E-Events Timeless Branding

The 2u Collection & 2u Creative has been fortunate enough to have worked with industry acclaimed wedding planner Lisa Stoner of E-Events for many years. We have had the pleasure of developing and evolving with her brand from it's inception and hold it close to heart.

After many years in business, and as E-Events matured our marketing & branding division, 2u Creative was given the opportunity to refresh the brand, giving a light & airy touch to a beautifully refined collection of marketing pieces.

Branding and furthermore Re-Branding is in the DETAILS!  Keeping signature components of the original brand, while incorporating them into a crisp color palette with newly embellished accents, allowed us to retain recognition of the E-Events brand and still further reinvigorate the feel. 

Enjoy the pieces below as you drift into a lovely example of re-branding with purpose!

Harmony Belle - Let Us Launch!!

Long Awaited and Patiently Anticipated... We are enthused to announce that Harmony Belle is LIVE and ONLINE!

You may have browsed through the temptations of this flirty boutique as we have been flaunting sneak peeks to our readers for the past few months. We promised you'd be the first to get word of the official launch... and ladies... it's finally time to stop "window shopping"! 

Take a look below for a snapshot of the site as we congratulate Jennifer Morial-Kalina on her break-out boutique.

 ~Insider Incentive~

Likes = Love at the Harmony Belle Facebook Page

Deals, Drawings, Dollars and More!

Don't hesitate to visit Harmony Belle's Online Boutique, we have a feeling these fabulous wardrobe collections are gonna fly and trust us when we say you won't want to miss out on pieces that pop! Browse new arrivals, delicate dresses, tantalizing tops, blissful bottoms and an array of jewels and accessories!!  

We at 2u Creative would like to extend special gratitude to Liga Photography along with Shannon Stewart & Laura Kirkpatrick of America's Next Top Model for playing a key role in making these pieces come to life.

Global Robotics Institute - Napa Valley Conference

We are always flattered when an existing client is so impressed by our work, that they feel confidence in referring us to their partners, collaborators, and extended contacts.  Such is the case with the Florida Hospital Global Robotics Institute who came to us by way of Dr. Vipul Patel.  We have been working with Patel throughout this past year and you may have seen blog posts of our previous projects. It is with great appreciation that we begin working with the Global Robotics Institute, most recently we would like to highlight a piece that we created for their 2012 Napa Valley Conference.

Aware that the conference was of high educational and collaborative basis, our goal was to build a complete, clear, and concise package of information for those professionals attending.  We began with a comprehensive pre-registration brochure that would highlight the nature of the program, educational objectives, daily agenda, faculty attendees, and all necessary travel information.  To finish, this would also act as the invite and official registration form for the conference itself.

For the actual conference, the brochure was translated into a quick-read format and broken down into 4 folder inserts for easy reference and accessibility.  A clean and simple 2-pocket folder was designed for basic organization, and finished the conference material for attendees.

Special thanks to Lawton Printers for bringing our designs to life!  Their execution is always flawless and they are no stranger to producing polished pieces, even under pressure.  We have partnered with them for years and would consider no other.

Harmony Belle Fashion Shoot - Sneak a Peek!

Bubbling with anticipation here at 2u Creative as we continue to finalize branding for an exciting new client, Harmony Belle! For the past few months we have been working on brand development for the boutique, from creation to full on execution and the process is coming along beautifully. In our most recent engagement we acted as art director for a fabulous photo shoot done by Liga Photography. How about a behind the scenes look?.... Maybe more!? 

 

Founder and Fashionary!

Delighted that Jennifer Morial-Kalina (Left) of Harmony Belle trusted us with these moments. 

Pictured Middle is Shannon Stewart and Abby Liga of Liga Photography is pictured right!

As an added bonus it was such a joy to have both Shannon Stewart (Center) and Laura Kirkpatrick of American' Next Top Model (AMTM) on set with us. The girls were just dolls! True talents, both models also appeared on America's Next Top Model Cycle 17 "ALL-STARS!" 

Face Check Fierce

Abby Liga of Liga Photography shoots Shannon Stewart of America's Next Top Model (ANTM), Cycle 1 Runner-Up.

Color POP! 

Who doesn't die for a killer accessory?! Finishing the look with pieces soon to be in your personal collection. Clean and polished.

A little Hair... A little Make-Up

Simone Rosas of Makeover Station enhancing the already stunning Laura Kirkpatrick of America's Next Top Model (ANTM), Cycle 13 Runner-Up.

The Racks! 

I've already called dibs on my piece... Jealous?! 

Now, in preparation for the Harmony Belle E-commerce site (which is almost completed... can't wait!) it's time for another Sneak Peek into this fun and fresh clothing boutique. Ladies, start your wish-list....

Site launches in July, SET THE DATE!

