RPM Advertising celebrates 20th anniversary at Chicago Cultural Center
It was a grand affair on Thursday evening, Aug. 21, in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center for close to 400 people who attended RPM Advertising's 20th anniversary celebration. And most guests "dressed to impress" as the tongue-in-cheek request suggested on the invitation. The cocktails flowed, whimsical hors d'oeuvres were passed and music by the popular Freddy Jones Band, a native Chicago group that has found international fame, rocked on until 11 p.m.
RPM partners Steve Platcow and Mark Malin wanted to mark this important milestone by giving back to the community. They selected Christian Fenger Academy High School in Chicago's Roseland Neighborhood to be the recipient of a $10,000 gift.
Fenger High School principal Elizabeth Dozier was on hand to accept the check on behalf of the school. She praised RPM for its generosity, stating how the money will help her with the day-to-day financial challenges. This past summer, Fenger High School was the center of national attention as the focus of a CNN documentary series entitled "Chicagoland." Platcow and Malin hope that the gift will help Dozier continue her good work and ensure the students have much needed supplies and assistance that they need.
Before presenting Chicago Public Library Foundation President Rhona Frazin with a check for $10,000, CEO Steve Platcow said, "It's an honor for RPM to play a role in encouraging kids to read 2 million books as part of the Summer Learning Challenge or provide the funding needed for board certified teachers for the Teacher in the Library program."
Frazin responded by praising RPM Advertising for "going all in" with everything they do as part of pro-bono support the agency has provided for the foundation.
Before introducing Principal Dozier, president Mark Malin said, "When I watched the CNN series, I was personally inspired by her work ethic, strong will and determination to help her students succeed against the greatest of odds."
Principal Dozier's response emphasized the basic needs that she faces on a daily basis: "Today, a student told me that he wasn't going to be able to accept a college scholarship that had been offered to him because he didn't have the $600 for books. Because of the generosity of RPM's gift, I was able to solve this crisis."
The menu included "Sweet & Savory" items such as panini lollipops (shaved roast beef and aged provolone panini disks served on bamboo skewers), French tomato Gruyere tarts, cilantro marinated shrimp skewers, buttermilk waffles topped with crispy fried chicken and drizzled with wild flower honey along with other finger-friendly delicacies. Chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies and assorted Whoopie Pies were passed for dessert and a "Late Night Sustenance" featured mini Chicago style hot dogs with all accompaniments and "Mini Mac Waffles" (one all-beef patty with lettuce, cheese, pickles, red pearl onions, a cherry tomato topped with 1,000 Island dressing on a sesame seed waffle).
A-Z Entertainment, Ltd. of Chicago, recently voted No. 1 on the makeitbetter.net Best of 2014 list, executed RPM's vision for the party. A-Z's extensive lighting design matched the colors of the agency's brand colors, which were blue and silver and accentuated the mosaic works in the Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall with its stunning Tiffany ceiling.
About RPM Advertising:
Founded in 1994 on April Fools' Day by Stephen Platcow and Mark Malin, RPM Advertising was created out of the simple proposition that talent, innovation and relentless hard work would produce a better advertising agency. That inspiration continues to deliver superior strategic thinking, resourceful media management award-winning creative, and an unparalleled responsiveness to RPM's client partners. RPM Advertising is located at 222 S. Morgan Street in Chicago. For more information, visit www.rpmadv.com.