by thesavageway | Jul 24, 2023 | clean graffiti
We love all of the creative uses of Clean Graffiti that we can offer our clients. From general brand awareness campaigns to feel-good inspirational messages on the sidewalk, the possibilities are vast with this medium. We wanted to showcase a few of our favorite creative uses from over the years. Maybe this will inspire your next campaign with us.
For those that don’t know, Clean Graffiti is an advertising and messaging medium that The Savage Way has been offering for over 10 years now. We’ve been in 70+ markets across America and we continue to be the leaders in the U.S. in this space. Also known as Reverse Graffiti, Clean Graffiti is created using a stencil, pressure washer and naturally dirty sidewalks. We use high-pressure water to clean a message onto the sidewalk. We are not painting, spraying any chemicals or altering the integrity of the sidewalk in any way. It’s just water. 🙂 Check out some frequently asked questions here.
Now on to the creative uses of Clean Graffiti that we have loved over the years.
Tend Dentistry: New York City: The folks at Tend Dentistry in the Flatiron District in Manhattan came to us with this cheeky play-on-words that we could make into Clean Graffiti. The fact that we are both just cleaning away dirt (aka plaque) was just perfect. Love when brands can get playful and fun with their advertising.
OrthoCarolina: Multi-cities in North Carolina: OrthoCarolina had been a client of ours for a while and we had done tons of branding campaigns together (check out past project blogs for more details). However, as a group of private orthopedic surgeons who specialize in fixing broken bones, we thought of this clever “Watch Your Step” Clean Graffiti campaign. The idea was while we were out executing campaigns and we saw dangerous, broken sidewalks, we would put down this safety message for pedestrians or cyclists brought to you by OrthoCarolina. Just a subtle reminder that *if* you did need a bone specialist, you would know who to call.
(Left) Greenpeace #IStand4Solar in Charlotte, NC: The global non-profit, Greenpeace, asked us to create an impactful Clean Graffiti campaign for the Charlotte market. We wanted to do something that was not only a directive (stand here and notice) but told the passerby to use on social media (using the #). We saw great interaction with the Clean Graffiti which led users to learn more about the Greenpeace mission – to use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
(Right): NC Department of Transportation, Watch For Me Campaign in small beach towns in NC: This was a campaign that we ran for several years that focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety, Watch For Me NC. We put these down across coastal beach towns that saw a huge influx of tourists in the summer months. The NCDOT gave us specific data that pinpointed where vehicles crashed with pedestrians that either ended in an accident or fatality. There are such limited advertising opportunities in these small, rural towns, so Clean Graffiti was not only a viable option, but it was welcomed as an opportunity to actually make meaningful communication with the community.
(Left) Not Just Coffee, Charlotte, NC: Not Just Coffee is a locally-owned coffee shop that came up the same time that The Savage Way did. We are friends with the owners and we pitched them the idea of Clean Graffiti with a play-on-words with their name. We know that everyone LOVES coffee and social media posts with anything coffee related always got great engagement, but NJC was so invested in the community that they were more than just a place to grab coffee. We came up with “Love People, Not Just Coffee.” Genius. We partnered with local artist, Matt Hooker, to help with the creative and this beautiful message was born!
(Right): #ExploreYour704 NoDa Brewing, OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, NC: #ExploreYour704 was an intricate idea that we came up with that included a Clean Graffiti “Scavenger Hunt,” huge mural on the side of a brewery, multiple vendors and a big launch party that encouraged walking. To say this was an unusual case study is an understatement. In fact, doing a Clean Graffiti scavenger hunt is not something we even offer, but we are obsessed with how we used dirty sidewalks to create a movement game, celebrate the city we live in and bring awareness to our clients at the same time. Read more about it in the blog.
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So that’s a quick snapshot of some of the creative uses of Clean Graffiti over the years. Check out our instagram for more examples. We look forward to creating more marketing magic using our eco-friendly advertising alternative.
by thesavageway | Dec 4, 2017 | clean graffiti
In June of 2017, #thesavageway was hired to do Clean Graffiti in Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA. We worked with HMH Agency for their client the Trimet, the public transportation system of Portland & Vancouver, to bring awareness to their new fast pass payment system. This blog details our trip!
Flying into one of the most beautiful cities, Portland, OR, to do some Clean Graffiti work. #DreamJob
This summer, Torrie & I had the chance to travel across the country to do some Clean Graffiti for our client, HMH Agency. Let me say that again, we travelled over 2,700 miles to complete eco-friendly advertising in one of the most beautiful places on Earth! I still have a hard time believing this is reality.
Portland, OR had been on my personal bucket list since high school and it has been on our professional bucket list for at least 4 years. The culture, nature, the vegan food (!), the dirt & mold (perfect for Clean Graffiti) – Portland seemed like such an oasis.
When we finally booked the job, not only were we excited to travel, but we could not have been more excited for the initiative that it supported. We were supporting the Trimet, Oregon’s public transportation system, and their Hop Fast Pass program that was launching in Fall 2017. By using Clean Graffiti in Portland, OR, we were able to communicate with an over-stimulated public in a subtle, relatable way. We placed the Clean Graffiti spots around popular bus stops and light rail stops.
