Auto Sports of Dallas Dallas, Texas Brokers of fine and exotic automobiles. Developed new brand identity; created tag line; conceived, wrote and art directed new marketing materials; strategized new promotions. Code3d: design – develop – deploy Seattle, Washington Design of interiors and custom furniture, development of properties and ideas, deployment through retail and events. Conceived business name; identity and vision; creative concepts. Edgework: Crisis Intervention Resources Seattle, Washington Consultation and training for institutions, law enforcement and individuals who require practical guidelines for dealing with troubling or threatening situations. Complete re-working of website, requiring new organization and updated copywriting; collaboration on design; project management. http://www.edgework.info Ferris-Turney General Contractors Seattle, Washington Contracting services specializing in medical, biotech and industrial projects with expertise in sensitive environments. Brand identity development; conceived, wrote and art directed marketing book, signage and stationary system. John Banovich Fine Art Livingston, Montana World-renowned wildlife artist and endangered animal conservationist specializing in oil paintings of African and North American large game. Concepts, writing and art direction of promotional and marketing materials; re-organization of web site content. LeeAnn Gibbs Bainbridge Island, Washington Organizational change consultant for business, schools and non-profits. Created website – vision, writing, art direction, project management. http://www.leeanngibbs.com Merrill Lynch Invitational on behalf of Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center Seattle, Washington Fundraising activities included the Merrill Lynch Invitational Golf Tournament and the Gala Dinner and Auction sponsored by UPS. Partnered with Varsity Communications on the following: co-production of black tie gala and auction event; writing of event program; development of scripts for television ads, radio spots and public service announcements; co-direction of television ads; writing of press releases; production of promotional events. Michael Shrieve Seattle, Washington Drummer, producer, lyricist, composer, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Creation of website: vision, development, writing, art direction. http://www.michaelshrieve.com Mondeo Seattle, Washington Retail and design consultants: modern home accessories, custom product and furniture design, residential and commercial space planning. Re-organization and re-writing of website content; promotion strategies; product merchandising. Nambé Santa Fe, New Mexico Award-winning accessories and tabletop collections for the home Promotional writing about the company, products and world-renowned designers for use in displays and signage for international trade show. Old Friends Hunting & Shooting Co. Livingston, Montana Custom travel representatives and agents for fine, hand-wrought Italian guns. Developed brand identity; business organization consulting; concepts, copywriting and art direction of company brochure and ad campaign; communications coaching. Serenity Massage Joshua Tree, California Massage and healing services. Developed visual identity; wrote and art directed brochures, postcards and business cards. Sonia Dawkins/PRISM Dance Theatre Seattle, Washington Dance company performing original choreography that merges the aesthetic of modern dance with the soulful energy of diverse cultures. Refined vision, message and identity; wrote and art directed press kits, investor booklet and other promotional materials; marketing support. Studio Vincent Minneapolis, Minnesota Custom-designed jewelry in platinum, gold, diamonds, gems, and stainless steel. Exclusive and elegant, minimalist and modern. Concept development for ads and promotions; creative writing. Sturman Architects, Inc. Seattle, Washington Residential, commercial and renovated structures. Writing for portfolio, marketing materials, competition entries; promotional concepts. Vessel Seattle, Washington Elegant and modern cocktail lounge. Developed company-wide brand; acted as director of marketing, promotion and media relations; responsible for all art direction, writing, website, photography, in-house materials, signage, project management; consulted on best practices and customer service. http://www.vesselseattle.com Vintage Wings Arlington, Washington Restorers and brokers of historically valuable aircraft from around the world, most notably of “warbirds” from WWII through the cold war era. Created new brand; worldwide research of iconic vintage Learjet first owned by Frank Sinatra, plus developed marketing materials and presentation book for prospective buyers. ZAC’s Montana Kitchen Livingston, Montana Sophisticated custom catering and gourmet food products. Developed brand identity for corporation and a separate-but-related identity for gourmet food product line; responsible for website, marketing portfolio, press releases, product concepts, labels; promotion ideas, marketing and business counsel. http://www.zacsmontanakitchen.com ZUM Seattle, Washington Boutique health club for the life athlete. Developed initial vision and concept; created brand identity; conceived, art directed and wrote all marketing materials; media relations; event planning and execution; personnel and quality control consulting. Client quotes: Kristen functioned as a “third executive” alongside my partner and me, starting a year before we opened. She was in charge of brand development, art direction and project management for all our in-house materials, signage, uniforms, brochures, press kits – everything that was touched and seen by our discriminating customers and colleagues. Kristen was also our Director of Marketing and Promotion, plus handled media relations, website development, writing, photography, every detail. Our vision was to open a beautiful, very sophisticated nightspot unlike any in the city, with everything of the highest caliber – design, food, drinks, service. Our standards were demanding. Kristen met them with ease, in fact making us much better than even we imagined, because she is relentless about getting things clear, elegant and spot-on. Kristen is exceedingly thoughtful and thorough, has creative ideas that have “legs of practicality,” and has very refined design taste. And she pulls this all off with an uncommon grace. Working with Kristen and MEMO was a very smart company investment. She earned our highest respect. We truthfully couldn’t have done it without her. Clark Niemeyer, Vessel Creative Partner I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years. What Kristen and MEMO Communications created for ZUM was the best branding of a facility that I’ve seen – from concept to execution to hard materials. Starting with an abstract vision she gave us something concrete and amazing. The collateral materials that Kristen created are the most superb I’ve worked with. They are beautiful and effective, telling the whole story of a very unique health club. Everything that Kristen did achieved a very high level of excellence. I truly enjoyed collaborating with her. J.D. Barrale, Business Development Manager for Boomerang (Corporate Health and Disease Management Programs), Los Angeles; Former Director of Sales and Marketing for ZUM For the opening of Club ZUM we chose