Jostens Learning: business

Jostens Learning sold software to teachers and school systems via both a dealer network and a catalog. But the catalog was an underachiever. We looked over the catalog and the market and realized immediately how to hit the mark. Most teachers spend at least $800 to $1000/year out of pocket to purchase software for their classrooms, and they also are fierce advocates for good software for their kids. We went AGAINST Josten's branding policy forbidding photos of teachers and kids together, and developed an emotional cover with a teacher's dream scene. Then we loaded the inside of the catalog with sidebars confirming how these products provide measurements for teachers to observe their kids' progress. It was a big winner beating the prior catalog by 250%!

Nature's Wealth: consumer

Kickoff catalog for a company specializing in a variety of products, including vitamins and supplements, air purifying equipment, natural skin creams and body boosters. We provided a booster ourselves, by using testimonial, sidebar and magalog-style format to encourage the reader to take in the whole story and become a customer. Strong response, company sold soon thereafter.

Alpha Media: business

This unusual catalog filled with software solutions for the medical profession was a first of its kind in total merchandise selection and in attitude. Psychographics told us that Doctors don't like to be confronted with things they know nothing about -- and computers were among those things since their assistants were doing that work. We created a character, Dr. Tip, to tell these MDs the answers to their most commom questions regarding software. In additon, they love classical images and fine art -- so we created a series of covers during the 4 year span our our time with the catalog, which utilized these images.

Liberty Orchards: consumer

A mature catalog of gift candy, Liberty Orchards hired us for a number of years to do both their catalog and also help with special VIP programs and Frequent Buyer programs. During our time with them we did substantial cover testing with surprising results -- including discoveries that we STILL see gift catalogers stumble over even today! We also developed a more sophisticated photographic look full of appetite appeal and user imagery focusing on gifting as the primary objective. We also refined their reply form and worked with them on developing new products to extend their line. This involved heavy duty candy tasting, which was our favorite part of the job.

Marshall and Swift, business

Marshall and Swift, a supplier of subscription books with cost- and estimating guides for the building and insurance industries, has been in business for over 75 years. But this past 7 years has been a time of great challenge. While in the past, their books and traditional product was enough for this company's customers, they were asking for more diverse products, more on CD and eventually web, more convenience. They also were getting more sophisticated about what the catalog would look like, how it would read. We worked with Marshall and Swift on all facets of their cataloging to see them into the new millennium.

Principal Secret Cosmetics: consumer

Victoria Principal's cosmetics line, sold through Guthy Renker, hit the wall after the first level of sales. Realizing they needed to extend sales to the next level and improve customer retention, Guthy Renker hired us to develop a series of catalogs, which we did for about 3 years. These first ones were delibertately tiny - 5 x 5 - to fit comfortably into the fulfillment package. However they also did well to customer lists when mailed solo. Our strong positioning in the catalog came through added value sidebars to encourage product use, and strong identification with Victoria Principal herself, who is a lovely example of looking fabulous regardless of age.