GrahamSpencer

10/09/2024

Flashing lights, tumbling dice and gamblers betting on big payouts. These are the sights and sounds of a bustling Las Vegas casino. Now, with the establishment of Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, residents and visitors alike are experiencing the same thrills right here at home.

The real ongoing winner can be found outside the casino. The Rockford Region is benefiting from our new job-creating, tax revenue-minting enterprise. The City of Rockford itself is guaranteed annual revenue of at least $7 million. And, just like Las Vegas has an origin story measured in decades, the arrival of Hard Rock Casino Rockford has a story as Real and Original as it gets.

Join us on our website for a case study to learn how GrahamSpencer helped clients like , RAEDC the City of Rockford Government and Winnebago County place dramatic bets on ourselves. It’s a look back in time before the wrecking ball first touched the Clock Tower, when Rockford’s dreams of spinning roulette wheels and glistening one-armed bandits seemed like a mirage on a distant horizon.

Rockford’s journey to securing a casino license is a story of strategic advocacy, perseverance and cross-organizational collaboration spanning four decades. At GrahamSpencer, we know that is true because we played support roles in all of Rockford’s efforts to earn a license. The first such effor...

09/30/2024

Invitation to Share Your Story: A Community-Centered Video Series on Affordable Housing

A rent check that practically hurts to write.
The second job that keeps you away from your family.
That long, long walk to the bus stop.
A leaky roof and drafty windows.

These are some of the challenges that members of our community here in Rockford face. What ties them together is the challenge of affording housing. The federal government has defined anyone that spends over 30% of their income on housing as “cost-burdened.” These folks may qualify for assistance in obtaining affordable housing.

But while many people experience the reality of costly housing – and even US Presidential candidates talk about the issue – the solution won’t happen overnight. To gather momentum and make real change, we need to educate our entire community on the affordable housing crisis.

GrahamSpencer invites members of the community to participate in an upcoming video series that highlights the real human stories behind this crisis. This series, titled Home is Where the Heart Is, aims to shed light on the experiences of hardworking individuals and families who are navigating the challenges of finding stable, affordable housing.

Through personal interviews, the project will uncover the emotional and physical tolls that housing instability places on community members, focusing on how rising costs and stagnant wages are affecting everyday lives. Participants will have the opportunity to share their stories about the impact of housing insecurity on their health, well-being, and quality of life.

The production process will involve a pre-interview meeting or phone call with interested folks. If and when everyone feels comfortable, we will shoot an on-camera interview with the subject, as well as some extra footage of their everyday life. This will likely require the subject (and possibly their family) to feel comfortable with having a small, local camera crew of 1-2 people filming them in their home, going to their job and/or enjoying a nearby park (among other potential ideas).

This project is produced in collaboration with PlatFORM Group, a local advocate for affordable housing solutions. By participating, individuals will be helping to raise awareness and inspire action within the community. Together, we can foster hope and create change.

Anyone interested in sharing their experience is encouraged to connect with GrahamSpencer for more information. Whether you have personally been impacted by the housing crisis or have a professional perspective to offer, your voice is crucial in helping to bring attention to this vital issue.

For more information, contact:

Matt Shane Youngblood
Director of Brand Strategy & Content Development
[email protected]

09/12/2024

GrahamSpencer is proud to have partnered with Railveyor to develop a high-impact website that showcases the company’s innovative, all-electric bulk material handling technology. Designed to dispel myths and attract new business, the site features live data tracking and detailed case studies, positioning Railveyor as a leader in sustainable mining solutions.

Debuted at MINEXPO 2021, the site has become an essential tool for lead generation, talent attraction and brand enhancement, while supporting Railveyor’s goal of revolutionizing the mining industry with cleaner, more efficient transport systems.

Please join us on our website to see the rest of the story.

08/22/2024

In 2011/12, GrahamSpencer designed and produced what many people, including famed rock critic Ira Robbins called, “the greatest rock & roll music museum exhibition ever created.”

Hosted by the Burpee Museum of Natural History in downtown Rockford’s Riverfront Museum Park’s main gallery, Rick’s Picks: A Lifelong Affair with Guitars & Music was 6,000 square feet of rock & roll fantasy come true – as experienced in the colorful life of famed guitarist and songwriter Rick Nielsen of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick.

