Creative Services

Strategy, storytelling, and production to help Aspen programs extend their impact

Creative Services is the Aspen Institute’s in-house creative and production partner. We help programs turn ideas into compelling experiences, content, campaigns, and communications that reach the right audiences and advance their goals.

Our team brings together expertise across communications strategy, design, writing, digital marketing, audience insights, social media, print and production, video, AV, and events. That means programs can come to us with a communications challenge—not a predetermined solution—and we can help determine the right mix of support.

From early strategy through final delivery, we can also manage the operational details behind the work, including project planning, vendor sourcing, production, and contracting.

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How We Work

Every engagement starts with understanding what you are trying to accomplish, who you need to reach, and what success looks like.

Strategic consultation and project planning are included in program overhead. When a project requires dedicated in-depth strategy, creative production, specialized expertise, significant staff time, or outside vendors, we can build a scoped premium engagement – with transparent pricing and no overhead – based on your needs.

This model gives programs access to centralized expertise while allowing us to scale support, from a strategic consultation to a fully integrated campaign or production.

Our Services

Unless otherwise noted, all Creative Services offerings fall under premium support.

Comms Strategy Consultation

Strong communications begin with a clear objective.

We are always available to consult with programs to clarify their communications goals, identify priority audiences, assess opportunities, and determine the channels and tactics most likely to achieve the desired result. We can also help teams think through how individual projects fit within a broader communications strategy. This is done through a series of intake and free consultation calls with our team leadership. For projects requiring execution or dedicated production support, we will build a premium scope using expertise from across the Creative Services team.

Writing & Thought Leadership

Great ideas have more impact when they are communicated clearly and in the right voice.

Our writer and editor partners, along with the Press and Media Team, work with programs to turn expertise, research, and convenings into polished content designed for specific audiences and channels.

  • Thought Leadership

    Strategic development, drafting, and editing of op-eds, columns, articles, and other thought-leadership content.

    Reports and Long-Form Content

    Writing, developmental editing, and copyediting for reports, white papers, case studies, and other publications.

    Executive and Program Communications

    Speeches, talking points, interviews, letters, and other written materials.

    Digital Content

    Website copy, newsletters, LinkedIn posts, social media copy, and video scripts.

    Event-Based Content

    Reporting, summaries, interviews, and other content that extends the ideas generated through Aspen convenings.

Digital Marketing & Campaigns

When a program needs to reach a specific audience or drive a measurable action, we can build an integrated digital campaign around that goal.

Rather than beginning with a particular channel, we start with the desired outcome and develop the appropriate combination of messaging, creative, targeting, distribution, and measurement.

  • Integrated Digital Campaigns

    Campaign strategy, messaging, audience targeting, creative development, channel planning, paid advertising, lead generation, and performance optimization.

    Campaign Creative

    We can develop a coordinated visual approach across multiple campaign channels and deliverables.

    Audience Research & Targeting

    Research to identify priority audiences, understand their interests and behaviors, and improve campaign targeting.

    Program Microsites

    Strategy, design, user experience, testing, content support, updates, and performance analysis for program-level web experiences.

    Performance Dashboards

    Automated dashboards that bring together web, newsletter, social, and campaign metrics to help programs understand performance over time.

    Campaign Measurement

    Reporting and analysis focused on what happened, what we learned, and how future efforts can improve.

Video & Production

Video can extend the reach of an Aspen conversation, explain complex ideas, capture important voices, and create content that continues working long after an event ends.

Our production team can help programs determine the right format and level of production for the audience, channel, and objective.

Support ranges from standard Institute production capabilities to custom premium projects. Premium can include:

  • Interviews & Original Video

    Produced interviews, conversations, podcasts, explainers, and other original video content.

    Short-Form & Social Video

    Content designed specifically for social and digital channels.

    Highlight & Sizzle Reels

    Fast-paced storytelling that captures the energy, ideas, and impact of a program, initiative, or convening.

    Animation & Motion Graphics

    Custom animation, GIFs, explainers, title sequences, and other motion design.

    Studio Production

    Professional recording and broadcast support using Institute studio capabilities, subject to availability and production requirements.

    Event Branding Packages

    Using a unique look and feel, we create customized digital assets for your hybrid and webinar events.

    For event-specific AV and video services, see Events.

Event Planning & Production

Creative Services helps programs plan and execute thoughtful, well-run events—from early planning through on-site delivery and post-event follow-up, with a focus on DC-based events. Our team can provide comprehensive event production or targeted support for a specific phase of an event. Services include:

  • Event Strategy and Planning

    • Clarify event goals, audience, format, and participant experience

    • Develop project timelines, planning checklists, and decision schedules

    • Establish roles and responsibilities across program staff, Creative Services, venues, and vendors

    • Advise on event format, flow, staffing, and operational needs

    • Build and track event budgets

    Venue and Vendor Coordination

    • Research and assess potential venues

    • Coordinate site visits, contracts, menus, room layouts, and venue logistics

    • Identify and manage caterers, photographers, transportation providers, rental companies, and other event vendors

    • Review vendor proposals and track key deadlines, payments, and deliverables

    Registration and Attendee Experience

    • Set up and manage registration processes

    • Develop invitation, confirmation, reminder, and logistical communications

    • Track RSVPs, dietary needs, accessibility requests, and other participant information

