Lifestyle

Splatz

The Challenge

One Fun ™ Company, a start-up, developed eco-​friendly bubbles of pure hand soap that literally ​SPLAT! when kids squeezed them in their hands. ​Developed by an entrepreneurial designer and two ​Harvard/MIT scientists using a patent-pending ​formula and made in the USA with all-natural ​ingredients, these irresistible balls of fun could ​change the way kids thought about washing their ​hands. The goal: to get them in the hands of moms!

The Solution

First, I named the product SPLATZ!, connoting ​giggles and fun. We then created a splashy logo and ​cost-conscious social media campaign. The ​introduction couldn’t have been more timely. As the ​COVID pandemic raged, parents, teachers, and ​healthcare providers looked for ways to encourage ​hand-washing and promote healthy habits. The ​product’s all-natural ingredients, scientific ​credentials, and made-in-America origin caught ​their attention. But the pure fun of splatzing a ball ​of soap delighted kids and proved to be the best ​marketing tool of all.

Parties

The Challenge

Imagine throwing up to three birthday parties a ​month that were seasonal, original, age appropriate, ​and most of all, realistic for parents to replicate. ​That was the challenge at both Parents and Nick Jr. ​Family Magazine.

The Solution

I made the process simple and fun by streamlining ​the party system. The important elements were ​invitations (often created on the computer), a ​knock-your-socks-off cake (made from a mix), a ​great goody bag, and themed games and crafts ​based on skills kids already knew. Activities were ​pre-timed to last for about 1 ½ hours of play ​(adjusted for the age of the guests), and for added ​value, I’d sometimes offer cut-out thank-you notes. ​The cooking party (pictured) was part of Nick Jr.’s ​Food, Fun, and Fitness issue. Because a kid’s ​birthday is a major milestone in every child and ​parent’s life, the features were always highly rated ​and saved from year to year. In May ‘O5 the entire ​issue of Nick Jr. was themed to birthdays, giving ​readers over 100 ideas for throwing the “perfect” ​party.

Halloween

The Challenge

Homemade costumes are not only more fun than ​standard store-bought ones, but so much more ​work! To create original costumes (for Parents and ​Nick Jr. Family Magazine) that kids would want to ​wear, but parents could make in only a few hours ​was a yearly mission. The costumes had to be ​timely, cost-effective, comfortable and safe, which ​meant no masks or floppy feet.

The Solution

The trick (and treat) was to use readily available ​materials such as trash bags, old towels, sweat ​pants, or stockings with runs. Velcro and fabric glue ​were definitely preferred over sewing machines. ​Hats and face paint eliminated the need for masks. ​Kids’ own shoes were incorporated into the finished ​costumes. Most years the fun and funky results ​were featured on TV.

Homestyle

The Challenge

Recognizing that family fitness was a growing ​concern for young parents, we wanted to introduce ​home furnishings and fitness equipment into Nick Jr. ​Family Magazine as a way to service readers and ​attract new advertisers.

The Solution

Using a real family with three young children (typical ​of our readers), we were able to help create an ​affordable, versatile fitness room in a basement. ​Fitness experts, pediatricians, the parents, and kids ​all weighed in on their preferences for products and ​colors. When cold weather and snow arrived (and ​stayed) in upstate New York that year, the mother ​said it was the first time she didn’t feel cooped in.