📬 Under the MARQUEE - December Newsletter

^{December 2024}

December's Pause

Reflecting on the year and planning for future

As the last month of the year unfolds, I find myself contemplating the season I had hoped for and the one I’m embracing instead. I had been eagerly anticipating a trip to Germany to explore the Christmas markets with my best friend and to spend time with my baby sister, who lives in Bavaria. We had a full itinerary, exploring the famous Christmas markets full of glühwein, festive cheer, and soaking in the season's magic.

So instead of wandering cobblestone streets in Germany, I’ve embraced the act of reflection—revisiting the victories, challenges, and lessons learned over the past year. The year has been filled with triumphs and challenges, and I am reminded that the true magic of the season lies in how we reflect and move forward.

This is a unique gift of the season when your children are older—a moment to pause, reflect and prepare for the journey ahead.

2024 has been full of growth, both personally and professionally. In the whirlwind of work, family, and personal milestones, I’ve witnessed the power of setting intentions and maintaining a steady course.

And while I’ve faced challenges, as we all do, they’ve only made me more determined to build a better path for myself and those around me. I’ve worked on strengthening connections, sharpening strategies, and focusing on new opportunities for MARQUEE.

As we prepare for the new year, now is the perfect time to take stock of what worked and what didn’t. This is not just about resolutions or goals but about staying connected to what truly matters—our work, relationships, and purpose.

January will bring new opportunities, fresh challenges, and another chance to push the boundaries of what we can accomplish. But before we dive into the future, let’s take a moment to embrace where we’ve been. After all, every step forward is built on the lessons of the past.

Closing out

the year

Reflect to Move Forward: Look back on your year and draw out key lessons to guide your future decisions.

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Set Intentions, Not Just Resolutions: Focus on the bigger picture by setting intentions that align with your values.

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Reconnect with Your Why: Reaffirm your purpose and mission to fuel your journey into the following year.

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Prepare for New Opportunities: Use this time to research and prepare for what’s to come.

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Celebrate the Small Wins: Recognize the small successes that keep you motivated and inspired.

Giving Back with the BOO SQUAD!

The Boo Squad, a volunteer group for children ages seven and up, is committed to teaching kids the values of teamwork, volunteerism, and compassion.

Heather Medvec, Founder of the Boo Squad, said, “We hope to inspire others to step forward and make a difference.”

MARQUEE Art Director Agata Khoury is the official graphic designer of the Boo Squad and donates her design expertise each year. Her creativity ensures that the Thanksgiving Food Drive is impactful and beautifully executed.

Agata’s design work helps elevate the event’s branding, visually engaging while supporting the mission of feeding local families in need.

This year marked the eighth consecutive Thanksgiving food drive organized by the Boo Squad Fund, which distributed meals to 410 families on November 24. Families from multiple local school districts received meals through a drive-through giveaway event at Rulli Brothers in Boardman.

Agata's contributions, from designing promotional materials to creating the event's visual identity, played a crucial role in making the event successful.

The Boo Squad Fund is a component of the Anthony V. Spano Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving families in the Mahoning Valley.

LEARN MORE HERE

Decking the Halls

The holiday decorating season is in full swing, and for some, it started as early as November 1. Inspired by a "Clark Griswald-esque" family member eager to set up their tree, i felt the need to follow suit. Decorating is a gradual process in our household, and cathartic in many ways. We have a variety of trees to showcase, ranging from our elegant family room tree adorned with gold, white, red, silver, pinecones, and large floral elements. And our very cherished favorite - our memory tree featuring ornaments from our travels and cherished handmade creations by our children. And each of our 3 children have their own unique style showcased on their individual trees in their bedrooms. This endeavor spans a few weeks, featuring a meticulously arranged Christmas village set up by my son, Alex and of course, table decor, banisters, every nook and cranny we can decorate and of course the outdoor decorations that enhance the magical atmosphere.

This year, I was intrigued by some of the

Holiday decorating trends which included:

— SIMPLE BOWS —

Bows in any color, material, or size presented as a fun way for

families to decorate togehter - in a simple delicate way.

— TREE COLLARS —

shift to tree collars instead of tree skirts. They're cool and modern

— HANDMADE ORNAMENTS —

evergreen branches, pinecones, and ornaments made from handmade

felt and wood, which creates such a warm, organic look

— TAPER CANDLES —

Standard white is still popular, and so are red or green or even

black taper candles on a table

Additionally, some trends include mixed metals, and organic greenery - which was seen everywhere this year! And I am a big old sap when it comes to anything that tugs on the heart strings - I truly love nostalgia and old world traditions, so seeing the prevalence of Nostalgic Decor made my soul very happy.

Photo - Khoury house 2024

— Agata Khoury, Art Director

Boring to Brilliant: B2B’s Bold New Creative Renaissance

For years, B2B marketing ads have been defined by repetition, staleness, and a strict adherence to “what works.” However, we are now in the midst of a creative renaissance. Long celebrated in B2C spaces, bold and innovative campaigns are now making their mark in the B2B world as well.

In the past, B2B advertising relied heavily on traditional, formulaic approaches—white papers, webinars, and case studies that often prioritized data over emotion. This led to messaging that felt predictable, even interchangeable. The shift we’re seeing now is not only refreshing but necessary. In an age where decision-makers are overwhelmed with content, creativity has become the key to cutting through the noise and capturing attention.

— Juliet Penrod, Newsletter Writer/Editor

2024 Digital Marketing Trends

From AI-powered content creation to social media as a search engine, here are the key trends that shaped the landscape this year.

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From Kitschmas to Luxe Celebrations

From over-the-top celebrations to luxurious VIP experiences, Eventbrite says these trends capture the true spirit of Christmas 2024!

A Year of Innovation and Creativity

The graphic design world saw exciting changes this year— muted palettes, asymmetrical layouts and retrofuturism reshaped how we connect with audiences.

MARQUEE shows you all the coming attractions in marketing.

LET'S SHARE THE STAGE

MARQUEE

241 W. Federal St., Youngstown, OH 44503 • 330.234.9396

info@marqueecreatives.com

www.marqueecreatives.com