GrahamSpencer

The Power of Words: Can a Community Be Too Welcoming? At GrahamSpencer, we believe in crafting messages that stand the test of time. We also believe in the power and precision of words. Sometimes, those words continue making headlines long after they are first introduced. When we wrote and designed the All People Are Welcome message for Rockford’s gateway sculpture garden in 2018, we knew it reflected the city’s spirit and values - as well as our own. In 2025, an unexpected City Council debate reignited discussion about its meaning, proving just how powerful those words remain. Specifically, the debate questioned whether the message was too welcoming. Join us for a Case Study on our website to see how our research-driven approach shaped a message that resonated - and how the community rallied behind it years later. https://lnkd.in/gwpJRExf

In the wake of COVID-19, businesses have struggled to retain and recruit essential talent, particularly in roles requiring physical presence, such as School Bus Drivers. In 2024, GrahamSpencer collaborated with RPS 205 to design and implement a strategic recruitment campaign for their Transportation Department. As Illinois’ second-largest school district, RPS 205 grappled with increased driver turnover due to lingering effects of the COVID pandemic, necessitating an innovative approach to attracting qualified candidates.?Visit our website to see how GS helped them attract interested drivers.

GS is Madly Mixing Up Flavors and Tunes for the Holidays As 2024 winds down, we're sharing two original, hand-crafted cocktail recipes inspired by mythical mid-century Madison Avenue Mad Men mavericks, Don Draper & Peggy Olson. They blended up some great campaigns and we think you'll enjoy these flavors. We're also treating you to Jay's carefully curated, straight-from-the-heart Christmas playlist. We're offering a money back guarantee if you get through all five-plus hours and didn't find a few oddities and deep tracks that enchant you! Please click below to visit our website for the goods. We deeply value our relationships with each and every one of you. Happy Holidays! https://lnkd.in/g5fpHSq4

Once industrial landmarks, Sterling, IL’s sprawling Lawrence and National buildings are now at the heart of a bold redevelopment by GS clients Gorman & Company and the City of Sterling. The partnership's goal is to revitalize the city’s riverfront as a hub of economic growth and culture. See how GrahamSpencer’s branding and marketing strategy brings their vision to life. https://lnkd.in/ggUhGJkk

Since 2016, we've partnered with Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) to build a brighter, more accessible transit system for the community. It has been fulfilling work. We've reimagined the brand, launched a dynamic website that included the nation's first implementation of live Google Transit GTFS integration, we designed the striking look of RMTD's periwinkle blue fleet and we've launched many campaigns. Fueling our pride most recently was rolling out RMTD's much-needed Free Ride and U-Pass campaigns. These initiatives give Rockford students — elementary through college — bridges to opportunity with no-cost and low-cost rides to school, work, medical appointments and beyond. Visit the Case Study on our website for the full story of how we’re helping Rockford students keep on rolling. https://lnkd.in/g56bFKvz

Flashing lights, tumbling dice and gamblers betting on big payouts. These are the sights and sounds of a bustling Las Vegas casino. Now, with the establishment of Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, residents and visitors alike are experiencing the same thrills right here at home. The real ongoing winner can be found outside the casino. The Rockford Region is benefiting from our new job-creating, tax revenue-minting enterprise. The City of Rockford itself is guaranteed annual revenue of at least $7 million. And, just like Las Vegas has an origin story measured in decades, the arrival of Hard Rock Rockford has a story as Real and Original as it gets. Join us on our website for a case study to learn how GrahamSpencer helped clients like RACVB, RAEDC the City of Rockford and Winnebago County place dramatic bets on ourselves. It’s a look back in time before the wrecking ball first touched the Clock Tower, when Rockford’s dreams of spinning roulette wheels and glistening one-armed bandits seemed like a mirage on a distant horizon. https://lnkd.in/gJgk7RHf

GrahamSpencer is proud to have partnered with?Railveyor?to develop a high-impact website that showcases the company’s innovative, all-electric bulk material handling technology. Designed to dispel myths and attract new business, the site features live data tracking and detailed case studies, positioning Railveyor as a leader in sustainable mining solutions. Debuted at?MINEXPO?2021, the site has become an essential tool for lead generation, talent attraction and brand enhancement, while supporting Railveyor’s goal of revolutionizing the mining industry with cleaner, more efficient transport systems. Please join us on our website?to see the rest of the story. https://lnkd.in/g2bRxDAB

In 2011/12, GrahamSpencer designed and produced what many people, including famed rock critic Ira Robbins called, “the greatest rock & roll music museum exhibition ever created.” Hosted by the Burpee Museum of Natural History in downtown Rockford’s Riverfront Museum Park’s main gallery, Rick’s Picks: A Lifelong Affair with Guitars & Music was 6,000 square feet of rock & roll fantasy come true – as experienced in the colorful life of famed guitarist and songwriter Rick Nielsen of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick. Please join us on our website to learn how, in the summer of 2024, the exhibition’s extensive collection of custom-designed, custom-built cabinetry and other display equipment made their way to Joliet, Illinois to become part of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66. It’s a fascinating story. https://lnkd.in/gv3JSKYB

NEW CASE STUDY: In 2023, GrahamSpencer was selected by the United Way of Rock River Valley to help it tackle a national crisis at a local level: childhood illiteracy. GS’s campaign responsibilities were to name and brand the effort (United for Literacy), design and build a website and plan, design and launch an effective digital advertising campaign. Fueled by?GSearch, GrahamSpencer's research-based planning methodology, we created messages that aim to engage viewers emotionally, attract clicks and convince them to look further for ways they can help, from volunteering to donating and more. Please?join us on our website?to learn the quantifiable ways the?United for Literacy?campaign is exceeding digital advertising benchmarks right here in Winnebago County.?GrahamSpencer is proud to be of service to the United Way of Rock River Valley in this critical mission to remind our community that?Reading is Everything.? https://lnkd.in/gEM_vjdH

The Empire Strikes Back. Fury Road. The Dark Knight. Sometimes, sequels are better than the original. With that in mind, we're glad to announce the return of?Matt Youngblood to the GrahamSpencer team! Join us on our?website?for more on?Matt's journey since departing GrahamSpencer in 2022 - and his reasons for coming home again. We love a good reunion story and are glad to be in the middle of one right now. All of us at GS are thrilled to have?Matt?back and can't wait to see how the sequel does at the box office. No pressure,?Matt! https://lnkd.in/dXARvGmq