Category: Events

CreateAthon Blog

CreateAthon on Campus: A Photo Story from Furman University
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

On February 27-28, Furman University hosted its first CreateAthon on Campus, an event that gave Furman students the opportunity to both apply their talents to meaningful work and gain first-hand experience in creative marketing. During the 24-hour marathon of designing, developing and producing marketing materials for local non-profits, FU students lived by the motto, “learn... Read More

Waggener Edstrom rocks CreateAthon-style!
  • Written by Julie Turner

Last year we introduced you to new CreateAthon partner agency, Waggener Edstrom. Remember them? Well, they did it and Big Time. Their crew pushed through mammoth task lists for four different nonprofits in 24 hours. Creative Services Director Lee Feidelson was kind enough to share a bit about their first experience in what he aptly... Read More

Chronicle Delight
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

Here at CreateAthon, we love to be the center of attention. And so, we’re thrilled to announce that The Chronicle of Philanthropy has featured our up-all-night brand of imaginative altruism in their latest publication. In “Charities Benefit from Ad Agencies’ 24-Hour Creativity Marathons,” The Chronicle highlights CreateAthon’s transition from a local, single business effort to... Read More

CreateAthon@USC's First Experiment in Giving Back
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

Karen L. Mallia, Associate Professor of Advertising at the University of South Carolina, is the mastermind behind CreateAthon@USC, an event that brings students, staff, and alumni together for 24 hours of inspired content creation and community goodwill. Here, she shares her experiences leading a team of spirited student leaders and adults towards pro-bono greatness: On... Read More

The Many Meanings of CreateAthon
  • Written by Julie Turner

The benefits of CreateAthon are quite clear for nonprofits. For creative professionals, however, the advantages of working for 24 hours straight can be shrouded by fear, anxiety and one very, very unforgiving deadline. It’s a challenge a handful of 2013 volunteers saw as an opportunity to stretch within the confines of everyday. Here’s how. What... Read More

An Experiment in Giving Back
  • Written by Teresa Coles

Sixteen years ago CreateAthon was a grand experiment. Our biggest concern wasn’t if we could get all the work done; it was more whether our rag-tag crew of volunteers could even stay awake for 24 hours! Little did we know, we were onto something big. That 1998 CreateAthon was the inaugural effort of what’s now... Read More

CreateAthon 2013: One Night in 50 Tweets
  • Written by Julie Turner

Been wondering what went down in the wee small hours of CreateAthon while you snoozed the night away? With 14 pro bono marketing marathons happening simultaneously across the United States, things got quite interesting. Here’s how 24 hours of creating, planning, designing, writing, coding, and stress eating looked from the Twittersphere. [<a href=”//storify.com/KeelySaye/top-50-createathon-posts” target=”_blank”>View the... Read More

Saying Yes
  • Written by Teresa Coles

This morning, hundreds of people in the communicating arts woke up to the longest day of the year. Twenty-four hours of intense brainstorming, sketching, writing, shooting, editing, coding, eating, yawning, laughing and crying. Why would anyone put themselves through that? I’ve thought a lot about that in the 16 years since CreateAthon was born here... Read More

#CreateAthon and #PBW13: Let's go viral.
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

Pro Bono Week is here, and we’re just days away from launching 14 simultaneous CreateAthons across the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re a participant or just curious about the magic and mayhem behind our 24-hour blitz of skills-based volunteering, be sure to find us on your favorite social media network this week. Visit our Facebook... Read More

Need a professional test? Try CreateAthon.
  • Written by Julie Turner

It’s easy to say yes to giving 24 hours of your marketing whiz (and life) to benefit local nonprofits through CreateAthon. But once you’re an official volunteer, that’s when the squirrelly feelings can start creeping in. CreateAthon co-founder and long-time creative director Cathy Monetti has calmed 15 CreateAthons-worth of terrified writers and designers. Just take... Read More