Pink Elephant at Work

Artful web copy

2010-09-20T10:23:00.004-04:00

Artist, muralist and professional paint colour consultant Lori Klassen already had a beautiful site design (by the talented Holly of Thinkpuppet in Toronto) but she'd added some new services and needed new words to go with them. Pink Elephant wrote all the copy to describe Lori's fine art commissions and paint colour consultations, as well as the meta data (so Google will find her). If you love your home (or want to), check Lori out. http://www.loriklassen.com/

Beautiful bookmarks for a beautiful artist

2010-09-13T12:57:00.003-04:00

Bookmarks are one of my favourite ways to promote a worthy client. There is something romantic about traveling around in someone's good read. And there's something generous about giving someone a small gift when you first meet, something practical, something pretty. This is the bookmark Pink Elephant designed for artist and professional paint colour consultant Lori Klassen. If you'd like one of your very own, you can visit her at the Queen West Art Crawl this weekend. She'll also have them on hand at her Distillery District studio. Pop in any time! Or visit her online at www.loriklassen.com or "like" Lori Klassen Studio on Facebook.

We use veggie inks on super-eco paper so there's extra good karma in this friendly, kindly marketing piece.If you'd like a bookmark for your business, just ask: hellothere@pinkelephantcommunications.com

Pink Elephant does e-newsletters - lots of them!

2010-09-08T12:13:00.007-04:00

One of Pink Elephant's favourite projects is an e-newsletter. It's fun to add soul and spirit and colour to those drab Constant Contact templates (and the ones by other guys too). Here's the most recent e-newsletter we helped to publish, for the incomparable Yoga Goddess!

If you're in the Toronto area and have been thinking of starting yoga this fall, these are the last classes Zahra will be offering in 2010 so carpe diem and register!

And if you would like a prettied-up e-newsletter template or could use a hand writing the content, get in touch: hellothere@pinkelephantcommunications.com

Red Tent Sisters boutique is a beautiful spot to shop

2010-08-16T16:45:00.004-04:00

Red Tent Sisters is pretty special to Pink Elephant - they were one of our very first clients, and we've been in love ever since. Kim (one of the founding sisters) recently redecorated, and the boutique is simply gorgeous. It feels light and quiet and warm and friendly... a very inviting space to browse or buy or ask questions. If you're unfamiliar, Red Tent Sisters carries everything a gal could want for her very best sexual and reproductive health - all-natural lubricants that smell of strawberries, soy massage candles, a wall of books, eco-friendly and body-friendly toys, Fertilitea and PreSeed if you're trying to get pregnant... so much more. Pink Elephant was entirely delighted to see signage we'd designed over the years, hung about the boutique. This one to the left is one of our favourites. They have great fiction and non-fiction for reading under summer sun. If you're in the area, go visit: 810 Danforth Ave (east of Pape), Toronto, www.redtentsisters.com

Shiny new brochure for SHINE!

2010-08-03T10:49:00.007-04:00

SHINE! Creative Coaching is one of our favourite clients to work with because principal Christine Berg is totally lovely and because we love her colours - lush green with a hint of watermelon. She asked us for a brochure for their corporate communications coaching services that would be colourful but still office-appropriate. We think this strikes the right note - professional and polished but it still has style.

What's also nice to know is that it was printed on Forest Stewardship Council-approved paper by a member of Ontario's Environmental Leaders and Sustainable Forest Initiative - making it even more green than at first glance.

One dollar, one donor, one child in need

2010-07-13T09:59:00.005-04:00

Our feel-good project for July! ONEXONE is an amazing organization, with a mandate of helping children live in health, safety and dignity. They have quietly been going about the important work of funding school breakfast programs in First Nations communities where poverty and hunger rates are higher than anywhere else in our country. They asked if we could help with a little piece that would tell people about the program and let them know how they could help. We were SO happy to be asked.

The school breakfast program is run by a lovely woman named Elisa Levi. I don't know how she does it all. Her goal is to increase the number of students who are getting healthy breakfasts from 2,000 today to 12,000 by 2012. Let's help her!

If you're able to give, you can donate online at http://www.onexone.org/.

