Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Founders Brewing has been helping support its home state in a variety of ways during the COVID-19 outbreak, notably with its #CraftedinMI series. The initiative focuses on supporting local artists, makers and creators – a large group of small businesses that’s been particularly hit hard over the last couple months. Ranging from painters, to woodworkers, to sculptors, to musicians, to bakers, each local artisan receives a feature on Founders social channels to help raise awareness and drive sales of their creations. In one of its most recent features, the brewery promoted Randi Ford Flow Paintings, a Grand Rapids-based contemporary landscape painter who is inspired by the beauty and spirit that exists within nature. Learn more about #CraftedinMI here.
As it’s encouraging prospective interns to #DontMoveToMinnesota this summer, Solve’s WFH Internship program has been covered by leading industry publication Communication Arts. Launched just under two weeks ago, the Minneapolis agency’s remote internship has seen global interest with applicants from across the U.S., as well as India, Thailand and China. The WFH Solve Internship application process will close in May, with a plan to start up in June. Interested candidates can learn more at www.DontMoveToMinnesota.com.
Solve recently hired Maggie Williams as a Junior Copywriter to its creative team. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a theatre degree, she attended Brainco ad school to begin refining her copywriting skills. Prior to starting at Solve, Maggie worked as a freelancer for sites like ClickHole, The Onion’s shareable content platform. “We’re thrilled to have Maggie at Solve,” says Solve Associate Creative Director Joe Stefanson. “She’s quick on her feet, highly collaborative and has already accomplished quite a lot for a writer starting out in advertising. She’ll be a tremendous contribution to our creative output moving forward.”
Twin Cities Business recently tapped Solve CEO John Colasanti for his perspective on how advertising has changed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled “In These Difficult Times,” the piece highlights Colasanti’s commentary on several topics, including client spending, production, agency activity and adjusting to a working from home culture. Colasanti’s biggest challenge, as described in the article – having an adequate internet connection to conduct important business. “At any given time there are 10 devices fighting for bandwidth.”
Located on the corner of 12th & Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis, Solve works directly above Lunds & Byerlys grocery store. Despite Solve’s office working remotely, the building’s first floor remains abuzz with Lunds & Byerlys workers – all tirelessly devoted to ensuring their downtown community has the food it needs. As such, Solve wanted to show gratitude to its fellow tenants. Canvasing the second-floor windows of its office this week, the agency depicted heartfelt messaging thanking all of the Lunds & Byerlys staff, calling each and every one of them out by name. “Over the years, we’ve become so connected with the friendly staff at Lunds & Byerlys,” says Solve Sr. Connection Strategist Rebecca Underwood, who orchestrated the show of support. “Even though we’re all working from home right now, we wanted to remind the store’s employees that what they’re doing is so meaningful, and reinforce we’re in this together. We couldn’t think of a better way to ensure they’d feel our appreciation.”
Uses State’s “Flyover” Perception In Self-Effacing Way To Lure National Talent
Embracing the uncertain duration of the current WFH situation, Solve’s offering a remote internship this summer. Since the program won’t require participants to live in Minneapolis, the agency is casting a broad geographical net to attract candidates. And, recognizing that physically living in Minnesota may not be a dream location for many interested interns, the agency’s poking fun at its state by telling candidates #DontMoveToMinnesota.
The campaign – running on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and other recruitment sites – touts the ability to work remotely and features self-deprecating Minnesota references like mosquitoes, cold weather, “Fargo accents,” hockey-as-life and that Prince no longer lives here. The program will provide interns with a real world, hands-on, ten-week agency experience, from wherever their home may be. Participants will work in account management, creative and media disciplines on clients including Sunoco, Porsche, Raymond James, Founders Brewing and Président Cheese.
“Minneapolis agencies typically have trouble competing for top interns with places like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco,” said Brian Platt, Solve Group Creative Director. “Since Solve’s running its internship remotely, any apprehension around having to move to Minnesota has been lifted. We embraced Minnesota perceptions and realities in a light-hearted way to entice qualified candidates from across the country,” Platt added.
The WFH Solve Internship is scheduled to begin in June and run through August, although the agency may make exceptions for students who are able to start sooner due to class cancellations. Interested candidates can learn more at www.DontMoveToMinnesota.com.
Solve Project Manager Tony Rivera, along with Benjamin Kjos, brought their trivia brainchild “Questions In Quarantine” to WCCO Radio! The two emcees conducted a 90-minute interactive trivia competition on WCCO Radio’s Facebook page this past Saturday night. The livestream included over 300 participants, with the recording of the event now nearing 3,000 views. Rivera and Kjos are building a following, as this was the fourth weekend in a row they’ve hosted the trivia contest. But the best part? Each week they highlight a charitable organization for players to support. “Play trivia, do good!” Future events will be posted to Solve’s social channels.
Solve Director of Account Management/Partner Ryan Murray and his family were recently covered in Muse’s #WFH Diaries, a series profiling ad industry professionals as they work from home. Ryan and his wife Mindy, a marketing communications manager at General Mills, are an agency-client couple with two kids, Lily (4) and Robert (2). Like working parents across the country, they’re finding creative ways to balance working from home while parenting and engaging their kids in learning activities. As the article details, the family’s also gotten caught in Netflix’s Tiger King, with Ryan taking the obsession to new heights.
America’s First Non-Alcoholic Craft Brewery Leading N/A Trend
Solve is working with Costa Mesa, California-based Bravus Brewing Company, the country’s first brewery purely dedicated to non-alcoholic craft beer. Started by Philip Brandes in 2015, Bravus is looking to further its brand amidst today’s #SoberCurious and increasingly health-conscious culture. Led by its IPA, Stout and Amber Ale, Bravus is focused on non-alcoholic craft beer styles that taste as robust as their alcoholic counterparts. Its beers have won two medals at the Great American Beer Festival, recognition normally given only to beers containing alcohol.
“Right now, we can’t make beer fast enough to fill our distribution pipeline,” says Philip Brandes, Bravus Founder and Head Brewer. “At some point, the supply-demand equation will even out, so we need to set Bravus up for the long-haul. Given Solve’s success positioning some of the world’s most iconic brands, we know they’ll be a great partner to help position us within this exploding category.”
Already in the traditional craft beer segment with client Founders Brewing, the addition of Bravus allows Solve to work across the entire beer spectrum. “We’ve watched the non-alcoholic craft beer and cocktail movement gain amazing momentum over the past few years,” says John Colasanti, Solve CEO and Founder. “Philip’s vision is inspiring, and we look forward to helping him get Bravus in more people’s hands.”
A team from Solve delivered meals to St. Stephen’s shelters this week (adhering to social distancing practices). Serving Hennepin County, St. Stephen’s focuses on providing street outreach, shelter and housing to the homeless – a group often at greater risk for illness due to a limited ability for social distancing and overcrowded systems of support. “As we’re all adjusting to this new way of life, it’s important we don’t lose sight of those most in need – now more than ever,” says Solve Director of Production Lisa K. Johnson, who organized the effort. “We’re always looking for ways to give back, and doing whatever we can to lend a hand.” Solve’s delivery will help feed 50 homeless people.
by 