I just love Love LOVE this line! Unexpected colors and combinations creating fun, flirty sophistication. Soft or Bold, even a bit of both. What a great vision Harmony Bell. A real treat... reader's you will be the first to know about the official launch. Keep posted!

Follow Shannon and Laura on Twitter

@shannonstewart1 & @laura_allstar

What are you blogging for?

I am a firm believer that blogging is key to keeping yourself relevant within any industry. Consumers are becoming more reliant on companies' abilities to blog and share via social networks than they are print advertisements and website content. In today's society you can't survive as a company by relying on one form of marketing. Obviously everyone's business is different. Some companies client base comes heavily from word of mouth recommendations while others have completely web based clientele. Whichever category you fall in to it's important to cross market yourself. Make sure people have heard from you online as well as from others. 

The reason blogging is so important is because it allows you as the business owner to be relatable. We all like doing business with people we know. There's a level of comfort involved with doing business with someone you know. The satisfaction of getting to know someone takes your working relationship to the next level. Sometimes the personal connections you make with people is what makes your professional relationship so valuable. Once people become fans of your work they want to see it continually, so show them! If you have a recent project you're particularly proud of then you need to be blogging it! Be confident and stand behind your work, when people see you're fully convinced your work is great they'll start to agree. 

It's also great to blog on topics that are in your expertise. Sharing ideas, articles, experiences, successes and failures is what makes us all better both as individuals and professionals. And that's what blogging is all about. Sharing your personal insights into your industry. Your blog should be often and relevant. Make you are writing something people will want to carve out time to sit down and read. Blogging is your opportunity to make your company really yours. I hear everyday from clients that they want their brand's logo to be so unique and the wording on their website has to be so different from that of their competitors. However, they never think to carry that desire for originality through to their blog which if attended to correctly could be one of their greatest assets. Make sure you are spending time with your blog because it is one of the most effective ways clients can associate with you. 

Photo credits from megamoneyblog.com 

Social Media-When does sharing information become sharing TOO MUCH?

In today's world, we are more increasingly living in a space where everything about our lives is made public. There was once a time in our history when paper and printing were such rare commodities, that in society we were more discriminate in what words were actually put out there for public consumption. Writings, statements, etc were scrutinized-- is this information important enough to share with the masses-- do we use our rare resources to convey "this message" (whatever it may be), or should we further think it through to make sure "this message" is worthy of the use of rare resources, and the time involved to produce it for the masses. This idea has been lost over time, as our society changes and grows and as our technology evolves.

These days, with social media, internet news sources, etc. it seems this idea has become lost all together, which is what prompted me to write this post. Are we sharing too much information these days- and are we sometimes spreading misinformation, because we don't spend the proper time verifying and vetting the information we do put out there.  Has social media and the internet made it so we don't take responsibility for our words? Should we use "free speech" as a crutch to post any message we want for the world to see? Shouldn't we have a social responsibility to make sure the words we put out in the world are accurate and true? Journalist are held to this standard, why aren't the rest of us. A Journalist can't write whatever they want about any topic or person without consequences. They have to work within ethical guidelines, because they can be held responsible for their words- due to libel and slander laws. 

As a marketing professional and designer I am often asked to manage my clients social media forums. And as a business owner myself with my own social life I've come to the conclusion that although we shouldn't be judged based on what we choose to do with our social lives and social media there's no controlling that we still are. Business professionals especially should be even more careful when it comes to what they post on their social media outlets. Although we do live in a society where we are free to speak our minds that doesn't necessarily mean we always should. Sometimes posting your opinion on something will cause people to judge you unfairly or jump to conclusions about the "underlying message" you are conveying.

Yes, we live in a wonderful time where we do have free speech and we can speak our minds, but should we always? This is something each of us has to decide for ourselves. But here are some things to keep in mind. You don't want to alienate a future employer, college admissions, client, friend, in-law etc. because they have inferred "what you mean" by a statement, photo, video, etc that you have shared with the world. Should we be able to post whatever we want with no judgement? Yes. But unfortunately in the world we live in today, it's just not that simple. The FACT IS, YOU ARE JUDGED ON WHAT YOU POST.

There are several things you can post for the world to see, but before you do you should think about the possible consequences. Posts and photos regarding....

1. Posting Digs, Jokes, or Statements "meant to be funny"
When you post something vague on your blog, twitter, Facebook, myspace, etc there is no TONE.  Sometimes you may write something that you think is funny- but could offend others. And since there is no voice inflection, or mischievous glint in your eye, the audience may have no idea that you were trying to be funny or make a joke. This recently has become an issue in the Tyler Clementi trial as well as in schools where students are being bullied via electronic means.  REMEMBER: the people reading your posts are not in your head. You may think you are being harmless with your posts, but they may be harmful to others. 

