Savage “Caught the Eye” of Judges with 5 Finalist Positions for the 2012 AMA Houston Crystal Awards

Savage, one of Houston’s leading branding, marketing communications and design firms, hopes to take home five awards at the 26th Annual American Marketing Association (AMA) Crystal Awards ceremony to be held on May 17, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston.

The 2012 AMA Houston Crystal Awards honor Houston’s best marketing work and “to win at the Crystal Awards demonstrates that your marketing was effective, standing above the rest.”

Savage has secured five finalist positions for client work related to applying results-driven insight to online marketing and web design.

2012 AMA Houston Crystal Awards Finalists

Quanex Website Redesign
Website - Business-to-Business

Quanex Website Redesign
Website - Most Improved

Quanex Optimizer App
Mobile Marketing - Single Campaign

AIEn Social Media Campaign
Online Social Media Campaign - Business-to-Consumer

Entries are equally scored based on the key situation/challenge, objectives, applied strategy/tactics, clear message alignment and effective results. To emphasize the importance of effective marketing, judging criteria certifies double weight is applied to how effective the entry was in producing results that tie to the stated objectives.

Stay current with up-to-the-minute award announcements by following @savagebrands on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or LinkedIn!

About AMA Houston
The American Marketing Association (AMA) Houston Chapter is the area’s premier professional marketing organization and currently the nation’s largest chapter. AMA Houston provides marketers the ability to remain competitive in today’s business environment by “leading the practice, teaching, and development of marketing worldwide” through networking events, special interest groups and real-world educational programs.

About Savage
Savage is a Houston-based company that provides branding and marketing communications for corporations and non-profit organizations. With award-winning work, Savage helps companies develop and sustain leadership positions within their industries. Its expertise encompasses branding, marketing, online and social media, sustainability reporting and investor and employee communications. For more information, visit www.savagebrands.com or contact Bethany Haley, president, at (713) 522-1555.

Sappi Fine Paper North America, known for innovation and quality, is a preeminent North American producer of coated fine and release papers and market pulp headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Sappi believes that the creative ideas of designers can have an impact beyond the aesthetic and that those ideas can be a powerful force for social good.

“Ideas That Matter" is a grant program created by Sappi that serves as a vehicle to advance the art of print as an integral component of marketing communications, and support customers in ways that will make a meaningful difference.

With a keen sense of recognizing a need within the community, Hebert has assembled teams, such as Savage Good, to support his ideas through old-fashioned legwork and reliable connections.

This year, Hebert will go to print with his newest project thanks to a recent Ideas That Matter grant to create two anti-bullying brochures for the Houston chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

Given the recent media focus on bullying and the tragic effects it can have on young people, Hebert created a tangible document to legitimize the message of tolerance in hopes that additional GLSEN chapters see a need for these pamphlets and want to distribute them nationally.

Grants Received
2011 — GLSEN Houston
2009 — MD Andersen Cancer Center
2006 — DePelchin Children’s Center
2003 — High Risk Neonatal Follow-Up Program

About Ideas That Matter
Created in 1999 by Sappi Fine Paper North America, the Ideas That Matter grant program is a strategic initiative aimed at illustrating the power of print while promoting social good. The grant program recognizes and supports designers who generously donate their time and talent to a wide range of charitable activities by funding over 500 nonprofit projects and contributing US$11 million worldwide to causes that “enhance our lives, our communities and our planet.”

About Savage Good
Savage Good, launched by Savage Brands, one of Houston‘s leading branding, marketing communications and design firms, is an initiative that provides strategic creative services to local non-profit organizations on a pro bono basis. Savage Good reflects a “passion for the greater good.”

Branding and creative communications veteran Jackie Dryden joins Savage Branding and Corporate Design as creative strategist.

Dryden previously served as Director of Marketing and Creative Strategy at UTHealth and has held leadership positions at several Houston communications agencies. Her transition to Savage, a 39-year Houston-based firm, will support brand development and employee value proposition strategies for business-to-business companies serving the oil and gas, technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

“With almost four decades of experience, Savage has successfully helped clients build strong brands amongst tough competition during changes in management and high profile mergers and acquisitions. It is exciting to be part of a team that makes a difference in evolving brand reputation,” said Dryden.

Dryden will be responsible for development of creative strategies for clients as well as integrating messaging and execution among their internal and external audiences.

About Savage

Savage is a Houston-based company that provides branding and marketing communications for corporations and non-profit organizations. With award-winning work, Savage helps companies develop and sustain leadership positions within their industries. Its expertise encompasses branding, marketing, online and social media, sustainability reporting and investor and employee communications. For more information, visit www.savagebrands.com.

Robin Tooms, Principal, Vice President at Savage and University of Houston alumna, participated as a panelist for the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business Marketing Panel at 5 p.m. on March 19, 2012.

Along with fellow panelists, Tooms will provide MBA candidates with insight on current industry trends, future predictions and the importance of relationship development when aiming to become a successful marketing professional.

