{{COI|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox website |name = Creative Allies |logo = |url = [http://www.creativeallies.com/ www.creativeallies.com] |registration = Facebook Connect |foundation = 2009 |location_city = Raleigh, NC, US |location_country = U.S |key_people = Amie Thompson |launch_date = March 2010 |current_status = Active |website_type = Crowdsourced Design and Digital marketing }}
'''Creative Allies''' is a digital marketing and media company based in Raleigh, NC, known for its celebrity-focused, crowdsourced design campaigns. The company provides artists worldwide the opportunity to create original artwork for major sports and entertainment brands.
== History == Creative Allies was founded in 2009 by entrepreneurs Sean O'Connell<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/social-startups-creative-allies-gives-artistic-freedom-fans-bands-and-brands|title=Social Startups: Creative Allies Gives Artistic Freedom to Fans, Bands and Brands|work=Social Media Today|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> and Greg Lucas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/72129/music-allies-expands-with-creative-allies|title=Music Allies Expands With Creative Allies|work=All Access|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> Seeing a need for emerging musicians to have high-quality designs for tour merchandise, the pair created both a platform and an online community to fill this gap. The process of crowdsourced design allowed artists to interact with their favorite musicians while providing musicians a low cost way to generate amazing art.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2013/08/16/forget-the-merch-stall-buy-fan-made-band-tees-online/|title=Forget The Merch Stall: Buy Fan-Made Band Tees Online|last=Robehmed|first=Natalie|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://walkwest.com/blog/branding-for-municipal-and-public-institutions/|title=Branding Advice for Municipal and Public Institutions {{!}} Walk West|date=2018-01-29|work=Walk West|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
Over the years, the community of artists continued to grow as well as the brand recognition of Creative Allies. The company touts a roster of the biggest celebrity names in the music industry. Creative Allies took the same approach they used to become successful in the music industry, and expanded the business to serve consumer brands as well as sports properties.
The original founders and leaders such as Kevin Carroll<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/97239/creative-allies-names-kevin-carroll-vp-business-de|title=Creative Allies Names Kevin Carroll VP/Business Development|work=All Access|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> and Donald Thompson have since moved on to other endeavors. In 2018, the board promoted [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-thompson/ Amie Thompson], its former Director of Operations, to the role of President & CEO of the company.
== Technology == Creative Allies developed a proprietary technology platform, a contest engine, allowing the company to effectively execute design competitions for its clients. The platform allows the company to build contests efficiently, allows creatives to upload submissions to each contest and allows fans to vote on favorite designs through the platform's voting apparatus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/creative-allies/|title=Creative Allies Lets Fans Design Merchandise For Musical Artists, Vote Via Facebook|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Hosted Design Competitions == Creative Allies is the home to more than 100,000 creatives from around the world,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creative-allies-fan-sourcing-platform-reaches-over-300-million-fans-through-social-media-218674221.html|title=Creative Allies, Fan Sourcing Platform, Reaches Over 300 Million Fans Through Social Media|last=Allies|first=Creative|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> including solo practitioners and avant garde studio collectives. The company connects these creatives with a variety of brands<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicconnection.com/career-connection-creative-allies/|title=Career Connection: Creative Allies - Music Connection Magazine|website=www.musicconnection.com|date=26 August 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> to execute marketing design competitions to generate creative content and spark social engagement.
