OAF Event Marketing
The Client
The Oconomowoc Area Foundation (The OAF) is a general charitable fund stewarded by local leaders. The organization fundraises and offers grants to local programs covering five key areas: caring for children, developing youth, helping those in need, preserving our environment, and enriching the community economically and culturally. The Foundations board directs a general fund and 14 affiliated funds that collectively provide over a quarter of a million dollars in grants, annually.
2020 GOLD AWARD OF DISTINCTION, MARKETING / PROMOTION – INVITATION, THE COMMUNICATOR AWARDS
The Request
In an effort to build attendance for the 2019 OAF Annual Celebration and Grants Announcement and to enhance awareness for the event, the board reached out to Ocreative to develop the event branding and artwork, design a custom event invitation, an RSVP, a custom envelope, and a PowerPoint presentation. The OAF chose “Oktoberfest” as their theme given the month the event was happening and asked for an elevated, professional, yet inviting aesthetic.
The Strategy
Ocreative began by designing custom branding for the event. The final artwork reflects the deep ambers of ale with influences from German beer and dining halls. Beautiful hop flourishes adorn the information side of the invite while a custom illustration featuring a frothy beer stein and hop leaves emerge from a festive Oktoberfest banner. This modern vintage take translated well to several formats including a custom die-cut invitation, RSVP, branded envelop, and digital graphics for a PowerPoint presentation.
The Outcome
Over 300 people attended the event during which $300,000 in grants were provided to 16 deserving recipients looking to improve our community. The event branding created a welcoming and cheerful environment in which The OAF, grant recipients, and their supporters could enjoy this tremendous accomplishment. Adding to the total $3.8 million in grants the OAF has provided since its inception in 2002, 2019’s event was a huge success and a great time for all who attended.