Featured panelists included Erin Hoover, Marketing Manager in the Oil & Gas Sector at Deloitte, Chief of Staff at Women's Energy Network; Jeffrei Clifton, Marketing Coordinator at Fenner Advanced Sealing Technology, Global Winner at Google Online Marketing Challenge; Barry Hart, Director at Fiesta Mart, Inc.

Follow @savagebrands and @rtooms on Twitter for updates and insights.

Weir Oil & Gas, a designer and manufacturer of pumps and ancillary equipment for the global upstream and downstream oil and gas markets, won the AMA Houston Marketer of the Year Best of Category in Energy: Oil and Gas Products and Services Category on Monday, March 12, 2012.

With over 145 nominated companies, organizations and institutions, the American Marketing Association (AMA) Houston Chapter honored the 34 Marketer of the Year Best of Category winners during a reception held at the Alley Theatre on Monday evening.

David Irias, Senior Designer at Savage (from left); Kenny Ragland, Principal, Vice President, Senior Design Director at Savage; Tiffany Phillips, Marketing Communications Coordinator at Weir; Stacey Eddington, President at AMA Houston; Jackie Herrera Wilkerson, Divisional Marketing Communications Manager at Weir.

Savage, a leading branding, marketing communications and design firm in Houston, worked with Weir to initiate brand communications to support the company’s continued growth as the emergence of shale production peeked.

The team worked collaboratively on the Destiny marketing campaign to promote the SPM Destiny™ TWS 2500 frac pump through marketing elements consisting of teaser print and online banner ads and email campaign, customer communications and the creation of a new micro website.

About AMA Houston Marketer of the Year

AMA Houston is the area’s premier professional marketing organization and currently the nation’s largest chapter. AMA Houston provides marketers the ability to remain competitive in today’s business environment through networking events, special interest groups and real-world educational programs. The AMA Houston’s Marketer of the Year program recognizes exceptional marketing by Houston area companies, organizations and institutions.

Known for her strategic communications planning, Bethany Haley, President at Savage, attended the "Doing Business Over Coffee with Extraordinary Women" event from 7:30 – 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 1 at PKF Texas.

Organized in partnership by the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Houston Partnership's Executive Women's Partnership (EWP), this coffee-filled event allowed local business women to exchange business advice, insights and opportunities that can impact local organizations.

A former board member of the Association of Professional Design Firms, current board member of the National Investor Relations Institute – Houston Chapter and MBA graduate of Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, Haley has over twelve years of experience as a brand and communications strategist.

Haley was interviewed by Leisa Holland-Nelson, host of Women Mean Business of The BusinessMakers Radio Show, along side other “extraordinary” women, including Catherine Mosbacher, President and CEO of The Center for Houston's Future, and Devon Harrison, President of Northern & Western Insurance Company, Ltd.

WHAT:

Houston's Extraordinary Women will meet to exchange business advice, insights and opportunities.

WHEN:

Thursday, March 1, 2012

7:30 – 9 a.m.

WHERE:

PKF Texas Lobby

5847 San Felipe, Suite 2400

Houston, TX 77057

Find photos from the interview with Haley on the PKF Texas Flickr page, and follow @SavageBrands on Twitter for a link to the full interview once released.

Known globally as the author of creative compilations that represent outstanding work in graphic design, David E. Carter selected six logos designed by Savage to be published in two of his upcoming eBooks during Bright Books’ first year of producing creative compilations.

Logos designed for Savage Good and Hansen Partners will be featured in Logos 1 – Bright Ideas Around the World, while additional logos for UT Health, TPC Group, FlexSteel and HTS will be featured in Logo 2.0 – 244 Logo Makeovers and the Design Strategy Behind the Projects.

Bright Books’ first eBook, Trademarks 1 – Bright Ideas in Logo Design, will be released June 2012 while Logos 1 and Logo 2.0 will follow. All eBooks with be available for purchase at http://www.brightbooks.com/Our_Books.html once released.

About Bright Books

Founded in 2009 as Ampixx Books and renamed in 2011, Bright Books is the first mover in producing "creative compilations" as eBooks. Bright Books produces books by David E. Carter and other creative communicators that encompass logos, graphic design, advertising and related fields. For more information, visit www.brightbooks.com.

Robin Tooms, Principal, Vice President at Savage, traveled towards the east coast to judge regional design solutions for the PGH365: AIGA Pittsburgh’s Annual Design Competition and Exhibition.

Selected as one of three notable judges to support the juried show, Robin Tooms, along with Brian Boyl and Richard Turley, will support AIGA Pittsburgh in their annual “quest for design excellence” within the Pittsburgh region.

The competition kicks off with an opportunity for entrants to meet the judges during the PGH365 Cocktails & Critics event at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Las Velas in Pittsburgh. Once the judges have selected their winning picks, the PGH365 Awards Ceremony and Gallery Opening will commence on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Guardian Storage Solutions in Pittsburgh.

