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January, 2006
The Agensee Seeks Experienced Account Pros
We could really use a new set of eyes around here. So, the agensee is looking for fresh account service professionals. You must have a minimum of 3 years experience, a strong client service background, knowledge of production and a drive to be great. The ability to look at things in a whole new way is also quite helpful. This is a big growth opportunity in a unique, creative atmosphere. To apply, send an email to Jeff Durham, jdurham@langdurham.com.
April, 2005
Agensee Principal, Jeff Durham Talks Branding at China Care Conference
Jeff Durham, partner and creative director of Lang/Durham in Farmington, Connecticut, unveiled the China Care brand and spoke to students and volunteers about helping expand brand awareness at the first annual China Care Conference. The three-day event was held at Harvard University in February and was co-sponsored by the Harvard China Care Club and the China Care Foundation. Durham will continue to educate China Care leadership on the foundation of the brand and communicating the brand to other audiences.
"By all measures, the work of the China Care Foundation is emotionally charged and nothing short of profound on all levels," comments Jeff Durham. "The challenge was there to create a brand that delivers this notion across every touchpoint and channel of communication. We spoke at the conference because we know that accurate stewardship of the brand is fundamental to the success of it."
Durham, along with his full-service agency, developed various marketing and fundraising materials for the fledgling China Care Foundation¹s brand. At the conference, he addressed 40 delegates from colleges and universities nationwide about understanding the various elements and standards of the China Care brand and stewarding the brand into the future.
The conference aimed to give delegates all the background and tools necessary to set up China Care Clubs in their own universities and towns and also to assist interested students in their efforts to aid the China Care Foundation.
Greenwich native and Harvard University junior, Matt Dalio, founded the China Care Foundation in 2000. The foundation is dedicated to the facilitation of adoptions between Chinese orphans and American families. It provides grants to deserving families and contributes to the betterment of orphan care in China by renovating orphanages and providing surgery for children with special needs. To date, the China Care Foundation has raised over $1.3 million. For more information on the China Care Foundation visit www.chinacare.org.
February 2005
Lang/Durham Develops Record-Setting Campaign for State Treasury's Unclaimed Property Program
After enlisting full service agency Lang/Durham to assist with advertising, public relations and design for its Unclaimed Property Program, the Connecticut State Treasury has experienced a record-setting response to the campaign kick-off.
Within the two opening weeks of the campaign, the Treasury received 223,078 web site hits, 45,062 e-mail inquiries, 8,814 phone calls, 1,715 coupon responses from the supplement and 31,559 new claims generated, potentially worth more than $9 million. In contrast, during the first month of the 2002 campaign, the Treasury received 9,211 phone calls, 13,242 e-mails and generated a total of 13,712 claims.
"The expertise, responsiveness and creativity of the professionals at Lang/Durham provided tremendous support for our mission to reunite Connecticut residents and businesses with their unclaimed assets," said Treasury Communications Director Bernard L. Kavaler. "The unprecedented success of this outreach effort is a reflection of the exceptional work that has been provided from day one."
By law, the Connecticut State Treasury must produce a newspaper supplement listing the new names on the State's unclaimed property list every two years and insert it into daily newspapers statewide. Prior to the campaign launch, the Treasury had more than 600,000 listings worth $481 million. Lang/Durham developed the theme of "The Big List," as well as the 112-page newspaper supplement inserted into every daily newspaper statewide on December 1. An advertising campaign in both English and Spanish was also developed and placed in daily and weekly newspapers, and business publications to encourage people to look for the supplement.
"Our objective when developing the creative was to give the unclaimed property program a fresh identity that could be easily understood and adopted by the public in a way that also implied the accessibility and ease of use of the program. Hence, "The Big List" was born," said Jeff Durham, partner and creative director at Lang/Durham.