The company has hosted almost 2,000 design competitions including:
'''Music''': Megadeth, Billy Joel,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billyjoel.com/news/vote-billy-joel-bridge-russia-creative-allies-poster-contest/|title=Vote In The Billy Joel 'The Bridge To Russia' Creative Allies Poster Contest! - Billy Joel Official Site|date=2014-06-17|work=Billy Joel Official Site|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Twenty One Pilots,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fueledbyramen.com/news/twenty-one-pilots-launch-creative-allies-contest-72571|title=Twenty {{!}} One {{!}} Pilots Launch Creative Allies Contest - Fueled By Ramen Latest News|website=Fueled By Ramen Official Website|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Mariah Carey,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mariahcarey.com/news/article/3343|title=Creative Allies Contest|work=mariahcarey.com|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Motionless In White, Soundgarden,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.soundgardenworld.com/news/creative-allies-poster-contest/|title=Creative Allies Poster Contest {{!}} Soundgarden|work=Soundgarden|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Kendrick Lamar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theillixer.com/news-kendrick-lamar-inspires-art-show/|title=The Illixer » An Elite Source Of Urban Entertainment » News: Kendrick Lamar Inspires Art Show|website=theillixer.com|date=6 May 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.danielnashillustration.com/kendrick-lamar-art-show/|title=Good Kid m.A.A.d City Art Show|website=Daniel Nash Illustration|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/art-imitating-life-kendrick-lamar-on-full-display-at-his-art-show-in-brooklyn-zvvncAvqNEanxnuaEO_74Q/|title=Art Imitating Life: Kendrick Lamar On Full Display At His Art Show in Brooklyn - AllHipHop.com|work=AllHipHop.com|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Slightly Stoopid,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rhymesayers.com/news/2013/04/design-a-tour-poster-for-atmosphere-and-slightly-stoopid|title=Design a tour poster for Atmosphere and Slightly Stoopid!|website=rhymesayers.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13|archive-date=2018-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113210523/https://rhymesayers.com/news/2013/04/design-a-tour-poster-for-atmosphere-and-slightly-stoopid|url-status=dead}}</ref> Petey Pablo,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wral.com/petey-pablo-is-coming-back-helping-local-talent/17122391/|title=Petey Pablo is coming back, helping local talent :: Out and About at WRAL.com|last=WRAL|work=WRAL.com|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> Maroon 5,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/10/14/guess-what-indonesian-student-designs-maroon-5-album-cover.html|title=Guess what?: Indonesian student designs Maroon 5 album cover|work=The Jakarta Post|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> Tom Chaplin,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chaplinsource.com/post/163375412009/contest-design-a-poster-for-tom-chaplin|title=CONTEST: Design a poster for Tom Chaplin|website=ChaplinSource|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Bassnectar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bassnectar.net/2011/12/nye-poster-contest-winner/|title=NYE POSTER CONTEST – WINNER|website=www.bassnectar.net|date=16 December 2011|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bassnectar.net/2011/08/bass-center-iii-poster-design-contest/1345302362000/|title=BASS CENTER III POSTER DESIGN CONTEST|website=www.bassnectar.net|date=26 August 2011|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Duran Duran,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.duranduran.com/wordpress/2017/duran-duran-monthly-collectors-corner-october-2017/|title=DURAN DURAN MONTHLY COLLECTOR'S CORNER: OCTOBER, 2017|work=Duran Duran|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Beastie Boys,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/vote-for-the-finalists-in-the-beastie-boys-poster-design-contest.html|title=Beastie Boys Double Crowdsource Their New Poster|website=hypebot|date=12 September 2011|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Counting Crows,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thepublicityconnection.com/counting-crows-announce-new-album-underwater-sunshine-cookcd561-will-be-released-april-9th/|title=COUNTING CROWS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM 'UNDERWATER SUNSHINE' (COOKCD561) FOR APRIL 9th {{!}} The publicity connection|website=thepublicityconnection.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Gavin DeGraw, Amon Amarth, X Ambassadors, Imagine Dragons, The String Cheese Incident,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stringcheeseincident.com/news_items/official-2012-summer-tour-art-contest/|title=String Cheese Incident - Official 2012 Summer Tour Art Contest|website=www.stringcheeseincident.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Rob Zombie, Fetty Wap, Rich The Kid, Willie Nelson,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-art-poster-contest/|title=Willie Nelson Art: Poster Contest {{!}} www.stillisstillmoving.com|website=stillisstillmoving.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Ella Mai, Jefferson Airplane,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.epicrights.com/epic-rights-creative-allies-collaborate-global-design-community-stunning-new-merchandise/|title=Epic Rights & Creative Allies - Epic Rights|date=2016-11-05|work=Epic Rights|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Rootfire<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rootfire.net/andypritiken/|title=The Story of the Rootfire Logo as told by Creative Allies|date=2013-08-02|work=Rootfire|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Sports''': ESPN X Games,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2016/10/x-games-creative-allies-launch-new-design-contest-today/|title=X Games and Creative Allies Launch New Design Contest Today - ESPN MediaZone U.S.|website=espnmediazone.com|date=31 October 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> High Country Grizzlies,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/pieces-falling-place-high-country-grizzlies-aif-franchise-play-holmes-convocation-center.html|title=Pieces Falling Into Place for Grizzlies, AIF Franchise To Play in Holmes Center {{!}} High Country Press|website=www.hcpress.com|date=22 June 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Chris Paul,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://walkwest.com/success-stories/cp3-rising-stars/|title=CP3 Rising Stars Camp {{!}} Live Broadcast & Video Production|work=Walk West|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Ball Up, Monster Jam, Supercross, ModKidsUSA, and ''Jalen & Jacoby''.
