Sun never sets at solstice: advertising agency offers myriad of services.

"Thinking outside the box is passe ... we fold the box into a plane and make it fly."

Brooks Pleninger Creative Director Solstice Advertising

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Look up the word "solstice" in Webster's Dictionary and it reads: the time of year when the sun reaches its northernmost point on the celestial sphere.

If Solstice Advertising were in the dictionary, its definition might go something like this:

sol*stice ad*ver*tis*ing n 1: fresh and creative communications 2: a bright future for advertising in Alaska.

In fact, the company's logo depicts the sun for the letter 'o' in solstice.

"We chose the name because it represents the pinnacle, the best, the brightest," said Kande Hein, account supervisor for Solstice Advertising.

The company has been established for more than 12 years, known by its original name of DC Design & Consulting, which was formed in 1997. Alaska Newspapers Inc. (ANI), a subsidiary of Calista Corp., purchased the company in the winter of 2005 and the business launched as Solstice Advertising in November of that year.

"We are 100 percent Native-owned and have the resources of one of the largest Native corporations in the state," said Therese O'Neill, Solstice Advertising president, who has more than seven years of experience with the company. "We also have a printing and distribution house and a publisher that produces weekly newspapers and publications statewide."

Solstice Advertising currently is expanding rapidly as its business grows.

"We really are the innovative choice for advertising in Alaska," says Hein. "We have a team that has been handpicked from the best Alaska has to offer, and our clients reap the benefits."

Solstice specializes in corporate identity, logo design, copywriting services and media placement. It offers a full spectrum of marketing tools that include corporate and brand identity, marketing strategy, print and Web advertising, annual reports, newsletters and public relations campaigns in all mediums--radio, print and television.

"We're extremely proud of our work, and have had some amazing results," Hein continues. One client, the American Cancer Society, experienced 176 percent growth at its annual Wine and Food festival during its first six months with the agency.

Solstice's approach included the rebranding of the event, event planning and development of collateral and promotional items.

Besides the American Cancer Society, Solstice Advertising handles other such notable clients as the Calista Corp., Koniag Inc., Lounsbury & Associates and North Slope Borough ECHO Grant project.

"We have an exceptionally strong and talented team," says creative director Brooks Pleninger. "Thinking outside the box is passe ... we fold the box into a plane and make it fly."

O'Neill, who oversees the advertising crew of six at Solstice, believes her company will be one to watch on Alaska's business horizon.

"As a rising star in the world of advertising, the sky is the limit for our unique agency," O'Neill said.

BY BEN GRENN

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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