Sumaato means smart.

Sumaato Provides Advertising for Those Who Need it Most

Local agency blankets city with self-promotional signs for the homeless

For Immediate Release

DENVER — May 21, 2002 — Helping dozens of Denver’s panhandlers market themselves better, and proving that its advertising solutions work in the process, Sumaato Advertising today announced a self-promotional campaign that serves a bigger purpose.

The full-service advertising agency will be giving 20 of Denver’s homeless and needy new signs Tuesday morning as they look for spare change from commuters on busy downtown intersections.

"We figured that in addition to helping our cause we could help someone else’s," said Dennis Wakabayashi, Sumaato’s creative director. "It’s truly a grassroots effort on both fronts — to generate more money for those who need it most and show people what we can do. We often look for unconventional methods for advertising our clients’ brands."

With such messages as "At least I’m not spamming your e-mail" and "It’s not for me, it’s for my invisible friend," Sumaato hopes the humorous signs will motivate people to reach deeper. The agency also printed contact information for homeless shelters, missions and employment agencies on the back of each sign.

"We actually did some market research on this, and we found that humorous signs have been more successful for panhandlers," Wakabayashi said. "So, we decided to have a little fun with it. We hope Denver-area commuters enjoy the entertainment, reward the sign holder and remember Sumaato."

ABOUT SUMAATO

A full-service advertising agency born and raised in Denver, Sumaato has been helping clients propel their businesses in the marketplace with a broad range of design and advertising services since 1994. Sumaato’s creative philosophy is founded on its name, which means smart in Japanese. This creative strategy is used in developing websites, advertisements, logo and identity work, marketing collateral and promotional events for such clients as Meridian Homes, Rock&Ice Magazine, Arapahoe Basin and The Children’s Museum of Denver. For more information, go to www.sumaato.com.