Linear Creative

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director at Merrick House Neighborhood Center. We’re one of the first settlement houses in the area, providing infant childcare, preschool services, youth mentoring, adult education, and recreational activities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Linear Creative?

We were approaching our hundred-year anniversary, so we wanted to do a whole rebranding campaign to keep us relevant in the community. Our primary goal was to remind people of the great work we’d done and keep them informed about our services. This involved a new logo and tagline as well as a new website and social media support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, they came up with about 20 logos and taglines for us to choose from. It took us about six months to make a decision because we wanted to make sure that our entire staff came to a consensus. After we picked the logo, they created a set of branding materials, including letterheads, business cards, and envelopes.

They then created two brochures about our facilities, updating our information to include current offerings. On the digital side, they redesigned our website, produced a promotional video, and managed our social media channels. Before the project ended, they also taught us how to manage the site ourselves.

What is the team composition?

In the beginning, we worked with an account manager. However, as the project progressed, we collaborated with many of their staff, including the owner, senior graphic designer, and social media manager.

How did you come to work with Linear Creative?

Before I joined my role, Merrick House had already worked with Linear Creative; they had done the previous website and supported our fundraising efforts. When I started, I met with their owner who showed me what they’d done for other clients. It seemed like a great opportunity for us to push a rebrand.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $45,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from April 2017–May 2018. Although we’ve completed the project, we plan to continue using them for social media and website maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The new website is spectacular, and we get a lot of compliments from our board members, staff, and visitors. Since launching the site, we’ve noticed a substantial increase in traffic. Our social media has also increased to nearly 1,000 followers, which is far more than before. The site itself is easy to use, and I personally maintain it. Though they’ve trained me on how to do this, it’s a little time consuming, so we’re looking to bring them back to take over the maintenance.

How did Linear Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Everyone was really great and easy to work with. If I didn’t understand something, they were patient and took the time to explain things. We mostly communicated via phone and email. Whenever they finished an item, they would send us the files for feedback. We would either make changes ourselves or mark it up and email it back. They never took offense if we wanted something different and were always happy to make revisions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated that they always answered when we called or emailed them. They would respond to us within 24 hours if not within the same day. When they were out of the office, we knew immediately, so we never felt like our communication got lost.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because they’re a small company, they likely had a lot of projects to work on. As such, there were times when things took a bit longer than we would have thought. However, they were very thorough and responsive, so it was a great experience overall.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president and owner of Rezonate Creative Incorporated. We are an advertising and branding firm. We're involved in all kinds of creative messaging.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Linear Creative?

Linear Creative has helped with a series of projects over several years. They have provided a range of video production resources in that time—including editing, shoot production, and location shooting. Most of my work with Linear involves them conducting the final edits and adding all graphics in a project I am creating.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

On one recent project, we created a video for an energy management company. The video was an introduction to a new high-tech line of LED lighting systems. The purpose of the video was to explain how these systems work and what their benefits are.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with the video art director.

How did you come to work with Linear Creative?

I met the owner of the firm at a business networking event many years ago. I had a project come up, and I decided to give them a chance to bid on it, and they gave me a good quote. I selected them for one project, and it worked out very well, and I’ve worked with them many times since.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together at least as far back as 2013.

SOLUTION

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The clients have always been very happy with what we've created with Linear Creative. There have been several instances where projects they've been involved in have achieved specific results in terms of sales of a product or contracts that were awarded. I've never received any kind of negative feedback.

How did Linear Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

I found their project management to be excellent. The video art director is always proactive in following up. I have never had to chase him down. He’s been very accessible and transparent. I feel taken care of by them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They make high-quality products at a competitive price.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I’m fully satisfied with what they do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former director of adult and community education for Columbus City Schools.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Linear Creative?

We needed social media marketing to increase enrollments and promote our practical nursing program. We had just gone through a low enrollment period and needed to increase numbers to stay afloat.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Linear Creative made our Facebook and Instagram accounts. The team maintained the former and advertised on the latter. They also helped refine search keywords for specific programs. To help eliminate the inner-city stigma, they visited the building and provided suggestions to make the layout safer and more welcoming. Their advice focused on poster placement, directional signage, and the classroom set up.

What is the team composition?

During the initial stage, we worked with the owner on the project’s creative aspects. Eventually, he hired a writer to manage the publication side during the later stages.

How did you come to work with Linear Creative?

I met them at an event and explained our recruitment goals. At a later date, I reached out to have them visit me and my marketing specialist. After sitting down and formulating a plan, we decided Linear Creative was the best fit for our needs.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2016. I left my position in May 2018, but I believe Linear Creative and the school are still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our enrollment increased by about 30%. From the search diagnostics and keyword reports, we could see our reach within a specific mileage around the school. According to Google Analytics and Facebook Analytics, recruitment became more robust in the suburbs.

