Archives

CreateAthon Blog

Hop on CreateAthon.
  • Written by Julie Turner

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is the song we’re all singing about this time every year. Yes, the warm, sunny summer days are nigh. But what really puts the wind in our sails is when our CreateAthon partners start setting the wheels in motion for CreateAthon 2014. The first step? Signing the CreateAthon... Read More

Furman CreateAthon Sparks Student Creativity
  • Written by Julie Turner

Furman University Art Department Chair Ross McClain digs his ultra-smart students. Yet he thinks they would benefit greatly from failing at something every now and again. You know as a learning exercise. That was one reason the esteemed South Carolina university signed on for CreateAthon in 2013. Writer Ron Wagner shares more about their inaugural... Read More

(Very)Nicely Done!
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

The folks at verynice, a design and innovation consultancy based in Los Angeles, know a thing or two about pro-bono. Since opening their doors, they’ve donated over $775,000 in creative services to clients all over the world. CreateAthon was a unique opportunity, then, for the firm to give back to two deserving nonprofits located in... Read More

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

Q&A: The World of CSR, part one
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

Peyton Rowe is both CreateAthon’s executive director and its chief evangelist. In our two-part question and answer series, she will address what’s trending in the world of social good, and why it’s so important for companies to hop on the Corporate Social Responsibility bandwagon. Q: What is corporate social responsibility (CSR), and why does it... Read More

A New Generation of Service: Millennials and Volunteering
  • Written by Alexandra Frazier

“I was your age once…” So begin the musings of Baby Boomers to their lazy, instant-gratification-obsessed children. Or, at least, we assume that’s how conversations begin with entitled Gen Y-ers—it’s certainly what we’ve been led to believe by the countless articles that discuss Millennials’ inability to grow up and move out of their parents’ basements.... 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

Waggener Edstrom gives us a CreateAthon play-by-play
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

There seem to be a few universal truths about every CreateAthon experience. Participants agree, staying up for 24-hours is a little bit crazy. OK, it’s a lot of crazy. At 8 a.m. a client’s enthusiasm for your work can make you burst into tears even before you begin your presentation. But what happens at 4... Read More