Several years ago, an ad agency created an internal outreach initiative, tapping their writers, art directors and project managers, and identifying non-profits that needed help (brochure, poster, marketing direction, etc.). 

Peter Kaufman of Big River Advertising, Geoff Stone of curiousant and Elizabeth Roark of Embark Technologies brought this idea to Richmond and dubbed it the Creative Slam.

In 2004, twenty people gathered to help some wonderful non-profit groups. (pictures are at www.creativeslam.com)

The 2005 Creative Slam was held on October 14th at the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

The groups that joined us during the Slam were:

• Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR)
• Craig Health Center
• Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition
• Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now)
• John Rolfe Middle School

Volunteer brainstormers included folks from Genworth Financial, Brand Plannning LLC, eight students from the VCU Adcenter and many other dedicated geniuses.

We broke into groups and had lunch with representatives from the non-profts. They left at 1:00 and the brainstorming began. After three hours of thinking, writing and sharing, the representatives returned at 4:00 and we presented our ideas.

The best part of the day were the number of terrific ideas generated in a short time. Many groups stayed late to talk about what happened, and several promised to stay in touch and help implement the ideas they created.

For more information, please visit www.creativeslam.com