Where Great Design Meets Strategy
Success is all about great design, strategy, and execution. Without these elements working together, you’ve got meh. These case studies showcase how, when everything aligns, magic happens.
Case Study 1: Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign
The Concept
When asked what would get them to pay attention to a DUI campaign, millennial guys were clear: “Make it cool,” “Use humor,” and “Make it easy—like Uber.” So we ditched the typical fear-based tactics and celebrated designated drivers as heroes with the message, “Nothing’s More Beautiful Than a Safe Ride Home.” Through humor, relatable messaging, and social media engagement, we connected with the target audience, encouraging them to plan ahead for a safe ride and reducing drunk driving in the Washington D.C. area.
Results
- 17% increase in awareness of DUI enforcement
- 13% increase in rideshare service use
- 82% of respondents served as designated drivers, and 77% planned ahead for a safe ride
Conclusion
The Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign demonstrated that understanding your audience and speaking to them in a relevant, fun way can create real behavior change. By reframing the safe ride home as a “beautiful” choice, we shifted perceptions and sparked a movement toward safer driving.
Case Study 2: Take It From a Fish Campaign
The Concept
Results
AstraZeneca faced a unique challenge—how do you get men to care about triglyceride levels when they don’t even care about health advice in general? We went beyond the usual pharma tactics with a creative twist: Marty and Sal, two animated fish who brought humor to a serious health topic. The goal was to engage the audience with fun, making health education stick while empowering loved ones to get involved. The result? A memorable campaign that turned health awareness into an entertaining experience.
- 11% increase in searches for high triglycerides within 3 months
- Twitter account became one of the top 5 most-followed pharma brand accounts
- Won Pharma Grand Prix at the 2015 Cannes Lions Festival
Conclusion
“Take It From a Fish” proved that humor can break through traditional health messaging, making a typically dry subject engaging and memorable. The campaign not only educated but also empowered people to take action, showing that great design and strategy can make a real impact in healthcare marketing.
Case Study 3: Tembo NYC Face Mask Initiative
One of Tembo NYC’s sewing partners delivering handmade masks during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Read the full Face Mask Initiative story
The Concept
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought New York City to a standstill, Tembo NYC pivoted overnight from producing reusable totes to sewing fabric face masks. Partnering with our Queens-based immigrant women’s sewing cooperative, we launched a Buy One, Donate One model to keep artisans earning income safely from home while supplying masks to hospitals, shelters, and essential workers. A local amNewYork article and subsequent national coverage in Business Insider, NPR Marketplace, Fortune, Patch, and People Magazine fueled a surge of community support and orders.
Results
23,000+ masks produced and distributed globally through a major philanthropic partnership
17 immigrant women employed and earning fair wages
2,300+ masks donated to frontline organizations across New York City
Earned national media exposure and brand recognition through authentic, unpaid PR
Conclusion
What began as a small act of service became one of Tembo NYC’s proudest moments — proof that creativity, compassion, and community can come together to drive real impact.