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When a conversation is indelibly inked in your mind, it’s because what was said and who said it, mattered. Maybe not to everyone... But it mattered to you.
And, when you have something important to say – regardless of whether it’s to a good friend or a customer – you want people to stop and pay attention. That’s been our approach for each and every customer, each and every project — through more than 20 years in business.
Call it our philosophy, or our mantra, or North Star. Having an unforgettable conversation with a friend is always our desired destination.
Here’s to sparking and guiding the conversation.
— Jimmy Learned, President
Making it Matter
At Elevation, no two initiatives are alike. Every client differs; even projects for the same client vary. As an eclectic mix of writers and artists, data nerds and strategists, dreamers and doers, we have a robust set of proprietary tools and techniques at our disposal. We also have a sizable data analyst team and have long running strategic alliances with first-rate partners like Vint Hill Solutions and TyphoonMX, because now more than ever, good and effective communications rely on vast quantities of data from non-traditional sources, ranging from social listening and scraping to psychosocial factors and cultural intelligence models.
Our approach is to first build trust with a client, so that we become intimately familiar with all aspects of an issue. Then, armed with data-driven insights, we can approach each initiative with fresh eyes and open minds, to deliver the unexpected.
We never lead with the plumbing.
We always lead with the poetry.
But it takes more than spreadsheets, metrics and percentages to get through to an audience. For that reason, technology is merely a tool to deliver the data and insights we need to inspire original creative thinking. These tools unlock human truths, in much the same way that poetry gives rise to an intensity of expression.
Resurrecting a Brand
Elevation has directed many rebranding initiatives, all of which go far beyond simply updating a strategy, website and logo. Efforts must infuse a sense of belief, vision and conviction to a mission. One example is our work for the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) and its legendary Preakness Stakes, which in early 2000’s, had devolved from an Internationally renowned event to a day of debauchery and overflowing Porta Potties. So much so, that it was evident that from a partnership/sponsorship side of things… Corporate America wanted nothing to do with it.
Connecting the Human Experience
Campaigns that connect to our collective struggles, emotions, and dreams make people stop, listen, and react. Elevation’s ability to transform research-based insights into compelling campaigns is seen in our work on the No Mas Cruces en la Frontera (No more crossings/crosses on the Border (NMC) campaign for the U.S. Border Patrol.
Swaying Opinions
While our creative may end up being humorous or lighthearted, our strategies are always deeply rooted in substantive insights gleaned from tangible data… we call it Inspiration with Insight! As an example, CBP’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was about improving border security. But research showed that the critical pain-point for travelers was the time and hassle of crossing the border. So, it quickly became clear that a “fear-based” or heavy-handed law enforcement approach would not succeed. We advocated for an effort that focused on the efficiency and ease of travel that the WHTI documents would deliver. When CBP initially launched the campaign in 2008, less than 25% of frequent travelers had heard of WHTI. By 2011, our efforts resulted in more than 10 million travelers obtaining radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled, WHTI-compliant cards; and average compliance rates as high as 98% nationwide.
Making it Matter
Frequently, Elevation’s challenge is to influence a range of audiences to take better care of themselves and to develop healthier habits. Such was the case in our work for the American Lung Association (ALA), where we were charged with targeting African Americans, Hispanics, Lesbians/Gays/Bisexuals/Transgenders (LGBTs), and at-risk youth. Because each audience had distinct motivators and a different set of values/beliefs, Elevation pursued a uniquely targeted approach for each. In all of these distinctly different campaign approaches, Elevation made it matter for each target audience.
About Us
One thousand mothers, one family.
The Elevation family hails from over 12 different countries – a rich mosaic of backgrounds that brings a world of relatable experiences and perspectives to the work that we do. Lima to Atlanta. Mexico City to Zurich. Philadelphia to Buenos Aires, and beyond.
Our innate “cultural intelligence” means we excel in diverse settings, a factor reflected in how we adeptly create and steward international campaigns. All of this speaks to the human touch. And our ability to spark the types of conversations that elicit true and significant change–in any corner of the world.