The record-setting effort to reunite individuals, businesses and organizations with their unclaimed property was kicked-off on November 30 at the Westfield Shoppingtown Connecticut Post in Milford with a press conference and radio promotion with 99.1 WPLR. The promotion included a computer kiosk where Treasury staff would find shoppers? names in their unclaimed property database and let them know how much money they had on the spot. Lang/Durham designed and produced posters and 6-foot banners to reflect "The Big List" theme, explain the program and serve as a backdrop for the press conference, promotion and future speaking engagements. As part of WPLR?s participation, the station ran a total of 50 live promotional announcements leading up to the event.
Media coverage of the launch event covered the state, including WFSB. WTNH, WTIC, WVIT, News 12 Connecticut, Connecticut Radio Network, WPLR, WDRC, WSTC, WNLK, Hartford Courant, Connecticut Post, New Haven Register, Bristol Press, New Britain Herald, Newington Life, Torrington Register Citizen, Stamford Advocate, The Day, Norwich Bulletin and Willimantic Chronicle.
"We're pleased that the media covered this program as extensively as they have," added Dean Lang, partner and president of Lang/Durham. "The State Treasury is dedicated to ensuring that more Connecticut citizens who are entitled to their money be aware of the program and file a claim."
Because of the success of the kick-off, the Treasury has enlisted Lang/Durham to develop and produce a PSA, create additional newspaper advertising, plan and publicize another mall and radio promotion in Hartford County, and develop and distribute a corporate partnership media kit
November, 2004
Lang/Durham Develops Unique Marketing Strategy for New Bank Branch
Lang/Durham has been tapped by Farmington Savings Bank (FSB) to handle advertising, collateral, media and public relations services for the opening of the bank’s 11th branch in West Hartford, Connecticut. The agency will create various materials, including two advertising campaigns for before and after the opening, collateral materials and outdoor graphics, as well as handle public relations activity and event planning for the community bank. The campaign is currently underway.
"FSB was looking for a local agency to handle not only advertising, but also public relations and event coordination for our newest branch opening. We were very familiar with the work Lang/Durham has done in the past, particularly for other banks, and are pleased with the creativity and intelligence they brought to this project,” said Craig Porter, assistant vice president marketing manager for Farmington Savings Bank.
While the new branch is undergoing intense renovations, a construction barrier was erected. Lang/Durham took advantage of the construction barrier as an opportunity to communicate the arrival of the bank in this highly visible area. By making the barrier into a piece of artwork that would evolve in three phases, Lang/Durham was able to build a teaser advertising campaign around the central theme of metamorphosis, as well as help the bank stand out in an upscale and sophisticated community.
“The concept of metamorphosis is very relevant and heralds the magnificent changes FSB is bringing to the corner of Farmington & Main,” says Jeff Durham, creative director for Lang/Durham and designer of the murals. “It's an appropriate metaphor for the transformation taking place there – which is beautifying one of the most recognizable intersections in the state."
The first phase of a caterpillar was put up on July 29, the second phase of a chrysalis was on display until early-October, and the final phase with a butterfly graphic on display until the opening in November. A complimentary teaser advertising is running in local newspapers.
Other aspects of the grand opening include print advertising to follow the teaser campaign, direct mail, in-store signage, grand opening invitations and statement stuffers.
View the metamorphosis here.
June, 2004
Eric Cavoli Joins Management Team as Agency Principal, Agency Announces Other Key Promotions
Lang/Durham,
has announced that Eric Cavoli, senior copywriter, has been elevated to associate creative director and named a principal in the agency, joining Dean
Lang and Jeff Durham, the agency’s founders. Announcements of promotions were also made for Nancy Hemmerich and Renee Cormier to senior account
executive and senior public relations account executive respectively.
Prior to joining Lang/Durham five years ago, Cavoli worked at New York advertising agency, Nicholas-Forbes, as well as the inhouse agency at Amerifit Nutrition. Cavoli has lead creative efforts for dozens of accounts including Timex, The United Illuminating Company, PNC Bank, MassMutual, Prolab Nutrition, Hitchcock Furniture, Estroven Ltd. and Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. In this new role, Cavoli will continue to service his clients as a copywriter, as well as act as the agency’s associate creative director.
