Portfolio Work!
Below are examples of spec work and coursework I have done for the brand. I have developed a collection of public relations and advertising spec projects that showcase my ability to create compelling campaigns and strategic messaging. These projects highlight not only my creativity but also my understanding of audience engagement, brand positioning, and media relations.
Creative Brief for OLIPOP
Overview
OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda created to make a healthier soda substitute for people with sugar cravings. OLIPOP was founded in 2018 by Ben and David who both shared a vision of a healthier, tastier future. Their mission is to feed the life within us, adapt/ improve the product according to the human microbiome, and enjoy sweet cravings without sacrificing health. OLIPOP wants to disrupt the beverage industry by reducing sugar intake and promoting fiber and prebiotics. Their actions are not only aiming to enhance human health, but also to protect our planet. OLIPOP does so by completing comprehensive life cycle assessments, energy usage monitoring, and proactive greenhouse gas emission management. On top of sustainable production, they also donate 1% of every purchase to a nonprofit of the consumer’s choice.
Competitive Set
- Poppi: Prebiotic sodas with less sugar and a special type of fiber that acts as food for healthy bacteria in your gut.
- Culture Pop: Gut healthy soda sweetened with fruit juice, no stevia or refined sugars.
- Coca Cola: A cheap and delicious soda that has been popular for around 133 years and a staple in many people’s lives.
While Coca-Cola has become more sustainable in their packaging and production, they are known for their high sugar content and negative health effects compared to OLIPOP. Poppi and Culture Pop are like OLIPOP by being prebiotic sodas with gut healthy ingredients and less sugar, but neither of these brands have actively spoke out or shown their sustainability efforts on websites or social media, unlike OLIPOP.
Objective
Increase brand awareness, to become the biggest/ most well-known prebiotic, healthy soda. Increase this awareness by highlighting the health benefits of the soda, less sugar, prebiotics, gut health, and feeding our microbiome good ingredients. Become a main choice that people pick over leadings name brands like Coca Cola and Pepsi that is easier and cheaper to get. Also, we can increase this awareness by showcasing OLIPOP’s sustainability and care for the environment by highlighting their B Corp Certification with a score of 91, their environmental conscious production, and donations to nonprofits with every purchase.
Target Audience Persona
OLIPOP’s target persona are women age 19-30 who have an active lifestyle and like to prioritize health. They are health-conscious but still like to indulge in treats without any guilt. These people are socially engaged and care about the planet/ are eco-conscious, but don’t make it their whole life’s mission to be sustainable. They tend to live in higher-populated areas such as, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, etc, and shop at more organic stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Trader Joes.
Single Most Important Point
You don’t have to sacrifice health for taste anymore. OLIPOP tastes great, while nourishing the microbiome and life within us, making our bodies feel great, while drinking that nostalgic soda.
Big idea
“Satisfy that sweet, nostalgic craving, by helping your body, not hurting it.”
Call to action
Run to your grocery store, pick up an OLIPOP when you’re craving something sweet and refreshing, and see how good your body feels.
So what
- 63% of Americans 18+ drink soda at least once a day, which makes a large potential market for OLLIPOP https://taptwicedigital.com/stats/olipop
- Age distribution: 30.59% aged 25-34 https://www.similarweb.com/website/drinkolipop.com/#demographics
- Main audience is female with 56.91% being female https://www.similarweb.com/website/drinkolipop.com/#demographics
- 2/3 of Americans say they have digestive health issues https://drinkolipop.com/pages/digestive-health
- On average, we consumer 10 times more sugar, but 10 times less fiber than we did 100 years ago. https://drinkolipop.com/blogs/digest/what-is-olismart-get-to-know-the-ingredients-in-olipop
Promotional News Release for OLIPOP
OLIPOP Stuns the Beverage Market with New Soda
OLIPOP creates a health-conscious and sustainable soda that resembles that nostalgic soda, but revamped.
Does your body feel sick and worse after drinking soda? Calling all soda lovers; a solution to sugary, unhealthy soda is here. OLIPOP is bringing soda to the next level. Throw out that soda that damages your health and pick up an OLIPOP, a prebiotic, gut-healthy soda. OLIPOP has created a soda made with six prebiotic fibers and four botanicals to feed the life within your body in the way it needs.
Founders Ben Goodwin and David Lester wanted a healthier, tastier future without sacrificing any of the treats or cravings. This led them to create OLIPOP, a delicious soda, without the bad ingredients. Ben and David worked with three research partners to ensure the soda made us feel good and was what our bodies needed. Soda is a staple in a lot of people’s lives, so instead of cutting it off completely, switch to OLIPOP: a guilt-free soda you and your body can enjoy.
Not only is OLIPOP saving your body, but it’s also saving the planet. They are making valiant efforts to reduce carbon emissions in production. By completing comprehensive life cycle assessments, energy usage monitoring, and proactive greenhouse gas emission management, OLIPOP is making a brighter future for this planet. On top of this sustainable production, OLIPOP donates 1% of every purchase to the nonprofit organization of your choice.
OLIPOP has not only hit the stores, but also the press; “If you didn’t know that it contained prebiotic soluble fibers, you wouldn’t even guess that there was something healthy going on,” says Forbes. This new soda is the talk of every grocery store as OLIPOP has disrupted the beverage industry. Don’t be the only one not to try it, run to your nearest grocery store or purchase online, grab that flavor from your childhood, and feel the benefits.
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Pitches for Mister Oso
These pitches were specifically made for certain Denver Journalists and were tailored toward the specific topic the Journalist writes about.