How did Linear Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Their delivery was superb; work was neither late nor sub-par. They made changes whenever we requested tweaks. The project manager was also fantastic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team was both flexible and creative in meeting deadlines. As a public institution, we had crazy rules and regulations, but those were never an obstacle for Linear Creative. They adjusted workflows to accommodate the scope.

Any advice for potential customers?

Bring every idea to the table, no matter how crazy it may sound. Linear Creative is open-minded and will adjust things to bring concepts to fruition. The team has great ideas, but doesn’t always know the nuances of every industry. It’s the customer’s responsibility to help them understand those details.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and president of The Dalessandro Group. We’re marketing and advertising consultants that work with nonprofits as well as small-to-midsize businesses with all their marketing and advertising needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Linear Creative?

I was looking for a source that could help my clients with all of their design needs, website work, video, and social media.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They're full service so they provide everything from web design to print design to email and social media campaigns. One of my clients initially hired us for a small project while they were working with a couple of other firms. Linear Creative provided photographs for them to use on their social media and website. After 3–5 months, the relationship developed and the client ended up giving us a bigger piece of their business. Now we're one of their major marketing partners. Linear Creative is helping them with some work on their website, social media, and a new brand campaign.

What is the team composition?

Depending on the project, I work with various members of the team. They have a social media expert, and someone who does photography and video. Ray (owner, Linear Creative) oversees every project. They have a lead staff member for each area of service.

How did you come to work with Linear Creative?

Ray and I served on a board together. I admire his work and felt he was someone that I could trust. He has years of big agency experience. I like that Linear Creative provides the agency design standard at a more affordable price point.

How much have you invested with them?

It fluctuates, but I probably spend between $200,000-$450,000 a year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2014 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Linear Creative has been able to reduce my client’s AdWords spend while delivering a greater outcome. Most of their work is similarly measurable on what the client is spending versus what they're getting, so I know that they’re providing phenomenal ROI. They offer full-service marketing and advertising services, so it is a one-stop shop!

How did Linear Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

The team is excellent and knowledgeable in multiple areas. They keep each project moving along smoothly. They're very flexible and accommodating whenever a client needs something. They give 150% on every project. It gives me a lot of confidence to know that Ray is involved in every project. He oversees everything but also serves as the lead designer. Their office is very open so it’s conducive to brainstorming solutions for clients.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really focus on the client’s needs. While they’re able to offer a wide menu of options, they do a great job of working within a budget to come up with a plan that's to help the client grow their business. They have a tendency to over deliver, which I really appreciate.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the External Relations Manager at Providence House. We provide temporary emergency shelter for children whose families are experiencing crisis. I oversee all of our fundraising, marketing, and communications efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Linear Creative?

We wanted to accurately tell our story and convey our values to existing supporters, potential clients, potential donors, and our greater community. We were looking to spread our message through a variety of mediums including both digital and print mail, event materials, social media, and web content.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our partnership is structured by year-long contracts. At the beginning of each year, we provide Linear Creative with our communication strategies for the year. We share our goals and deadlines in order to create a timeline of each project, typically upwards of 30 projects per year. The team’s services include creating invitations, programs, and signage for our Annual Luncheon and yearly benefit auction. Additionally, they design the content for all of our newsletters, direct appeals and large-scale e-blasts. Linear also does photography and records, produces, and edits videos. 

Linear also manages our relationship with other vendors. Having collaborated for several years, they have a good idea of what we want and they use their connections to find an agency that best fits our needs. Generally, they make the initial connection and provide us with the quote. If we accept the offer, they continue to handle all of those interactions.

What is the team composition?

We work with a representative that handles project management elements and designers. 

How did you come to work with Linear Creative?

Our CEO had a connection to Linear and after having issues with other firms in the past, we decided to have them work on a project. We were impressed by their past work and decided to continue our partnership.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2008 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Just in FY 2017-2018 alone, seven of the promotional pieces that Linear created brought in about $125,000 for the organization. 

How did Linear Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

We work together to develop a timeline at the beginning of each calendar year. We often schedule meetings to discuss the project, but they are always reachable through phone an email, as well. Linear is very responsible and time-oriented in their workflow, we can trust that they will meet each deadline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really appreciate Linear’s desire to fully understand our organization and our goals. They proactively make sure that they are telling our story in an accurate and professional way. They are very receptive to our feedback and make as many changes as we ask in order to get the product we want, and they do it with patience. Linear is incredibly open to finding what works best for the organization, often providing multiple options for new or existing pieces, allowing us to visualize how our stakeholders will interact with that piece. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any areas. We are very fortunate to have found Linear, they are such a great agency.