Creating an environment for change.
Advertising isn't "the" solution to complex social issues. It is, however, a way to send a wake-up call. An important part of our mission is to put our talents to work for organizations and causes that need them. Whenever possible, we offer strategic counsel, fund-raising advice and the needed communication tools. We don't have all the answers, but we have the will to be part of the solution.
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House provides an affordable “home away from home” for families and their children who are receiving medical treatment at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center or other area hospitals. Since it opened in 1982, Ronald McDonald House has cared for more than 18,000 families with critically ill or injured children.
In 2008, Ideopia was instrumental the organization’s major fundraiser, the Red Tie Gala. Our company created the fundraiser’s program, four feature presentations for the evening, silent and live auction promotional pieces, table tents, sponsor banner stands, and two Ideopians served on a committee.
Communities in Schools North Carolina
The goal of Communities in Schools North Carolina is to serve at-risk high school students to prevent drop out and student underachievement.
Through a commitment from all community members, parents, social service providers, businesses, civic organizations, local government and educators, CIS touches more than 100,000 young people through 40 local CIS affiliates throughout North Carolina. The program offers tutoring, mentoring, health and dental screenings, job shadowing, internships and service learning along with other programs designed to keep at-risk students in school. Through the program, 98% of these at-risk students stay in school.
In 2008, Ideopia assisted the organization with their major fundraiser, the North Carolina Education Ball. We created the invitations, sponsorship brochure, a fundraising website and the program for the evening. An Ideopian in the Raleigh office served on the planning committee.
Viral game promotes cat neutering.
Catstration, Ideopia's Web Game to Fight Animal Over Population,
was cooked up to fight the problem of animal over population. The objective was to target
young and soon-to-be pet owners with a viral game. While the Catstration web site offers
hard-core information and solutions to the problem, the game is designed to raise awareness simply by playing it.
Bravo Ideopia for putting on your creative pants and coming up with a game with a message."
—Miranda, 19, on her Mindspace blog.
Ideopia Cuts and Runs For The Cure
[09.10.06]
Four Ideopians, Bill Abramovitz, Susan Abramovitz, Sara Sartarelli and Hillary DeHaan and friends (Jill Smith, Jamie Hawes and Tony Hudson)
turned out for the 2006 Komen Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research. The September 10 race attracted more than 11,000 runners from the Southern Ohio Region.
We didn't win the race (maybe next year), but it's a great cause and you can still contribute and/or participate by finding the Komen race in your area.
Learning the lessons of life through basketball.
[07.19.06] Shining Star is a non-profit organization that teaches kids the lessons of life through basketball, and helps match players with colleges
that fit their academic and athletic abilities. This year,
Ideopia designed the program for the UC vs. Xavier
Alumni Shootout.
Branding work for Columbus Housing Partnership
We've been busy over the past couple of months with work for the Columbus Housing Partnership. Our first charge was to create and brand a new division that will sell homes to buyers who are 20 percent below or above the area's median income. The new division will also contribute revenues back to CHP's home counseling and rental programs.
We started by developing a name, Homeport, and a tagline, "Your place on earth,"and then developed a logo, letterhead, and bus ads. At a recent press event, local Columbus television zoomed in on our bright green sign. The event was also featured on National Public Radio.
The Urban Learning Center in Covington, Kentucky, knocks down the barriers that prevent adults from receiving a college education. Located in the inner city, ULC offers college courses for only $10, and childcare. 
Once they've gained confidence and background, ULC students are mainstreamed into a regular college curriculum. The staff and the students have guts. Ideopia is helping with identity, a brochure, and counsel for ULC's first capital campaign. If you're interested in contributing to ULC, please call Meg Winchell at (859) 491-2220 for more information.
Covington Community Center. Covington, Kentucky, is a city in crisis. Only 62 percent of residents 25 and over have high school diplomas.
Public schools have the lowest test scores in the State, and only 51% percent of housing is owner occupied. What Covington does have is an abundance of spirit. The Covington Community Center's goal is to increase community participation, volunteerism, partnerships with business and government, and gain a bigger voice by developing effective local resident leaders. Ideopia is starting out with the basics: a brochure, and a new identity.
Our "Smoke Often. Die Young. " web site received thousands of visits each month from people who are trying to help loved ones quit smoking.
Social Responsibility at Ideopia
Like most companies who are setting social agendas for themselves, we struggle with what it means to be socially responsible. Here's our best shot:
- Do no harm to people or the environment.
- Our business organism is part of the community and the environment, so taking care of both is smart business and an ethical imperative.
- The best way for Ideopia to make an impact on social issues is to do what we do best – create powerful communication.
Environment
- Except in rare circumstances, Ideopia specifies paper stock with a minimum of 15- to 25 percent post-consumer waste, and whenever possible, chlorine free.
- Non-toxic, and also more brilliant soy inks are mandatory on all printing jobs.
- We favor suppliers who take special precautions to protect the environment.
- We've eliminated toxins from our work place, like aerosol adhesives.
- We are working toward reducing the waste stream from our offices through recycling and reuse.
- We don't work for clients that manufacture products that are harmful to people or the environment.