Don Zegler Creates  Brand Experiences


My mission is to lead the teams that build brand experiences so dynamic they define a category. This mission is achieved through outstanding storytelling presented across expertly curated digital and print touchpoints.

Senior Living
SENIOR LIVING – INTERNAL WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT

Building an online toolkit that streamlines lead-generation and conversion

The site was designed to be a one-stop digital source to assist our nationwide sales team. Working with the entire sales and marketing team, a content rich site was developed that organizes an ever-changing offering of marketing assets and brand communications in a user friendly digital space. The site receives hundreds of visits per month, serves as a launching pad for new initiatives, and regularly receives rave reviews from new and long-time users alike.

SENIOR LIVING–WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT 

Recognizing healthcare heroes

This web page was developed to show gratitude to all team members throughout the entire Enlivant organization during COVID and later for monthly DE&I celebrations. Broadcast emails were sent to all employees soliciting submissions using an online form. Broadcast emails sent to leadership encouraged submissions and included downloadable communications designed to increase engagement by staff and families of residents. A social media campaign solicited submissions and announced the launch. The page had over 2,000 page visits in the first 2 days. The page continues to solicit submissions honoring Enlivant's healthcare heroes.

Education
LEADERSHIP KITS – OUT OF THE BOX LEARNING

A new line of 5 Leadership Kits that build strong foundations for lasting leadership

With a curriculum designed by an ingenious architect and brought to life by a team of production designers and a project manager, we developed five immersive kits that deliver tangible, hands-on learning experiences to drive deeper understanding and student growth. Each kit features 20+ branded, habit-aligned activities. The five Leadership Kits launched a as a new revenue stream, driving engagement on the new retail website—expanding brand reach, and boosting online sales growth.

ENGAGING EDUCATORS – WORKSHOP MATERIALS

Turning a heartfelt message into a powerful, uplifting experience

I collaborated closely with the author of The Teacher Believed in Me book and a cross-functional team of designers to create a multi-component leadership training kit brand, featuring a custom casebound box housing a 52-card Connections deck, a 100-page Leader Guide, and a large-format poster. The project also included a 125-slide facilitator PowerPoint and a 20-page book study guide. Since their launch in October 2025, Teacher Believed in Me workshops—designed to meet the real-world needs of educators across all contexts—have driven strong and continuous sales growth.

B2B
B2B/CONFERENCE–BRANDING/UX-UI/CMS WEBSITE

Rosehill Gift Shows: A colorful brand experience for a charismatic trade show company

Rosehill gift shows preview a kaleidoscope of products for the wholesale gift industry. A branding program was developed that mirrors the sense of enthusiasm and creativity experienced when attending a Rosehill gift show. The website architecture includes the ability to pre-register, download information packets, request hotel reservations and links to exhibitors. Rosehill Gift Shows is experiencing a renewed interest in their shows with attendees expressing appreciation for the new streamlined online registration process.

B2B/FINANCIAL–NAMING/BRANDING/CMS WEBSITE 

Keysite Capital Partners: From zero to fully branded in just 4 weeks

Keysite Capital Partners is an investment firm that provides financing solutions for multiple property types exclusive to Manhattan. Insight and guidance was provided to discover and define a powerful and authentic brand narrative that would inspire and engage Keysite clients. The interactive strategy included a responsive website that has the ability to get attention, generate interest and present Keysite Capital Partners’ powerful brand narrative. The new brand has created a buzz within the highly competitive investment community and Keysite has leveraged this awareness into impressive new partnerships. 

Real Estate

REAL ESTATE–RESEARCH/STRATEGY/DIGITAL/PRINT ADVERTISING

Riverview Partners: 330 North Wabash–95% leased! 

330 North Wabash was well know, but recruiting new tenants was proving difficult. Research indicated a target market with traditional and digital touchpoints. The campaign features the iconic property in single image, full-frame photos. The digital strategy included the analyzation of the metrics provided by the e-mail campaign to refine and sharpen the focus of the ongoing campaign. The print ad schedule was developed to compliment the digital campaign and took advantage of real estate focused content within Crain’s editorial calendar. The multi-media campaign ran online and in print for three months. Interest in the property grew and major tenants began lease negotiations. To this day the building still enjoys a 95% occupancy rate.

