Ep 6. In this deeply moving episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Paws With a Cause, a nonprofit that trains assistance dogs to transform lives. What starts as a story of financial hardship becomes a testimony to the power of passion and storytelling. Jeff shares how Scott Allen Creative unexpectedly landed a pitch with Paws at a time when the organization was in crisis. Competing against top-tier firms, he doubted their chances, but Rachel, Project Manager with Scott Allen Creative for over 15 years, went above and beyond. She delivered a two-year marketing plan as an added gift to their pitch. That bold move, paired with their refusal to sacrifice the research needed to tell the right story, marked the start of a purpose-driven partnership. What followed was more than just a branding project. Through interviews with clients, trainers, and the founder, they uncovered something powerful: these dogs weren’t just helpers, they were healers, companions, and bridges back to life. One student in a wheelchair said his Paws dog helped him meet and talk with people at school, which gave him more confidence. A woman who suffered seizures said her Paws dog gave her moments of life back. Another child with autism found comfort and emotional peace through his dog’s calming presence. The rebrand focused on these stories. Instead of spotlighting pristine photos of the dogs alone, the team shifted the lens to the relationship. Messaging like “You calm me,” “You open doors,” and “You saved my life” captured the emotional core of each human/dog bond. And then came the "You Needed Me" video. With narration from the perspective of a service dog, this heartwarming and educational short film touched both corporate funders and schoolchildren alike. This episode is a testament to how storytelling can rescue a mission and elevate it to new heights. It’s about the kind of connection that opens doors—literally and figuratively—for people who thought theirs had closed, and a heartwarming love story between each human and their service dog.

Ep 5. In this heartfelt episode, Jeff reflects on his journey of discovering and partnering with Senior Neighbors, a Grand Rapids nonprofit committed to serving older adults. What began as a casual hallway conversation with then-Executive Director, Bob Barnes, evolved into a transformative collaboration centered around one powerful insight: as people age, they often lose key relationships and face increasing isolation. From that truth, the brand statement “No Longer Alone” was born, which now anchors the organization’s mission and messaging.

Jeff shares stories of seniors like Elmer, a widower who found renewed joy and friendship through a local senior center. The episode also highlights the creative marketing campaigns that brought visibility and emotional resonance to Senior Neighbors’ work, from humorous video spots to moving storytelling that secured funding and changed perceptions.

More than a look into their marketing, this episode is also a tribute to the vital role Senior Neighbors plays in combating senior isolation and honoring every stage of the aging journey. It’s a thank-you to Bob Barnes for his decades of service, and a call to see, support, and stand with the seniors in our lives so that they are no longer alone.

Ep 4. In this uplifting podcast episode, Jeff celebrates the powerful creative partnership his team at Scott Allen Creative had with Mary Buikema, former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. From the deeply moving “I See a Castle” Annual Report, inspired by the words of a young girl seeing her Habitat home for the first time, to the transformative “Building Blocks” Campaign, this episode highlights the impact these various projects had throughout their beautiful partnership. Other projects shared in this episode include branding for the ReStore retail outlets, radio ads, volunteer campaigns like “Brush with Kindness,” and creative, story-driven marketing materials that empowered Habitat for Humanity to connect with donors and the community on a deeper level. Mary’s vision and willingness to speak from the heart, combined with Scott Allen Creative’s thoughtful, value-driven creativity, sparked a multi-year partnership that helped Habitat for Humanity gain the recognition it needed and deserved to help expand its mission of transforming lives and neighborhoods.

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