We couldn’t have been more excited when our media kits and [...]]]> When it came time to create our 2011-’12 media kit and creative services guide, it was important that they convey all of the excitement happening at Block Club, as well as a stronger identity across our brand. When Block Club began, we were a publishing company that put out a bi-monthly magazine. Since then, we’ve become a creative design and marketing company that publishes a magazine and a few other supplemental publications. We’re changing the magazine––shifting from bi-monthly to quarterly publishing, growing an inch in each dimension, printing on premium FSC-certified matte stock, and switching to perfect binding. Our company is getting busier by the month. We’re making these changes in order to produce a better magazine, and to allow for better use of our time for the creative business.

We couldn’t have been more excited when our media kits and creative services guides arrived from the printer!

Business owners, media buyers, and marketing directors: Please be on the lookout for our revamped media kit in the mail. Block Club Magazine version 2.0 is set to debut in early April!

Click here if you’re interested in receiving a copy.

We created a new menu that provides educational information on the vegetarian, vegan and raw diets, and a legend that indicates which dishes are appropriate for which diet. On the back of the menus––printed on 11×17” paper so that owners could print duplicates themselves––are fun games and space for doodling. Where Merge’s previous menus were laminated, reused but ultimately discarded, and where they had space for diners to draw and doodle on disposable place mats, now the [...]]]> Merge is one of Buffalo’s more eccentric and lively restaurants. If you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit for one of their vegetarian/vegan/raw/gluten-free-friendly meals (there’s food for you omnivores, too). The guiding principle behind Merge is the incorporation of different nutritional lifestyles on the same menu, a place where meat-eaters and plant-eaters can merge and enjoy a fantastic meal in a comfortable, artistic surrounding.

We created a new menu that provides educational information on the vegetarian, vegan and raw diets, and a legend that indicates which dishes are appropriate for which diet. On the back of the menus––printed on 11×17” paper so that owners could print duplicates themselves––are fun games and space for doodling. Where Merge’s previous menus were laminated, reused but ultimately discarded, and where they had space for diners to draw and doodle on disposable place mats, now the restaurant saves on printing and paper by consolidating both onto the same piece of paper.

On both sides, the restaurant’s leaf logo is reproduced on a seasonal graphic backdrop that will be changed with subsequent seasonal menus. This project shows how you can modify and alter an existing document to cater to the ideals of the business, brand and customers.

For our cover shoot, we printed that out on a large sheet of paper, wrapped a small gift box in it like wrapping paper, and photographed it on a matching background. Additionally, readers can download desktop wallpaper versions of the five images and enjoy the Holiday Issue in the comfort of their own computer screen.

Find a copy of Block Club Magazine at one of [...]]]> For Block Club Magazine’s fourth annual Holiday Issue, we went shopping. This year’s issue shares with readers what’s on the wish lists of Block Club’s five-person team––retail gifts, classes and lessons, trips to local places and other experiences. To create a visual theme that would fit the issue, Courtney designed five original patterns that were reminiscent of a holiday motif and color palette. One pattern had things on our wish lists, arranged in a fun typographical grid.

For our cover shoot, we printed that out on a large sheet of paper, wrapped a small gift box in it like wrapping paper, and photographed it on a matching background. Additionally, readers can download desktop wallpaper versions of the five images and enjoy the Holiday Issue in the comfort of their own computer screen.

Find a copy of Block Club Magazine at one of over 550 local distribution points and online at BlockClubOnline.com.

We customized a Facebook page for the annual Distinguished Speaker Series, where students could join and find ticket giveaways, trivia contests about speakers (like the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who comes to UB on Jan. 27, 2011), and other helpful information. By speaking to the target audience in a venue and language they already understand, Student Affairs is able to remove the barriers of traditional marketing solutions and go right to the source. Now, students can [...]]]> When the office of Student Affairs at the University at Buffalo contacted us for social media marketing solutions, we explored a number of options for their needs. Student Affairs, which has its feet in many doors on UB’s North and South campuses, wanted a way to direct undergraduate students to a Facebook page, providing a one-stop portal for the various programs and offerings on campus.

We customized a Facebook page for the annual Distinguished Speaker Series, where students could join and find ticket giveaways, trivia contests about speakers (like the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who comes to UB on Jan. 27, 2011), and other helpful information. By speaking to the target audience in a venue and language they already understand, Student Affairs is able to remove the barriers of traditional marketing solutions and go right to the source. Now, students can converse online about speakers and win prizes, too.

That informal conversation between organization/business owner and follower/customer is one area where Facebook is most useful as a marketing tool.

By employing a classic visual style with a geometric pattern in light gray, and highlights in hunter green, the site is clean, sophisticated, tailored for their clients and customers, and in tune with what the law firm has built its loyalty and base on. It offers a refreshed look for the firm without compromising its standards or stature.

The firm’s legal practices and offerings are organized in a simple and easy-to-find manner, as is information on the firm’s partners, publications and events. Keeping your information organized and concise is imperative, even [...]]]> At first glance, the website for Knoer Group is straightforward: an informational site for a law firm that specializes in environmental law, and all the corresponding services of a legal practice. The site presents a great deal of text and few images, yet still needs to be dynamic and engaging.