 

REAL ESTATE–STRATEGY/DIRECT MAIL/DIGITAL CAMPAIGN 

JLL: 180 North LaSalle-Creating “180pportunity”  

180 North LaSalle benefits from low vacancy rates. However, one full floor along with several additional spaces of varying sizes remained ready for occupancy. The solution was to take a “nega-tunity” and turn it into a “posi-tunity”. The tag line “180pportunity–a variety of options for a variety of tenants” was developed to position the property as a location with the ability to suit a variety of tenant size requirements. The “180pportunity” campaign ran for three months. The multi-faceted marketing plan generating renewed broker interest which in turn created major qualified leads resulting in multiple lease signings.

This 360 degree campaign included; direct mail, trageted email broadcasts and a new branding.­

REAL ESTATE–BRANDING/DATABASE DRIVEN WEBSITE

JLL: 1699 Woodfield Road 

The goal of this database-driven, dynamic website was to increase broker engagement, power lead generation and nurture leasing agreements. This full featured website included maps, aerials, property descriptions, photos, floor plan downloads and contact forms. The availability section featured a listing functionality that displayed viewer-specific and up-to-date information. If the availability information stored in the database changed, the web page connected to the database was automatically updated. My brand solution repositioned this utilitarian asset as a modern and elegant location of distinction. We envisioned a memorable look that delivered an optimized user experience.

Consumer

CONSUMER–DIRECT MAIL/DIGITAL CAMPAIGN 

Complete Birkenstock: Delivering spring sales online and in store 

Twice each year, I am charged with the launch of Complete Birkenstock’s seasonal collection. For the spring launch a tag line perfect for the sandal season “A breath of fresh air in a world of confined spaces” was developed. To drive visitors to the website and store, broadcast emails are sent to 1,600 addresses, banner ads are selectively placed online and over 8,000 households receive the self-mailer which previews over 170 shoe styles. The success of the campaign is proven by its ability to motivate sales among a loyal customer base in addition to the solicitation of sales from new customers.

WAYTOGO
WAYTOGO
CONSUMER–CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE STRATEGY /RESPONSIVE CMS WEB SITE

New Era Guitars: Robust usability helps customers design their own custom guitar

New Era Guitars offers 20 base model guitars with 80-some custom upgrades. With so many choices to explore, site usability became mission critical. The site uses many unique modules to help customers explore, estimate and design their own, one-of-a-kind custom built guitar. New Era founder and gifted luthier Tony Klassen is excited by the depth of engagement the web site provides and has received positive feedback from customers who appreciate the ability to explore all the options available for their custom build.
CONSUMER–DIRECT MAIL/DIGITAL CAMPAIGN

Complete Birkenstock: Helping to preach Birkenstock’s mantra of comfort and style

For the last five spring and fall seasons a traditional printed direct mail campaign accompanies a targeted digital marketing program. The digital campaign targets loyal customers and actively searches for new consumers. Banner ads are selectively placed to peak the interest of web site visitors. The mailer is designed with eight panels that roll fold into a concise package which meets all bulk rate mail requirements. The consistent success of these campaigns is proven by the active support of a loyal customer base and the addition of new friends with each and every launch.
WAYTOGO
Identity

 IDENTITY–CREATIVE BRANDING 

Logos and Marks

I take a strategic approach to creating unique brand identities. Brand identity starts with a logo that communicates a company’s or institution’s mission, vision and core values. My work is hypothesis-driven, evidence-based and powered by insight, creativity and intelligence. My brand strategies are designed to project the client’s strongest attributes and competitive advantages and differentiate and distance them from competitors and imitators. I create visually compelling and strategically-based logos, comprehensive graphic themes, and brand architectures.

3733 N. Lowell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
773 604-8577
© 2025 Don Zegler – Chicago