Dancers and artists deserve a beautiful site - Pegasus Studios

2010-06-22T12:11:00.003-04:00

Pegasus Studios is a family-run dance, art, music and fitness studio with classes for children and adults in the east end of Toronto. Their mission is to add beauty and joy to the lives of their students of all ages through movement and the arts. And when you're in their space, you feel that. It feels special, and fun, and like you're family. And what really made me love them is how much they value the self-esteem of girls. Their classes are about classic form - they take dance seriously - but it's also about a celebration of the body - what it can do, not how it looks. Pink Elephant has really enjoyed our small part in helping them.

Our latest project is pictured here. They have a wonderful volunteer, a father of two dance students, who volunteered to build them a website. Pink Elephant provided the design and now Gerry is going to bring it to life. It's a testament to how wonderful Pegasus Studios is that a kind man like Gerry would offer hours and hours to help them spread the word.

If you or your kids want to take art, dance or fitness classes, Pegasus is a really nice place. And they're just a short walk from Coxwell station so easy to get to if you're anywhere near the Danforth. Here's their current (not yet re-designed by Pink Elephant) site: http://www.pegasusdance.com/testimonials.asp

The art of Milé Murtanovski

2010-04-07T08:48:00.004-04:00

My very first boss - I was a communications intern 100 years ago - asked if Pink Elephant could pitch in on some projects at Manulife Financial. We're always happy to work with nice people (and Charlene is VERY nice people) so we said, "Sure!". One of the projects was a corporate Powerpoint presentation. Blech! Instead, our idea was to turn it into a modern storybook with a retro feel. Few things are less personal or inspiring than a Powerpoint template, but when you fill it with the hand-drawn commissioned art of Milé Murtanovski, you get something original and beautiful and interesting. Here's one of the slides, introducing a new senior vice president as a man who likes to BBQ when he's not Manulife Financialing. Isn't that so much better than a pie chart or corporate head shot? Thanks, Milé!

SHINE! Creative Coaching

2010-02-15T10:49:00.006-05:00

Christine from SHINE! had us at the Marianne Williamson quote she chose for her first website. When we met, her site was Flash-based and not search engine friendly so we helped her catch Google's attention and added a bit more warmth and style to her look in this new site. It now feels a lot more "Christine" - warm, artistic and spirited.
If you're looking for a voice or acting coach in Toronto, have a look: http://www.shinecreativecoaching.com/

You win some, you lose some

2010-01-13T09:12:00.004-05:00

Clients don't always choose our favourite concepts but sometimes there's one that you just like so much you still want to share it with the world. This is one like that.

I love the simultaneous earthiness and ethereality (is that a word?). I love the textures - sketchbook paper and very fine patterned paper - maybe an envelope liner in another life? The very fine lines of the sketch, the subtleties of colour... it feels handmade and it feels like something I want to touch.

If you know a business whose website could give this look a good home, we might be able to offer you a nice deal. :)

Against the Grain

2010-01-03T09:32:00.005-05:00

Against the Grain, a new arts company in Toronto about to be born, asked Pink Elephant for some logo help. We wanted to give them a mark that spoke to their unconventionality, their sense of humour and their style. We wanted it to feel human - not perfect, but real. We like this. (Thank you, Stephen, one of our newest designers on the roster!)

Next steps will be to play with colour options and alternate versions.

Buy a kid a desk at www.FountainofHopeMalawi.org

2009-10-30T13:59:00.004-04:00

If ever there were a heart-warming project, this has to be it. Fountain of Hope is a Canadian-sponsored children's home in Malawi and it was Pink Elephant's honour (along with our web developing partner Ricksticks) to give them this site so that they could tell more people about their inspiring work, and have the ability to collect donations online.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The AIDS epidemic, we all know, is tragic. Often when a family is touched by the disease, both parents are sick and the children are left to care for the second parent to die. They then raise their siblings and lead the household. Often they must beg to get by and cannot continue their educations. Places like Fountain of Hope offer these little people food for their bellies and education for their minds and the emotional support and friendships that offer some joy. (And you'll see the smiles in the photos!)

If you're able, please consider purchasing a desk ($45) for the classroom or sponsoring a child, and please ask your friends. This is a small organization doing a big, blessed job and they'd love your help. http://www.fountainofhopemalawi.org/

a little OPERA for little BABIES - how can you resist?

2009-10-09T15:55:00.009-04:00

One of our sweetest pro bono clients had an inspired idea - Cheryl and Geoff, parents of an adorable preemie, singers and lovers of opera, decided to get some friends together to raise money for The Linden Fund, the group who supported them when Audrey was born.