By employing a classic visual style with a geometric pattern in light gray, and highlights in hunter green, the site is clean, sophisticated, tailored for their clients and customers, and in tune with what the law firm has built its loyalty and base on. It offers a refreshed look for the firm without compromising its standards or stature.

The firm’s legal practices and offerings are organized in a simple and easy-to-find manner, as is information on the firm’s partners, publications and events. Keeping your information organized and concise is imperative, even when you have a lot of material to work with.

It’s a sunny Friday in Buffalo and we’re jamming out to the “spring cleaning” play list on Stereomood. It’s not spring and we’re definitely not cleaning, but the music is perfect for today.

The only thing cooler than this music is the interview I just had with Matt from 37signals. I seriously love what these guys do. Is it possible to have a bromance with another company?  Anyway, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the company, you need to check it out. If you’ve ever been unorganized, forgotten someone’s phone number, or like me, are regularly drowning in a sea of Post-it notes while trying to remember contacts, who to email when and getting work done for clients, 37signals is the company for you. They make really sweet web apps to help people get things done.

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Block Club: We’re big [...]]]>

It’s a sunny Friday in Buffalo and we’re jamming out to the “spring cleaning” play list on Stereomood. It’s not spring and we’re definitely not cleaning, but the music is perfect for today.

The only thing cooler than this music is the interview I just had with Matt from 37signals. I seriously love what these guys do. Is it possible to have a bromance with another company?  Anyway, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the company, you need to check it out. If you’ve ever been unorganized, forgotten someone’s phone number, or like me, are regularly drowning in a sea of Post-it notes while trying to remember contacts, who to email when and getting work done for clients, 37signals is the company for you. They make really sweet web apps to help people get things done.

—

Block Club: We’re big fans of 37signals and the apps you put out.  At Block Club we use Basecamp and Highrise.  We love them, our clients love them. What I’m saying is that you guys make us look good. You guys know you’re cool, right?

37signals: Haha. If you look good, then we look good. ; )

Block Club: Tell me about 37signals.

37signals: We’re a Chicago-based company that has been in business for 10 years. We started as a web design firm and transitioned into a web-based software company in 2005. We’ve always built products that solve our own problems. We figure if we need that solution, other people probably do too. So far it’s working: 3 million people use our apps. http://37signals.com/about talks more about our history and beliefs.

Block Club: What do you do for the company?

37signals: I started off as a web designer but my role has evolved into “media guy” which means I help author our books and blogs, create our podcast, and maintain our support pages among other things.

Block Club: How can apps from 37 Signals help small and medium-sized businesses work better?

37signals: Our products are built for small groups and make it easier for them to collaborate, share, discuss, and get work done. Basecamp is for managing projects, Highrise is for tracking contacts, Backpack is for organizing your business, and Campfire is for group chat. The best way to see which one is right for you is to dive in and start using it. We offer free versions of all of our apps and make it very easy to get started.

Block Club: What’s it like working at 37 Signals?

37signals: It’s really great. The best part is being able to work with such brilliant people every day. Plus, there’s a lot of freedom to work on things that really interest you.

Also, we don’t really advertise and promote ourselves instead by teaching others how to do what we do. And people are really thankful for that which is very rewarding. Every day, I get a couple of emails from people who have read one of our books, like REWORK, or our blog Signal vs. Noise saying it inspired them. When you get an email telling you that something you worked on changed someone’s life and inspired them to start a new business that’s now a success…well, it’s pretty damn cool.

Block Club: Ok, so now we’ll move into the rapid-fire round. Feel free to answer anyway you like. One word, one sentence, one paragraph, an obscure quote. It’s all good here.

Block Club: When you’re not at 37signals, where are you most likely to be?

37signals: Out and about in Brooklyn or Manhattan.

Block Club: What’s something most people may not know about you?

37signals: I carbonate my own club soda. Then I mix it with a little bit of fruit nectar. Try it.

Block Club: If you could meet any tech innovator (we’re talking Steve Jobs, Einstein or the guy that invented the wheel) living or dead, who would it be?

37signals: Hmm, not sure he’s a tech innovator but I’m kind of fascinated with Thomas Jefferson. I like how he believed rebellion was a good thing. That’s a pretty rock ‘n roll attitude.

Block Club: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

37signals: Octopus. Or Ayahuasca.

Block Club: What’s the world’s best breakfast cereal?

37signals: I’m a granola man.

Block Club: If you could fill a pool with anything other that water, what would it be?

37signals: Rum punch.

Block Club: What’s the worst pickup line you’ve used?

37signals: I usually just stick with “How’s your night going?”

Block Club: If you were a computer, would you be a PC or Mac?

37signals: Mac.

Block Club: If you were a superhero, you’d have the power to…

37signals: Whatever Plasticman’s thing is called…that.

Block Club: Last question. Being from Buffalo, we have to ask, do you call those deep fried, hot-sauce coated pieces of chicken? Buffalo wings or chicken wings? And yes, there is a correct answer to this.

37signals: Buffalo!

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Matt, they’re chicken wings! Duh! But, we’ll let that slide.

…this time.

If you’re interested in using effective email marketing, click here to signup with MailChimp for free.  Yes, some things in life are still free and if you have fewer than 500 subscribers, MailChimp is one of them.

If you need help getting started, or want a custom designed email marketing template, get in touch with Block Club by email Patrick (at) blockclubonline.com or call us at 716.507.4474.