated in 2015 from Keystone College with a bachelor’s in visual arts and is currently working on his master’s in graphic design at Marywood University. Outside of Ideaworks, Jorge always strives to develop his skills and works on a variety of different projects. For instance, he is in the process of starting his own clothing line, along with working on a children’s book series for his thesis.

 

We are delighted to have Carla and Jorge on board and look forward to each of them using their unique design talents to exceed client expectations. Please take a minute to welcome them to our team!

Announcing our Partnership with Luzerne County Historical Society

Ideaworks Marketing is excited to announce our agency’s new partnership with the Luzerne County Historical Society (LCHS), which we officially elected as our “charity of choice” this spring! As our charity of choice, LCHS will receive complimentary marketing support from our team, ranging from conducting focus groups to creating a comprehensive marketing plan, including goals, objectives, strategies and tactics to generate awareness and interest in the Society. Community support is crucial at Ideaworks, as we have supported various non-profit organizations on both national and local scales over the past 21 years in business.

When asked about our new partnership, Alyssa Ellsworth, senior manager of marketing communications, had this to say: “Supporting our local community is incredibly important to our agency. Moreover, Luzerne County is rich in history. Being given the privilege to help LCHS further allows our team to work with one of the oldest non-profits in the county – one that is committed to preserving and protecting the history and events that have shaped this area.”

Peter and Alyssa getting ready to conduct the focus groups

To kick off our support for LCHS, our owner and CCO, Peter Steve, recently conducted three focus groups for the Society – free of charge – with Alyssa as his research associate. The duo uncovered valuable insights regarding the Historical Society’s perception in our area and is using them to finalize a follow-up report as well as guide the Society’s marketing plan, which is currently underway.

Aimee Newell, Ph.D., executive director for LCHS, will work closely with our agency as we spearhead marketing efforts for the Society. “We are thrilled to work with Peter, Alyssa and the team at Ideaworks. We appreciate having their expert advice and guidance and look forward to putting their insight to use by increasing community engagement with our local history,” said Dr. Newell.

Peter Steve Named AAF NEPA’s 2019 Silver Medal Award Winner

We are proud to announce that our owner and chief creative officer Peter Steve was officially named the 2019 recipient of the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s prestigious Silver Medal Award. Each year, the Silver Medal is awarded to one deserving individual in the local advertising and marketing community who has made superior contributions to the industry, furthering its standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern.

“For the past 38 years, Peter has inspired his colleagues and enhanced the meaning of creativity by bringing ideas to life. It is suitable that he named this company Ideaworks, because every day we are committed to delivering ideas that work, and Peter has spearheaded this process,” remarked Ideaworks president and CEO Donna Hansbury.

“Recognition by your peers is one of the highest honors a person can receive in his or her career. Being recognized for the Silver Medal is a lifetime accomplishment of which I am very proud,” said Peter.

Our team feels incredibly honored to work alongside such a motivational and creative leader. Peter’s “keep learning” mindset is contagious, and his inspiration makes a positive impact on everyone on the Ideaworks team.

Congratulations to AAF NEPA’s 2019 Silver Medal Award recipient, and cheers to many more years of continued success in the marketing and advertising industry!


Click here to learn more about Peter’s many accomplishments and the prestigious Silver Medal Award.

Ideaworks Welcomes Peter Froehlich as Director of Marketing Communication

We are pleased to welcome Peter (Pete) Froehlich to the Ideaworks team as director of marketing communication! Please take a moment to learn more about Pete by reading his bio below.

Pete comes to us from the world of academia, where he taught English courses at a variety of institutions including Penn State, The University of Scranton and most recently Wilkes University. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and earned advanced degrees at Penn State and the University of Mississippi, where he studied the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. As an instructor, Pete taught courses in business and technical writing, writing for the web and scholarly editing, in addition to a wide variety of courses in American literature. He was recognized for his achievements in teaching with technology, and he published original research on incorporating 21st-century literacies into first-year writing courses. 

Pete lives in Mountain Top, PA, with his wife, two children and an energetic rescue puppy. He enjoys “slow and steady” distance running and has completed numerous half-marathons, three marathons and a 24-hour ultramarathon. Pete is currently preparing to test for a brown belt in karate. He looks forward to applying his passion for learning, commitment to goals, and expertise in research, writing and editing to marketing communications projects with fellow members of the Ideaworks team!