Free to Breathe

Perhaps at the top of the list of things you take for granted: breathing.

You should be able to trust that every day you'll breathe, that your lungs will work the way they ought to, but it isn't always the case.

Not yet 30, employed yet uninsured, Tribune employee and Glens Falls Resident, Regina Rothstein found herself staring down a diagnosis of lung cancer (neuroendocrine carcinoid) on September 18th of this year.

One of her co-workers, a longtime friend and client of Trampoline, Melissa O'Sick, called us to ask if we might be able to help in some way. Unsure how to have the most impact, we decided to do everything we could in the time that we had.

First came t-shirts for those walking with and for Regina.





Colleen over at Ridge Street Coffee Company (1 Ridge Street in downtown Glens Falls) continues to sell the Regina t-shirts for $15 a piece— raising awareness and money for Regina as she battles this diagnosis with bottomless ferocity and zero health insurance.

Next came banners and markers to guide the way along the walk.



A poster to get the word out to hundreds of Tribune employees.


A spot on the web that directs people to a place to give.


Melissa O'Sick, Nicolle Burton and Regina Rothstein.


Team Regina's frontline.



Regina's Behind-the-scenes Team. A very special thanks to these Trampoline vendors who helped us complete this effort with minimal costs. They always work hard for us and produce quality products. This went above and beyond—we're proud of the work, humbled by their commitment and generosity.

Arca
A&M
GFprinting
GVHstudios


Breathe new life into this campaign, give to Regina and Team Regina.

Not always about winning

We like to think of ourselves as nice, but the truth is, we're pretty competitive. Sometimes it's just challenging ourselves to be better, or it's competing within the studio and other times it's against other agencies. Recently we entered into our first New York State bid project.

It was a monumental undertaking for us, but felt as if something we should do. The entire Tramp team came together and worked in the most literal sense as a team, pushing, supporting, combining and executing things in a way that had the full strength of 8 different skill sets and talents.

It was intense, exciting and ultimately the single-greatest act of team-building that we have ever experienced. We are stronger, bolder and more aware of the value of each player than ever before.

All that said, we didn't get it, which kind of sucks. However, at the risk of sounding like an also-ran, the truth is, it was awesome just to compete. We can look back, feel damn proud of the creative and genuinely say, "We gave it our all."

Last Friday everyone got a little something as a way of rewarding their willingness to go above and beyond what was expected of them. Upon recounting the story to a nephew, one Tramp shared this:

So when I got home Friday Jacob said, "so how was work" in an annoying teenager tone, 'cause whenever I see him I ask him how's school. I said it was great and that actually we got a little bonus for our hard work on the state bid. Even though we didn't get it, the work and effort didn't go unnoticed. I said that it was such a nice gesture and how appreciative I was.

His response: "wait a minute, you got extra money for NOT getting a job? That's like sports teams, they lose the game but they still get paid. Not fair Aunt Amy."

We may not have a state gig, but the state of affairs here at Trampoline is this: Our team kicks ass and we are grateful for that every day.



.

Go Big.

Amy is known around these parts for her delicate and refined touch, some might even call it girlie. Underneath the pinks and paisleys, Amy had a fine trick up her sleeve, 74' of trick to be exact.



Long a hardworking yet unadorned part of our community, the Finch Paper Mill needed a sign. A very big sign. Amy worked with Beth Povie to get it just right and the folks at Sign Perfect hung it exactly to spec.



A big job, well done.



.

Added Features

It's fascinating to track waves, whether it's Lists to Twitter or campaigns to add a dislike feature to Facebook, it's interesting to see the landscape evolve. The thrust of change, easy or hard fought, seems to be coming from consumer or individual demands as opposed to business models or internal strategies.

"I want my phone to do this."

"I want this out of my plan."

"I choose not to work out of the office."

