We have worked for companies as large as Dell, Intel, and Microsoft, but there’s a special satisfaction that comes from helping startups move up a level or two.

1. The ideal marcom resource for emerging companies

3. In 1986, we helped Dell introduce a brand new way to sell computers . When a startup is ready to exit stealth mode and introduce themselves, they typically take one of three paths: 1. Step outside their core competency, and develop their own marcom. 2.. Hire an advertising agency, and become frustrated by the high costs and long timetables that are an integral part of big agency culture. 3. Hire a small design firm that knows how to execute, but lacks strategic vision. We’re here to offer a better solution: We bring you writers, art directors, and creative directors who have worked on some of the most successful brands in the world. And you work directly with us, so none of the big agency baggage gets in the way .

4. We’ve developed advertising, capabilities brochures, annual reports, and websites for B2B clients including Apple, Avaya, Dell Computer, Fujitsu, HP, Hitachi, Intel, McKesson, Microsoft, Sprint, and Sun. We’ve done the same for leading consumer companies, including bank of America, California Lottery, Crystal Cruises, First Union Bank, Granny Goose Foods, Honda Motorcycles, Kaiser Permanente, Mexicana Airlines, Royal Viking Line, and The Money Store. One of the largest benefits we offer to startup companies is our ability to help them position themselves clearly in the marketplace, then express that position in the most persuasive way by putting our proven talent and experience to work. Can small companies afford big agency people? Absolutely, when the only people involved are the people who actually do the work. This website was done for an online media company that will soon hire their tenth employee.

5. Why are we so interested in startups? As a group, we have years of experience in large client advertising, including airlines, banks, cruise lines, enterprise networks, health care, medical systems, motorcycles, software, telecommunications, and even a wine or two. But we believe emerging companies are making a real difference in the world, and we enjoy the energy and enthusiasm that comes with launching a company and watching it grow. We bring the skills we have developed in large client advertising to help new companies get the clarity of messaging and the level of execution you deserve. In 1996, we produced the print and online editions of Microsoft’s Annual Report. They were so pleased with the results that they asked us to introduce the first version of Internet Explorer .

6. What’s it like to work with us? To begin with, we have more than 20 years experience with a full spectrum of businesses. With our rapid learning curves, we can quickly understand your market niche, and the benefits your company brings to the marketplace. And since you always have direct contact with the people who are doing the work, we eliminate the inefficiencies that come with multilayered agencies. If you talk to our former clients, they’ll tell you they have enjoyed working with us as a partner. More importantly, they’ll tell you the results that our way of working produces. We enjoy making technology look good, but we’re also comfortable with blue skies and water .

7. Would we rather do advertising than collateral? No. We got over that mindset years ago. To us, the real job is deciding what message needs to be received by what person at what time during the purchase cycle of your product or service, then to use the medium that is most appropriate. If you look at our collateral, you’ll see it was produced with the same craftsmanship and care as the advertising work for our largest clients. In 2005, Kaiser Permanente asked us to write their annual report. So far, we have written ten, including four different ones last year.

8. Email blast for Pulpo Media. a new company that targets millions of online Hispanics. We created their website, and drove traffic with email blasts, banners and social media.

9. We believe in simplicity. This proposed redesign for a yard service company site gave new prospects only three things to choose from. For current customers, other choices are available, but secondary.

10. Proposed banner for Tru Green.

11. Proposed banner for Tru Green.

12. Proposed campaign for a small San Francisco-based bank.

13. Campaign exploration for Caesars Palace .

15. This ad is part of a campaign exploration we did for Wind River, a software company.

16. This is a series of email blasts for Pasta Pomodoro. The first wave reinforced the quality of the restaurant, while the second wave introduced a contest we created and named .

21. Proposed banner for Sun introducing their virtualization software, which can make data centers smaller and more efficient.

23. Magazine ad for San Francisco Opera .

24. Magazine ad for San Francisco Opera .

25. Outdoor campaign for California Lottery. The digital display was updated twice a week.

27. Ad for new Sun workstation.

28. Ad for American Beef Council .

29. Wall Street Journal ad for Sprint’s data network .

30. Ad for one of George Lucas’ smaller, less spacy ventures.

31. Ad for a San Francisco prepress/digital effects company.

32. Introductory ad for a telecommunications startup.

33. Integrated advertising and collateral

34. Pro bono brochure for a local mentoring organization.

35. Outdoor board for Sonoma Mentoring.

36. Direct response ad for Sybersay, a pre-Bluetooth earpiece company .

37. This is the website we proposed for Sybersay. Its messaging, look and feel are consistent with the advertising.

38. A local architecture firm called TSH changed their name to Vitae. We developed this ad to announce their new identity.

39. We followed that ad with these two, which describe the approach that makes Vitae unique.

40. We then designed this presentation kit, which helped them communicate in depth with their prospects.

41. Who are we?

42. Greg Karraker has been a writer and creative director for some of America’s most successful clients. He is a strong believer in measurable advertising. His campaign for California Lottery increased sales from $1.4 billion to $2.1 billion. His TV for The Money Store increased ROI by 44%. Experience: Anthem Blue Cross, Bank of America, Crystal Cruises, Dell Computer, HP, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Pomodoro Restaurants, Royal Viking Line, Sprint, Sun Microsystems.

43. John Donaghue, art director and creative director, has helped a wide variety of clients gain share of mind and share of market. His Super Bowl commercial for The Canned Food Council was that year’s most noted Super Bowl Commercial. For DHL, his Flying Truck campaign increased sales by 25%. Experience: American Beef Council, Caesars Palace, Clorox, Commerce One. Lake Tahoe Visitors’ Authority, Nevada Power, Pomodoro Restaurants, San Francisco Opera, Sutter Health.

44. www.karrakerstrand.com 1200 East Railroad Avenue, Cotati, CA 94931 (707) 795-4244 [email_address]