It quickly turned into a fairly awesome opera line-up. Since Pink Elephant can't sing, we wanted to help with some fitting creative. The event name came from our lead bicycle courier (and my partner) Keith. We developed the identity, postcards, coffee house flyers (pictured left), small posters, a Facebook page and a template for Cheryl to create her own website.

The event is Nov.21, 7:30pm at Bloor Street United Church (300 Bloor St W, Toronto) and every penny of profit goes to The Linden Fund. (Tickets: $25, $15) http://www.musicforpreemies.ca/ (currently under construction)

If you're on Facebook, please search "A little OPERA for little BABIES" and become a fan.

(A very special thank-you to CJ Digital Inc for donating the printing for our pretty pieces!)

Save the date, if you're a positive, fabulous woman

2009-09-28T19:32:00.005-04:00

Katia, the luscious woman at the helm of the Toronto-based networking (and more!) group Positive Fabulous Women, asked us to help her promote an upcoming whole-day event for passionate, entrepreneurial women. Pink Elephant came up with Dream. Ask. Connect. Create, whipped up a little logo and a quickie save-the-date. Pink will be there Oct.29. Hope to see you too! (Click here for all the details.)

Sometimes Pink Elephant markets herself too

2009-09-16T21:17:00.005-04:00

Neighbourhood Living is a new artisanal magazine dreamed up by friend of Pink Elephant, Greg Barsoski. It will tell the stories of people living in our communities - all those quaint and charming people and businesses. When he asked if Pink Elephant would like to advertise and be a part of Neighbourhood Living's first issue, we were tickled.. well, you know.

Here's a quickie "ad" we did for ourselves. Want to learn more about Pink Elephant? Take a tour of our other site: http://www.pinkelephantcommunications.com/.

Lori Klassen @ Queen West Art Crawl

2009-09-15T09:21:00.004-04:00

One of Pink Elephant's favourite artists, Lori Klassen, needed a hand spreading the word about her upcoming show at the Queen West Art Crawl. She wanted something quick, cheap, cheerful and eco-friendly, so we designed an electronic postcard she could mail to her contact list and created a Facebook page for the event. Within minutes, hundreds of people knew about Lori's show... and all for peanuts!

To see beautiful works by a beautiful artist, stop by the Crawl in Trinity Bellwoods Park, September 19-20.

Red Tent Sisters' Guide to Celebrating Womanhood: A class schedule

2009-08-09T20:54:00.004-04:00

The entirely spectacular Red Tent Sisters do a lot of awesome stuff - and a chunk of that awesomeness is their workshop offering - everything from natural contraception to fertility yoga to erotica writing to conscious parenting to better sex 101. And then some. It's all on the website but customers still request printed calendars. The sisters estimate their last class schedule cost about $3 each to produce, and that's with in-house design. We thought we could do something simpler and cheaper, and using less paper, making it greener. So we did. Black and white line illustrations and flowers fit beautifully with the full Red Tent Sisters suite of communication materials and this one (don't tell) only cost about $0.37, all in. Simple, pretty, smart - for Amy and Kim, who are exactly that.

Dandelion Naturopathic goes to Hillside

2009-07-10T11:00:00.004-04:00

Mahalia, our new favourite naturopathic doctor, is going to Hillside in a couple weeks to enjoy the festival and conduct workshops. She needed a brochure - fast! So we shuffled some projects and made this little number top priority. Within an afternoon, Mahalia had a rich, earthy brochure design that built on her already beautiful brand. It'll give the Hillside revellers a taste of what Naturopathic Medicine is and the kind of care Mahalia offers.

If any friends of Pink Elephant are in the market for an ND, you can learn more about Mahalia Freed by checking out her website. Mahalia treats out of Lifecycles Wellness in Toronto.

Health in every cycle: Lifecycles Wellness

2009-06-30T18:32:00.004-04:00

Lifecycles Wellness is a women's holistic healthcare clinic in Yorkville here in Toronto. Clinic director and doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tanya Smith asked for our help redesigning her website and authoring a no-nonsense marketing plan she could implement herself. So we wrote up that plan, and then we launched this spiffy, new website. We wanted the look and feel to complement that of the clinic: soothing, serene, simple. All the information is structured to make a visitor's flow through the site as Zen-like as those leafy boughs. Have a look at the www.lifecycleswellness.com, and book an appointment if you'd like to try acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, shiatsu massage, meditation or psychotherapy. (There's also a special fertility package offering for women who would like to conceive.)

Pink Elephant's first t-shirt design!