2. Partying too hard..Posting the innappropriate.
It is great to have fun with your friends, and post pics of these escapades. But think about what is appopriate not for the NOW, but for your future. Do you want to become very successful in your career to only have your past come back and haunt you? This happens all the time, especially in politics. For Example: Bill Clinton.. "I didn't inhale." Would he have been elected if there was video of him on Facebook actually inhaling? Who knows, but do you want to go to a job interview and NOT get the job because 5 years ago a friend of your posted a pic of you on the internet "praying to the porcelain god?"  It was funny at the time, right?

3. Getting too emotional...do you post TMI?
Do you post your life's ups and downs? When you are fighting with a friend, boyfriend, co-worker etc. Do you intentionally post things to "get a rise of them"? Do you share your intimate moments on a public forum. If you do, that is your choice, but remember YOU ARE BEING JUDGED. Have you lost out on potential clients, job opportunities, etc because you are viewed as Volatile or Emotionally unstable? You probably don't think you are viewed this way. But if you post all of your Personal Ups and Downs- then someone out there probably views you as an "emotional mess". Believe it or not this translates, and if a potential employer thinks this of you, they start to think, do I want to hire this person- will their dramatic emotional moments- affect their ability to do their job. Should they make a decision about you based only on your merits, and not what you put out there? YES-- but is this how it works? NO! What you post is a reflection of your character, and colleges and business owners have started checking Facebook and social media to see what kind of character you have. So be careful what and how you post. 

4. Venting about co-workers and clients....
This is a huge NO NO.. People have been fired for venting about their boss or place of employment on Facebook. It is never smart to post negative things relating to your job, employer, vendors, co-workers, friends, acquaintances etc. This is a bell you can't un-ring! Public forums ARE NOT the place for venting about people in your life.  Call a friend, get a cocktail and vent. We all need to vent sometimes, but posting things in the heat of frustration and anger, only leads to REGRET. And once it's out there you can't take it back! Yes, you can delete it, but you can never delete it from the mind of those who read it before you do.

5. Professing your political and religious views.....
We are lucky to live in a society where we have freedom in these areas. But always be aware, these types of posts can be hot-button issues for lots of people, so be careful what you post. You may have potential clients and/or opportunities with people that have very different views. This is what makes America great, everyone has the right to their own opinion. Remember though, just as you have the "freedom to post these things"- others have the "freedom to judge you or not do business with you because of your views". As a business professional you have to check your personal thoughts on these topics at the door. You don't want to alienate anyone in the business arena because you passionately post your thoughts and views. Although you are completely entitled to your own political and religious views just be prepared that sharing them could turn around and hurt your image or brand. And the same goes for all the topics I mentioned above. 

All of the above are topics that can possibly give your clients, vendors, friends, etc an unfavorable perception of you. All of us are individuals and that is nothing to be ashamed of or hide, however if you use your social media outlets for your company or the professional side of your life, you need to watch your personal posts. You can't be promoting your business or professional skills at 9am and then bashing your boyfriend or coworker at 2pm, without it effecting how your followers and/or clients view you.  When it comes to business, especially with our economy the way it is people want to spend money with trust-worthy, capable and consistent individuals. If you portray yourself to be anything but that, rest assured eventually your business/professional life will suffer. 

There are several Facebook privacy settings you can take to prevent people from seeing anything on your page you don't want them to see. Photo tagging privacy policies, sharing with only certain groups of people your posts and so on. Check all of your other social media sites for these same settings. It could help you limit what potential employers, clients, etc see.

It's true, your personal life should not dictate the way you are in business, but unfortunately it absolutely does. So be sure you are monitoring what your social media sites are saying about you. Think about what you are posting, be responsible with your words. And if you are trying to be informational in your posts, make sure that you research, and that you are putting accurate information out there.

International Prostate Cancer Foundation Educates

Prostate cancer is constantly in the news. Well known figures, Warren Buffett and Ryan O'Neal were both just recently diagnosed which led me to realize there is a need for awareness which is what led me to do this post. 

One of our clients held a symposium in March to educate patients and families on the treatment options available to them regarding their battle with prostate cancer. The International Prostate Cancer Foundation's Education Symposium was held at The Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek. Speakers educating on topics such as Genetics, Diet and Exercise Prevention, Treatment Options and Life after Surgery are just a few from the days' itinerary. Prostate cancer is a growing disease and with these awareness efforts hopefully more lives will be saved and men can begin diagnosing their cancer early. 

For more information on the Education Symposium please visit the IPCF website where you can view live videos from each speaker. The International Prostate Cancer Foundation website also has a dedicated area titled 'About Prostate Cancer' where you will find information regarding; Understanding the Cancer, Risk Factors, Myths, Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Ongoing Research. I love being part of such a great cause. I get to work on projects I'm passionate about and the goals of my clients will benefit so many! Please visit the website and help us in the battle against prostate cancer.