Our work
Creativity. Pluck. And a good story. These are just some of the Read Head elements that help our clients win. Here are a few case studies that demonstrate our expertise, passion and results.
The Next Big Book Sale
Calgary Reads
After a two-year hiatus, the beloved Calgary Reads Big Book Sale was ready to return. An event that was once a weekend shopping frenzy of nearly 10,000 people shopping 100,000 books was now an 11-day event. With an extended sale and two years of lost fundraising dollars, Calgary Reads would need more book donations, more volunteers and more shoppers than ever before in its 18 years.
Calgary Reads 18th Big Book Sale
To grow reach beyond existing supporters—and sustain nearly two months of activity recruiting volunteers, hosting book drives and engaging sale-goers—we used creative, contemporary tools to rally Calgarians behind a love of books and a thriving reading community.
With tailored content and targeted advertising, we helped people see both the thrill of the book sale and how its proceeds help children open the door to a lifetime of opportunity.
Communications plan
Print and digital ads
Social media strategy, content & management
News release, media advisory and media pitching
The results
To say it was a success is an understatement.
24 news stories on radio, print and television
14,000+ shoppers
1,200 volunteers
139,000 books sold (approx)
$475,000 raised ($125,000 above the goal)
“It was an amazing book sale with a much better-than-expected result. Natalie, certainly your work was a big part of that success. Clearly, the communication was very effective and there was not a shortage of volunteers, book donations or shoppers. The diversity at our free day was a testament to our communication outreach. Thank you so much for your role in making this all happen and we look forward to working with you again.”
Yes4Culture
A Campaign Sprint
Greater Vernon Votes for the Cultural Centre it Deserves
We leveraged a proven path—harnessing resistance—to help affect a big change as the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Greater Vernon Museum & Archives sought support for a new facility heading into a referendum.
And we had less than four weeks to do it.
To help make a compelling case that helped voters see all the opportunities a new cultural centre would bring, we contributed:
Communications plan
Advertising concept and copy for print and radio
Website concept and copy to speak to each unique audience group
Infographic concept and copy
Social media strategy and management
News releases and media pitching
Media tours & events
We still don’t know how she did it, but at the eleventh hour and after 10 years of garnering support for this centre, VPAG executive director Dauna Kennedy kept a straight face as she announced the results that election night.
“Working with Natalie and her team from Read Head on the Yes4Culture campaign helped to carry us through a successful referendum for a new cultural centre in Greater Vernon. We had a very tight timeline and Natalie came on board to assist us with our brand messaging and providing the organization required for our media campaign. I would highly recommend her team for their professionalism and dedication to the projects they participate in. I look forward to utilizing their services for future projects with the Vernon Public Art Gallery.”
Caravan Farm Theatre
A Howling Good Time
Old Dogs, New Tricks for Caravan’s The Coyotes
Caravan Farm Theatre wanted to inspire both new and familiar audiences to experience the magic of Caravan and its timely and terrific summer 2019 production of The Coyotes.
Of course, we were thrilled to contribute. Caravan is a nationally acclaimed outdoor theatre company located near Armstrong, BC, and its productions are otherworldly.
Read Head supported their audience campaign leg-to-leg with:
Media relations strategy
Social media strategy and management
News releases and media pitching
Influencer outreach
Media tours & events
The show received some outstanding coverage—on TV, print, digital news and the feeds of key influencers. We Read Heads and our littles joined the pack along with the thousands—and thousands—who made The Coyotes one of their best-attended performances yet.
“Read Head Studio put their media savvy and PR reach to work for Caravan Farm Theatre and we were very happy with the results: The sustained, province-wide coverage they were able to garner for our summer show production made a strong impact on our box office sales. Professional, detail-oriented, and up-to-the-minute connected, they are a great local resource.”