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Yellow Duck Marketing

Yellow Duck Marketing

Award-winning Charlotte marketing agency specializing in real estate, nonprofit, and municipal branding, web design, and PR. Building buzz that builds communities since 2011.

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920 Pecan Avenue, Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28205

704.271.9555

  • About
    • Meet The Ducks
    • Careers
    • Who We Work For
    • Our Blog
  • Capabilities
    • Strategy + Research
    • Branding
    • Graphic Design
    • Public Relations
    • Community Outreach
    • Websites + Digital
    • Social Media
    • Video
    • Marketing Automation
  • Focus Areas
    • Real Estate
    • Nonprofits
    • Municipal
    • Hospitality
  • Our Work
  • Contact
  • Nonprofits
  • Real Estate
  • Municipal
  • Hospitality
How we can help?
  • About
    • Meet The Ducks
    • Careers
    • Who We Work For
    • Our Blog
  • Capabilities
    • Strategy + Research
    • Branding
    • Graphic Design
    • Public Relations
    • Community Outreach
    • Websites + Digital
    • Social Media
    • Video
    • Marketing Automation
  • Focus Areas
    • Real Estate
    • Nonprofits
    • Municipal
    • Hospitality
  • Our Work
  • Contact

Smart Start

April 4, 2025 by

Smart Start

strategy + research • graphic design • community outreach

Market: Nonprofits

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (SSMC) is a state-funded nonprofit dedicated to ensuring kindergarten readiness, a key factor in long-term academic success. While the organization offers a variety of well-established programs, there has been limited awareness that these initiatives all fall under the Smart Start umbrella. To increase community awareness and highlight the full scope of their offerings, SSMC turned to the ducks for support in marketing, brand awareness, and communications.

smart start sponsor packet

Strategy + Research

Ahead of our initial meeting, we distributed a survey to key individuals within the SSMC organization to gain a deeper understanding of their internal perceptions and overall strategy. We then facilitated a discovery kickoff and brand audit session with the team. Through this session, we reviewed the survey results and helped the team refine their messaging, further elevate their mission, and define their primary target audiences. Additionally, we discussed how SSMC is currently perceived in the community and reviewed the tools they use to build awareness.

Following the kickoff, we extended our research by interviewing six additional stakeholders and collecting community feedback from 92 respondents via an online survey, which we actively promoted by posting flyers and bandit signs at community and childcare centers. Drawing from all the input collected and our review of existing marketing materials, we created a detailed marketing strategy that emphasized key messaging development, cohesive and vibrant collateral design, website enhancements for better user experience, and increased focus on public relations efforts.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

In the final phase of the project, the client chose to focus on refreshing the design and overall aesthetic of their collateral but adhering to their national brand standards. This included updating flyers, templates, social media graphics, and an 11-page sponsorship guide. By revamping these materials, we ensured that their marketing assets were visually cohesive, effectively communicated to the intended target audience, and clearly conveyed the full scope of SSMC’s offerings.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

"The level of detail and care they put into both the discovery and deliverable phases is far above what you would expect from a consulting engagement, and I would highly recommend the Yellow Duck team."

Mike Blackwelder, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County

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920 Pecan Avenue, Suite 100
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704.271.9555

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