Geben Communication Logo & Stationary
a logo and stationery project by Gebben

Creative brief

The buyer added updates to the brief. Read them.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT US:

With 7+ years of public relations and marketing experience – all of which spent in an agency environment – I have decided to go out on my own as a PR/marketing/social media consultant. The company will be called Geben Communication. The tag line is Communicating ... Connecting.

The word "geben" is German for “to give." Like using communication to connect people and companies. Organizations connecting with their stakeholders. Effective PR and marketing creates connections between people and brands. I like the concept of "connecting the dots" by telling stories through PR.

What makes Geben Communication different?

An integrated approach to PR/marcomm stemming from my strategic understanding of the “big picture” – including marketing, interactive, customer service, etc.
Agency-like work ethic and depth of experience meets quick turnaround and customized service
Measurable results
Commitment to pro bono work
Award-winning, experienced PR professional helping companies understand how Web 2.0 influences traditional and marketing

Geben Communication focuses on telling a story … communicating the right message to the right audience … influencing public perception. Just as important, it’s about using a platform for good. I’m a big believer in supporting nonprofits and will donate services to deserving organizations. In addition, for each new client I sign, I will make a donation to a yet-to-be-chosen nonprofit.

Services:

Public relations
Media relations
Crisis management
Case study development
Marketing collateral
Interactive/web content development
Communication plans
Social media strategy & implementation
Message development

Contact info for biz card: (layed out however you think makes the most sense)

Heather Whaling
phone 407.462.9543
www.gebencommunication.com
heather@GebenCommunication.com
Twitter twitter.com/prtini
Facebook facebook.com/heatherwhaling
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/heatherwhaling


HERE IS WHAT WE NEED:

For starters, I need a logo and stationary package. In addition to traditional uses, the logo (or some part of it) needs to work as an avatar on Facebook, Twitter, etc. The design will also provide the basis for a website, Twitter background, etc going forward.

Much of my communication will be delivered via email, so the stationary needs to work online, as well as in printed form.


OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS:

Targeting small- to mid-size PR/marketing agencies who may need to outsource certain projects; nonprofit executive directors, development directors and marketing managers; higher education offices of communication; editors looking for writers; other consultants.

I want to convey: professional but not too corporate ... creative yet business-savvy; a current, comprehensive understanding of communication and how Web 2.0 is shaping traditional PR and marketing; ability to deliver the right message to the right audience. (That goes back to the connecting part of the tag line.)


WE LIKE THESE DESIGNS:

I tend to like minimalist, clean designs with strong typography.

For the logo, I'd like to see something that conveys communicating, connecting and/or giving. I'm open to abstract ideas (e.g., it doesn't need to literally show "connecting the dots"). Also, keep in mind the icon probably will be an avatar online. The tag line can be worked into the logo element, but it doesn't have to be.

For the business card, I'd like to use both sides, with one side incorporating strong color (so it stands out in a pool of otherwise white cards).Examples:

www.flickr.com/photos/dryicons/2226270576/ (simplicity, double-sided, uses color to stand out)
http://img220.yfrog.com/i/g0rt.jpg/ and http://img266.yfrog.com/i/xeo.jpg/ (this is the front and back. Love the simplicity on the front and the use of the graphic throughout. Technically she provides similar services, so my design can't mirror this, but I do like the concept.)
www.flickr.com/photos/techthis/2987569592/ (good use of icon in two places, good use of color)
www.flickr.com/photos/mikmik_uk/2283719944/
www.flickr.com/photos/stevenjarvis/478865283/ (like this one a lot)
www.flickr.com/photos/prozac/200355857/ (don't like the pattern, but like the concept of something graphical in the middle to break up the copy)
www.flickr.com/photos/giron/413624806/
www.flickr.com/photos/benedikte/1587529783/
www.flickr.com/photos/jharr/157389629/
www.flickr.com/photos/mringlein/425816493/ (a little too minimalist but interesting use of text. Could be an idea for my tag line)
www.flickr.com/photos/starrydesigns/1908588733/

Letterhead: simple is better. Include logo, tag line and some design element (from the business card or logo) carried through. Will often be printed at home, so it can't be anything that requires advanced printing capabilities.

I'm open to colors. Even though I LOVE pink, I don't want to see something in all pink. Also, stay away from red with black or gray. I like greens and oranges as well as shades of violet. Pink can be used as a secondary color. I also like interesting combinations of black, white and gray with just a touch of color.