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Faced with a shrinking marketing budget due to tight revenues during an economic downtown at a leading suburban Chicago newspaper, Chris sought ways to leverage the brand without spending money. The newspaper needed to reach thousands of families in a manner relevant to the news and information business, so Chris formulated a regionwide partnership with public libraries to provide incentives for summer reading program. In its first year, the Big Ticket Reading Project served 35 public libraries and 53,000 youth and families. In five years the program grew to serve more than 100 public libraries and more than 150,000 youth and families. The program generated more than 500 trial subscriptions for the host newspaper and was named one of Panera Bread's "Best Practices" for its stores nationwide, and sponsors such as National City, Culver's, Krispy Kreme and Old Country Buffet have all benefited from the marketing exposure of delivering incentives and brand impressions direct to consumers who are motivated to earn and receive their products and services . Now indeed the concept of using corporate sponsorship to support summer reading at public libraries is being transformed into a model ready for national launch as the READING REWARD program.

Success Story #2: West Suburban Theater Connection

The suburban theater scene in the western suburbs of Chicago was scattered and disjointed in terms of a central marketing aim. Each theater had its own marketing budget of course, and many were competing for the same customers without realizing the customer base may have transferral value from theater to theater. Christopher conceived a program in which 27 professional theaters collaborated through a joint marketing program using print, internet, HTML marketing and site promotion to raise awareness and generate interaction for the West Suburban Theater Connection. The resultant partnership attracted presenting sponsors in Old Second Bancorp, Via Panera and media partner NINE FM. Theaters shared an HTML email marketing database and sent out a bi-weekly shows promotion mailer offering discounts on shows and prize promotions. Monthly winners receive theater tickets and Via Panera for 5, while the quarter page ad appearing in Time out! of the Daily Herald attracts new registrants. The database grew to more than 4000 names over a three year period while the WSTC web site continues to get visitors and hits for its shows.

Success Story #3: Associated Content People's Media Award 2008

Seeking an accessible outlet for his freelance writing, in April 2008, Christopher began producing articles for Associatedcontent.com. In December 2008 he earned the top honor for writing on Religion and Spirituality. In January 2008 Chris was given the People's Media Award for Top Article of the Year. His article "Coping with cancer: Getting past the fear to lead a purposeful life" addressed practical and emotional issues from both a patient and caregiver perspective. Cudworth's work on religion includes theological issues such as reconciling faith and science and finding ways to apply the Bible to every life.