SWELL

(Most of) 2024 in 24 seconds.

IS Partners, LLC welcomed us into their offices this week in the welcoming-est way possible for a good, old-fashioned kick-off meeting (and subsequent team happy hour).??? ?? We’re off and running on the development of a new identity for this smart and dynamic crew and look forward to all of the collaboration ahead.

We pride ourselves on being "detail people" and this one was all about the details. In fact, the only thing that was not painstakingly planned, designed, illustrated, sliced, and arranged was the serendipitous way we found the brilliant paper artist, Chloe Johnson, on Instagram. Enjoy a satisfying moment of zen and then click to see the finished pieces that Chloe helped bring to life to encourage Philadelphians to visit (but not drive to) the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation >?https://lnkd.in/ewYVtVXY

As a creative agency, we've had our share of "it would be really cool if ..." conversations. Every once in a while, one of those shimmery ideas evolves into a real thing. This time, in particular, that "thing" turned out to be a full-fledged online publication about Pennsylvania's garden culture complete with a 108-page print edition currently distributed at public gardens across the state. Check out the full case study >?https://lnkd.in/ew836y5V

Last week, we wrapped a three-day, multi-location combination photo/video shoot featuring a handful of actors, 15 real SEPTA riders, one bus, one train, and one 7 month old. The team we roll with sweated every detail alongside us throughout the planning process (and even moreso on location ??) and were as cool under pressure as the 96 degree days allowed. We're beyond proud to call them our crew. ?? Roll credits: (2) Mike Mielcarz, Photographer - The photography portion of our shoot ended over a week ago, but there’s a decent chance Mike is still out there snapping. The dude never stops and he’s in a good mood at all times. We think that’s because he secretly enjoys handing over thousands (and thousands) of shots for us to comb through, but it's hard to be mad about it when every single one is so damn rad. (3) Alexander Reinhard, Director, Malix Media - Does this guy ever worry?! In 6 years together, we’ve never seen it. He doesn’t get ruffled. He doesn’t get stressed. And when he’s on set, we don’t either. Except for a little bit when he’s pitching our client a Sasquatch concept, which happens more often than you might think. (4) Max Morgan, Producer, Malix Media - It just occurred to us that Alex never has to worry because he’s got Max out there nailing down every detail and scouting out every speed bump. From casting to crafty and schedules to security, he’s got a phone full of contacts and he’s perpetually on the good side of every single one of them. Spend three minutes with him and you’ll see why. (5) Amanda McDonnell, Line Producer, Malix Media - The newest member of our team stepped right up to the plate tracking down answers to impossible questions and swiftly and satisfyingly?responding to every text in an instant - even when it was before 6 am on a weekend. (Sorry about that!) (6) Joseph Grasso, Director of Photography - Walking backward, lugging (roughly) a billion pounds of equipment around sweltering transit stations and the city of Philadelphia didn't phase him. Neither did the unexplained request to hand over his wallet mid-shoot. (It was returned.) That’s MV(D)P material right there. (7) The whole crew (sadly not pictured) - To everyone who held, loaded, smoothed, steamed, guarded, built, or adjusted something and kept the vibes at a 10, we thank you, especially the one who smoothly retrieved an abandoned walkie so our creative director didn’t have to admit she lost it. And, of COURSE, the deepest hat tip goes to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) who allowed us to get this particularly special band back together to do what we love the most.??? ?? ??: Jalen Ramseur-Williams

Cheers to Stone's Beer & Beverage Market on successfully making the move to their new location: their OLD location! Rather than shutting down during?an impending?2-year renovation, our mighty clients opted to move their operation (inventory! fridges! shelving! humans!) to a new space so the beer would never stop?flowing in Fairmount. We helped them through the move with a suite of creative materials that informed their loyal customers, introduced them to new ones, and kept all of them?engaged and connected.???