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The Hub of the LevLane Wheel: Donna Pangione, Director of Production

Donna Pangione, Director of Production

Donna Pangione, Director of Production

Since she joined LevLane in 2010, Donna Pangione has often been referred to as the “hub” that keeps the agency’s projects in motion, from concept to completion. Here’s why:

 

How does your position fit into the functions of the rest of the agency?

Our department brings the project to life. Whether that’s a brochure, an outdoor billboard, print advertising, t-shirts – we handle it from start to finish and deliver the final product.

 

What led you to LevLane?

I had worked at LevLane years ago, and remembered the friendly people. I was glad to find that a lot of the people were actually still here!  In this ever-changing world of advertising, it is rare to find so many familiar faces so many years later.

 

How did you know this was the right position/career path for you?

I loved the subjects of art and English growing up. Penn State University had an advertising major at the time, so I thought that would be a good mix of both!  Now, I am one of the few Penn State Alumni with an actual advertising degree.

 

What is a typical day at LevLane like for Donna Pangione?

I manage the creative workflow, answer A LOT of questions, answer a lot of phone calls, double-check, double-check, double-check, review proofs, and most importantly ensure that everything is produced on time and within budget.

 

What is the most challenging aspect of your role at LevLane?

I interact with everyone on a daily basis and each department has its own idiosyncrasies. It can be challenging handling multiple personality types in the appropriate manner. It is also difficult to partake in the multiple steps involved in the successful completion of a project. My anticipation is always to exceed clients’ expectations, so there is a lot of back and forth and verifying to ensure that all parties are satisfied and that the final product looks as close to perfect as possible.

 

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

It is so satisfying to see the finished product and working collaboratively with others to develop the best possible creation.  And I love when I come in under budget!

 

What types of projects do you most enjoy, and why?

I love utilizing unique printing techniques that just add the final, special touches to a design. Embossing, UV coating, varnishing techniques, foil-stamping, die cuts…it’s fun!

 

What’s your favorite thing about LevLane?

Everyone works really hard and at the same time the atmosphere is laid back, fun, and friendly.  I also thrive on the fast pace of the agency. The ever-changing environment allows the day to go by quickly and there is always something to do.

 

How do you handle the constant pressure of working on multiple deadlines?

Jogging!! Also, remembering that we are all working toward the same goal and that the deadlines always end in a beautifully-executed design.

 

As the head of your team, what plans or goals do you have for Production over the next year?

I’m really excited for the new software that we recently began using. It is a system that enhances project management tools. The goal is to further explore how it can facilitate our workload and make managing and interpreting creative needs more feasible and efficient.

 

Do you have any advice for someone trying to enter/advance in your area?

Follow your heart!! You’ll be successful…whatever success means for you. But above all, only you know how to make yourself happy. Follow your heart and you’ll get there.

 

What are some personal qualities that help you do your job efficiently?

My ability to “see the forest for the trees” has brought me a long way in this industry – sometimes it just takes common sense. My job requires careful consideration to budgets and timing, which are essential when it comes to producing projects as directed. I also try my best to be a good listener – that’s very important! Whether it’s filing each project into a “job jacket” or organizing the various folders on my desktop, my ability to organize has been a great help. It is extremely important to pay attention to detail and stay one step ahead of the game.

 

Some people describe you as “the glue” here at LevLane. Why do you think that is?

My department is kind of like the quarterback of a football team.  Our job is to throw the ball and to set the play in motion for the rest of the agency. Without direction, it is hard to know where to begin and how to proceed. The glue is unseen, right?!  Another way to put it is that we are like the hub of a wheel – everything starts and ends here and turns all around the central location. We are able to take note of the details and note any inconsistencies to bring the project up to par.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

To Key West to paint sweatshirts on Sunset Pier….yup, that’s where I’d like to be right now. (She showed me pictures. It’s awesome!)

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By Gena Bushnell, LevLane Spring 2015 PR Intern and marketing major at Saint Joseph’s University

 

No more confusion: Rebranding PIDC from the inside out

PIDC-logo-phila-3-1.png (1)Since its inception in 1958, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) has best been known for playing an integral part in the growth and development of the city’s industrial and manufacturing sectors.

As the makeup of the economy changed in Philadelphia, so did PIDC. It began helping many different types of businesses in Philadelphia: from small to large, for-profit to non-profit, in every business sector. The name they had been known by was no longer reflective of their breadth of work. Their brand identity had become confused, and they looked to LevLane to help them tell their story.

Conduct, Create, Change: LevLane began rebuilding the brand from the inside out, determined to uncover everything from the products and services that were offered, how employees and outsiders spoke of PIDC, to how the receptionist answered the phone. After conducting many interviews with internal and external key stakeholders, the LevLane team began to uncover the brand’s perceptions and truths.

It was evident that different Philadelphia businesses, as well as PIDC employees, had varying awareness of all the work of PIDC, causing brand recognition issues. LevLane’s rebranding campaign would soon help to solve this problem.

LevLane suggested that Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation solely be referred to as PIDC, then crafted an external positioning statement that described exactly what PIDC does: “Driving growth to every corner of Philadelphia.” In addition to its industrial heritage, PIDC wanted to focus on its small business lending and community development initiatives.

Next, it was crucial that the internal key messaging be clear for all. LevLane developed new brand messaging that ensured each PIDC employee would be communicating the same consistent message.

Finally, LevLane developed a comprehensive, multi-year marketing and communications plan that included a re-branding with a media plan to support it. The creative team stayed busy, and launched PIDC’s new website and campaign in October 2014. Complete with a new logo, messaging, color pallette, website, corporate brochure and collateral, it was out with the old and in with the new!Screen Shot 2014-11-06 at 6.18.47 PM 1

“It’s been a long process, but well worth it for the results. We’re excited by the refreshed PIDC brand and how it better reflects our story,” said Jessica Calter, PIDC Director of Marketing Communications. “Our new website is fresh, user-friendly, and showcases our clients and the faces behind the scenes.”

“It’s important for the community to hear our client success stories firsthand and the ways in which they’re contributing to Philadelphia’s economy. With the creative direction of LevLane and other partners, we were able to put together a great video showcasing our clients and the work we’re proud to do every day,” said Anne Bovaird Nevins, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Development for PIDC.

LevLane is confident that PIDC will continue to flourish for years to come, driving growth to every corner of Philadelphia!

MINDING OUR ELDERS

LevLane has a finely honed understanding of and respect for seniors. How could we not? We’ve been talking with them one-on-one for over 20 years in order to build brands that move them…literally. From Connecticut to Chicago, we’ve picked the brains of retirees, to understand what compels them to abandon an established lifestyle and start afresh in a senior living community. Such insights have never been more precious, now that a precarious economy provides a ready-made excuse to stay put on familiar ground. So we dig – for pearls that when strewn through the creative will help turn the heads and hearts of our prospects toward a wonderful new beginning. It’s gratifying work – to elicit the stories, soak in the wisdom, learn what really matters when you’re 70, 80, 90 years old. And, we get a glimpse of what we would hope to have when we get there ourselves: something of value to share, if someone happened to ask.

-Lori Miller, VP Creative Strategist