'''Arts & Music Festivals''': Hangout Music Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/case-mate%C2%AE-and-creative-allies-host-design-contest-2nd-annual-hangout-music-festival|title=Case-Mate® and Creative Allies Host Design Contest for the 2nd annual Hangout Music Festival!|website=Grateful Web|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Euphoria Music Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austin.com/10-ways-euphoria-helps-local-artists/9/|title=Austin.com 10 Reasons Why Euphoria Fest Is The Place To Be For Austin Artists|website=austin.com|date=28 March 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Gathering of the Vibes,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bhuntr.com/en/competitions/design-poster-gathering-vibes-music-festival|title=獎金獵人|website=bhuntr.com|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> Lexington Ave Arts Festival,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dreamspider.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/winner-announced-for-the-laaff-t-shirt-design-contest-through-creative-allies/|title=Winner announced for the LAAFF T-Shirt Design Contest Through Creative Allies!|date=2010-09-01|work=Dreamspider's Blog|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Monterey Jazz Festival,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.axs.com/portland-artist-s-design-chosen-for-2015-monterey-jazz-festival-poster-48813|title=Portland artist's design chosen for 2015 Monterey Jazz Festival poster|work=AXS|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Taste of Soul Atlanta, Camp Bisco, SXSW<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://relix.com/news/detail/relix-creative-allies-sxsw-party-takes-place-today/|title=Relix/Creative Allies SXSW Party Takes Place Today - Relix Media|date=2012-03-15|work=Relix Media|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Consumer Brands''': Arizona Tea,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smbp.uwaterloo.ca/2013/06/arizona-iced-tea-celebrated-20-years-and-you-designed-the-cans/|title=AriZona Iced Tea Celebrated 20 Years – And YOU Designed the Cans! – Social Media for Business Performance|website=smbp.uwaterloo.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2012/arizona-goes-with-bevnets-pick-for-new-20th-anniversary-flavor/|title=BevNET Knows How to Pick a Winner - AriZona Goes with Cherry Lime Rickey for New Flavor - BevNET.com|website=BevNET.com|date=27 July 2012|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> BIC Cristal Pens, Ben & Jerry's, US Polo Association,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/sports/us-polo-assn-fetes-125-years|title=U.S. Polo Assn. Fetes 125 Years|date=2015-01-09|work=License Global|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> Hard Rock Cafe, Toyota, Blackstone Brewing Company<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dangerbirdrecords.com/news/design-a-custom-beer-bottle-inspired-by-t-hardy-morris-for-blackstone-brewing-company/|title=Dangerbird Records Design a custom beer bottle inspired by T. Hardy Morris for Blackstone Brewing Company|last=Dangerbird|website=dangerbirdrecords.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref>
'''TV / Film''': Gilmore Girls,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://raleighco.com/writing/raleighs-creative-allies-gets-gilmore-girls-gig/|title=Raleigh's Creative Allies gets Gilmore Girls gig - Raleigh & Company|date=2016-12-02|work=Raleigh & Company|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Bad Santa, The Big Bang Theory, MacGyver, Orange Is The New Black, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Rich Kids
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Companies based in Asheville, North Carolina Category:Marketing companies established in 2009 Category:2009 establishments in North Carolina Category:Digital marketing companies of the United States