Buck the Norm: We come from SPAAAACE!

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Get Out of The Box. Get Square.

I know "get outside the box" is about the most overused and un-outside-the-box statement you can make. But how could I resist? We literally hung a gigantic box above the two-story metro mall courtyard to promote GetSquare.org, the clean air awareness campaign.



Okay, it's a square to be exact. And it has not crushed or killed any shoppers yet.



Suspended Square



Food Court Railing Clings

But it has gotten their attention.



In fact, over the seven-plus years Third Degree has worked with ACOG on the Get Square initiative, public recognition of clean air habits and willingness to change those habits (i.e. carpooling, gassing up at night) are up to 70% awareness. And while Oklahoma's federally mandated air quality regulations have become even more stringent as of late, our state continues to see improvement.



Uh... and hello? It's just a great and noble endeavor, which always gets us inspired to create great work.







Newly redesigned GetSquare.org web site.

We've continued to evolve the look and feel over the years.



And the creative approach isn't the only way we've "mixed up" our delivery. We've always implemented non-traditional and grass roots outreach for Get Square – like the annual summer electric lawnmower giveaway. But most recently, we gave away kites. (That's what's in the bag.)



We were going to give them away July 4 weekend. That's us putting up banners for the outdoor event.





Fly That Kite, Jared! Fly It!

But severe storms and flash flooding meant a no-go for that day. What? Severe storms in Oklahoma? I don't believe it.



But all's well that ends well. We regrouped and planned for a giveaway on tax-free weekend, taking advantage of some major back-to-school crowds, plus a popular yearly Lego event taking place in... you guessed it... the mall!



We handed out reusable shopping bags as well as the kites under the shadow of our awesome square.



So I suppose you could say it all came full "square." You know, like full circle – but square. Heh. heh. Those square jokes never get old.

Thanks ACOG letting us go the extra mile. The extra mile with less fuel emissions. And we carpooled. Better yet, we walked there. Yeah... we walked there together.

Also check out our mall advertising for Planned Parenthood.

Going To The Mall

Maybe you grew up like me thinking the mall was a mecca for all things wonderful - everything you could ever want with an Orange Julius on top. Or maybe you aren't as keen on this particular shopping concept avoiding all things "mall" (mall stores, mall food, mall walkers, mall rats.)

But the reality is, especially with the holiday season upon us, that you are going to find yourself in the mall sooner - rather than later.



We recently got some seriously oversized, and seriously impactful, Planned Parenthood messaging in the Crossroads mall.



Jentry and Holly, who are always on the lookout for interesting media opportunities, scouted out some unoccupied storefronts in high foot traffic areas and negotiated some great placement for this not-for-profit client. Then we got busy putting together some larger than life designs, and our installers got cracking.



One location, which we thought was truly inspired, was across from what I like to call "the kid pit." You know the area where the moms and dads take a break with about fifty screaming corralled kids who are bouncing off big foam owls or lily pads or whatever.



Well directly in the line of vision of any young mom who might be zoning out in "the pit", is the "our family is just the right size" storefront banner. We thought it was appropriate. Right?



Our second location is a series of several panes along a major corridor with images of young, prepared and incredibly large-headed people with a positive message to share. You can't help but look at them. And, if you look closer, you can get a list of services that Planned Parenthood provides.



We think it's definitely space well used.

Sick Day!

Actually, it was Don't Get Sick Day! Our across the street neighbor and client, ACOG, is always having some sort of small event to promote general health and well being (like a fitness demonstration a couple days ago.. man I wish I had brought my legwarmers that day!)



Still Shots

But today they had a clinic come in and give flu shots to their staff and neighboring companies. They invited anyone at Third Degree who wanted to trek across the rainy street, shell out a bit of cash, and get stuck with a needle to come and get ready for sick season.



Hallie Hysteria

Some people were naysayers. But Daniel was pro flu shot, quoting that if 85% of people got vaccinated then it would ultimately prevent the rest of the population from getting sick, too (he always has some sort of sociological statistic like that rattling in his head).



Mob Mentality

People quickly divided into camps.

