by thesavageway | Jul 1, 2014 | clean graffiti, services
How many people ever have the opportunity to meet the leader of their industry? The “Steve Jobs” of what they put their heart and soul into? Well #thesavageway had the opportunity to do just that this past weekend. We (Torrie & Paula) headed to Nashville, TN to meet the European “Godfather” of reverse graffiti, Jim Bowes.
Jim Bowes , Sustainable Advertising Pioneer, has been practicing natural media in the Netherlands and throughout Europe for over a decade with his company Green Graffiti. They offer a huge range of natural techniques including sand stamping, moss graffiti, milk paint, reverse graffiti and more!
When #thesavageway started doing Clean Graffiti over two and a half years ago, we did some research online to see if other people were doing this around the world. Sure enough it was an established art form in Europe . There were not many companies to be found, but one of the biggest and most active online was Green Graffiti. We would see Jim comment on articles and give his insight ANYTIME reverse graffiti came up in an online post. He was obviously knowledgeable and had a voice in this “green” movement. Seeing natural media from his perspective was very insightful from our location in Charlotte, NC.
Finally, after admiring his work from afar we decided that we were going to reach out. We said, “Screw it, let’s email him and see what happens.” Sure enough, he emailed back, we set up a Skype session and Jim started interacting on all of our social portals. We were blown away at how receptive he was to what were doing here in Charlotte.
Oddly enough, Jim, who is based in the Netherlands, was going to be in the States at the end of June – Nashville, TN to be exact. There was not even a question for us; we were about to take a road trip! We were going to meet the “Godfather.”
Road Trip.
7 hours outside of the Queen City, we get into the heart of Downtown Nashville and settle in for what was sure to be an experience. It felt a little strange to be in another state, meeting a person that we did not know nor did we ever think we would have the opportunity to meet. Imagine meeting Richard Branson or Bill Gates – that just doesn’t happen everyday. He lives and operates on the other side of the world! Regardless, we knew that we were there for a reason and that we were going to embrace whatever knowledge this man was about to drop on us.
The Meeting of the Minds.
We met in a suburb of Nashville called Franklin (think what Ballantyne is to Charlotte). The hustle and bustle of this little city during lunch rush did not stop us from grabbing a cold beer at a local brewery.
It must be noted that there’s never been an instance where three strangers were more excited to meet over beer and talk about a city’s dirt!
The conversation flowed really well. We talked dirt, concrete, city laws, billboard waste – the topics were endless. We discussed #thesavageway, Clean Graffiti, our experience and challenges and he did the same. It was nice to chat with someone who has walked in our shoes. Someone who sees Clean Graffiti as we see it – a HUGE asset!
It is not often in life that you are given an opportunity to sit down in a business conversation with a person who is not only a competitor but also a cheerleader. To sit face-to-face with a guy who BELIEVES in Clean Graffiti the way that we do was a pretty awesome feeling.
After the Dirt Settled.
We walked away from our meeting with the “Godfather” more confident and assured that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing in this life. We felt proud of our Clean Graffiti journey knowing he has gone through some of the same things and has come out stronger and more innovative in the end.
Jim brought up a fact that we have continued to reflect upon. He said, “It takes a brave soul to do what we do.”
We agree! Non-traditional marketing is not suited for everyone. It takes the right person for Clean Graffiti to succeed: it takes ethics, long term vision, a passion for sustainability, a little bit of risk taking, and most importantly gusto!
Who knows if we will see Jim again or what collaborative projects may be in our future – be we do know that we went to good ole Music City in order for our path to cross with the Godfather’s. That reason may not be perfectly clear just yet – but we do know that we will continue to live our lives with gusto until we figure it out!
by thesavageway | Jun 17, 2014 | clean graffiti
What do you get when you mix Art, Dirt and Messaging?? What you get is Clean Graffiti – or a Clean Message on a Dirty Sidewalk! #thesavageway has been given the opportunity to present our idea for a Clean Graffiti art project at Queen City Soup on Sunday, June 22!!
So what is Queen City Soup?
“Queen City Soup” is a regional micro-grant program housed under Project Art Aid, for emerging and established artists and community activists in the Charlotte metropolitan area. This quarterly event seeks proposals from local artists for projects in the range of $1500-$2500. The projects must have some tangible benefit to community, and projects that have a broad public impact are encouraged. Project Art Aid organizes the events, which include food and drinks, an opportunity to meet the artists, and a program where the artists pitch their projects to the attendees.”
How it works – you pay $10 for a ticket and join the audience. You get to watch the work from 5 artists – we’re talking dancers, a videographer, a talk show host, an art camp, and then there is us (orange safety suits and all)! After we each perform for 5 minutes – you, the audience, cast your vote!
From #thesavageway, you can expect to see five minutes of positive vibes, passion, and a mission to bring inspiring Clean Graffiti messages to some low-income areas around Charlotte. We want the community to see how something as simple as Clean Graffiti can change someone’s perspective.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Please come out on Sunday and cheer us on, laugh with us, and help us make our little dream of bringing positive, inspiring messages to places in Charlotte that need some encouragement a reality.
DETAILS
What: Torrie & Paula Present Art & Dirt
Date: Sunday, June 22
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Charlotte Ballet
Cost: $10 (includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks)
Join Facebook Event Here
Buy Tickets Here
by thesavageway | May 5, 2014 | clean graffiti
This is Part Five in a five part series diving into Clean Graffiti in the Queen City. Clean Graffiti is a service that #thesavageway offers; it is a unique, green form of advertising available since 2012. With several clients in the books, it is time to reflect on the practice. This piece is about incorporating community events with Clean Graffiti.