We used 4 different stencils that featured ” The Spokesblob” of the Trimet. This character was already being used in other outdoor media buys; billboards, magazine ads, sides of busses, etc. It made sense to bring that same “Spokesblob” to the sidewalk since the masses were already use to them. It was a subtle enough message to be well-accepted by every passerby.
Image from the MyHopFastPass website featuring the Spokesblob that we used in the Clean Graffiti.
Clean Graffiti for the Trimet in Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA. #thesavageway
More photos of the Clean Graffiti work #thesavageway completed in Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA.
We had a wonderful experience working with HMH Agency on this campaign. They have offices in both Charlotte, NC & Portland, OR so our communication flowed effortlessly. We were honored that they wanted to bring our Clean Graffiti to their clients and truly use the medium as a communication tool.
Portland & Vancouver made the perfect canvas for our work with Clean Graffiti. The climate, as well as the eco-friendly mentality of the West Coast, made Portland a new market for #thesavageway. We saw endless opportunities to use our creative, out-of-the-box advertising medium.
MORE ON OUR TRIP
Yes, we were in town for work, but we definitely made time to explore and enjoy the beauty that is Oregon and Washington. A few of the highlights included:
Torrie & Paula of #thesavageway having an afternoon lunch in Belltown, Seattle, WA.
Some of our West Coast Clean Graffiti Tour Adventures in Portland, OR & Seatlle, WA. #thesavageway
Portland, OR & Seattle, WA are simply gorgeous! #thesavageway
We are obsessed with the West Coast: l to r (Portland Sign, Clean Graffiit for Trimet, Torrie doing some yoga on Cannon Beach, Vtopia Cheese Board *all vegan)
Clean Graffiti allows us to travel and see so many amazing places, like Portland, Vancouver & Seattle. #thesavageway
It is an amazing feeling to know that something we created, Clean Graffiti, is not only fueling our business on the East Coast, but we now have a presence on the other side of the nation. We are actively seeking clients in the Portland area and are open and excited for the next work trip we take to the West Coast.
by thesavageway | Oct 23, 2017 | clean graffiti
Free, easy-to-use bodyweight-based workouts can be found all over the city thanks to OrthoCarolina.
After much success with 13 locations in the Charlotte area, OrthoCarolina decided to expand The Free Workout to Winston Salem. #TheFreeWorkout is a free, functional fitness workout that utilizes Clean Graffiti on the sidewalks to help make fitness and a healthy lifestyle accessible to everyone. The bodyweight-based exercise routine is designed by an OrthoCarolina medical provider and will get the heart pumping and offer an alternative to a normal gym routine.
The Free Workout by OrthoCarolina debuts in Winston Salem, NC. #thesavageway
Free, bodyweight workouts sprinkle the streets of Winston Salem courtesy of OrthoCarolina. #thesavageway
Get healthy just by walking in your neighborhood. Clean Graffiti workouts in Winston Salem by #thesavageway.
The Workouts
#TheFreeWorkout workouts are designed for any fitness level and are open to use to the public. Each self-guided workout takes place along an approximately 800-1,000 foot stretch of sidewalk and involves six bodyweight exercises. The full routine involves completing the workout five times, but participants can modify as needed. Here are more details on the Winston Salem workout locations.
If you are in the Charlotte area, you can check out one of the 13 free workout locations here.
These workouts are created by using Clean Graffiti, an eco-friendly medium that simply uses high-pressured water to make a contrast in dirt.
We are so proud to continue our work with OrthoCarolina. Not only are they exceptional at what they do – one of the nation’s leading orthopedic practices and destinations for comprehensive orthopedic care – but their marketing team is one of the best that we’ve ever seen. They strive to be community-driven, innovative, accessible, and fun all at the same time #TheFreeWorkout is just another prime example of the genius that keeps OrthoCarolina at the top of their industry.
by thesavageway | Jan 5, 2016 | clean graffiti
2015 was a huge year for #thesavageway Clean Graffiti! Our eco-friendly, outdoor messaging was used in 11 cities for 21 clients! 2015 saw the growth of our sales team in NYC and in the Southeast. From creating reverse graffiti campaigns for some of the largest organizations in the world to working with the North Carolina government on a safety campaign, we saw this medium grow and evolve! Here is a breakdown of our year in cleaning sidewalks.
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department
We love seeing organizations use Clean Graffiti for the healthy, insightful medium that it can be. Well Run Media and the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department used Clean Graffiti to promote tobacco free parks!
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Greenpeace
We created a campaign for the Global organization, Greenpeace, in the spring of 2015 to promote solar power. Using a stencil with two footprints and the hashtag #IStand4Solar, Greenpeace was able to see results through third party content on social media.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Clarks, USA
Ever have a pair of Clarks Wallabees growing up? We did and that made working with Clarks, USA an even bigger deal. This international fashion brand used Clean Graffiti in SoHo, New York, NY to showcase the location of their flagship store. The detail that went into recreating the vintage Clarks Desert Boot in stencil form was one for the books!