(Except for Lynn who said he was getting his flu shot "later." Uh huh.)



But Daniel stuck to his guns, and... got stuck in his guns. Get it! Get it? (Or does that sound lewd and I don't know it. That happens to me a lot.)



Roy, our fearless leader put on a brave face.



We quickly learned there is no shame in getting half undressed in front of your coworkers. Our clients especially love it when we whip out the camera to include them in the fun (specifically when they are in their undershirts, and don't give me consent to post their photos online.)



Amanda realized that her top would require some more serious removal, so she discreetly retired behind a screen as to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.



We harassed her anyway.

Did I mention that Third Degree has no in house HR person. There's a reason for that.

Who's Got Drive (and Blood)?

Who wants to give blood!? Ooh, ooh, me, me, pick me!

Okay, so maybe that's not the typical response you get when you're rallying up blood donors, but you might be surprised how many Oklahomans wear their OBI donor arm bands and t-shirts like a badge of honor.  Just go to a downtown YMCA after-work step aerobics class on any given day and you can see a sweaty retrospective of OBI donor t-shirts from the past however-many-years feeling the burn.  Hmm, I'm sensing an overlapping demographic here.

Oklahoma Blood Institute is a client of ours, and most recently, we've developed and launched a campaign for them around a Saturn giveaway.  "I've Got Drive" is the promotion.  The deal is if you donate blood this Saturday, Feb. 7th at either of the two metro Bob Moore Saturn dealerships, you'll get a chance to win a Saturn Astra or $10,000 cash.  The odds are really good.  Third Degree-ers and family are not eligible because that would be kind of shady, but tell your friends about it!  Plus, they'll get the t-shirt (working out at the Y in it is optional) and the street cred of getting poked with a needle on purpose. Oh, and saving lives, too.

Some of the marketing components we created include this microsite, online ads, television, radio and print.  The micro site, which I think is a fairly new tactic for OBI is getting some really good measurement on the number of visitors and click-thrus.

Kande, Brian, Phillip and Holly all worked to create and implement this campaign.  And even though this weekend's donor turnout will make a huge impact on its ultimate success, OBI has already experienced some record donor numbers since its launch.  The NBA Thunder Drive a few weeks ago was the largest single-day, non-crisis blood drive in OBI history!  So go team! Not the Thunder team, the Third Degree & OBI team!  Not anything against the Thunder. Okay, so "go Thunder, too!"  I'm out.

Dining & Dancing With Daddy

For the past few years we've designed the invitation and collaterals for the annual Dining & Dancing With Daddy event, held by The Oklahoma Gladney Family Association of the Gladney Center for Adoption.  This is a really neat black tie dinner where dads and daughters (and some sons with cute little tuxes, too) have a fancy night out with other families like theirs, brought together by Gladney.

Birds of a Feather

The first year we designed the materials, Kathleen art directed, and not only did we find out how fun it was to design these neat little invitations, but we also won a gold Addy award and a silver District Addy award for a not-for-profit invitation.

Fancy-Fancy

The next year we did a more embellished invitation in royal purples and metallic golds.  Liz designed this place setting style theme.

I love all the little details that make it seem even more special.

Pretty In Pink

This years invitation, also designed by Liz, is printed on cross-hatched textured paper, layered with watercolor-inspired textures and powder-puff dandelion graphics.

Dining and Dancing with Daddy 2009 is this weekend, Saturday, January 31st.  And I know two people who will definitely be in attendance...

Steppin' Out... With My Baby

Mickie, Third Degree's executive vice president, with her son Jackson (remember the cute little tuxes reference?)  Mickie and her husband have been involved on the Gladney Family Association and are past presidents of the central oklahoma group.

I personally think Mickie should wear a feather boa to work every day.  She had Jackson up here yesterday because the schools were STILL closed because of the ice.  But we have plenty of crayons, computer games and weird desk toys to keep any 4-and-a-half-year-old entertained for at least... well... twelve minutes (I mean, he only ran into the meeting room once during a conference call.)  Have fun being the beau of the ball this weekend, Jackson!