In his remarks at a recent company party for clients, staff, friends and family, agency President Dean Lang said, “Eric embodies what this agency is all about. He works hard, is extremely talented and is well liked and respected by the clients, staff and vendors he works with. I’ve been impressed by his managerial skills and business savvy. We couldn’t be prouder of him and making him a principal of the agency is well-deserved.”
Nancy Hemmerich and Renee Cormier will also be taking on new roles within Lang/Durham. Nancy Hemmerich has more than 7 years experience working on both the client and agency side of the advertising business. In her new role as senior account executive, Hemmerich will manage clients such as The United Illuminating Company, PNC Bank, Bin228 and Naugatuck Savings Bank. She is responsible for the day-to-day servicing of the accounts as well as strategic planning and new business initiatives.
After joining Lang/Durham as an account executive in public relations in 2002, Renee Cormier has been named senior public relations account executive for the agency. She will be responsible for all public relations activity from strategic planning and media relations to crisis communication and account service for clients including The United Illuminating Company and Farmington Savings Bank. She also serves on the agency’s new business team.
"Nancy and Renee have continuously demonstrated their ability to service their clients at a high level, and have grown to be seasoned professionals at their craft. They are an integral part of the services we provide our clients. These promotions are well-deserved for their hard work," continued Lang.
June, 2004
Lang/Durham to Launch Campaign for Capitol Regional Education Council
Lang/Durham was recently chosen
to launch a campaign for the Capitol Regional Education Council (CREC), promoting “Understanding by Design,” a proven method to improve curriculum design and student performance. “Understanding by Design” applies
the principles of backward design where teachers establish goals first and then build a curriculum around how to instruct and assess performance as students
work toward those goals.
“We’ve worked with educational clients in the past, as well as CREC, and are proud to be servicing such a professional organization,” said Dean Lang, president of Lang/Durham. "CREC's dedication to increasing student performance through learning and utilizing nationally recognized instructors to implement this outstanding program makes them one of the preeminent authorities in the country on curriculum design."
The assignment, targeted to school boards and administrators, includes development of a brochure, CD and corresponding mailer that explain the program and encourage educators to enroll their teachers. The campaign is scheduled to launch in June.
“We are thrilled to partner in this effort with Lang/Durham,” adds Allison Zmuda, director of teaching & learning for CREC. “Their creativity, business and marketing acumen, and total customer dedication has made this campaign a success. It is wonderful to work with an agency that takes the time to understand not just the product, but the organization as well.”
CREC is a non-profit, regional educational service center serving 35 Greater Hartford Connecticut public school districts. It was founded in 1966 by local school districts working together to solve common problems. Today, CREC administers more than 100 programs and services spanning the entire educational spectrum with the same goal in mind.
May, 2004
Lang/Durham Celebrates Timex’s 150TH Anniversary in Style
Lang/Durham recently completed several marketing assignments promoting Timex Corporation’s 150th anniversary. The Farmington shop created and produced an internal sales meeting video, tradeshow multimedia presentation and a commemorative brochure for customers and distributors worldwide, celebrating the history of Timex and its evolution as a brand.
“Although Timex retains a New York City advertising agency, we also like to tap top talent here in Connecticut. We put our trust in Lang/Durham to handle our special 150th anniversary communications program because of their superb collateral and video development capabilities, ” said Michael Friend, Director of Marketing Communications for Timex Corporation.
All the anniversary materials carry the consistent theme of 150 years of innovation – in time, in watches and in life. The strategy was to demonstrate that Timex first affected the way people experienced time with the introduction of the country’s first affordable clocks and pocket watches. Timex then put time on our wrists with the first popular wristwatches. And today, Timex continues to innovate by creating timepieces in step with the way people live life.
