A few months ago, United Way of Treasure Valley CEO, Derick O’Neill, asked us to create a video that could explain the organization’s strategic evolution. They didn't want just any video, but one that people would actually want to share. Given the complexity and scope of United Way’s work, it was a tall order.

Fortunately, Ryan Gerber took the script and ran with it, creating a stop-motion animation of the valley with a team of volunteers that included local artists Jared Wynn, Olive Wicherski, and Ella Weltner from United Way’s Junior Service Club. North By Northwest handled the sound as Jake Alger and Neva Geisler from United Way were available to help keep us from losing our nerve.

The finished piece is an amalgamation of more than 6,500 individual photographs, motion graphics and other techniques. Each model and set was built by hand, and filmed over the course of six weeks.

At the rate of 24 photographs for each second of video, it was a painstaking process. (Here’s a time lapse video of the team slowly losing their minds) In the end, the dedication of Ryan and our volunteers inspired the whole office. (One of the volunteers, Jared, came in to work a full day on this project every day after working a full shift at UPS that started at 4 a.m.). We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.

Most importantly, response to the piece has been strong so far with several hundred thousand views after just two days on YouTube. Help United Way continue its important work by donating or volunteering today at www.unitedwaytv.org.

In case you forgot, we are located in Boise, Idaho, a good five-hour drive from the nearest major metropolitan area. It’s a small playground with no shortage of agency talent and plenty of competition for local clients.

Agency talent? you ask. In Boise, Idaho? Well in the last few years Boise agencies have earned multiple best of show honors in the Northwest ADDY® competition, as well as national ADDY® awards, competing against more than 60,000 entries from all over the country. This year, SMG was fortunate enough to receive both of these honors.

Granted, awards are a crude measure of anything in this business. But when you look at the names of legendary international agencies on the same list of winners, it says something about the level of work being done in this town. Take a look at the portfolios of leading firms in Boise. There are some amazing people here whose work—often produced on a shoestring—stands up in any major market.

Yet again and again, local firms are overlooked by the largest potential clients in our community.

Recently a large local advertiser took its business out of state to an agency 1000 miles away, a “specialist” in their industry—evidently without inviting local agencies to pitch. The specialist will likely spend the next several months trying to understand the history and attitudes of this area from a seat in coach class, at great additional expense to the client.

It’s unfortunate – for our industry and our local economy. While this specialist may position themselves based on what they’ve done for others in a given segment, they can’t elaborate on why it’s important to this area.

As local agencies, we can. Our knowledge of the market and the audience, and ability to feel the “pulse” of the community is what sets local shops like ours apart from the cookie-cutter specialists from out of state.

It also helps us do the caliber of work that gets recognized at the regional and national level. But most importantly, it allows us to do the work that our clients--and their customers--love.

So Mr. or Mrs. Big Client, please, think Boise first.

The Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees has been a Treasure Valley holiday tradition—and important hospital fundraiser—for the past 26 years. This year, the Saint Alphonsus Foundation selected SMG to help drive up attendance for the event, held this past November at the Boise Centre.

Conceived by Terri Martin, the “Celebritrees” campaign was a spoof on America's celebrity-driven culture. Working with a modest budget, we created an integrated campaign including social media, billboards, television and direct mail.

And by all accounts, the campaign, and the Festival, was a success. By the numbers, attendance was up 10% for the Festival, and Gala ticket sales and Fashion Show ticket sales were up 9% each. Records were broken for both Gala raffle ticket and Fashion Show ticket sales as well, and Gala centerpieces sold out. People also became Fans on Facebook, and as always, the trees were the stars of the show.

Even though this year’s event has passed, take a moment to become a fan and get a jump on next year’s event.