Miss those all-nighters you pulled in college? Looking for a way to give something back? Participate in this year'sCreateAthon.
The event — founded by Cathy Monetti and Teresa Coles of Columbia, SC agency Riggs Inc. — is a 24-hour marathon creative blitz, where participating agencies offer pro bono services to local nonprofits. First conducted in 1998, CreateAthon went national in 2001. So far, the effort has benefited 833 nonprofit organizations with 1,809 projects valued at $7 million.
“Professionally, it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done,” says Coles, Riggs partner and vice president.
This year's CreateAthon Week is Sept. 10-16. Participating agencies must commit to completing a minimum of five projects during the day. July 1 is the sign-up deadline (information is available at www.createathon.org). At press time some 30 agencies were set to participate; the goal is 40.
Because many of the nonprofits haven't had the money to work with an agency before, a lot of the requests are for things like logos, basic information packages and templates for pieces that can be repurposed. “And not surprisingly,” says Coles, “we're getting more and more requests for Web sites, as well as outdoor and radio advertising.”
Aside from doing good for the community, Coles says the event is a great way for agencies to manage their pro bono activities by concentrating that work during CreateAthon.
Are massive amounts of caffeine required to stay creative throughout the night?
“It's easy to keep going with all the adrenaline flowing,” Coles says. “People become so passionate about the nonprofits they're working with, sometimes it's hard to stop.”
