A Holiday Message From ... You!

Brian Williams, Co-Founder & CEO

Article Category: #News & Culture

Posted on

vigegram!

If you've followed Viget over the years, you know we have a rather unsual holiday tradition.  Most companies mail holiday cards, do an email blast, shoot an elaborately choreographed video, make a fun interactive microsite, or some combination of all these.  Years ago, we decided that since we build digital stuff all year long, it would be fun to get together every year and make something hand-crafted and non-web to share.  Since then, we've made VigorBalm, VigoromaVigelicious, VigeTags, VigetRocks, VigeTurf, and VigePops.

We've realized over the years that the best part of the whole project isn't the end result but rather the teamwork involved with making them.

Where is Adlard?

We get to do stuff together that we never really do in our day-to-day jobs.  How often does the Viget South team (above) trace out letters with dotted lines?  Rarely.  And when have Justin and Khanh (below) peeled the labels off of 300 crayons before?  As far as I know, never.

Trying different methods to upwrap the crayons

Knowing that the fun is in the process, we decided this year to invite our friends and family to participate.  This year, we give you Vigegram, a telegram of sorts.  First, we made a big batch of letters on pre-stamped postcards:

Only the beginning

Then, we added a couple of Viget logo-inspired crayons:

Assembly line

Then, with the help of my boy Carter, we took them to be delivered to family and friends near and far.

Carter the helper

We asked people to get creative, color them in, and drop them in the mail.  And you know what?  They did!  It's hard to beat Bill's animated card, but here are some of my other favorites:

Teresa Edillon from Arlington, VA Brian Regan from Las Vegas, NV
Elizabeth Beyer from Alexandria, VA Colin Williams from Falls Church, VA (age 2)

With a big batch of beautiful letters to choose from, we spent a couple of weeks trying out different messages in our office before settling on the final holiday greeting we wanted to share.  Andy put together the video below to share the message and the journey that got us there.  Enjoy!

There are more "making of" photos on Flickr.  Thanks to everyone who has played a part in our success this past year, especially those of you who took the time to send in a decorated letter.  We're looking forward to an outstanding 2011.  Happy Holidays!

Brian Williams

Brian is Viget's co-founder and CEO. He does everything from advising our clients to building our conference tables with his bare hands in our Falls Church, VA, HQ.

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