Clean Graffiti in New York, NY – #thesavageway
NC Department of Transportation
One of our favorite jobs was for the NC Department of Transportation. We worked alongside the marketing agency for the NCDOT and integrated Clean Graffiti into their Watch For Me NC campaign. Clean Graffiti safety messages were used across six NC beach towns to act as a reminder to pedestrians and bikers to watch for cars! The six cities included Jacksonville, NC, Greensboro, NC, Durham, NC, Corolla County, NC, Dare County, NC, and Surf City, NC.
Clean Graffiti on the beaches of North Carolina – #thesavageway
Clean Graffiti on the beaches of North Carolina – #thesavageway
Carolina Performing Arts
We made our first trip to Chapel Hill, NC during our Clean Graffiti job for Carolina Performing Arts. The artistic design and kaleidoscope whimsy used for the message truly made the spots stand out! We want to see more companies use Clean Graffiti as street art!
Clean Graffiti in Chapel Hill, NC – #thesavageway
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte used Clean Graffiti for the annual Corporate Cup. Clean Graffiti was used as a promotion on the streets of Charlotte, NC.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Isabella Santos Foundation
Another one of our favorites in 2015 was working with the Isabella Santos Foundation. This Charlotte, NC based non-profit uses running to raise money for pediatric cancer research. If you don’t know about Isabella’s story, read here. Putting her image on the ground was such a great reminder to the #IsabellasDreamTeam as they were training.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
NC Music Factory
The Charlotte area entertainment hub known, as the NC Music Factory, used some funny and clever messages to help get across the message that the Factory offers not only great music venues, but delicious restaurants as well.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
OrthoCarolina
OrthoCarolina was an early adopter of Clean Graffiti and has run many campaigns; however one of the smartest campaigns to date still has to be the run we did using “Watch Your Step.” These spots can be seen in Charlotte as well as Concord, NC.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Project Art Aid / Project LIFT
2015 saw the completion of our Project Art Aid Queen City Soup / Project L.I.F.T. art grant with West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, NC. Teaching the students about the medium and then having them help bring the stencil to life was an awesome experience.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Hooker Media / OrthoCarolina
We also got creative with OrthoCarolina and their relationship as the Carolina Panthers team physicians. We brought in local Charlotte, NC artist Matt Hooker of Hooker Media to design a stencil representing the move that the quarterback uses for touchdowns – the Superman. These spots went down in Winston Salem, NC.
Clean Graffiti in Winston Salem, NC – #thesavageway
MADabolic
We had to represent the #MADlifestyle for the Charlotte-based MADabolic boutique gym. (She is always watching!)
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Mint Museum
The Mint Museum, a Charlotte art institution, used Clean Graffiti to highlight their new youth art program, #NEXGENMint. The campaign was fun, interactive and geared toward middle-high school kids.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
CityMD
New York City saw its first run of Clean Graffiti by #thesavageway through a project with CityMD, a local urgent care.
Reverse Graffiti in New York, NY – #thesavageway
UNC-Charlotte
We were able to complete two jobs on the UNC-Charlotte campus in 2015. The first was for The Edge apartments at Tailgate Village and the second was for Chartwells, the campus dining services division.
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Clean Graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Pearl. Dentistry Reimagined
Who doesn’t like to “Smile More?” Pearl. Dentistry Reimagined used reverse graffiti in the Uptown area of Charlotte, NC to spread some positivity.
CG in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Sustain Charlotte
We kicked off a partnership with Sustain Charlotte and OrthoCarolina to bring a healthy, walking initiative to the Queen City. #WalkCLT was developed and launched in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood in Charlotte, NC. This is a campaign that will reach other neighborhoods in 2016.
Clean Graffiti in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon
The Novant Health Thunder Road Marathon is a huge deal for the city. It is Charlotte’s largest road race and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The marketing agency behind Thunder Road contacted us to complete some Clean Graffiti with positive and motivational messages. The result was AWESOME!
Reverse graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
Solis Crabtree
Apartment Envy? Solis Crabtree has the cure for you! This company used reverse graffiti in the popular Glenwood South neighborhood of downtown Raleigh, NC.
Reverse Graffiti in Raleigh, NC – #thesavageway
Dogtopia Charlotte
We loved the fun paw prints that Dogtopia Charlotte decided to use for their campaign. This doggy daycare put spots down near their location in Southend, Charlotte, NC.
CG in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
S&D Coffee
One unique way to use reverse graffiti is through a social media contest, like S&D Coffee did for their partnership with Johnson & Wales University located in Uptown Charlotte, NC. Students had to find the spots, snap a picture, use the hashtag and then they were entered to win $5,000!
Reverse graffiti in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
#thesavageway Street Art
And simply because this earth needs more art and positivity, we put down some birds and roses in random places throughout the city of Charlotte.
Street Art in Charlotte, NC – #thesavageway
2015 was great and we are looking forward to what the New Year has to bring for #thesavageway. Follow us on Instagram & Twitter to stay up to date on all of our upcoming projects.
#thesavageway Clean Graffiti / Reverse Graffiti in 2015
