Isabella Santos Foundation

Isabella Santos Foundation

Clean Graffiti is a powerful tool. It has the ability to capture the attention of runners, walkers and passersby that your organization may not normally have the opportunity to reach. Here at #thesavageway, we have seen some of the best reactions to these sustainable messages when they are used on running routes and in areas where people are walking.

Recently, we had the opportunity to work with the Isabella Santos Foundation on a Clean Graffiti campaign for their 5K/10K Race for Kids Cancer coming up on September 26, 2015.

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for the Isabella Santos Foundation!

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for the Isabella Santos Foundation!

“We wanted to use Clean Graffiti for the grass roots exposure and brand identity,” said Rachel Wood, Director of Marketing for the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We wanted something that not many other races have done. Yes, traditional marketing is needed, but wanted something that would get a runner’s attention.”

Cancer Messed With the Wrong Kid Clean Graffiti for the Isabella Santos Foundation. - #thesavageway

Cancer Messed With the Wrong Kid Clean Graffiti for the Isabella Santos Foundation. – #thesavageway

Our Clean Graffiti was strategically placed along popular running routes around Charlotte. The message has a motivational message, website, date and an image of a sweet, running girl.

That running girl represents Isabella Santos – loving daughter, caring friend and cancer fighter. Read more on her story here.

Isabella Santos (photo courtesy of the Isabella Santos Foundation Facebook page).

Isabella Santos (photo courtesy of the Isabella Santos Foundation Facebook page).

Our Clean Graffiti interpretation of Isabella the running girl for the Isabella Santos Foundation.

Our Clean Graffiti interpretation of Isabella the running girl for the Isabella Santos Foundation.

“Our biggest fear in all of our fundraising and events is that the goal will move away from Isabella,” said Wood. With the Clean Graffiti, “we love that our running girl and our ‘Cancer Messed With The Wrong Kid’ message keeps Isabella in the front of our mind and keeps the #1 reason alive of why we keep fighting.”

We are very proud of our Clean Graffiti work for the Isabella Santos Foundation, however, we are even more honored that we had the opportunity to work with such a fantastic group of people fighting for such an amazing cause.

Isabella and her brother taking in a sweet moment.

Isabella and her brother taking in a sweet moment.

The Isabella Santos Foundation was created in 2009 by two resilient parents who lost their little girl, Isabella, to Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Though Isabella has lost her battle, the foundation continues to carry the torch and keep fighting cancer the way Isabella would have wanted. The Isabella Santos Foundation, a 501c3, raises money through a variety of events throughout the year and has raised over $700,000 for Neuroblastoma research in the past six years. Read more about where that money has gone here.

5K/10K Race for Kids Cancer September 26, 2015.

5K/10K Race for Kids Cancer September 26, 2015.

The 8th Annual 5K/10K Race For Kids Cancer is held September 26, 2015.

The 8th Annual 5K/10K Race For Kids Cancer is held September 26, 2015.

The next big push is for the 5K/10K Race for Kids Cancer on September 26. There is still time to register and make a difference! Last year, the 5K/10K raised approximately $300,000!

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, September 26, 2015
  • 5K/10K and one-mile fun run
  • Kids Zone for the little ones including games, face painting, slides, jump house, photo booth and more
  • Raffle and Silent Auction with 150+ packages including beauty/spa packages, sporting events, date night outs, vacations, jewelry and more
  • Kids Fun Run Warm Up with South Charlotte F3, a fun activity-filled warm up for the kids to teach them the importance of healthy activity and get them ready for their big race
  • Emcee Woody & Wilcox of 106.5 and their truck and crew emc the event and play music. Molly Grantham is a co-emc and has a tent in the Kids Fun Zone.
  • Fundraiser The money raised will go to support pediatric cancer research, Levine Childrens’ Hospital, Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, and Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Central & Western Carolinas.
  • Register today
The Santos family shortly before Isabella lost her battle. This is why they fight. This is why they run. - #thesavageway

The Santos family shortly before Isabella lost her battle. This is why they fight. This is why they run. – #thesavageway

This has been one of our most meaningful Clean Graffiti campaigns to date. We didn’t personally know Isabella, but man did she greatly impact this world and the people around her! We’re taking a page out of her book and putting a smile on despite the craziness of life. Here’s to you Isabella – Cancer messed with the wrong kid!

Clarks USA Launches NYC Clean Graffiti Campaign

Clarks USA Launches NYC Clean Graffiti Campaign

Last week was a big week for #thesavageway. We completed our first out-of-state job, and we are now officially taking on new Clean Graffiti clients in New York City!