Please join us on our website to learn how, in the summer of 2024, the exhibition’s extensive collection of custom-designed, custom-built cabinetry and other display equipment made their way to Joliet, Illinois to become part of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66. It’s a fascinating story.

In 2011/12, GrahamSpencer designed what many people, including famed rock critic Ira Robbins called, “the greatest rock & roll music museum exhibition ever created.”

08/01/2024

In 2023, GrahamSpencer was selected by the United Way of Rock River Valley to help it tackle a national crisis at a local level: childhood illiteracy.

GS’s campaign responsibilities were to name and brand the effort (United for Literacy), design and build a website and plan, design and launch an effective digital advertising campaign. Fueled by GSearch, GrahamSpencer's research-based planning methodology, we created messages that aim to engage viewers emotionally, attract clicks and convince them to look further for ways they can help, from volunteering to donating and more.

Please join us on our website to learn the quantifiable ways the United for Literacy campaign is exceeding digital advertising benchmarks right here in Winnebago County. GrahamSpencer is proud to be of service to the United Way of Rock River Valley in this critical mission to remind our community that Reading is Everything.

https://grahamspencer.com/united-way-of-rock-river-valley-reading-is-everything/

07/23/2024

The Empire Strikes Back.
Fury Road.
The Dark Knight.

Sometimes, sequels are better than the original. With that in mind, we're glad to announce the return of Matt Youngblood to the GrahamSpencer team!

Join us on our website for more on Matt's journey since departing GrahamSpencer in 2022 - and his reasons for coming home again.

We love a good reunion story and are glad to be in the middle of one right now. All of us at GS are thrilled to have Matt back and can't wait to see how the sequel does at the box office. No pressure, Matt!

https://grahamspencer.com/reunited-matt-youngblood-rejoins-grahamspencer/

03/14/2024

GrahamSpencerer is a proud sponsor of the all-volunteer Rock River Anything That Floats Race and encourages all our friends who are Captains of Industry - no matter how big, no matter how small your enterprise - to please dip into your treasure chests and find a way to support the new race, which was an instant classic when it first sailed in 1976 and remains a classic now.

There are many ways to Paddle With a Purpose as a race sponsor. From just $250 to $10,000, there is a good fit for your enterprise. Please visit rratfr.com/sponsors for details!

02/15/2024

In 2023, GrahamSpencer conducted a research and insight-driven rebranding of the lovely little City of Freeport, Illinois. What does that have to do with Chicago/Rockford International Airport, O'Hare International Airport and the five-times GRAMMY-winning Roger Miller standard King of the Road? Quite a bit, actually. It's a tale of ambitious thinkers, an unforgettable melody and the freedom of the open road. For the rest of the story, please join us on our website.

Discover how GrahamSpencer's rebranding of Freeport, IL intertwines with iconic airports & a GRAMMY-winning classic.

01/04/2024

The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce asked us to write a few words about the role of digital and social advertising in 2024. See page nine if you're so-inclined ....

Current Issue - The Voice

12/22/2023

As we look forward to 2024 during this year's holiday season, we pause to thank our clients, friends and family for their fellowship. May the new year bring you joy, peace and hope. ❤️

12/20/2023

Locavore Farm in rural Kankakee County is the kind of unique, authentic asset that any Destination Marketing Organization in the world would be proud to feature in its promotions. Visit Kankakee County engaged GrahamSpencer to do just that.

Founded on the principles of soil health, healthy organic food and warm, communal experiences, the story of Locavore’s founding and rai·son d’ê·tre is as fascinating as its food and experiences are fulfilling.

Join us for a Case Study on our website and learn how GrahamSpencer is telling the story of Locavore in a measured, inspiring way via digital advertising, video storytelling and more.

Visit Kankakee County, an accredited Illinois destination marketing organization led by CEO Nicole Gavin, was looking for a hook to draw attention to her service area southeast of Chicagoland. In a successful 2022 mixed media campaign, GrahamSpencer celebrated the region's easy access to high qualit...

11/30/2023

J.R. SULLIVAN’S HOMETOWN HOLIDAY REDUX: HOLIDAY INSPIRATION WINS THE DAY

In the wake of J.R. Sullivan's Hometown Holiday the Final Curtain show in 2019, Rockford's Real, Original Father Christmas began receiving emails, texts, calls and letters encouraging him to bring back the popular seasonal variety show.

