The deadline for the first, worth $1.1 million, was less than a week away when the agency owner became very ill and was unable to write the first draft. We devised a plan to interview her and tape-record her thoughts. We rewrote her ideas to convey her plans to meet the customer’s needs, as well as answer every conceivable question. A graphic artist provided an eye-catching cover and compelling format. 

The proposal was delivered on time, and won the competition. Minor changes allowed it to be used to win contracts from other companies. 

Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Settled by
Presentation and Strategic Counsel
A cabdriver’s family faced poverty after he was killed by a negligent delivery driver. The family’s attorney was pursuing a wrongful death suit, but was not very hopeful of a fair settlement. Expecting to settle the suit for no more than $250,000, he hired Strategic Ink to help him structure the evidence for a mediation. 

We developed materials to be shown to the opposing attorneys that made the evidence very powerful, then added emotional elements that would appeal to a jury. During the mediation, we assisted the attorney with observations and advice as the meeting progressed. 

Based on our counsel, the attorney settled the case for $1.5 million, assuring the family of financial security and the son a college education. 

UCLA School of Dentistry Avoids Severe Reductions or Closure
A University of California budget crisis in the 1990’s threatened the School
of Dentistry with severely reduced funding—if not closure. The dean mustered all of his resources, but had no idea of how to manage the communications and the message. We worked with the dean and his staff to define and understand the audiences, develop a persuasive message, then deliver it professionally and in a timely manner. 

As a result, the School of Dentistry suffered only minor budget reductions for two years. 

Media Relations, Community Awareness Help
Non-Profit Capital Campaign
A community-based, non-profit had a severe problem: it was mired in debt and needed to raise donations to its capital campaign. Research indicated the solution required two efforts: news media relations and community participation. 

The news media were provided a series of story ideas that resulted in a dozen feature and news stories describing the agency, its programs and successes. 

The community had two large organizations that included most of the business and social decision-makers. By acquainting the members of both groups with the existence and the work of the agency, community awareness was demonstrably improved, which contributed immensely to the success of the agency’s capital campaign.