    • Create check-in plans, name badges, seating assignments, and attendee materials

    • Coordinate travel and lodging logistics when included in the project scope

    Speaker and Program Support

    • Track speaker invitations, confirmations, biographies, headshots, and presentation materials

    • Prepare speaker briefing documents and logistical communications

    • Coordinate rehearsals and event-day speaker movement

    • Develop detailed agendas, production schedules, and run-of-show documents

    On-Site Event Production

    • Lead venue and vendor coordination on the day of the event

    • Manage registration, room setup, signage, catering, speakers, and event timing

    • Brief program staff and assign event-day responsibilities

    • Showcall the event and troubleshoot operational issues

    • Coordinate VIP, accessibility, and participant needs

    Post-Event Support

    • Manage vendor closeout and invoice reconciliation

    • Organize event materials, attendance information, and final files

    • Coordinate participant surveys and follow-up communications

    • Conduct a post-event debrief and document recommendations for future events

    How We Work

    Support can be tailored to the needs of each event, from focused consultation to full-service planning and production. Creative Services will develop a scope of work, project fee, staffing plan, and schedule based on the event’s size, complexity, location, and timeline. Vendor expenses, venue costs, catering, travel, rentals, and other direct event costs are paid by the requesting program unless otherwise specified in the project agreement.

Brand & Design

A strong visual identity helps audiences recognize, understand, and trust your work.

  • Visual Identity Systems

    For initiatives that require a more developed identity,  or logo icon exploration, we can create expanded visual systems, brand decks, design guidelines, and supporting assets.

    Graphic Design

    We design digital and print materials including reports, infographics, social graphics, toolkits, presentations, invitations, and promotional materials.

    Digital and Event Graphics

    Our team can create custom graphics, animations, title cards, on-screen elements, and other branded assets for digital, virtual, hybrid, and in-person experiences.

  • Aspen Institute Brand Guidance

    We help programs apply the Aspen Institute visual identity consistently and effectively across communications materials.

    Standard New Program or Initiative Logo

    • We can develop one standard word mark logo for new programs or signature initiatives (per year) that aligns with Institute brand guidelines

    • We can also update existing program logos with minor text changes as needed.

    For programs seeking in-depth logo or brand exploration, we offer premium visual identity services. 

Social Media

We help programs use social media strategically—not simply publish more content.

Our team can develop an approach tailored to your program’s audiences, goals, capacity, and channels, while coordinating with Institute-wide platforms when appropriate.

  • Social Strategy

    Channel strategy, content planning, editorial direction, and recommendations for reaching and engaging priority audiences.

    Content Development

    Social copy, graphics, short-form video, campaigns, and other platform-specific content.

    Platform Launch & Management

    Support launching new program accounts and establishing sustainable workflows for ongoing management.

    Audience Growth & Engagement

    Strategies to strengthen engagement, expand reach, and build relationships with priority communities.

    Paid Social Campaigns

    Targeted campaigns designed around defined goals such as awareness, event registration, content engagement, or audience growth.

    Measurement & Optimization

    Performance analysis and recommendations to help programs understand what is working and improve future content.

Audience Research & Insights

Better communications decisions start with better audience understanding.

In partnership with trusted vendors, we help programs answer questions about whom they need to reach, what those audiences care about, and which messages or content are most likely to resonate.

Research engagements can use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches depending on the question.

    • Audience segmentation and prioritization

    • Message testing

    • Content and topic research

    • Surveys and audience feedback

    • Interviews and qualitative research

    • Campaign and communications performance analysis

    • Recommendations that translate findings into action

    Our goal is not simply to deliver data, but to help programs use that information to make stronger communications decisions.

Print & Production

We help programs turn creative concepts into high-quality physical materials while managing the production details behind them.

Our team can coordinate design, sourcing, vendor management, quality control, and delivery so programs do not have to manage multiple production partners independently.

  • Books & Reports: Design and production of professionally finished publications.

    Program Marketing Materials: Brochures, mailers, invitations, advertisements, folders, and other printed communications.

    Event Collateral: Banners, signage, name badges, podium signs, backdrops, and other custom materials.

    Stationery & Branded Materials: Business cards, stationery, folders, and other program-branded items.

    Swag & Merchandise: Design and production of branded merchandise.

    Print Procurement & Vendor Management: Vendor sourcing, estimates, production oversight, quality control, and coordination through final delivery.

    Store & Swag Management: Support organizing and managing program merchandise through the Institute’s online store.

AV

See the 2027 service update details here.

Support for Programs Across the Institute

Creative Services supports Aspen Institute programs regardless of where their teams are based.

Programs outside Washington, DC—or teams working remotely—can access the same strategic, creative, writing, marketing, research, design, and project-management expertise through virtual collaboration.

Some production and event services depend on location, equipment, facilities, or vendor availability. We will work with your team to determine what can be delivered remotely, what requires an onsite partner, and the best approach for your project.

Not sure exactly what service you need? That’s okay.

Tell us what you are trying to accomplish, who you need to reach, and where you are in the process. We’ll help identify the right approach and determine whether the work can be supported through standard services or requires a premium scope.

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