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The CreateAthon team will be back in action this summer. (File photo courtesy of J. Fitzgerald Group)
The CreateAthon team will be back in action this summer. (File photo courtesy of J. Fitzgerald Group)

CreateAthon: WNY children's organizations invited to apply for free marketing services

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Tue, May 7th 2019 10:00 am

JFG seeks applications from local groups to support during 12th annual event

J. Fitzgerald Group (JFG) is gearing up once again for its annual 24-hour advertising and marketing services blitz to benefit area nonprofit organizations during Western New York’s only CreateAthon event.

Unlike past years, JFG is choosing only two organizations to receive services during the all-day, all-night CreateAthon in 2019. In addition, JFG team members voted to select only a single service category to focus on for 2019, and this year’s event is specifically meant to benefit nonprofit groups in Western New York that work with underserved or underprivileged children.

The application period is now open, and JFG invites eligible not-for-profit children’s organizations to submit their applications for the annual 24-hour event, scheduled for July 18-19. Nonprofit organizations may request projects by completing an online application at jfitzgeraldgroup.com/createathon. The deadline for applications to be received is 5 p.m. EST June 3. 

“This year, we really wanted to change our focus and commit to causes that are important to us,” said Jack Martin, president and co-owner of JFG. “Dedicating this year’s CreateAthon to providing creative marketing and advertising to specifically help children’s organizations helps narrow our focus and allows us to create a more comprehensive campaign of materials and media for each of the two selected groups to help them achieve their goals.” 

Project scopes may include the creation of logos, letterhead packages, brochures, print or digital ads, social media plans, direct mail campaigns, posters, radio scripts, outdoor billboards, signage and banners. Each application will be evaluated for inclusion based on audience reach, the ability of services to make an impact for the nonprofit organization, and opportunities to help groups that are currently underfunded.

Founded in 1998 by Riggs Partners of Columbia, South Carolina, CreateAthon now includes partner agencies and universities across the U.S. and Canada. JFG is the longest-standing Riggs partner and the only one in Western New York. 2019 marks the 12th anniversary of JFG’s involvement in CreateAthon.

“We’re looking forward to really helping make a difference not only for the selected organizations, but for the lives of the children they help,” said Carmel Cerullo-Beiter, vice president and co-owner of JFG. “With budgets getting smaller and smaller, it can be hard for some of these groups to achieve the results they’re looking for, and CreateAthon is such a great way for JFG and our vendor partners to support them.”

Two organizations will be selected to take part in CreateAthon, and selections will be announced June 14. JFG will meet with each of the beneficiary nonprofits prior to the event to discuss the marketing tools they need most. The round-the-clock creative and design marathon will then kick off at 8 a.m. July 18, when JFG and a group of volunteer graphic designers, writers and interns will assemble at the JFG offices at 12 W. Main St., Lockport. Finished work will be presented to the selected nonprofit organizations at 8 a.m. July 19. JFG’s vendor partners will then assist in getting the materials printed, placed and broadcast.

Organizations that have benefited from previous JFG CreateAthon events include:

  • Adoption Star
  • Aquarium of Niagara
  • Child Care Resource Network
  • Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Inc.
  • Compass House
  • Cultural Alliance of Niagara
  • EquiStar Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center
  • F BITES
  • Family & Children Services of Niagara
  • Family Promise of Western New York
  • GCASA
  • Gilda’s Club
  • Hope For Two
  • Inkukuleko
  • Institute on Aging
  • International Child Advancement
  • Investigative Post
  • Journey’s End Refugee Services
  • Kenan Center
  • Kevin Guesthouse
  • Kids Escaping Drugs
  • LawNY
  • Literacy Volunteers of Niagara County
  • Lockport Historic Palace Theatre
  • Lockport Meals On Wheels
  • Lockport Public Arts Council
  • Make-a-Wish WNY
  • Mason’s Mission
  • Market Street Art Center
  • Mental Health Association of Niagara County
  • National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • Neighborhood Health Center
  • Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara
  • Ovarian Cancer Project
  • Pink the Rink for Susan G. Komen
  • S.E.R.V. Niagara
  • Second Generation Theatre Company
  • St. John The Baptist Church
  • Stella Niagara Education Park
  • The B Team
  • The Buffalo Green Fund Inc.
  • The Dale Association
  • United Way of Greater Niagara
  • VIVE Inc.
  • Wheels With Wings
  • WNY Challenger Sports League
  • About CreateAthon

The CreateAthon program is a 24-hour creative blitz during which advertising agencies and design firms work on a pro-bono basis for nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 2002, J. Fitzgerald Group is an integrated marketing company specializing in full-service branding, digital and traditional advertising, web design and research. JFG’s clients span local, regional and worldwide markets. For more information, visit jfitzgeraldgroup.com

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