FYI Blog

Avalon Dispatch 08.02.2022

In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch: MAXI awards, client success, a new digital fundraising tool, and tons of in-person collaboration. Read it here!

 

Dear friends,

The past few weeks have been busy. I’ve logged a lot of miles to London, Boston, the Bridge Conference, and, this week, the SALA Conference. It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m grateful I can resume travel, visit clients onsite, and spend time with industry colleagues again.

Five Avalonians stand outside in the sunshine in BostonLunch with the Boston-area Avalon team (L-R): Joyce Choy, Kaitlyn McHale, Allison Forsberg, Mary Maxwell, and Allison Porter.

In London, I met with the American Air Museum in Britain, and we took curator-led tours of the new Holocaust exhibit and World War II galleries at the Imperial War Museum. The next day, I visited the airfield at Duxford, where the American Air Museum (AAM) is located. There, I watched the Flying Days show, which celebrated the museum’s 25-year anniversary and the U.S. Army Air Forces that flew out of Duxford during the war. The trip culminated with a cocktail party on the airfield with a special demonstration by some of their Spitfire planes, followed by dinner under the Concorde. It was a unique day and a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our friends from the AAM. Thank you for having me!

Allison stands in front of a Spitfire airplane from WWII, smiling widely and holding a glass of champagne.A Spitfire plane at Duxford airfield.

At the Bridge Conference, I loved seeing many industry friends in person. Thanks to everyone who attended my session on Friday with Tiffany Neill and Mwosi Swenson. A highlight for many of us was the awards ceremony, where Avalon clients won 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze MAXI awards! Congratulations again to SAGE (gold), Brennan Center for Justice (silver), The Trustees (silver and bronze), and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (bronze; St Hubert’s is now part of the Humane Rescue Alliance). We are so proud to support your work.

Rebecca has her hands full with five MAXI plaques! She's smiling widely and Lauren is standing to her right, also smiling.Lauren Sracic of Human Rescue Alliance and Avalon VP Rebecca Shapalis.

Well done also to Lauren Sracic at the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) for her recent article in DMAW AdVents: Meet Donors Where They Are to Maximize Year-End Giving. It outlines HRA’s donor-centric, multichannel approach and recommends a year-end strategy that meets donors where they are, empowers them to give, and deepens the relationship. Last year, HRA amplified the impact of traditional direct mail and e-appeals with website banners, lightboxes, social media campaigns, a homepage takeover, and texting. We are excited to help them build on these strategies for year-end 2022.

Speaking of digital, streaming platform Twitch announced a new fundraising tool called Twitch Charity. Streamers can activate “charity mode,” which generates a “Donate to Charity” button that connects to the streamer’s chosen cause. Donations will be processed in partnership with PayPal Giving Fund. Currently, the tool is in beta mode, but Twitch plans to expand their list of nonprofits in the future. Please reach out to your Avalon teams if you would like to learn more.

In search news, Google launched an ad campaign teaching Gen Z how to “internet better.” The search giant wants to become Gen Z’s go-to source for fact-checking claims on social media. It’s an interesting pitch, but, as Fast Company points out, digital natives may actually be better than older generations at recognizing misinformation and fraud online. Prabhakar Raghavan, Google SVP of knowledge and information, noted, “We keep learning, over and over again, that the new internet users don’t have the expectations and the mindset that we have become accustomed to.” It’s a good reminder that digital marketing is an ever-evolving field.

Finally, on a personal note, welcome to the newest and youngest Avalonian, baby Henry David Griffiths. Henry’s dad Will is an Avalon senior account director. We are thrilled for Will and are always delighted to expand the Avalon family!

Take care,

 

Allison signature gray

Allison Porter headshot

Allison Porter, President
(she/her/hers)
Avalon Consulting Group
202-429-6080 ext. 102
allisonp@avalonconsulting.net