MEMO Communications for their strong experience in health and fitness marketing combined with deep local contacts. Throughout our opening marketing campaign they more than exceeded our expectations. Among other things, MEMO coordinated a highly successful opening charity event with the Detlef Schrempf Foundation as well as generating favorable feature newspaper coverage. Dan Nordstrom, retail executive and co-owner of ZUM Kristen brought together an amazing team to re-brand my catering company and new food product line. Then she planned, wrote and art directed my new website and is now helping with product development and packaging. She’s also constantly thinking of marketing and promotion ideas. That’s a lot. Kick a**, she is!! I can’t not be successful with Kristen. I told her that everything had to be impeccable because I didn’t want to re-do anything in the future that should have been done right now. She knows how to pull that off. It’s a combination of Kristen's listening skills, practical vision, and professional patience that has contributed to my company’s success. And we have a hell of a good time laughing our way through it all! Also, her work ethic is outstanding. This includes integrity, thoroughness, and punctuality. We look forward to an ongoing business relationship with Kristen Kahlen and MEMO Communications. Zac Kellerman, Owner, ZAC’s Montana Kitchen Kristen Kahlen listens extremely well. She has an innate ability to clear away the debris to reveal the point of the message. She has an insight, second to none, into paying attention to the refined, affluent customer and the way they will receive an idea. Kristen’s greatest asset is her gifted creativity – fleshing out compelling campaigns from a mere skeleton of a concept. She is a magician with words, graphics, color and design. A conceptual Van Gough! Her sensitivity to her clients and complete understanding of their products and services is why we feel privileged to work with such a first class operation. She has the ability to gather the right team, to pull off an extended idea all the way to the summit, on time and on budget – while never losing her great attitude and sense of humor! John Banovich, painter Before working with Kristen Kahlen on my website, I figured we would just work on design concepts and the look of the thing. But I soon found out that that was just a small portion of what she had in mind once we sat down for the “interview” process. By the time we were done with a series of these interviews she had opened me up to find out more about myself than I had imagined or even remembered. My past, my present, my hopes and aspirations, were all a part of what she pulled out of me, in the most delightful manner. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The result is a website that so completely reflects me that I can’t imagine what it would have been like if she were not involved. Certainly, it would have been some kind of utilitarian online personal ad spot that I would have considered sufficient, if not lacking, though I would not have known why, or what specifically it was that made it lacking. Kristen helps to bring out the truth of what is trying to be expressed. She helps you to clarify and articulate – whether an individual expressing his vision, or someone trying to describe his business. Then she puts it forward to a public, or an audience, or a demographic in the most beautiful way. I could not give a higher recommendation to anyone who might be considering using her special skills and abilities. Michael Shrieve, drummer, composer, lyricist, producer, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame A successful project is as much about the quality of the relationships built along the way as it is about the end result. Because if you pay attention to your relationships and have confidence and trust in the people you work with, you will produce a quality product. I know this to be the cornerstone of how I work with Kristen. She brings to the table a combination of intuitive thoughtfulness and business savvy that is rare. Kristen and I have worked with many different clients over the years. Those clients have received exceptional work because of the successful business relationship Kristen and I share. And since I’m a pushover for poetry in the workplace, how ‘bout this haiku: Lit by glowing screen Her beauty and brains inspire Call Miss Kahlen now Christopher Downs, Principal, Page 01 Graphic Design Kristen hears the meaning behind the words, observes the vision of the dream, listens and asks questions from all angles, and then the process really begins. She captures the essence and transforms the English language elegantly on paper to express it. Somehow she gets to exactly what you mean. My forte is choreography, not words. Kristen helped me express what I couldn’t. Sonia Dawkins, Choreographer and Artistic Director, Sonia Dawkins/PRISM Dance Theatre One may perhaps make a case that a book should not be judged by its cover, but a business will definitely be judged by the face it presents to the world. It is quite a legitimate response to be cautious when a business claims that its work is of highest quality, yet its presentation on its website or other promotional material is anything but professional.  Realizing that my company faced this dilemma in its most graphic form, I fortunately secured the services of Kristen Kahlen of MEMO Communications as the writing and project manager for an entirely new website. What I most deeply appreciated was her taking the time to interview me for several hours to understand what it is that I do. She wanted to catch Edgework so that the text and design would be true to my work and to me. She was (and continues to be) a pleasure to work with, willing to roll with changes both large and small. More important than any recommendation I might make is the site – I believe it speaks for itself. And if there is any concern that a site you might desire would end up looking just like mine, visit MEMO and think again. Her visions are far broader than this site alone – this is only one exemplar. Ellis Amdur, M.A., Founder of Edgework Thank you Kristen. It was wonderful to work with you on our recent "13 Fridas" project. Your skills and your professional enthusiasm helped make the exhibition successful. I am looking forward to working with you again on future projects. Your refreshing smile was key to positive results. Jose Luis Rodriguez Guerra, painter and former Seattle Arts Commissioner. Curator for James Crespinel’s “13 Fridas” exhibit We hired Kristen because of her unique and creative ability to focus our concepts and ideas into real marketing materials. She was able to re-write and capture the essence of our firm profile and mission and developed it into a synthesized professional statement. Kristen also wrote an article about one of our residential projects that included extensively interviewing both my client and me. The article creatively summarized the unique and complex aspects of our home design. We now use this writing piece to market the project for awards and publication. Kristen’s artistic understanding of images and text made her a perfect fit for our company. We have also tapped her for overall conceptual marketing and promotional ideas including brainstorming architectural competition presentations. Brad Sturman, Principal of Sturman Architects, Inc.