CreateAthon

Keeven White, of White Space Creative, presented a seminar at the last BMA function on partnering with non-profits in the creative world. The main focus of his presentation was how important it is for creative firms to connect with non-profit organizations as an effective way to build business. So many creative agencies are asked to provide "free" services to non-profits every day. Many creative agencies turn the work down because they don't see free projects as being profitable for their organization. I somewhat agreed with this fact until listening to White's take on helping build relationships with non-profits as a way to build profitability through press.

White, in an effort to give back to non-profits, found a manageable approach to helping complete free projects and grow business at the same time -- CreateAthon. CreateAthon began as a local event, founded by RIGGS, a marketing and advertising agency, and has grown to become a national event. The event is held for a 24 hour period, where an agency takes on as many non-profit design projects as they wish, and the designers have complete creative control.

Becoming involved in such an event not only gives the creative teams ultimate control of their designs, it also reels in free press, and boosts team-building. Non-profit organizations benefit from the great work created, and according to White, many of the same organizations come back for more paid projects over time.