Case Study: Changing Stares

Last Updated May 13, 2015: Scott Darnell Wins Top Mobility Industry Engineering Award, Brings Custom Mobility Solutions to Market

Creative and Communications Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Supports Growth For Ambitious Entrepreneur
See also: WEBSITE

Adaptive mobility expert Scott Darnell is a consultant and developer of innovative solutions for wheelchair users.

Executive Summary
In 2003, DWA began its role as the creative and communications agency of record for Changing Stares, Inc., a privately held start-up focused on creating important new mobility options for wheelchair users. With Scott Darnell (brother to DWA principal Roger Darnell) unveiling his first product at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, DWA took responsibility for all facets of brand communications for the company’s successful launch. In 2009, Scott was invited to attend the annual conference for the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association, where Adaptive Driving Alliance leaders presented him with their New Technology Award for innovation in engineering and technology for the physically challenged. As the venture has progressed, it has tapped DWA’s expertise to cost-effectively advance essential facets of its business, including sales and customer service. Thanks to Scott’s perseverance and DWA’s ongoing support, CSI has earned vital media exposure and consistently expanded dialogues with industry experts and customers through adept communications that include dynamic use of social media.

Read moreCase Study: Changing Stares

Case Study: ATTIK


Last Updated April 30, 2015: Global Creative Agency ATTIK Evolved, Continued Delivering Spectacular Client Returns Into 2015

Dynamic Public Relations Campaign Effectively Positions Company and Its Key Customers, Sustains Growth
See also: ATTIK MEDIA COVERAGE

Established in the mid-1980s in northern England, ATTIK Ltd. quickly earned a worldwide reputation for sensational design, and by the late 1990s, had successfully expanded across the U.S. and into Sydney, Australia. In 2001, the company scaled back, refocused, and soon emerged with a boldly expanded approach — and an extraordinary new client: Scion. Acquired in 2007 by Dentsu, ATTIK was a highly successful global creative agency. Its doors closed in 2015.

Read moreCase Study: ATTIK

Case study: Smart ways to communicate


To me, one of the best ways to understand how effective marketing works is to look at campaigns that have won the most or the biggest creative industry awards, and you won’t find a recent campaign that has been more successful at winning major awards than this one from McCann’s office in Melbourne, Australia. I discuss many awards submissions with my clients every year, and in my experience, oftentimes what makes a project award-worthy is the documentation you can provide – especially when you can clearly present valid results the work has helped deliver. This theory is backed-up by the documentation for Dumb Ways to Die from McCann Melbourne, which was named “Most Awarded Agency” by Advertising Age in 2013 thanks to this project earning numerous “best of show” honors from the major international programs, including a record five Cannes Lions Grand Prix (in the Film, Integrated, Direct, PR and Radio categories).

Here are some highlights of the verbiage the agency used for this project, which was produced for Melbourne Metro Trains.

Read moreCase study: Smart ways to communicate

Case Study: Shilo

Last updated on Apr. 15, 2014: Shilo’s Filmmakers Shine Ever Brighter as Partners for Brands and Agencies Seeking Provocative, Original Commercials and Films

“Inspired and United Client and Agency Contacts Keep Global Media, Professional and Industry Targets In Steady Contact with Shilo’s Projects, Vibe and Culture”
See also: SHILO MEDIA COVERAGE

Shilo is an Emmy Award-winning creative production company representing a group of filmmakers led by director Jose Gomez. Internationally known for creating provocative, design-infused original film and HD video content, Shilo’s artists in New York and La Jolla, California, produce spellbinding short films, music videos and commercials for leading advertising agencies and brands. Shilo also published its own book in 2007 (“We Make It Good”) and curates the popular website WeMakeItGood.com.

Read moreCase Study: Shilo

Case Study: Scion + ATTIK – “United By Individuality”

In 2008, global creative agency ATTIK and Scion launched the “United By Individuality” branding campaign. The agency recently produced this case study encapsulation above.

Shilo’s global recognition and evolution

The 2008 “Burma Viral” project produced by U.S. creative production company Shilo, together with Carl Le Blond, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam, John Jackson, Director of Social Responsibility, MTV Networks, Suki Dusanj, Founder of The Burma Arts Board, activist Sam Roddick and others, is featured within the pages of “For A Good … Read moreShilo’s global recognition and evolution

N.A.S.A. NSFW 2010


Last February, N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) debuted “The Spirit of Apollo” on Anti- Records. I’ve written before about the ongoing creative collaboration between lifelong music aficionados Squeak E. Clean (aka Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon, and their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes. Today, “The Spirit of Apollo” continues involving many superstar artists from both U.S. coasts in bringing people together through music and art. I hope you enjoy the updated playlist, featuring the talents of N.A.S.A.’s many fine-artist friends.

Read moreN.A.S.A. NSFW 2010

Case Study: a52

Last updated on Jan. 15, 2010: a52 Earns Continuous Coverage in Target Market and Industry Trade Media, Extends Key Vendor and Client Relationships

“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Keeps a52 Atop Industry Radar”
See also: a52 MEDIA COVERAGE . ELASTIC MEDIA COVERAGE . ROCK PAPER SCISSORS MEDIA COVERAGE

a52, an award-winning LA-based visual effects boutique serving the international commercial, music video and premium-television industries.

Executive Summary
During DWA’s 10-year tenure as the PR agency of record for a52 (2000-2010), projects touched by the immense talents at the LA-based visual effects boutique earned top honors from Adweek, Advertising Age, ‘Boards, Creative Review, Creativity, SHOOT and Shots, top Automotive Advertising, BDA, British Design and Art Direction, Clio, Emmy (Best Main Title and Best Commercial), International Andy, London International Advertising and PROMAX Awards, among many others… and screened at the Museum of Modern Art in the prestigious annual AICP Show each and every year.

Read moreCase Study: a52

Case Study: Stardust Studios

Last updated on Aug. 31, 2009: Award-Winning Creative Production Company Stardust Studios Expands Business and Global Reputation

“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Put Stardust’s Business Feats in Brilliant Perspective”
See also: MEDIA COVERAGE

Stardust Studios, a bicoastal U.S. creative production company, specializing in motion design, animation, visual effects and live-action production. DWA strategic campaign kicked off in December, 2005 and ran through August, 2009.

Executive Summary
In November of 2005, well into its third year in business, Stardust Studios retained DWA as its PR agency of record, to devise and launch a proactive media relations campaign. Stardust’s brilliance in creating engaging original motion design and live-action content, combined with DWA’s campaign efforts, extended the studio’s reputation as a unique creator of extraordinary content worldwide. The company achieved fame through the Apple community and was widely recognized and honored among the world’s best through editorial exposure and industry awards related to its collaborations with the world’s most prestigious agencies, brands and recording artists.

Read moreCase Study: Stardust Studios