“Take me out to the ball game,” Charlotteans can now yell this nostalgic summertime phrase from their Uptown offices and actually walk to an afternoon baseball game. The Charlotte Knights kicked off their Uptown residency on April 11 for the season home opener at BB&T Ballpark. This momentous occasion is huge for the Charlotte sports community and the city is buzzing with excitement as can be seen when individual tickets went on sale in March.
In a continuing effort to show support to the Charlotte community as well as showcase innovative, green thinking, OrthoCarolina, Official Team Physicians of the Charlotte Knights, activated a Clean Graffiti Campaign to help launch the inaugural season.
Clean Graffiti is an eco-friendly and green form of advertising. These branded, positive messages are strategically placed on dirty sidewalks and a clean message remains. Not only is this an innovative and creative way to get a business’ marketing initiatives out to the public in a place that you typically would not be able to have a logo or message, but there is no use of any harmful chemicals or sprays – It is just water!
In collaboration with the OrthoCarolina team, #thesavageway created branded messages and then strategically placed the Clean Graffiti spots around the BB&T Ballpark and neighboring streets advertising the Knights new home in the QC.
Once again, OrthoCarolina was able to utilize an innovative and eco-friendly advertising medium to celebrate a momentous occasion in the Charlotte community. Not only did Clean Graffiti offer a green, sign alternative, it also provided “talkability,” which is something that a marketer is always seeking. Utilizing a community supported event, like the opening of the Knights new stadium, with an advertising initiative like Clean Graffiti was the perfect tie in for forward-thinking OrthoCarolina.
Clean Message. Dirty Sidewalk.
#CleanGraffiti
About OrthoCarolina
As one of the nation’s leading orthopedic practices with offices across the Carolinas, OrthoCarolina is your destination for comprehensive orthopedic care. Leveraging our physicians’ expertise in the areas of foot and ankle, hand, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, sports medicine and pediatrics; and providing services that include physical therapy, MRI and post-surgical support; we can offer you a continuum of care unmatched in the region.
OrthoCarolina. You. Improved. Visit us at www.orthocarolina.com.
by thesavageway | Apr 14, 2014 | clean graffiti
Here at #thesavageway, we are taking a moment from the hectic pace of the everyday to look back at some of our awesome past clients.
About ‘Stache House Bar and Lounge:
Located in Charlotte’s historic South End neighborhood this bar and lounge features high-end liquor, craft beer and a variety of flavored hookah. Stop in any night of the week (expect Monday when they are closed) and you are sure to groove to a wide array of DJ’s with music ranging from neo-soul and jazz to house and 80’s dance pop.
We began working for ‘Stache House during the construction phase of their Historic SouthEnd location at the end of 2012. Getting to join/contribute to the branding conversation from the beginning is beyond ideal and one that we do not always get to participate in. We were recruited by Morgan Tadlock, formerly General Manager, Partner and Creative Director.
We focused on creating their brand and identifying their target market. This project was also the first opportunity we had to work with Pink Toast Ink – an extremely talented local graphic designer. Here are some examples of the ‘Stache House branding we created.
Beyond the branding, we consulted with the owners of ‘Stache House on their Social Media and creating their Areas of Content (or what they should be talking about online).
One of the elements of our company that we thoroughly enjoy is getting to create and work big events. We planned the ‘Stache House Grand Opening celebration in January of 2013. Complete with Media Night, VIP Party and Opening Night.
The media and crowds came out in full support of this fun, new bar/lounge and hookah bar. We were beyond happy with the support from the community and knew that the owners of this hip, new hot spot were happy with a job well done.
Fast forward to February 2014, we recently rekindled our relationship with ‘Stache House through an eco-friendly Clean Graffiti campaign in the SouthEnd neighborhood.
(Clean Graffiti is an eco-friendly and green form of advertising. These branded, positive messages are strategically placed on dirty sidewalks and a clean message remains. Not only is this an innovative and creative way to get a business’ marketing initiatives out to the public in a place that you typically would not be able to have a logo or message, but there is no use of any harmful chemicals or sprays – It’s just water!)
Work Hard. ‘Stache Hard.
by thesavageway | Mar 24, 2014 | clean graffiti, services
This is Part Four in a five part series diving into Clean Graffiti in the Queen City. Clean Graffiti is a service that #thesavageway offers; it is a unique, green form of advertising available since 2012. With several clients in the books, it is time to reflect on the practice. This piece is about Event Driven Usage of Clean Graffiti.
Recent client Charlotte Gastroenterology and Hepatology approached us to use Clean Graffiti for their 2014 Get Your Rear in Gear Charlotte Event at Independence Park on March 8. This 5K run/walk helped raise money for colon cancer awareness and to provide screenings for those in need. Click here for more information on the race. Clean Graffiti was a perfect advertising medium for this Charlotte event.
Clean Graffiti is an eco-friendly and green form of advertising. These branded, positive messages are strategically placed on dirty sidewalks and a clean message remains. Not only is this an innovative and creative way to get a business’ marketing initiatives out to the public in a place that you typically would not be able to have a logo or message, but there is no use of any harmful chemicals or sprays – It is just water!
Clean Graffiti went down a week and a half prior to the event to increase brand awareness. Spots were strategically placed along the race route for participants and supporters alike to see. With hundreds of participants, the message was definitely well received!
“It was a very unique way to make our logo visible throughout the race, as well as before and after the event was over,” quoted Meredith Lansing, Marketing Coordinator for Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Event driven marketing with Clean Graffiti is an excellent way to be innovative and utilize an advertising medium that otherwise could not be captured in traditional ways (i.e. print advertisements, billboards, etc). Charlotte Gastro made sure to create a message that branded their company and one that could live on beyond the race.
Team Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology (pictured above) came in as top corporate fundraiser bringing in $6,334.07 for the Colon Cancer Coalition!
The 2014 Charlotte Get Your Rear in Gear event overall has raised approximately $72,500!
