DEC. 2023, ISSUE 1
DEC. 2023, ISSUE 1
IN THIS ISSUE newsletter
A SEASON OF GRATITUDE 2023 was a year of tremendous change and growth. As the company known as JOY Collective closed its doors after a successful ten-year run, Seven Elements Group was born. In a time when our world is so divided, shaken by war, environmental crisis, and political uncertainty, we remain steadfast in our commitment to create new possibilities for how businesses and communities thrive.
Some highlights from our favorite moments at Seven Elements Group this year
CLIENT NEWS
Creating Lasting Impact Through Cultural Marketing
We can’t thank you enough for your continued support, partnership, and trust of our 7E team to help you do work that truly matters. 2023 was a year of tremendous change and growth.
2023: A LOOK BACK
AWARD SPOTLIGHT
Winning Work from Our Client Portfolio
All my best, Orlena
WORD ON THE STREET
A slice of life beyond the agency walls
sevenelements.com
Welcome to the Family! Shout out to our newest 7E client.
sevenelements.com newsletter
newsletter
CHAMPIONING BLACK BUSINESSES WITH ESPN ESPN IS AT IT AGAIN! We are honored to work with one of the dopest sports marketing teams on the planet, as they partner with the NBA and the Walt Disney Company on the awardwinning program Champion Black Businesses. This year, in its 4th installment, empowering growth for small Black-owned businesses reached new levels when Champion Black Businesses hit the EssenceFest main stage with Cookie Society, one of our 2021 businesses. Shout out to this year’s featured businesses NiLu Gift Shop, Rock City Pizza, Oldvine Florals, and Straw and Wool Hat Shop, and our Executive MBA HBCU Partner Virginia Union University.
This year Champion Black Businesses was recognized for marketing excellence with a Gold Global ACE Award, an ANA Multicultural Marketing Award, and three platinum MarCom Awards. WOOT WOOT!
sevenelements.com newsletter
BLUEPRINTS TO BLACK WEALTH
We are in the business of game changing work and Prudential’s Blueprints To Black Wealth ( ) is exactly that - a game changer! We couldn’t be more thrilled to be on the journey as a strategic partner and advisor to the ’ leadership team as PAVING TO inBLACK WEALTH NOT FORandTHE they leadTHE theROAD industry framing a new ISnarrative pathWEAK to HEARTED. THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT HILL TO CLIMB OF ECONOMIC DISPARITY. BUT COMMITTED PARTNERS LIKE PRUDENTIAL, MIGHT wealth GIVEN for the CENTURIES Black community. HELP THE ROAD GET A LITTLE SHORTER. With , announced earlier this year, Prudential is demonstrating the trueELEMENTS viability ofPARTNERED a shared-value and we INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TEAM TO LAUNCH THIS SPRING, SEVEN WITHmodel PRUDENTIAL'S love FRAMEBREAKING that our client partners THE BLUEPRINTS TO BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE AND STRATEGY. are doing so with cultural intelligenceFROM at theSEVEN forefront INSIGHTS ELEMENT'S PROPRIETARY RESEARCH HELPED BUSINESS LEADERS AT PRUDENTIAL of theirNICHE efforts. Plus, the FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORS TO BETTER SERVE AND EARN TRUST FROM BLACK FIND OPPORTUNITIES powerhouse women of colorON BUILDING BLACK WEALTH. CUSTOMERS, BY FOCUSING team leading the charge “ain’t nothin‘ to play with!” 😉
sevenelements.com newsletter
A BOLD BRIGHT FUTURE
SEVEN ELEMENTS IS PROUD TO BE THE AGENCY PARTNER FOR THE INAUGURAL MACY'S INC. DE&I ANNUAL REPORT
Seven Elements is honored to be part of Macy’s ongoing promise & commitment to create a brighter future with bold representation for all. In 2023 we’ve seen Macy’s first Black Mrs. Claus, the first HCBU band to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the first set of Macy’s Bold Representation Awards at FIT including the best Culturally Inspired Design! Seven Elements provides ongoing cultural marketing strategy & consultation to inform Macy’s messaging and creative across brand strategy, DE&I, merchandising, branded entertainment and social teams. We could not be more proud of the work we’ve done together.
2023 GOLD MarCom Award Winner
sevenelements.com newsletter
REIMAGINING ATLANTA LIFE REIMAGINING ATLANTA LIFE
DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK They've been here since the Golden Age of Black Business. The story of Atlanta Life is one of power, perseverance, family and community, and our 7E team was honored to partner with the new leadership team to reposition, rebrand, and reintroduce this sacred African-American institution to the world. We were also excited to engage some of our favorite fellow Black-owned businesses, including Idlewild Experiential, Smartbomb Creative Studio, and Hollywood on the Hill. 7E delivered a high-profile launch event, website refresh, press release, and campaign teaser that revitalized Atlanta Life's image with resounding success and applause from the community, financial services sector, and key stakeholders resounding success and applause from the community, financial services sector, and key stakeholders. We’re so proud of how these efforts pay homage to the brand's heritage and position it for enduring success and influence. We're grateful for the collective commitment to this transformative journey and the continued impact as Atlanta Life's story evolves.
Power, perseverance, family and community. REBRANDING
sevenelements.com newsletter
Winning with Culture
UVA LAW SCHOOL PANEL We love sharing our experience and mentoring the next generation of business leaders and last month, as part of the business curriculum at the University of Virginia Law School, Warren was excited to speak to a class of students on the topic emerging companies, venture capital and entrepreneurship.
THE ROOT INSTITUTE This fall The Root Institute assembled a powerhouse line up of sistas, with whom Orlena had the honor of sharing the stage, for much needed conversations on business, politics, media, and policy. Seeing Black leaders, Black institutions, and Black women supporting each other personally & professionally was inspiring and empowering.
Alongside other esteemed panelists, Warren gave the students a glimpse into the ecosystem of high growth and disruptive companies, and talked about his path from corporate executive to partner in a small, boutique strategy and marketing firm. He shared the economic challenges small firms face and the importance of having good legal counsel for all aspects of your business!
HEADS TALK PODCAST In this 170th episode of Heads Talk, Elaine Pringle Schwitter & Orlena chop it up during an enlightening conversation on the role that business, government, social bodies play in driving social and cultural change. Topics included: The Crown Act Morphing of Marketing Cultural Marketing Strategy Brand Management in the Era of Generative AI Credible Marketing Thought Leaders Corporate World Adaption To Change The 7 Elements of Culture
WHAT WE’RE READING
ESPN
ESPN
ESPN
This year, our entire 7E team was reading and applying Dan Sullivan’s Who Not How framework for growing a successful business, building teams to support your vision, or freeing up time to focus on areas of life that matter most. This book is a key to unlock the power of limitless transformation that’s possible through connections with other people. We highly recommend!
MACY’S
sevenelements.com
sevenelements.com newsletter
newsletter