Whatever it is, people are taking the initiative to make demands and initiate a kind of compromise that is leaving some businesses behind. You can use advertising as an example in a very general sense, the idea of sticking to the same approach despite an evolving consumer preference creates a dead end. You cannot corral people into digesting their information a certain way, there are simply too many variables. The three or four tried and true arenas for marketing oneself are diluted. Mechanisms exist to circumvent advertising, preferences are honored and, quite simply, people are opting out in the literal sense.

So, does this mean a hamster-on--a-wheel existence of catering to external elements?

Hasn't customer service on some level always translated to that?

Or are we not thinking about it the right way?

What about imagining a way for it to work? A way to make the business run smoothly as it met, and maybe even exceeded, the expectations? I mean, when you get down to it, it's really kind of simple. The marriage is— your bottom line, your fulfillment and your clients.

The way to a harmonized trio would involve considering each one and taking pains to make sure the balance always stays fairly close. Can you think ahead and find ways to please people as you accomplish your own objectives?

So instead of running just to keep up, you veer a little off course, look ahead and carve a new way. Better, stronger, faster, cuter. Whatever. Just don't do it in a vacuum, don't pedal furiously only to find yourself alone. You are as entitled as anyone else to demand a better way, leaving behind what hasn't worked.

We're working on this. Strengthening relationships where it makes sense and extending our capabilities where we anticipate people (ourselves and our clients) needing to go.

It is scary and challenging, but the alternative is a much darker place, don't you think?




.

Be Counted

UPDATED: The Crandall Library Budget passed!

We all have something from our childhood that made a difference— for some of us it's a teacher, for others it's a place. Participating in campaigns for Crandall Library is an honor for us, as we know that one day, new voices will say, "Crandall Library was my place."

In 10 months, attendance is up more than 50% over last year's total. The library has seen a 70% increase in new borrowers in the 2009. And, 1,000 children read 20,000 books in the Summer Reading Program.

Knowing that we may have had a hand in helping strengthen the potential of legacy, well, it makes us feel powerful. Try it.

Halloween at Trampoline:

Bond in a Box

Secret Agents aren't the only people who need to go undercover, nursing moms are another group requiring a bit of extra stealth. Baby Bond is the latest product from Slurp and Burp, offering nursing moms and easy, washable, wearable, stuffable product for use on-the-go.

Creating the mark and packaging was a labor of love and the end result is proof positive.



The relationship with the Bell Harbor, NY company came from a successful and longing running partnership with SaraBear Company on everything from textiles to packaging and projects with KaBoost, another juvenile product company.

We'd be lying if we didn't say that we get a kick out of seeing BBQ sauce next to beer next to diaper caddies next to collateral for a lake saving organization. The different personalities and challenges they present are what make them so fun to work on.





.

Call it the 13 Year Itch

The Davidson Brothers Brewing Co. decided that after nearly thirteen years in business it was time to make their image as fresh as their ales. Rick and John Davidson wanted to position the company for success in the ever-changing distribution market. A brand overhaul began to help regional favorites like IPA, Irish Red and Brown Ale compete with the big boys in the beer world.

Their new look has also allowed the restaurant to participate in the emerging force of downtown Glens Falls, with merchants building a following through delightful whimsical window displays, sidewalk sales and a growing selection of choices.

T-shirts to tap handles, a new website to a Facebook page 800 fans strong, coasters to tabletops, the integration of the new mark has sparked an engagement, as the line between consumer and company has blurred. Each beer and each meal now comes with a shared sense of triumph, 13 years and going strong, the rewards of and for a community.


Db Merch is available online and at the Brewpub in downtown Glens Falls.
Look for coasters at a bar top near you (coming soon).
Ask your bartender to pour you a D.Bros. IPA. If he doesn't have it on tap, ask him why the hell not?!
Visit the brewpub online at davidsonbrothers.com
Become a fan on Facebook. Over 800 people have in the space of a month.
There's no substitute for stopping by the Brewpub (on Exchange St. Plaza in Downtown Glens Falls) for a pint, and a cup of the Stout + Cheddar Soup.
Heck, they even look good in frosting.


.