Graphique Communications Design

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, October 19, 2011 -- Graphique Communications Design has been selected for the 2011 Best of Scottsdale Award in the Graphic Design Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

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Graphique would like to congratulate one of our IQ team members, Matt Hakes, for graduating from The Art Institute of Phoenix, and receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design. He is now an ‘official’ designer and an important part of our company. However, it is significant to recognize that during his studies in college he was also a Graphique geek.

Matt started out at Graphique as one of our web development and design interns and quickly moved up to become an in-house web designer. He has brought to Graphique an abundance of creativity, innovation and knowledge. His contribution and hard work was essential in the success of many of our website design and marketing projects. Matt applied his creative IQ to his projects and designs in his final graduate portfolio, as seen above, as well as at Graphique. A big congratulations to Matt from all of us at Graphique. We are very proud of your excellent achievements!

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If service is the rent you pay for your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent?

As I stumbled across this Robert Allen quote this morning, it reminded me of the emotional and fun-filled Lights, Camera, Fashion STARS Awards Luncheon I attended this past Friday. Seeing the joy on the STARS client’s faces as they were the stars on stage, wearing beautiful fall fashions provided by Dillard’s, make-up and hair styled to perfection...a sight I will certainly never forget.

I'll also never forget to give back, pay it forward, be socially responsible...whatever word combination makes most sense to you. For over ten years Graphique has made it part of its culture to give back to not-for-profits based in our own back yard. From Sojourner Center to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Metropolitan Phoenix, Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), and so many more, we have always strived to not only raise funds and donate services, but to also learn about the clients that they serve.

Today, I want to share a story about one of STARS’ clients that warmed my heart at the STARS Fashion Show. And a huge thank you to Mark Lipczynski for capturing Dana’s smile and excitement on stage! Visit MarkLipczynski.com for all of the show photos.

Dana was born with severe brain damage as a result of a disease called Toxoplasmosis. One of the effects of her disease is Cerebral Palsy – she can't talk, walk, feed herself, or do anything else independently. She is also blind. But that doesn't stop her. She is extremely social and always aware of her surroundings. “People might see what she can't do, but all she cares about is what she CAN do,” says her mother, Janet.

Even with Dana's unyielding motivation and sense of ambition, she and her family have always had obstacles to overcome. “Not a day goes by where people aren't staring at Dana,” Janet says. “Sometimes we feel like outsiders or we're on display.”

That's why finding a place to go and people to socialize with became a vital part of her life after she had finished school. Participating in a program with her peers gives Dana the opportunity to relate with people who face similar challenges. At 23, she is one of STARS' youngest participants. She began attending STARS' day treatment program (DTA) in July 2009 after graduating high school.

Janet initially chose STARS for her daughter because she thought the environment was warm and inviting. The participants seemed happy and everyone was supportive of each other. “I want people to be watching over my daughter like I do, and that's what I found at STARS,” she says.

So I ask you again, if service is the rent you pay for your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent? If the answer is yes I encourage all of you to take the time to get involved. Not for profits can use volunteers, in-kind donations and as always, financial donations. And please remember a little can do so much. Here’s a challenge - gather 10 friends and pledge $10 each per month (just 1 lunch) to support the Art and Photography Programs at STARS. I bet exchanging that one lunch per month to make a STARS client smile is well worth the sacrifice. I skipped my lunch today. Visit STARSAZ.com for more information on this amazing organization today. 

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We've been delivering email blasts for clients for some time. They'll provide us with their lists and we use our service to develop & design the email, test it, deliver it and finally report on it. But too often the lists they provide have been used with 3rd party delivery systems, their own proprietary email blast engines or a combination of services. This can create a huge gap in their email reputation; decreasing the effectiveness of their email blast campaigns. Authentication can help.

Email authentication validates the identity of the email sender and improves the likelihood of your email campaign getting through to your intended targets.  When your email is sent, the receiving server checks with DNS servers to see if there are authentication records for your email's domain name. There are three methods or technologies that serve as the gatekeepers for authentication. They are SPF, DKIM and Sender ID. Besides the email sender identity, these systems check complaints, unsubscribe practices and other variables to build an authentication database on your company or domain. This database determines whether your email is delivered or not.

No matter who you use for sending your email campaigns, make sure that they are using authentication to help ensure delivery. In most cases, your service provider will automatically identify and remove bounces, unsubscribes and complaints. However, we are seeing that once a company changes providers, they simply download the entire list, provide it to the new service provider and begin sending to everyone on the list. From what we have previously discussed, this can wreak havoc on your reputation and decrease your email campaign effectiveness.

If you are changing providers, make sure you provide them with only the vetted names from your database and not all of the names. it will help with authentication as well with your email reputation.  

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