THE CLIENT

Clarks USA is a global brand that originated in England in 1825. According to their website, Clarks is “…the world’s number one in everyday footwear – a global company designing, innovating, manufacturing and selling more than 50 million pairs of shoes every year.” Clarks is known for their timeless leather shoes including the Trigenic, the Wallabee and the Original Desert Boot.

In order to promote the 65th Anniversary of the Desert Boot release, Clarks decided to take on a new and innovative approach to spreading the word – Clean Graffiti.

Clarks USA Clean Graffiti in New York City by #thesavageway.

Clarks USA Clean Graffiti in New York City by #thesavageway.

We (Paula & Torrie) worked in collaboration with the Clarks USA team on creating the NYC Clean Graffiti campaign. Concept and design were developed by Clarks to fit their well-established brand standards and locations and execution were in our team’s hands.

THE JOB

We were tasked to use our eco-friendly sidewalk messages to draw attention to the Clarks SoHo headquarters store, which is located at 547 Broadway. We scoured the streets surrounding the showroom (Lower East Side, NoHo, Greenwich Village, China Town, Little Italy, Nolita) and came up with 20 prime locations for the reverse graffiti spots.

#thesavageway Clean Graffiti for Clarks USA on the Lower East Side in NYC.

#thesavageway Clean Graffiti for Clarks USA on the Lower East Side in NYC.

#thesavageway Clean Graffiti for Clarks USA sees some street traffic.

#thesavageway Clean Graffiti for Clarks USA sees some street traffic.

Torrie & Paula of #thesavageway pose with a Clean Graffiti spot in NYC.

Torrie & Paula of #thesavageway pose with a Clean Graffiti spot in NYC.

Clarks USA Clean Graffiti in NYC - #thesavageway.

Clarks USA Clean Graffiti in NYC – #thesavageway.

Clarks was a great example of a classic brand using a new advertising medium to speak to a younger, hip crowd. Through the use of slang language, hashtags and the medium itself, Clarks was able to speak to the fashion-forward generation.

GROWTH

We are stoked to be working with two great sales representatives, Morgan Jones & Evan Bethea, to bring  NYC Clean Graffiti to life (stay tuned for full blog post). Our team is talented, hardworking and the reason we are able to expand to a new market so quickly!

#thesavageway hits the streets in NYC.

#thesavageway hits the streets in NYC.

We are honored that we had the privilege to work with Clarks USA! It’s awesome (and refreshing) to see an international brand practicing what they preach and using sustainable practices in their marketing and business efforts. Kudos Clarks!

Walking for a Cause: Walk A Mile Returns to NoDa

Walking for a Cause: Walk A Mile Returns to NoDa

It’s that time of year again – hundreds of men, high heels, cold beer and a good cause. The 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Charlotte charity walk for Safe Alliance is taking place on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 9am.

Gentlemen strut during the 2014 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

Gentlemen strut during the 2014 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

Walking a mile in high heels is more than just a fashion statement. For the participants of this charity walk, it is about men raising awareness to stop gender violence and rape.

To quote Charlotte’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes ® flyer, “In spirit of the old saying “you can’t understand someone’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes,” Walk a Mile in Her Shoes ® literally asks men to walk a mile in women’s high heeled shoes. The event is a playful and fun opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes and effects of sexualized violence.”

The 2014 event saw 130 walkers and raised over $27,000 for Safe Alliance! It was an incredible community event!

The 2014 crowd gathered at NoDa Brewing Company (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

The 2014 crowd gathered at NoDa Brewing Company (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

Photo from the 2014 Walk a Mile Event (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

Photo from the 2014 Walk a Mile Event (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

Photo from the 2014 Walk a Mile Event (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

Photo from the 2014 Walk a Mile Event (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

Let the walk begin! 2014 Walk a Mile participants (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

Let the walk begin! 2014 Walk a Mile participants (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

As in year’s past, the event will take place at NoDa Brewing Company at their location on North Davidson Street. Men and women are invited to walk an actual mile in heels, or just come out and show support.

All proceeds from the 2015 walk will directly benefit Safe Alliance. Cost is $25 for Men and $10 for Ladies. Day-of Registration opens at 9am and all participants will take the streets beginning at 10am. The route takes the men (and women) left out of NoDa Brewing, up North Davidson Street to Heist Brewery. Participants will then cross the street and head back down North Davidson toward the brewery – a mile in all!

Noda Brewing Company hosts the official after-party so stick around and congratulate the participants for walking/running in those heels and relax with a nice beverage. The awards ceremony is definitely worth staying around for!

