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Feb 24th, 2010 by Alan Siegel

America’s Crisis of Complexity: Alan Siegel’s Speech from TED 2010


Photo above from the TED Conference Photostream

How is it that we can run the country with a 16-page Constitution, yet it takes 2,074 pages and more than 400,000 words of gobbledygook to present the Senate Health Care Bill?

Washington insiders told me that if they ever passed this bill, over 40,000 pages of turgid regulations would follow before it became law in 2014.

Clearly our public officials have completely lost touch with the power of simple expression.

The social and economic costs when government fails to communicate can be considerable. When Americans can’t figure out how to complete their tax forms, apply for student loans, qualify for small business assistance, or understand their Medicare or Social Security benefits, the economy suffers, federal revenues decline, and confidence in government takes a dive.

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Feb 8th, 2010 by Alan Siegel

Standard for government: ‘Let us be clear’

“President Obama recently held a White House Forum on Modernizing Government with more than 50 corporate executives to discuss how the federal government can make better use of cutting-edge technologies. As the president explained, it is unconscionable that “there are still places in the federal government where reams of yellow files in manila envelopes are walked from desk to desk.” He set many of the right goals: making more information available to the public, ensuring that documents are online as well as in print, and making greater use of social media.”

To read the full op-ed piece by Alan Siegel please visit FederalTimes.com.

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Nov 20th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Alan Siegel on CNN Situation Room

Siegel+Gale Chairman and CEO Alan Siegel provides a clear, simple solution to complex credit card agreements on CNN’s Situation Room.

Watch “A rush to simplify credit card ‘gobbledygook’“.

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Nov 18th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Siegel+Gale Chairman and CEO Alan Siegel Joins John Jay College Foundation Board

NEW YORK – November 18, 2009 – John Jay College of Criminal Justice today announced the appointment of Alan Siegel to the John Jay College Foundation Board. Mr. Siegel is Founder and CEO of Siegel+Gale, one of the world’s premier strategic branding companies.

“Over its 40-year history, Siegel+Gale, led by Alan Siegel, has demonstrated that successful brands live or die through the customer experience they deliver, and that this extends far beyond advertising or communications,” says Jeremy Travis, President of John Jay College. “Alan’s genius is his ability to distill the essence of an organization into its own distinctive ‘voice’ that then translates into every medium – powerfully, clearly, and simply. This skill has never been more needed than it is today. His wealth of knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as we develop our strategic plan for the future growth of John Jay.”

Alan Siegel is a founder of the Plain Language movement. Siegel+Gale’s “Simple is Smart” philosophy applies the art and science of simplicity to create branding programs that have helped many of the world’s best-known organizations excel.

“John Jay is an impressive institution that has enormous appeal to young people who want to build careers as public servants in Justice and Social Services. Jeremy Travis has grown the college to an impressive stature, and there is no stopping him. I very much look forward to supporting and helping to accelerate the College’s upward trajectory,” says Mr. Siegel.

As consultant, teacher, and commentator, Mr. Siegel’s influence extends to creating strategic branding programs for organizations such as 3M, American Express, AARP, the National Basketball Association, Caterpillar, The Girl Scouts, Xerox, CBS, Phoenix House, and The Legal Aid Society. He also serves on the boards of numerous business and cultural organizations, including the Museum of Arts and Design, the Authors Guild Foundation, Hamptons International Film Festival, Turnaround for Children, Business for Diplomatic Action, Lapham’s Quarterly, and the American Theater Wing, where he is a TONY Awards voter.

He is the author of an extensive series of personal guides for The Wall Street Journal, including the bestseller, The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Markets (Lightbulb Press), as well as Writing Contracts in Plain English (West Publishing) and Simplified Consumer Credit Forms (Warren Gorham & Lamont). One of the world’s foremost collectors of fine photographs, he is also the author of One Man’s Eye: Photographs from the Alan Siegel Collection, which was published by Harry N. Abrams in October 2000, and Step Right This Way: The Photographs of Edward J. Kelty, published by Barnes & Noble in October 2002.

In December 2006, Jorge Pinto Books published Alan Siegel on Branding and Clear Communications by Louis J. Slovinsky as part of its Working Biographies series.

A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Mr. Siegel also attended New York University Law School, the School of Visual Arts and Alexei Brodovich’s Design Laboratory.

If you would like to speak with Alan Siegel, or for more information about Siegel+Gale, please contact Gail Nelson of Siegel+Gale at 212-453-0468 or gnelson@siegelgale.com.

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Nov 3rd, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Alan Siegel Radio Interview on Simplification

Alan Siegel describes the communication gap between government and the citizens it is supposed to serve in an interview with Federal News Radio.

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Oct 30th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Time for a plain-language revolution

Sometimes Uncle Sam sounds like he has marbles in his mouth.