Ethan Pan
- Denver 5280
- Associate Food Editor
- Writes about the 10-30 best restaurants or places to visit, etc.
Subject: A Michelin-star date night destination in Boulder
Hi Ethan,
If you’re looking for a place to add to your “best-of” lists, Mister Oso, a Michelin-star restaurant with a Latin-inspired, tropical vibe, might be your new go-to. With amazing shareables, vibrant cocktails, and a lively yet intimate setting, it has become one of the best date night spots in Boulder.
Allyson Reedy
- The Denver Post
- Writes about restaurants and dessert-focused articles
- Food writer
Subject: Boulder’s crave-worthy churros at Mister Oso
Hi Allyson,
Since you’ve got a sweet spot for Denver desserts, come down to Mister Oso and try the churros that diners have claimed are like “heaven in a mouthful” (Jade). Crispy golden pastries with sweet cinnamon sugar and a caramel dipping sauce are the perfect way to end the night. Each bite is warm, airy, and bursting with flavor. Pair them with a refreshing cocktail or coffee for the full experience.
Molly Martin
- Westword
- Food reporter
- Writes about the openings and closings of restaurants
Subject: Mister Oso expands and opens new location in Boulder
Hi Molly,
Mister Oso, a Michelin-star restaurant known for its Latin-inspired, tropical menu, has officially joined Boulder’s dining scene inside the Moxy Hotel. With beloved Denver locations in RiNo Arts and Wash Park, this new outpost expands the brand’s energy, creativity, and bold flavors to Pearl Street. The Boulder spot leans into the same vibe, inventive tacos, shareable plates, and bright cocktails, but in a hotel setting that makes it ideal for visitors and locals alike.
John Lehndorff
- Boulder Weekly and Boulder Reporting Lab
- Food editor
- Writes about different eats and pies (has his own column called “nibbles”)
Subject: A playful new addition to Boulder’s “nibbles”
Hi John,
Since you love the variety of Boulder dining, I thought you would enjoy Mister Oso’s story. The Michelin-starred, Latin-inspired restaurant opened at the Moxy last summer, and it’s quickly becoming a place where diners come to “nibble” their way through tacos, bright ceviche, and bold cocktails. The Boulder menu highlights creativity with dishes built for sharing and discovering new flavors.
Joe Fassler
- Used to write for The Counter and has been published in NYT
- Writer and Editor
- Writes about food and environmental issues
Hi Joe,
Local sourcing, sustainable proteins, and a focus on quality are just a few ways that Mister Oso is environmentally friendly. However, the restaurant’s commitment to the environment doesn’t come at the cost of creativity and flavor. With many different unique and shareable dishes and vibrant cocktails, Mister Oso is proof you can have both. Mister Oso and it’s sustainable practices would be the perfect addition to your environmental issues and food articles.
Mark Antonation
- 5280 Denver
- Food editor
- Writer of food and restaurant from his love of food and drinks
Subject: Mister Oso brings bold flavors and creations with their food and drinks
Hi Mark,
Mister Oso in Boulder is the place to be for all food and drink lovers. Expanding from their RiNo Arts and Wash Park locations, Mister Oso brought its creative and bold Latin-inspired dishes and cocktails to The Moxy Hotel, making every night feel like a getaway. It’s a fresh addition to Boulder’s food scene and a perfect example of Denver’s culinary creativity.
Matthew Schniper
- Side Dish with Schniper
- Award-winning food critic and writer
- Food and Drink news and reviews
Subject: A critic’s peek at Mister Oso at Boulder’s Moxy
Hi Matthew,
As an award-winning food critic and writer, Side Dish with Schniper readers would be interested to hear that the Michelin-star restaurant, Mister Oso, has made its way to Boulder. With dishes that offer plenty of variety, textures, and flavors, there is something for everyone. From creative shareables to vibrant cocktails, Mister Oso is dishing up favorites.
Lori Midson
- Freelance
- Food writer/ journalist
- Writes about dining experiences and culinary
Subject: Bold Latin flavors and Michelin recognition come to Boulder
Hi Lori,
Mister Oso’s expansion from Denver to Boulder is big news for the culinary and dining audience. The Michelin-starred, Latine-inspired restaurant brings a tropical energy to the Moxy Hotel, with vibrant tacos, shareable plates, and cocktails that get the night started right. This dining experience is like no other, with its vibrant restaurant and dishes, along with its playful and fresh scenery.
Samantha Farmer
- 303 Magazine
- Food writer
- Writers about food, booze, and dining
Subject: Denver’s amazing culinary scene makes its way to Boulder with Mister Oso
Hi Samamtha,
Mister Oso’s story is the perfect bridge from Denver’s food scene to Boulder. After being so popular in RiNo Arts and Wash Park, Mister Oso has opened in Boulder at the Moxy Hotel. This restaurant is not just about tacos, though they are inventive and creative; it’s about an atmosphere that is like stepping into a tropical escape, perfect for a night out on the town.
Colin Wrenn
- 303 Magazine
- Lifestyle and Culture editor
- Writes about Denver food and dining
Subject: Mister Oso; Latin-inspired Mister Oso moves to Boulder
Hi Colin,
You’ve covered how Denver’s dining scene continues to evolve, and now one of its amazing Latin-inspired restaurants has expanded up the road. Mister Oso is mixing Latin fusion with tropical, bright, and colorful vibes that make for a great experience for everyone. From it’s fun shareable dishes to its vibrant and refreshing cocktails, Mister Oso has something the whole group can enjoy.