“There may not be a more recognizable brand name on the face of the earth,” commented Jeff Durham, Partner and Creative Director of Lang/Durham. “To be given the opportunity to develop such an important group of pieces for this company was a real pleasure. The brochure is completely and utterly unique. The design is cutting edge and truly captures the innovative spirit that has been Timex‘s trademark since 1854.”
March, 2004
Lang/Durham Takes Home First and Second Place Awards in Billboard Competition
Out of dozens of entries from Connecticut agencies, Farmington-based Lang/Durham received both first and second place at the Advertising Club of Connecticut’s
Annual Outdoor Competition. This is the fourth consecutive year the agency has received top honors at the competition, which recognizes excellence in creating
outdoor advertising. Awards were presented at the Park Road Playhouse in West Hartford on February 25.
Principal/Creative Director Jeff Durham and Senior Copywriter Eric Cavoli developed the winning concept based on this year’s theme, “Support Our Troops.” The winning billboard included a visual of an overturned camouflage helmet on a vivid red background, with the line: “Hey, it’s a free country. Thank a soldier.” The second place billboard was the simply stated, “Hug a Soldier.”
“Everyone has an opinion on our country's military position, which makes for a provocative subject,” said Jeff Durham, Partner and Creative Director for Lang/Durham. “However, the requirement was not to make a political statement of any kind, but rather focus on support for the people who defend our freedoms. We're proud our board will be the courier of a real and heartfelt message.”
The competition is sponsored by the Advertising Club of Connecticut. Other sponsors include several outdoor media companies, which are donating materials and space for the winning billboard in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury.
Past winning billboards from Lang/Durham include “Think Before You Hate” to promote peace and “Killer Cell Phone, Dude!” to encourage responsible driving.
Durham adds, “People are starting to ask what our secret is, which is funny. Outdoor advertising, especially on a billboard, really tests your ability to construct a provocative message with precious few elements. It's all about the message, simply stated and expertly executed. That's the secret. But don't tell anyone.”
March, 2004
Lang/Durham Retains the United Illuminating Company Account After Review Lang/Durham, agency of record for
The United Illuminating Company (UI) for the past three years, retained that status after a review in December 2003. The incumbent
was chosen in January and will continue to handle all aspects of UI's advertising, collateral and public relations efforts for
the company's conservation programs, as well as other projects as they arise.
“We are so pleased to continue our relationship with The United Illuminating Company,” said Dean Lang, President of Lang/Durham. “Their staff has been
great to work with and their conservation programs are meaningful – not just to their customers, but to all Connecticut residents.”
Lang/Durham began their professional relationship with advertising and collateral work in 2000, and added public relations services in 2002. During
that time, the agency has created a variety of advertising and collateral campaigns for UI conservation programs including the SmartLiving™ Center, Community
Energy Initiative, eesmarts and Light the Night. Recent campaigns include advertising and public relations for “Wait ‘til 8,” advocating summer energy
conservation, and the current advertising, direct mail and public relations efforts for UI's new service, HomeGuard® Whole House Surge Protection.
"My colleagues and I were delighted to be able to retain the services of Lang/Durham,” adds Samantha Crowley, Manager, Marketing Services for UI. “They
have been a wonderful company to work with and have met and often exceeded our creative and strategic needs. We look forward to continuing the excellent
relationship."
UI is a New Haven-based regional distribution utility that provides electricity and energy-related services to more than 320,000 customers in municipalities
in the Greater New Haven and Greater Bridgeport areas. UI's World Wide Web address is http://www.uinet.com/. UI's
parent company, UIL Holdings Corporation, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UIL.
November, 2003
Lang/Durham Tackles Projects for Timex, PNC Bank and the American Heart Association
It’s a win-win-win situation for the folks at Lang/Durham with the addition of exciting project work for three high-profile new clients. Assignments include print and multi-media for Timex – the world’s most well-known watch brand, as well as direct mail for PNC Bank’s corporate banking divisions and event promotion for the American Heart Association’s largest Connecticut fundraiser.
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