CASE STUDY | ADVOCACY
A Clearer Story for Ohio’s Creative Sector
Making arts advocacy easier to understand, share, and join—with a strategy built to last.
6.6%
CLICK RATE
2.5× THE ASSOCIATION AVERAGE
During my work with CreativeOhio, its monthly email click rate was 6.6%—about 2.5 times the 2.68% association benchmark reported by Higher Logic.
The situation
As CreativeOhio introduced a rebrand and welcomed a new executive director, it needed clear, accessible ways to explain the value of Ohio’s arts and creative sector—and help members and the wider community see how they could participate. The ideas were complex, stories needed a clear purpose, and communications needed to support advocacy over time.
My part
I led the communications work with the executive director, turning complex thoughts and ideas into clear, accessible content. I gave stories a marketing purpose and clear calls to action, while keeping the language straightforward.
I also wrote media releases; provided copy and photos for Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) recaps; created guidance so ALI members knew who to tag on social media; handled online logistics for the annual CreativeOhio Champion Advocacy Awards; and helped solidify an email marketing strategy the executive director continues to use.
Educate
Content that helped members and the wider community understand CreativeOhio’s work and the value of Ohio’s creative sector.
Next step
A marketing lens gave stories purpose and readers a clear next step, with calls to action that made ways to participate easier to see.
Make it clear
I distilled complex thoughts and ideas into concise, accessible writing people could understand and share.
What it made possible
CreativeOhio had a clearer way to explain its work, connect stories with opportunities to participate, and keep communications consistent. The email strategy I helped strengthen continues to guide the executive director’s communications today.
The 6.6% click rate is about 2.5 times Higher Logic’s 2.68% association benchmark, from its 2025–26 Association Email Benchmark.
“Jill brought a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and organizational skill to CreativeOhio. She has a gift for building effective processes and translating complex concepts into clear and accessible messaging. She also shared my commitment to increasing civic literacy among our members and used her marketing expertise to help turn that vision into communications that inform, engage, and empower.”
Sarah Sisser, Executive Director and CEO
Need a clearer way to tell your organization’s story? Let’s talk about what you’re working on.