PGH365: AIGA Pittsburgh’s Annual Design Competition and Exhibition celebrates and demonstrates a designers' role and process in finding solutions that are effective, meaningful and add value to the community.

Follow @SavageBrands and @AIGAPittsburgh on Twitter for updates about the upcoming awards ceremony and gallery opening or just search for #PGH365.

Energen Announces Its New, Audience-Focused Corporate Website for Investors, Job Candidates and Neighbors

Energen, a growing oil and gas exploration and production company, announced its redesigned website focused on better serving its key audiences: investors, employment candidates and the communities in which it operates.

“Energen.com has traditionally been geared toward the investor relations audience,” said Renee Pugh, director of eBusiness at Energen. “What we set out to do in this latest redesign was to address broader audience needs in addition to providing financial-driven content.”

The new site reflects the company’s changing business environment and its various audiences. Historically a natural gas utility, over the last 15 years Energen has also focused on growing Energen Resources Corporation (ERC), the dominant driver of Energen Corporation's long-term growth.

Savage, one of Houston’s leading branding, marketing communications and design firms, created the overall website strategy, information architecture and design. To balance the greater volume of content, the overall design concept is clean and open.

“We wanted a modern look to reflect the company’s position as a growing oil and gas company. The layout is simple, and our information is presented in a user-friendly way,” said Marcia McAllister, webmaster at Energen.

The new Energen site provides a more complete picture of the company with:

• An in-depth look at each ERC operating area to highlight important information for each oil and gas basin.
• A new Corporate Social Responsibility section addressing industry issues as well as the company’s environmental accomplishments.
• Company culture and community activities for candidates researching career opportunities.

About Savage

Savage is a Houston-based company that provides branding and marketing communications for corporations and non-profit organizations. With expertise encompassing branding, marketing, online and social media, sustainability reporting and investor and employee communications, Savage helps companies develop and sustain leadership positions within their industries through award-winning work. For more information, visit www.savagebrands.com or contact Bethany Haley, president, at (713) 522-1555.

About Energen

Energen Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. Through Energen Resources Corporation, the company has approximately 900 million barrels of oil-equivalent proved, probable, and possible reserves. These all-domestic reserves are located mainly in the Permian and San Juan basins .For more information, visit http://www.energen.com.

Savage Wins a 2011 BMA Lantern Award for its Collaborative Rebranding Campaign of FlexSteel's Corporate and Product Identity

The Business Marketing Association (BMA) Houston Chapter gave top honors to the collaborative rebranding campaign of FlexSteel, an innovative manufacturer of flexible steel reinforced pipe, in the Corporate and Product Identity Category.

Savage, one of Houston’s leading branding, marketing communications and design firms, and FlexSteel attended the Lantern Awards of Texas Gala, held on Tuesday, November 15 at the Petroleum Club to receive the Lantern Award.

With a unique, revolutionary and relatively new spool line pipe product, Savage and FlexSteel developed a modern brand that echoed the strength, durability and flexibility of the new product line.

“Our objective was to create awareness and acceptance of the product for new markets that represented significant growth opportunities,” said Dahlia Salazar, principal, vice president and creative director with Savage.

The new brand image was extended across a product literature system, online presentations, tradeshow materials, as well as promotion and field materials. In particular, a new website that would appeal to customers who understand the long-term value and performance of the relatively new product led to a strong launch beyond niche markets, increasing website visits by 248%.

“We were surprised by the volume of website hits generated by the newly launched site. The overall traffic far exceeded our expectations, and we are very pleased that it’s become the business development tool that it is today,” said Brian Anderson, director of marketing with FlexSteel. “We are able to point to its exact tangible impact, and receiving the BMA Lantern Award is a great example.”

Established by BMA Houston, the Lantern Awards of Texas has recognized top-quality creative and strategic business-to-business communications for more than two decades. Entries are judged by business-to-business marketing professionals, which evaluate the execution and effectiveness of applied AIDA principles – awareness, interest, desire, and action – among target business audiences. All award-winning entries will be posted on http://www.lanternawards.org.

About Savage

Savage is a Houston-based company that provides branding and marketing communications for corporations and non-profit organizations. With award-winning work, Savage helps companies develop and sustain leadership positions within their industries. Its expertise encompasses branding, marketing, online and social media, sustainability reporting and investor and employee communications. For more information, visit www.savagebrands.com or contact Bethany Haley, president, at (713) 522-1555.

About FlexSteel

FlexSteel is a pipeline solution primarily used in the oil and gas industry that couples the durability of steel with the installation, performance and cost benefits of spoolable pipe products. Highly corrosion resistant and more durable than other flexible pipe, FlexSteel combines the best features of all currently available pipe options to deliver superior life-cycle performance and value. For more information about FlexSteel, please visit www.flexsteelpipe.com.

About BMA

Business Marketing Association is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of business-to-business communicators worldwide and helping them and succeed throughout their business-to-business careers. The Houston Chapter is one of 25 chapters of BMA National with a combined membership of 3,000 professionals.