2006-08-26 15:05:46

Valero/Diamond Shamrock Go!Kids Challenge Web site Launches

Local Web design firm esd & associates creates Web tracking system for family walking program

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Sports Foundation partnered with esd & associates, a leading San Antonio advertising and communications firm, to develop and launch the 2005 Valero/Diamond Shamrock Go!Kids Challenge™ Web site. The site, unlike any other in San Antonio, is expected to draw more than 60,000 new children to the program this year. In its third year, the Valero Go!Kids Challenge will be implemented in 18 San Antonio, Boerne and New Braunfels school districts and many private schools involving more than 165,000 children. Each participating child will be encouraged to walk one-half mile every day for a total of 26.2 miles - the distance of a marathon. The firm, led by Creative Director Erik Simpson, began producing the site for San Antonio Sports Foundation in March 2005. With an end goal of increasing participation and awareness in the program, esd & associates created an innovative, interactive first for the organization. "We chose esd & associates because they have an amazing amount of experience and interactive expertise," said Ross Davis, Creative Director for the organization. "We were astounded by their efficient management style and creative abilities." esd & associates meticulously developed a step-by-step process to follow San Antonio children through every step of the program. Children and their parents are able to track their progress and log-in daily to input their number of miles walked-exactly as they would on paper. In addition, children take part in educational surveys and receive printable coupons as their reward for walking every six miles. "We took everyday elements of some of the top Web sites across the country and we curtailed them to fit this site," said Simpson. "We maximized usability by following the paper version, but also gave children an outlet to learn more about the Internet at the same time." New to the site this year, teachers and educational administrators throughout San Antonio will have the ability to track their school's progress against others in San Antonio through the site's unique "Tracker." This element provides teachers with a real-time tracking capability and breeds new life into classroom participation for students and families who otherwise may not have participated. "The Tracker gives teachers the ability to create a fun and competitive classroom exercise," said Simpson. "We decided early on that this would allow us to evaluate program participation as a whole and make decisions about where the organization could increase awareness efforts." San Antonio Sports Foundation and esd & associates will kickoff the program and launch the Web site on Wednesday September 21 at the Southwest Independent School District Headquarters located at 11914 Dragon Lane.

2006-08-15 15:06:22

esd client-partner, HACU, receives recognition

2005 IABC Bronze Quill Award Bestowed for Publications Category

SAN ANTONIO — There are several reasons to celebrate this Fiesta season. For esd & associates, it's to celebrate the accomplishments of their client-partner, The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

HACU is the 2005 recipient of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Bronze Quill Award for Publication Design. The Bronze Quill Award of Recognition is given to those companies that go above and beyond their roles in communication. esd & associates entered on HACU's behalf in the Publication category for their 18th Annual Conference in Miami, Florida.

"We're extremely happy to see HACU receive this recognition," said Erik Simpson, creative director at esd & associates. "Everyone spent a tremendous amount of time ensuring that the event was a success."

Each year, HACU conducts conferences and special events to educate their supporter base about the critical importance of ensuring Hispanic Higher Education success. Student participation, especially at the Annual Conference, has been an important dimension over the past five years. In 2004, over 1,200 educators and students traveled to attend the conference — a record for HACU.

The Annual Conference promotes advocacy, forms collaborations and disseminates information necessary to achieve educational funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions of Higher Education.

Since 1997, esd & associates has worked with HACU to develop and manage all communications and creative design for their conference materials. This partnership has led to uniquely designed materials that deliver their message on event programs, save-the-date cards, event schedules and call for papers for the Capitol Forum, Annual Conference and International Conference. All materials are designed around the participant to promote action. Each conference requires a dedicated direct mail system in which to distribute materials to the 10,000+ HACU members worldwide. This unique direct mail distribution system is managed by esd & associates and is conducted in San Antonio.

"Our direct mail system is a perfect fit for HACU," said Mario Diaz, Publication Specialist for esd & associates. "HACU demands a seamless communication system to reach their members. This system allows us to get information out in a timely fashion, from one direct source."

Since their inception, HACU has succeeded in providing students access to educational opportunities in some of the nation's premier colleges and universities.

To further this mission, HACU formed a partnership with the National Education Loan Network (Nelnet) at the 2004 Annual Conference. This partnership will provide all of HACU's 400+ college and university members and affiliates with access to Nelnet's student loan services, college planning and financial aid information — all designed to simplify and enhance opportunities to fund a college education.

HACU's increased public awareness has allowed them to receive the support of Henry Cisneros, former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor and Univision Anchor Jorge Ramos. These well-regarded figures chose to be keynote speakers at this year's conference to demonstrate their steadfast dedication to the Hispanic education community. esd & associates will continue to support HACU's efforts in advocating the Hispanic voice in Higher Education.

2005-04-15 15:14:43

Firm Recognized by Business Journal

New building, passion drive esd & associates

SAN ANTONIO — For years Erik Simpson has taken his creative flair to the market for all of his client-partners. In March, Erik and his team at esd & associates were recognized for their efforts in the San Antonio Business Journal.

The article features the work of esd & associates on the "don't" campaign for the South Texas Health Research Center. The successful campaign garnered over 22,000 signatures of teenagers who vowed to not start smoking. In addition, the article recognizes the team's success with Henry Cisneros' non-profit community development corporation, American Sunrise.

esd's beginnings on the West side are also noted. Simpson started his one-man shop in 1993 and now has a company of 13, in a new and spacious headquarters near Bitters and Blanco Roads on the North side.

To read the article, click here.