Case Studies

Case Studies

SERVICE...Renaissance Hotels

We were challenged to establish a service award program that would recognize Renaissance employees marking 1 year through 50 years of service. The product had to appropriately accommodate stone sequencing to reflect each year level. First, we created artwork and ideas for our distributor and their customer's review. With their direction, we produced samples for further review and final approval.

The end result is a very successful, ongoing program which also led to the creation of the Renaissance pineapple hospitality emblem.

This pin is given to VIP guests at Renaissance Hotel locations to wear during their stay. This pin identifies these VIP's to the staff of the hotel so they can offer additional service. In this case, one successful jewelry application led to another!

SAFETY...Frito Lay

Frito Lay wanted a way to reward over-the-road drivers who had achieved the 1 million safe miles milestone, as well as any who had advanced to the 3 million safe miles mark and were not yet recognized. We designed a ring that could depict the 1, 2 or 3 million-mile levels, as well as incorporate a personalization element; the recipients raised initials on the side.

The end result—the recipients truly loved their rings, and "safe miles" driving was appropriately recognized. This success was followed by additional jewelry opportunities for our distributor at Frito Lay.

PROMOTION...Michael Jordan Cologne

The challenge was to create an inexpensive yet sophisticated product for an on-pack promotion launching the new Michael Jordan Cologne.

First, we created artwork showing how their vibrant logo and colors could be transformed through an inexpensive application process (screen-printing with a clear epoxy dome) and featured on the product. We then produced samples for approval by their promotion group.

The end result was a very successful promotional program, effecting significant sell-through at the retail level.

ANNIVERSARY...Ohio Farmers Insurance

A distributor brought us a challenge—his customer was looking for a unique, upscale gift to recognize the 150th anniversary of their service business. Several product ideas were discussed. We started with basic line art of their logo, focusing on designing a unique key ring. We transformed that reference into a 2-sided key tag with modeled detail and a personalization feature—the company logo on the front side and a "registration" area on the backside.

Finally, we worked with sources to design a genuine walnut jewelry box in which to place the key tag, and registration card. This presentation far surpassed the customer's expectations, resulting in a truly memorable commemorative anniversary presentation.

RECOGNITION SOLUTIONS...Creative Memories

Creative Memories and our distributor had two clear requirements. First, production of a superior quality piece, as they were experiencing quality problems with the vendor of record. Second, to take the opportunity to redesign their career path program.

We started with design options for their review. Creative Memories selected the design they felt best suited their requirements. We then reviewed quality expectations, and engineered guidelines for manufacturing to the highest quality standard. The process resulted in Creative Memories' satisfaction with that one piece—and they have awarded us many opportunities since. We are now the vendor of choice for all their anniversary pins, via a distributor that brought them a superior supplier—for design and production.

LINE EXTENSION...First Tennessee Bank

In this case, the customer wanted a simple, elegant way to recognize their staff without creating a "class system" perception. However, they did need a way to designate between year levels without being too obvious. We proposed a Cross® pen for all recipients. Then, we recommended utilizing a gold-filled crest set with stones to accomplish the "year" designation. The end result is that this marriage of a Cross® pen with Dion's jeweled emblem serves as a perfect award, which was very well received by our distributor's customer and all recipients.

The employees received their gift-boxed pen-with-emblem along with a celebration kit, containing balloons, confetti and streamers, for decorating their workspaces. Overall, a great example of a creative product solution affecting the company atmosphere in a very positive way!

INCENTIVE...IGA Supermarkets

A leading national supplier to IGA supermarkets wanted to see more of their product flying off IGA's shelves.

We developed a program based on incentives for store decision-makers, and featured sterling silver rings with genuine diamonds and a 14 karat white gold pendant and neck chain with a garnet gemstone and a precious metal emblem featuring the 75th anniversary of IGA.

The end result—with 4400 supermarkets in 48 states and 43 countries, sales of more than $21 billion annually, and management now "incentivized," it didn't take long for the recognition program to become a huge success!