The 2014 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes winners! (photo credit: Ally Frazier) - #thesavageway

The 2014 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes winners! (photo credit: Ally Frazier) – #thesavageway

Concerned about walking in heels? Click here for a nice tutorial.

Walk a Mile In Her Shoes
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 9am
Location: NoDa Brewing Company
Register: Here

NC DOT Uses Clean Graffiti for Safety Campaign

NC DOT Uses Clean Graffiti for Safety Campaign

There is nothing like an adventure. Last week, #thesavageway team hit the pavement in search of dirty sidewalks along the coast of North Carolina. Our sustainable messaging medium, Clean Graffiti, has been growing in the greater Charlotte market for three years now! (Check out some of our work.) We’ve also developed projects in Raleigh, NC, Concord, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Huntersville, NC, Mooresville, NC and even New York City, NY. However, this particular job was the largest we’ve done from the back of an SUV (6 hours from home).

The Travelers:

Torrie Savage | Paula Bartlett | Alana Allen | Cailin McCoy

#thesavageway team on the Clean Graffiti Road trip. (L to R: Alana, Torrie, Paula, Cailin)

#thesavageway team on the Clean Graffiti Road trip. (L to R: Alana, Torrie, Paula, Cailin)

The Destinations:
Corolla, NC
Dare County, NC
Surf City, NC

The beautiful beaches of North Carolina. #thesavageway

The beautiful beaches of North Carolina. #thesavageway

We were hired by the marketing team of the North Carolina Department of Transportation to assist in spreading the message of their Watch For Me NC campaign. This initiative is all about bringing awareness to pedestrian and bicycle safety. Accidents happen everyday from drivers and walkers not paying attention to their surroundings. This statewide campaign is all about education and helping to prevent these accidents.

A screenshot from the WatchForMeNC.org website.

A screenshot from the WatchForMeNC.org website.

Clean Graffiti was incorporated into this initiative on a grass roots level in order to target the exact demographic being affected by these accidents; pedestrians. Utilizing data that identified the highest crash locations, we strategically placed warning messages along the popular beach towns of the Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills, Duck and more!

Clean Graffiti for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Clean Graffiti for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Clean Graffiti for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast in Dare County & Corolla, NC. #thesavageway

Clean Graffiti for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast in Dare County & Corolla, NC. #thesavageway

Watch for Cars! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Watch for Cars! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Over the course of a week, #thesavageway executed 34 Clean Graffiti locations touting the messages “Watch Where You Cross” and “Watch For Cars.” The response from the locals was awesome. Multiple people approached us, first out of curiosity, but after seeing what the messages were, they applauded the NCDOT for taking this much-needed approach in preventing accidents and deaths.

Watch for Cars! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Watch for Cars! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Watch Where You Cross! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

Watch Where You Cross! A Clean Graffiti initiative for the NCDOT on the North Carolina Coast. #thesavageway

This campaign is a perfect example of how a city/company can maximize the medium of Clean Graffiti. Through strategic placement and the right message, people will take notice and heed the call to action. With a clever saying or artistic design, a passerby will be more likely to snap a picture and create some third party content for the company. The fact that the NC DOT uses Clean Graffiti for a safety campaign is such a forward-thinking step – Kudos to this governmental department!

And just like that, our first big Clean Graffiti road trip is in the books! Here’s to many, many more!

The Newbie:

You may be wondering who the two new travelers were on this road trip. Well, you know Alana and now, meet Cailin McCoy. Cailin is our Regional Sales Representative for Clean Graffiti. Her focus is growing the Clean Graffiti branch of our company throughout North Carolina and the Southeastern Coast. Stay tuned for a full introduction to this beautiful, feisty and hardworking gal!

Meet Cailin McCoy - #thesavageway Regional Sales Representative.

Meet Cailin McCoy – #thesavageway Regional Sales Representative.

The Clever Marketing of OrthoCarolina

The Clever Marketing of OrthoCarolina

When we happen upon a company that is doing different things in the marketing world, we stop and look. In the case of OrthoCarolina, we stop and admire. It is hard to go around any corner in Charlotte and not see something that has been cleverly calculated and effectively executed by the OC team.

If you don’t know, OrthoCarolina is “one of the nation’s leading independent academic orthopedics practices serving North Carolina and the Southeast since 1922. They provide comprehensive musculoskeletal care including operative and non-operative care, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitative therapy. Widely known for musculoskeletal research and training, their physicians have specialized expertise in foot & ankle, hip & knee, shoulder & elbow, spine, sports medicine, hand, pediatric orthopedics, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. They have over 130 surgeons amongst 25 plus locations to conveniently serve our patients.”

