Alessi
The challenge:
With an ambitious plan for expansion in the United States, the world-renowned Italian housewares manufacturer was in need of a firm that could increase its press coverage and execute a series of high-profile events. The challenge was how to maintain Alessi's strong reputation, while bringing its public perception to a higher level.
The results:
Through special events, strategic editorial placements and increased publicity, BDE has helped Alessi build a stronger presence throughout the United States. Press coverage for the company increased 500% by the third year of Alessi's partnership with BDE. As the company continues to open more and more stores throughout the United States, BDE works closely with the Italian manufacturer to continue to build and enhance their already strong reputation.
Humanscale
The challenge:
This well-established ergonomic products company, with several divisional names, was looking for a more cohesive way to market itself and evolve its brand identity, and it looked to the introduction of its innovative Freedom Chair, designed by renowned industrial designer Niels Diffrient, to help accomplish this. The question, however, was how to best capitalize on this product to capture the hearts and minds of the design and facilities worlds and put the company in league with the bigger players.
The results:
Through special themed events, strategically placed advertising and publicity, along with surveys and focus groups, BDE has helped Humanscale build a stronger relationship with its buyers and market, while catapulting the Freedom Chair — and the company itself — into the realm of industry standards. Utilizing the comprehensive range of BDE's services, Humanscale continues to grow in an industry where others are still struggling. In addition, BDE has assisted Humanscale in the launch of their revolutionary air quality cleaner, and has been an integral part of the development of healthcare and hospitality divisions. Now with BDE for over ten years, Humanscale has recently made BDE the overseer of their international public relations agency initiative, with agencies in Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Laura Guido-Clark
The challenge:
When BDE began representing color expert and trend forecaster Laura Guido-Clark, she was working with high-profile firms which didn't allow her to promote their collaborations. Now, as the head of her own design consultancy, LG-C Designs, Guido-Clark is an expert in a unique and highly specialized field. The goal of the partnership with BDE was to introduce Guido-Clark to an array of media categories and put a face to the name while positioning her as a leader in her many industries.
The results:
Through targeted press outreach, BDE secured placements for Guido-Clark that not only covered her work for companies like Mattel, Steelcase and Design Within Reach, it also extensively profiled her own independent consulting firm. Features in Dwell, the San Francisco Chronicle and Metropolitan Home, among others, increased Guido-Clark's visibility and brought her a new and larger client base. In addition, BDE has been instrumental in securing speaking engagements for Guido-Clark at such prestigious design conferences as the 99% Conference and the Cusp Conference, taking place in September 2011.
Moleskine
The challenge:
Moleskine, the "legendary notebook of great artists and minds," was looking for a firm that could help launch its new City Notebook, the first guidebook you write yourself, in the United States. To achieve this, Moleskine needed a partner that could help coordinate two high-profile launch parties, along with obtaining strong press coverage for the City Notebook.
The results:
Through an energetic, persistent and targeted pitch plan, BDE obtained strong coverage for Moleskine and the City Notebook. This led up to two hugely successful events: a private VIP preview and an official launch party for over 900 guests. At both events, designers, press, VIPs and more mingled and enjoyed a special exhibition of one-of-a-kind Moleskine books designed by Lou Reed, Dave Eggers, Cynthia Rowley, Spike Jonze, Terence Conran and Yves Behar, among many others.
The National Stationery Show ® Future Conference and the Greeting Card Association LOUIE Awards
The challenge:
In a world where the digital seems to be encroaching on the analog at an almost lightening-quick rate, the National Stationery Show® (NSS) needed a way to freshen the image of the social stationery industry and to educate Show attendees about the use of social and digital media tools to promote their brick-and-mortar stores. At the same time, the Greeting Card Association (GCA) LOUIE Awards (the “Oscars” of the greeting card industry), now in their 24th year, needed a revamp in order to make the Awards more modern, meaningful, and to directly affect Award winners’ and nominees’ bottom line.
The results:
By putting together an exciting panel of trendists, editors, and industry experts and incorporating a dynamic keynote speaker with a wealth of industry knowledge, BDE ensured the success of the National Stationery Show’s Future Conference, now an annual occurrence at the NSS. The GCA LOUIE Awards saw an increase in entries and the interest of many first-time entrants and winners. By soliciting inside and outside-industry sponsorship, incorporating prominent retailers as judges and working with a well-known industry supplier on an aesthetically impressive LOUIE Awards display at the NSS, BDE generated an air of excitement around the Awards, which culminated in a well-attended gala in May.