2009-06-20T12:19:00.004-04:00

When our wonderful clients, Red Tent Sisters, said they wanted t-shirts for the Red Tent Sisterhood, we knew they had to be equally beautiful and socially-responsible, in keeping with Pink and Red's shared values. These super-soft, fitted tees are made of bamboo - a ridiculously wonderful renewable resource that feels good, is good for the earth and is even anti-bacterial so it makes you smell sweeter. Even nicer, profits from our favourite shirt manufacturer, Me to We, support Feed the Children, a non-profit we think the world of. You can pick yours up at Red Tent Sisters, 810 Danforth Ave (east of Pape), Toronto.

Ecosex.ca: good, green fun

2009-06-20T10:58:00.004-04:00

Sisters Amy and Kim wanted to open on online boutique so they could provide more women (and men) with eco- and body-conscious alternatives when it comes to reproductive and sexual health. They spent months researching the most indulgent and good-for-the-earth lubricants, toys, massage oils, fertility support and contraceptive goodies. Pink Elephant made the online shop. We think, in ecosex.ca, we've made an elegant site that won't intimidate even a first-time dildo shopper. (p.s. Have a look at the glass - gorgeous!!)

Calling all goddesses

2009-04-23T10:47:00.009-04:00

We'd love to introduce Yoga Goddess. Lead yoga goddess and guru Zahra asked for Pink Elephant's help positioning her "menu of delight" (as we call it), establishing a clear brand look and voice, and doing the tactical work of promoting her classes. Yoga Goddess offers yoga and meditation classes and retreats that are unlike any other - specially designed with passion to honour the female body and the major goddess energies. We love what Zahra does and hope it shows in these samples of work (e-newsletter, postcard, bookmark and old-fashioned coffee shop flyer design). You can also spot some Pink Elephant copywriting through the Yoga Goddess site. Check it out and sign up for a class! http://www.yogagoddess.ca/

2009-02-06T15:27:00.005-05:00

Milé Murtanovski is a very cool guy. He teaches stilt-walking. He's happy to tell you he's in love with a puppeteer. He wears an unconventional mustache. Obviously, he's an artist. To have a brush or pencil in his hand is bliss. So he asked us to help him figure out how he could be doing that full-time, and still eating. Over beer at his neighbourhood pub, we went over his ambitions and passions and then headed back to the office to write a plan that would get Milé into the business of successful art-making. It was a three-pronged strategy with simple (but smart) steps to generate income through architectural renderings, advertising illustration work and his fine art - three loves. We suggested only steps that Milé could undertake himself - being the creative guy he is - to keep the budget manageable. When he called the plan "awesome", we figured he was pleased. You can find Milé on Facebook (where you'll also find the bio Pink Elephant crafted for him). And you can find his own portfolio at http://www.kebapi.com/.

Red Tent Sisters

2009-02-03T14:11:00.012-05:00

Red Tent Sisters is a women's reproductive and sexual health boutique and wellness centre on the Danforth, run by two of the coolest women in town.

Amy and Kim are sisters and they've poured their hearts and souls (and savings) into their shop because they're passionate about helping women, and the men who love them. Kim runs the boutique and stocks only environmentally-friendly and body-friendly sex toys, massage oils, lubricants (and other indulgent, healthful goodies). Amy is a holistic reproductive health practitioner who counsels women on natural methods of fertility management (whether they're trying to get pregnant or trying not to). She also provides Maya abdominal massage. In addition, Red Tent Sisters offers classes including Fertility Yoga, Herotica 101, Rock His World as well as parenting groups, a book club and a feminist film circle.

It's a lot of stuff to cover and they wanted a little marketing support. Pink Elephant sat with the sisters and asked lots of questions, and then set about authoring an easy to follow marketing communications plan that included ideas for PR, customer relationship management, website enhancements, low-cost marketing initiatives and brand development. We also developed a brand statement that we kinda love: It's good to be a woman.

That has inspired changes in the class line-up and all the marketing creative we've developed together, including direct mail pieces, store signage, Facebook advertising and a new e-newsletter.

Our February campaign is all about adding more romance to your life (with or without a partner) and is called: Love you. The window signage shown with this entry is so simple but powerful, and women have been responding to it. To read 10 Ideas for Living a Romantic Life (Partner Not Required), click here for the latest e-newsletter.

Since partnering with Pink Elephant, sales and web site visits (key objectives) have increased measurably.