One of our regular projects here at Churchill is the design of the Commonwealth Foundation’s quarterly magazine, CommonwealthSense. For the past two issues, we’ve decided to take a different approach with the front cover, and enlist the work of Pittsburgh Tribune cartoonist Randy Bish for the design. The most recent issue has started some chatter, as it features characters as wide ranging as Gov. Rendell, reporter John Micek, radio host RJ Harris, former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, and even CF’s own Matt Brouillette.

This isn’t a campaign “ticket,” but they have something in common – Churchill Strategies.  Lt. Col. Bill Russell (USAR ret.) (challenging Congressman Jack Murtha), Peg Luksik (taking on Arlen Specter) and Commissioner Nick DiFrancesco (running for Lt. Governor), bumped in to each other in Fayette County this week, and someone grabbed this shot.

It’s truly our privilege to represent each of them in their respective races.

We here at Churchill enjoy time to mull over projects, turning over ideas in our heads and pondering them as we go home at the end of the day. Or, more correctly, we would enjoy time. In reality, we rarely have it.

Rather, we seem to specialize (by necessity!) in being able to take a concept into production in a matter of hours. Whether it’s a radio ad produced in the last hours of a campaign, or a website designed and launched in 24 hours, quick turnaround, matched with quality craftsmanship, is par for the course.

On Tuesday morning, we were discussing with the Commonwealth Foundation ideas for one of these ‘pronto’ projects. By Wednesday at 10 a.m., Matt Brouillette was standing before the news cameras, hosting a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda. He was flanked by two large banners, which were only rudimentary ideas scrawled on a piece of scrap paper less than 24 hours ago.

DESIGNER: Corey Graham, New Media Director, Churchill Strategies

It’s not an idea that originated with us. People have been running campaigns without deploying reputation-shredding tactics since the first elections. While it’s far from the industry’s reputation, political candidates have been choosing character over their contract guru’s bad advice for a long time. That’s our vision. Win or lose, Churchill Strategies believes that enhancing reputations are far more important that the final count tally on election day. What happens when the circus leaves town?

Take a look at our most recent political web project — JoinNick.org — to see this approach in action.

DESIGNER: Corey Graham, New Media Director, Churchill Srategies
PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruno, IKnowBruno.com

Last week was an exciting one for us here at Churchill Strategies as we prepared for a major public event with Bethesda Mission – Harrisburg’s historic urban outreach ministry. On Tuesday night, they held a celebration and re-dedication ceremony of the Men’s Shelter at 611 Reily Street here in Harrisburg. We celebrated the restoration of a beautiful 107 year-old building that has seen thousands of transformed lives by God’s grace through the work of the Bethesda Mission.

The morning before the big day, we hung two ‘museum-style’ banners, flanking the Shelter’s trademark green cross. “RESCUE IS OUR MISSION” was proclaimed to those gathered in the street for the celebration that night, and that message will continue to be spread to the city of Harrisburg in the years to come.

Hundreds were on hand to tour the transformed facility, and were able to enjoy a brand new a wall mural designed by our own Corey Graham. As one of the residents of the shelter said, “it makes you smile just to look at it!”

We were thankful to have the opportunity to help the Bethesda Mission celebrate the big occasion!

The Montana Policy Institute’s big idea – putting government spending online – has made its way to the Big Skies around the State Capitol! If you haven’t seen the full billboard series developed by Churchill Strategies, check it out here. And if you haven’t watched our crazy cartoon yet, catch a free spin at BigSkySearch.info.