The creative mind behind the clever marketing of OrthoCarolina is Blair Primis, Vice President of Marketing. Blair is a rare breed in the marketing world. He sees beyond the traditional and he is constantly blurring the lines of what a doctor’s office “should be.” You can see this nontraditional approach to the marketing of OrthoCarolina all over Crown Town, but specifically in their unique sponsorships & outdoor advertising campaigns.

  • Sponsor of the NoDa Grand Prix – with signage at the location of the highest crashes.
  • Purchased multiple Billboards in collaboration with Adams Outdoors Advertising (titled Broken) Watch this cool video.
  • Sponsoring a Cruise Cart that provides FREE rides to Charlotteans on behalf of OrthoCarolina.
  • Main supporter of the ever popular (and growing) NoDa Run Club – Clean Graffiti was used to help denote the route.
  • Wraps any and every truck that he can – ever wonder what OrthoCarolina was delivering to the gas station? 🙂
OrthoCarolina sponsoring the NoDa Grand Prix. (photo credit NoDa Grand Prix)

OrthoCarolina sponsoring the NoDa Grand Prix. (photo credit NoDa Grand Prix)

"Broken" billboard campaign that OrthoCarolina did with Adams Outdoor Advertising.

“Broken” billboard campaign that OrthoCarolina did with Adams Outdoor Advertising.

OrthoCarolina sponsored Cruise Cart - giving a FREE ride by simply waving one down!

OrthoCarolina sponsored Cruise Cart – giving a FREE ride by simply waving one down!

Clean Graffiti Campaign for the NoDa Brewing Run Club, which OrthoCarolina is the main sponsor.

Clean Graffiti Campaign for the NoDa Brewing Run Club, which OrthoCarolina is the main sponsor.

Random trucks all over Charlotte are wrapped in the OrthoCarolina logo.

Random trucks all over Charlotte are wrapped in the OrthoCarolina logo.

Here at #thesavageway, we’ve had the pleasure of knowing Blair for almost three years. He was the first one to see our idea of cleaning sidewalks (aka Clean Graffiti) and say YES, let’s make this happen! Clean Graffiti (a Clean Message on a Dirty Sidewalk) provided OrthoCarolina with a new opportunity that “pushes the line.” (Also, Blair’s motto). We’ve been able to hit the streets (pun intended) with a direct line to their potential market: runners, walkers, bikers, etc.

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina and the UNC Charlotte Inaugural Football Season.

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina and the UNC Charlotte Inaugural Football Season.

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina and their 10K Classic.

Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina and their 10K Classic.

OrthoCarolina is the Official Team Physicians of the Charlotte 49ers. Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway.

OrthoCarolina is the Official Team Physicians of the Charlotte 49ers. Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway.

One of the cool things about Blair and our work with OrthoCarolina is the brainstorming process. We will come to the table with a slew of ideas, from huge-we-never-think-it-will-actually-happen ideas to simple brand recognition campaigns, and every single time Blair pushes us to the next level. He challenges what we think about our boundaries and pushes us to think even BIGGER!

Some of our favorite #thesavageway/OC Clean Graffiti campaigns over the past few years include “Running Messages” and “Watch Your Step.”

Watch Your Step Clean Graffiti campaign by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina.

Watch Your Step Clean Graffiti campaign by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina.

Inspirational Running Messages along popular running paths - Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina.

Inspirational Running Messages along popular running paths – Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway for OrthoCarolina.

Our latest campaign was for the Winston Salem and Kernersville market. Naturally, we wanted to take Clean Graffiti to the next level for Blair, so we commissioned a local artist, Matt Hooker of Hooker Media, to help us design something unique and original.

Behind Every Great Athlete is OrthoCarolina. This #thesavageway Clean Graffiti campaign in collaboration with local artist Matt Hooker.

Behind Every Great Athlete is OrthoCarolina. This #thesavageway Clean Graffiti campaign in collaboration with local artist Matt Hooker.

OrthoCarolina is great at what they do – fixing broken bones. But they are also great at something that should be a priority for other companies – building community. Blair has done a superb job of building community by hiring local, small companies (like us), supporting charity events, helping organizations grow and being honest along the way.

We are grateful that we’ve been an OrthoCarolina partner for the past (almost) three years and we look forward to the fun, crazy, awesome things that Blair will have up his sleeve in the future.

Getting to know the man behind OrthoCarolina Marketing. #thesavageway hanging out with Blair Primis at Salud Beer Shop in 2013.

Getting to know the man behind OrthoCarolina Marketing. #thesavageway hanging out with Blair Primis at Salud Beer Shop in 2013.