Case Study: American Swedish Institute
Building awareness for a little-known museum— and made it huge news.
What we did:
We managed big-idea marketing during the American Swedish Institute’s (http://www.asimn.org) re-opening— guided idea generation, messaging and outreach through three major communications events: a fundraising initiative, a major expansion grand opening, and a visit by Sweden’s royal family.
How we did it:
Kicked off a new attitude through targeted PR, traditional and guerrilla marketing efforts, including:
- Competition for AmEx Partners in Preservation (PIP) funding through “Vote for the Castle” Facebook campaign
- Grand opening of new, architecturally significant Nelson Cultural Center at ASI
- Grand opening of restaurant, FIKA
- Announcement of Swedish royal family visit to ASI
- Piggy-backed onto developing “Stephen Colbert/Swedish Twitter Feed” story to garner additional coverage for ASI
- Developed following for popular “Cocktails at the Castle” event series
Results:
- Won funding from PIP to complete renovations on historic castle
- Worked local, national, and international media contacts for grand opening and royal visits
- Helped transform stodgy Swedish meeting place to hip destination in the Twin Cities
- Built FIKA into critically acclaimed destination dining spot
- Demolished expectations: impressing clients (and media) with our efforts:
We had exceptional coverage – the best ever, I’d say, in my 21 years here. The only time “hip” has gotten mentioned here at ASI before has been in connection with surgery.
I’m just thrilled with the coverage — it doesn’t get much better than this PR-wise. There is definitely a “buzz” building about what’s happening at ASI. This is better than any paid advertisement we could buy!
