Despite soaring numbers associated with COVID19, the future of real estate is looking bright. I know what you’re thinking. Given the nature of COVID, how could real estate be doing so well?  The idea of visiting an open house could seem daunting (with so many strangers gathered all in one space), the future of a traditional “office” as we know it hangs in the balance, as more businesses have reverted to being completely remote, and the idea of moving during a pandemic could make anyone uneasy.   But according to a study done by Realtor.com, home buyers are not only optimistic about buying a home right now, but 46% of respondents said that the pandemic has actually moved them towards purchasing sooner rather than later. Not unlike any other industry, those in real estate have been quick to reimagine standard business practices, creatively.  Because when it comes to a global health crisis, details are vital. In March, we began working with the EYA sales and marketing team to rethink these details when it came to their sales center experience. In order to properly facilitate social distancing, everything from adding touchless fixtures, to in-store signage and other imperative design features, had to be completely transformed.  Now, eight months later, that new COVID-friendly EYA’s sales center is up, running, and offers a unique and tailored sales experience unlike any other.  Clara spoke with Johnny Vitorovich, our Principal Creative Director, about what the realities of reimagining a center like this looked like, the research and diligence that went into it, and the results that followed.  Take a listen, and we hope you enjoy.

Hubspot was founded in 2005 with zero customers. Today, over 65,000 businesses in more than 100+ countries use Hubspot’s software, services, and support to transform the way they attract, engage, and delight customers. And we’re one of them -- as a proud Hubspot agency partner, we’ve utilized its inbound marketing, sales & service platform to not only help our clients better manage and grow their businesses, but our very own as well. One of the greatest things about Hubspot? They truly believe that a customer-centered, human approach to sales and marketing is paramount to delivering a successful customer experience. It’s one of the many principles grounded in Hubspot’s practices that have made the company as successful as it is today. However, even eight months into a global pandemic, those in our industry and beyond are still learning to adapt to what we’ve now called “the new normal.” But exactly what does “A new normal” look like for sales and marketers in 2020? In an increasingly virtual-only world, how can sales professionals still hone-in on a human-centered approach without any real-life, face-to-face human-interaction? How can marketers better understand their audiences in such a challenging new market? To help answer these questions, I recently sat down with Hubspot Director Dan Tyre, and our very own Channel Account Executive Selina Gutierez.

One of the most exciting local rebrands on our radar right now? The Washington Football Team, which will kick off its season this Sunday under a temporary moniker for the first time in 90 years. As both a branding expert and a lifelong fan of the team, our CEO Lance Wain weighs in on Studio G with some of his hopes and hypotheses about what's happening behind the scenes as a complete rebranding process gets underway.

Being a strong leader means knowing how to weather a storm. Take a listen to our most recent podcast with Grafik's founder Judy Kirpich and our CEO Lance Wain, as they discuss unique perspectives on the types of leadership, people and ideas that can help make an agency and a small business resilient and successful during turbulent times.

As the Coronavirus has disrupted our daily lives, we've been keeping tabs on how this global pandemic has affected businesses big and small. Take a listen for some of our insights regarding brand responses to COVID-19, here.

On November 20th, 2019, we had the pleasure of joining local marketing leaders representing 250+ brands to share fresh ideas on topics and trends emerging in the marketing industry at IC Summit's D.C. Marketing Summit. We also had the opportunity to moderate a panel about "The D.C. Brand"—what it means to be a local brand here, what this city has to offer its residents and visitors, and what it takes to differentiate in such a crowded market. Take a listen to our discussion here.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, known as the ADA, was signed into law in 1990 by George HW Bush, protecting the rights of the disabled and the impaired. But since then, businesses have been hit by a record-wave of lawsuits that allege websites are not ADA compliant. However, the cost of making websites accessible can be steep, ranging anywhere from several thousand dollars to a million. The costs and effort involved have left the development community, businesses, and the agencies that support them divided on the issue. In today's episode, front-end developer Paul Miller discusses the moral grey areas of ADA website compliancy.

It can be scary to change anything about a long-established, well-loved brand. But when done right, the rewards far outweigh the risks. Grafik's recent rebrand of Demosphere, a Virginia-based company with a 30-year track record in sports team management technology, shows that evolved, modern brands resonate with both longtime customers and new ones. In this episode, Demosphere's President discusses the creative process and the company's new mantra: "The Team Behind Team Sports."

A rebrand is more than just a visual refresh. It should also change the way your organization works internally, engages the community, and fundraises. Since rebranding the newly merged Colorectal Cancer Alliance several years ago, the organization has been able to double its revenue and build a highly engaged network of supporters that share its dedication to ending colorectal cancer in our lifetime. In this episode, CCA's Chief Development Officer shares the process behind merging two brands, building an engaged "Nation of Allies" community, and capturing the urgency of the organization's efforts through a new brand mantra: "Tomorrow Can't Wait."

What exactly is an influencer and why do brands love working with them? In this episode, Justine Hong, a Grafik project manager and local DC social media influencer, discusses the current state and future of influencer marketing.