In 2023, J.R. awoke from his long winters’ nap to once again assemble his merry cast of legendary performers to warm the holiday spirit in his beloved hometown of Rockford.

Within a week of introducing and promoting J.R. Sullivan’s 2023 Hometown Holiday Redux, the show sold out, leaving many surprised revelers at the door with no tickets in hand. Learn how we helped turn a lump of coal into a fresh new theatrical experience for Hometown Holiday fans - and how you can join in the fun!

In 2023, J.R. awoke from his long winters’ nap to once again assemble his cast of legendary performers to ignite his beloved hometown’s holiday spirit.

11/09/2023

In the summer of 2023, an exciting $421 million redevelopment deal was struck between the City of Rockford and J. Jeffers & Co. of Milwaukee to transform the historic, sprawling Barber Colman manufacturing complex into a modern mixed-use development. It is an exciting win for beleaguered southwest Rockford, one that was a long time coming. For the rest of the story - including how GrahamSpencer and high-quality marketing storytelling fit into the plot, please join us for a case study on our website.

In the summer of 2023, an exciting $421 million redevelopment deal was struck between the City of Rockford and J. Jeffers & Co. of Milwaukee to transform the historic, sprawling Barber Colman manufacturing complex into a modern mixed-use development. Congratulations to Mayor Tom McNamara and his adm...

10/19/2023

In 2008, GS partnered with Rock River Valley Blood Center to create a new brand identity, messaging strategy, website and more to better attract donors. The strategy focused on donors’ generosity rather than recipient need. Learn why on our website!

In 2008, the Rock River Valley Blood Center chose GrahamSpencer to help it research, plan and design a new brand identity, website and advertising deliverables. At the time, RRVBC’s brand identity depicted a giant drop of blood hovering over what one could only assume was a river of blood. RRVBC.....

08/01/2023

Visiting Rocky Wirtz: An Interesting Encounter With a Genuinely Nice Guy

Ten years ago, in July of 2013, GrahamSpencer was engaged by Chicago/Rockford International Airport to help craft a proposal to convince Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology to locate a new campus it was considering building in the Rockford Region.

In the course of producing the video that was a central deliverable element of the strategy, we interviewed Rocky Wirtz in his office on North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. We invite you to view the News Blog on our website for the whole story about that fascinating encounter with the legendary Chicago Blackhawks owner.

In the summer of 2013, GrahamSpencer was engaged by the Chicago Rockford International Airport and Rockford Area Economic Development Council to help create a dynamic pitch to attract Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology to the region.

07/22/2023

This week, Jay Graham was invited to discuss our most recent project for Visit Kankakee County at the bureau’s annual meeting at The Majestic in downtown Kankakee. The project is a five-part documentary video series called “Farm to Farm Table” that will tell the inspiring story of Locavore Farm, a truly amazing Regenerative, Organic farm in Grant Park, IL.

Jay enjoyed listening to other presenters talk about all the wonderful progress Kankakee County is making in building its brand and tourism economy and making good use of Community Tourism Action Plan (CTAP) grants. Funded programs include Locavore Farm, the Kankakee Riverfront Society, the Village of Bourbonnais, Adventure Christian Church / Adventure Commons, the Bourbonnais Township Park District, the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County & Kankakee County Historical Society, Connect Roasters, Deer Ridge Barn, Knack Brewing Fermentations and the Collaborative Initiative to Revive Kankakee Arts.

Stay tuned for more on GS‘s Farm to Farm Table series for VKC & Locavore soon.

07/10/2023

Tonight, the proposed revitalization of the sprawling, all-but-abandoned Barber Colman manufacturing site in Southwest Rockford goes before Rockford City Council for approval. We thought it would be interesting to take a look back at some of the advocacy initiatives in which GrahamSpencer has been involved over the years - including previous efforts to bring back to life the house that Howard Colman built. Rockford residents in particular might be interested in joining us for a quick news post on our website. As you might guess, we’re advocates of this inspiring collaboration between the City of Rockford and J. Jeffers & Co.

History – even recent history – is much more than a collection of dusty facts, forgotten faces and abandoned or achieved goals and dreams. From the rise and fall of empires to the triumphs and tragedies of individual people, history is wisdom – if we only remember to pay attention to it.

07/04/2023

Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸🧨