OUR WORK

Our clients are already brilliant—we just help them shine. Some favorites:

Re-visioned the name, logo, visual and verbal identity for the first time, on behalf of this 60+ year old organization, Watch video to see transformation from old to new, courtesy of Leopold Ketel studios.

Funded by a public-private partnership among USAID, NetHope, Intel Corporation, World Pulse, World Vision, UN Women, and Women in Technology in Nigeria, I was hired to oversee the vision, design, and final edits of this manual. With the goal of bridging the internet gap, specifically in Africa and with pilot groups in rural DRC, I helped craft a 60 page workbook and interactive presentation, to bring rural African women equipped with Intel’s basic digital literacy training, and show them compelling reasons to share their voices with a larger online community.

Wrote and art-directed this small booming company's first-ever piece of print collateral. (www.nwalpine.com)

Published article: "Junkyard Dreams: Hope for Child Garbage workers in Phnom Penh." Editorial piece highlighting the work of People Improvement Organization, based on interviews and impressions after visiting their school.

Futureleadernow.com - Content, editing and design for this growing company

Developed the "Follow the Dragon" campaign for a martial arts school, seeking to reach out to "ordinary" people—and inspire them to do extraordinary things. More below. (Photos property of One With Heart. All Rights Reserved.)

(Photo by Rachel Goble / The SOLD Project. All Rights Reserved.) With just two weeks prep time, we created a 50-guest photo "pop-up gallery" event, to benefit children at risk for trafficking in Thailand. We raised awareness and funds for TheSOLDProject.org - and had a great time, with food and drink donated by local, world renowned Thai restaurants (Pok Pok & Chiang Mai), and booze from Lucky Lab Brewery and Jan-March wine cellars. Amazing, generous Portland.

Sponsorship Options packet: WorldOregon (formerly the World Affairs Council). Incorporated revised vision and values statements and key community quotes and testimonials to make a more inspiring "ask" to corporate sponsors. See also www.worldoregon.org

In partnership with the design team at Relevant Studios, we helped transform this natural beauty product brand by creating new names and descriptions for re-branded packaging on hundreds of soaps, oils, and lotions. A sweet-smelling project that helped increase sales by 40% in the first month! www.mollymuriel.com (Photos by Relevant Studios. All Rights Reserved.)

Internationally renowned writer (and surfer girl) Louise Rafkin likes to keep it simple. We helped her create a website that's easy to update and focused on The Word, word! Visit www.louiserafkin.com

Managed publication, advertising and sponsorship sales, and distribution of World Pulse's print and e-magazine from start to finish www.worldpulse.com

ReplenishPDX.com is all about nutrition. But they wanted an unexpected way to promote their New Years Resolution Detox. We wrote digital copy to change "resolution" to a "revolution" that's about feeling good—not guilty!

Client: Kundalini Yoga Portland. We re-designed website style, architecture, and content management system for this spiritual community, so that their volunteer-based team could easily add photos, class schedules, and updates. Their team is thrilled with how simple it is to use, and their membership base has grown significantly with the new site announcement. www.kypdx.org

Vern Peterson's accounting firm has thrived for over 50 years in Vancouver, WA. We pitched a feature article about the keys to business longevity—it was published on the front page of The Columbian biz section. We helped publicize his anniversary party for the community at Bethany Vineyards, bringing hundreds to attend. Go Vern! (Photo courtesy of Peterson & Associates. All Rights Reserved.)

Urban Nest Realty - Various Communications Projects

This two-women-owned "Portland-centric" brokerage was going through big transitions including opening a second location. They rebranded their visual identity (with Relevant Studios) and needed to clarify their verbal identity to match. We helped them write their story, identify their company values, and create alliances in their diverse community. We pitched stories that were published in local media, wrote compelling website content, and created fun written educational materials for homebuyers. Their social media following has blossomed, and we've spearheaded a campaign to attract new, like-minded agents to their growing business.
Images courtesy of All Things Real Estate and Relevant Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Northwest Alpine Vision Book

It all starts with the story. We wrote and art-directed this booming company's first-ever piece of print collateral. The Vision Book articulates the history and values of this high-end climbing apparel company, dedicated to reviving US economy by keeping production local. View the book here as an online magazine. (See captions for fragments of copywriting.) Visit nwalpine.com. Graphic Design by Andrew Eastman.
"By creating our Vision Book, you helped us commit to our brand. It made our other marketing decisions much easier."— William Amos, CEO, NWAlpine

Molly Muriel: Rebrand and Product-Naming

In partnership with the design team at Relevant Studios, we helped transform this natural beauty product brand by creating new names and product descriptions for re-branded packaging on hundreds of soaps, oils, and lotions. (See photo captions for some new names.) We also created website content and PR pieces to promote the small business owner's achievements locally and nationally, and she was featured at Portland's Crafty Wonderland. A sweet-smelling project that helped increase sales by 40% in the first month! Client website: http://www.mollymuriel.com/
"Thanks to you, I now know the power of good branding!" — Branda T., small business owner

World Pulse Magazine: Copywriting, Publication Management, and Advertising

Copywriting and copy editing, with emphasis on internal promotion pages, for global women's media organization, World Pulse. Managed all advertisements, distribution, and sponsor relationships. Created survey and formulated an incentive (answer and win a Bali workshop) to procure essential marketing information from readers. Managed print production and publishing of magazine from start to finish. (Graphic design by Cary Design Group)
View Oracle Issue Online with Issuu: http://issuu.com/worldpulse/docs/oracle
Download as PDF with Issuu: http://issuu.com/worldpulse/docs/oracle#download

Follow The Dragon: Martial Arts Campaign

The goal: to help improve visibility for a local martial arts and fitness studio providing self-defense training for people from all backgrounds.
The concept: show real, ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We wrote copy that was mindfully matched with photos that were used on posters, signage, and an interactive website that included video interviews with the real people portrayed. Call to action guided the user to sign up for a free training session. Graphic Design & Photography by Andy Kerr.
Client: One With Heart Tulen Center www.onewithheart.com

Kundalini Yoga Portland - Web architecture and boilerplate written content

Re-vamped website design, architecture, and content management system for this spiritual community, so that their volunteer-based team could easily add photos, class schedules, and updates. Copywriting consisted of "boilerplate" language based on board member interviews, to create a structure from which to grow. Their team is thrilled with how simple it is to use, and their membership base has grown significantly with the new site announcement. Client website: http://www.kypdx.org/

Journeys: Heart of Cambodia & East Africa

Journey to Kenya & Rwanda: We wrote itinerary copy and descriptions, event marketing pieces, guest correspondence, and crafted an unforgettable journey to introduce a group of North American women philanthropists to several outstanding leaders in human rights. We coordinated journalist sessions with some of the most sought-after visionaries, including: human trafficking survivor and spokeswoman Somaly Mam; member of Parliament and “mother” of women’s rights in Cambodia, Her Excellency Mu Sochua; legendary author and anti-landmines activist Loung Ung, and Kenyan daughter of the late Wangari Maathai, Wanjira Maathai. Our trips resulted in increased program donations, lifelong advocates, and enduring friendships.

"Women hold up half the sky."

Half Sky Writing was born from Half Sky Journeys

My name is Ila Asplund. My vision is to increase the impact of organizations advancing gender equity and social justice. I do this through creating in-person and digital engagement experiences, storytelling, and thoughtful communications strategies for my clients. In previous years, I also provided international journeys to give travelers the opportunity to meet and engage with global leaders who are improving life for women.

Since 2020, I have joined the digital marketing team at Mercy Corps — an international aid organization working in 40+ countries to help people survive crises and thrive in the longterm. From time to time, I write web articles and other digital pieces, in addition to my main duties managing the email outreach program. My work keeps me plenty busy, but sometimes I find a moment to draw or write or create and share that on Instagram or here on this website.
You can reach me at ila@halfsky.org.