Vibrant brands, engaging events and practical strategy.
From event strategy to public relations, Walnut Street Creative provides a variety of services to commercial real estate groups, place management organizations, and urban-focused nonprofits. Services include: marketing strategy and execution; event ideation and promotion; community engagement and outreach; brand management; placemaking and public space branding; strategic partnerships; communications and media relations; video and photography production; copywriting; neighborhood tours; public speaking; and project management.
Friendship Heights Placemaking & Events
Created an engaging events strategy to bring arts, culture, pop-ups and vitality to Friendship Heights. Makers Markets brought dozens of vendors and 2,000+ people to a formerly empty stretch of Wisconsin Ave.; three pop-ups provided opportunities for entrepreneurs and elevated local artists. Community preferences outlined weaknesses in the Wisconsin Avenue public realm, so a placemaking program of murals, seating arrangements, signage and color planters softened the public spaces. (with the Urban Partnership and the Javera Group; design by Alley Squash Co., 2021-Present)
Walter Reed History Project
Oversaw a six-month community engagement effort with 150+ and website project to capture oral and written history from the neighborhoods surrounding The Parks at Walter Reed. Working with the DC History Center and Prologue DC, Walnut Street organized and promoted three community meetings and a survey; managed videographers to create 17 videos capturing the content from eight interviews; and created a Strategic Recommendations Report outlining how to highlight neighborhood history at The Parks. Final deliverables included the 28-page report, a 29-page professionally compiled narrative, and an interactive website timeline with videos, historic images, and storytelling content. (2021-2022)
DowntownDC BID Renewal
Conducted an abbreviated strategic planning effort to build a five-year renewal plan for the DowntownDC BID. Working with staff and board, the team conducted interviews, drafted messaging, and created content for a 50-page document that showcases the successes of the past five years and casts a broad vision for downtown Washington, DC in the future. (with The Urban Partnership and Javera Group, 2022)
National Landing Business Improvement District
Managed a comprehensive rebranding effort that encompassed six months of community engagement as Crystal City BID expanded its boundaries and changed its name to National Landing BID. A virtual brand launch included a 6-month advertising campaign, rebranded digital presence, and sleek website with interactive maps. Managed dozens of consultants, collaborated with stakeholders, and oversaw efforts to launch the brand in the public realm and in print, undertaking much of the copywriting personally for key brochures and reports. (design by Pentagram and DMNGOOD, 2019-2020)
NoMa Parks Foundation
Led marketing efforts for the foundation as it garnered support and grants to build parks in the NoMa area. Managed a branding effort with Pentagram in 2013, then built out a website, marketing materials, banners, and more. From 2017 to 2020, assisted with messaging, reports, banners, community engagement, and surveys for naming the brand-new Swampoodle Park and Alethia Tanner Park. (design by Pentagram, 2012-2020)
DuPont Circle BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Launched the 11th BID in Washington, D.C., including a full brand effort and suite of materials, operational set-up, board management, event creation and promotion. Provided marketing and communications strategy and services until a staff member was hired. (2018-2019)
Crystal City Business Improvement District
Participated in a collaborative strategic planning process with a large number of stakeholders and an active online platform. Resulted in a well supported, inclusive and innovative strategic plan for the organization. (with The Urban Partnership and Javera Group, 2018)
Smart transportation campaign
Marketing campaign for a new transportation initiative at a residential building in The Yards, DC. Included print & digital marketing materials, event promotions, and a unique installation in the mail room. (with Alley Squash Co., 2018)
Friendship Heights Organizational & Marketing Strategy
In partnership with the Javera Group, laid the groundwork for a new cross-jurisdictional place management organization to shepherd the coming transformation in Friendship Heights in DC and Maryland. Conducted four months of community engagement, including an 1100-response survey, 50+ interviews, focus groups, and more. Community priorities informed a popular event strategy, a fresh and colorful visual identity, and a public realm beautification effort. (with the Urban Partnership and the Javera Group; design by Alley Squash Co., 2021-Present)
Marketplace Window Signage
Strategy, messaging, design and coordination for 114 individual vinyl window clings to wrap six sides of three buildings surrounding the new Marketplace Plaza at The Parks at Walter Reed, covering hundreds of linear feet of dark windows with bright, colorful messages that promoted the residential and retail offerings and elevated the brand of The Parks. (design by Alley Squash Co., Printing by BrandVizion, 2023)
ULI Washington
Conducted a messaging and competitive audit, interviews, and a marketing audit, including a facilitated strategy session with board members and the marketing committee. Final deliverable was a data-driven marketing strategy to improve the website and graphics; elevate the brand in the region; grow membership; and build the brand. (2021)
The Parks at Walter Reed
In partnership with Pipkin Creative, elevated the brand and activated The Parks campus with ongoing neighborhood outreach; a comprehensive marketing program; and a community-focused event strategy, including markets, music, festivals, fitness, and more. More than 11,000 people attended events at The Parks in 2022 and 2023; and Washingtonian magazine listed The Parks as one of the top five places for outdoor music in the region in ‘22. Social media followers increased 42% to 107% depending on platform; and website, newsletter, and readership stats continue to grow. (design by Alley Squash Co. 2019-2023)
Ortega Design Architecture Studio
Conducted a strategy session and marketing/branding audit with a small, growing architecture studio. Created a recommendations report highlighting marketing and social media best practices, creative business development tactics, refreshed graphics, and updated messaging. (collaboration with Alley Squash Co., 2020)
Adams Morgan partnership
Took the organization through a full rebranding, from firm selection to launch, over an 18-month period. Provides regular marketing strategy and weekly communications services on an ongoing basis. (2017-2019)
Equity Residential
Communications and social media strategy for three residential properties seeking to expand their digital presence. Included earned media placements, Instagram content creation, and imagery strategy. (2017-2018)
Silver Spring Business Improvement District Committee
Marketing and outreach strategy to form the first BID in Montgomery County, Md. Created a dynamic visual identity, business plan, website, marketing materials, and an inclusive outreach strategy. (with The Urban Partnership, 2017-2018).
INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION
As marketing director, oversaw a complete organizational rebranding, including all marketing materials, a new suite of reports, clever banners, and key messaging for members. Created a popular mobile app and conference microsite, and promoted 13 events and conferences. Daily marketing, communications, newsletter, website refresh and materials. (2015-2017)
MIDCITY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Committee
Managed a BID formation process and petition drive for a committee of property owners seeking to form a BID. Included project management, marketing services, social media content, and Dog Days Sidewalk sale event management and promotion. (2017-2018)
NomA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Served six years as marketing director in one of the city’s most rapidly growing neighborhoods. Oversaw all marketing strategy, in-house communications, media outreach, and public realm branding for the BID and NoMa Parks Foundation. Created, promoted, branded and managed hundreds of events, pop-ups and festivals (2009-2015). Continues to work with both organizations on select marketing initiatives (2017-2019).
Petworth COMMUNITY Market
Served on the all-volunteer board of the market, managing outreach and communications to a growing subscriber list, newsletter copywriting and coordinating with farmers. (2010-2012)