Read, if you can, the accompanying excerpt from an Education Department regulation, which was printed in Wednesday’s Federal Register. This one sentence has more than 220 words, nearly the equivalent of a typed page, double-spaced. It’s typical of impenetrable fedspeak that produces more indigestion than information.

Click here to read the full article.

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Oct 29th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Mayor Bloomberg Declares October 16, 2009 “Siegel+Gale Day” in New York at 40th Anniversary Gala

New York, NY – October 27, 2009 – More than 500 friends, alumni, current employees, and clients turned out to celebrate Siegel+Gale’s 40th Anniversary on Saturday, October 17 at the New York Public Library’s Astor Hall.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation by Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, of Mayor Bloomberg’s official proclamation marking Friday, October 16, 2009 as “Siegel+Gale Day in the City of New York.” The honor was accepted by Siegel+Gale’s founder and CEO Alan Siegel, accompanied by Siegel+Gale’s Co-Presidents David Srere and Howard Belk.

During the festivities Mr. Belk commented on the past as well as the future direction of the venerable branding firm:

“What’s ahead for Siegel+Gale? Where will we be after the next 40 years? Tough question. But I am certain of this – Siegel+Gale will remain a champion for clarity and intelligence. This firm has weathered bulls and bears, bubbles and bursts, insurrections and rebellions, and it will continue to do so. Our central premise, ‘Simple is Smart,’ is made of extremely durable stuff.”

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Oct 29th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Siegel+Gale Chairman and CEO Alan Siegel to be Honored by The Legal Aid Society

Pro Bono Publico Award Given for Rebranding The Society

“Making the Case for Humanity

New York – October 26, 2009 – Tonight, Alan Siegel, Founder and CEO of pioneering strategic brand consultancy Siegel+Gale, will receive a Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society. The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, Chief Justice of the State of New York, will be presiding over the October 26, 2009 event, which honors law firms and individuals for public service.

Mr. Siegel is being recognized for his pro bono services in the rebranding of The Legal Aid Society, “Making the Case for Humanity,” which was http://www.legal-aid.org/en/mediaandpublicinformation/inthenews/thelegalaidsocietygetsanewlook.aspx unveiled in May, 2009 on the organization’s Website.

“Alan Siegel, Chairman and CEO of Siegel+Gale, was the prime mover in the creation of the rebrand of The Legal Aid Society,” said the Society in making the award. “He was an integral part of the team he established to refine the Society’s message about the essential client services provided in the City of New York by The Legal Aid Society in its three Practice Areas and the unique role the Society plays in the social fabric of New York City.”

The Legal Aid Society, founded in 1876, is the oldest and largest not-for-profit organization in the United States providing free legal services for clients who cannot afford to pay for counsel.

In unveiling the rebranding and new logo, the Society said, “The message is clear and crisp: The Legal Aid Society is more than a law firm for low income New Yorkers. It is an indispensable component of the legal, social, and economic fabric of New York – passionately advocating for individuals across a variety of civil, criminal, and juvenile rights matters, while also fighting for legal reform. No other organization in New York City or in the country takes on more cases for more clients than The Legal Aid Society and brings a depth and breadth of perspective from its experienced, capable staff that is unmatched in the legal profession.”

About Alan Siegel
A pioneer of the branding industry and founder of brand strategy firm Siegel+Gale, Alan Siegel is also a well-known photographer (“One Man’s Eye: Photographs from the Alan Siegel Collection,” Harry N. Abrams), and author (“The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Markets,” Lightbulb Press). As consultant, teacher, and commentator, Mr. Siegel’s influence extends to creating strategic branding programs for organizations such as 3M, American Express, AARP, the National Basketball Association, Caterpillar, The Girl Scouts, The New School, and CBS. He also serves on the boards of numerous business and cultural organizations, including the Museum of Arts and Design, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Design Management Institute, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Girls Inc., the Authors Guild Foundation, and the American Theater Wing, where he is a TONY Awards voter.

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Oct 29th, 2009 by Alan Siegel

Siegel+Gale Designs New Brand/Visual Identity for Phoenix House

“Wings of Hope” for Individuals “Rising Above Addiction”

New York, New York – October 22, 2009 – Siegel+Gale, one of the world’s premier strategic branding companies, has completed a brand revitalization project for Phoenix House, one of the country’s leading non-profit drug and alcohol addiction, prevention, and treatment organizations. The new identity debuted on the Website www.phoenixhouse.org on October 21. Siegel+Gale designed a new “Wings of Hope” logo to depict the Phoenix House mission, “Rising Above Addiction.” The logo was unveiled at the A&E Recovery Rally in New York on September 12.

“The new Phoenix House visual identity sends a message that is both aspirational and real,” says Alan Siegel, Chairman and CEO of Siegel+Gale, which did the visual identity design on a pro bono basis. “It showcases the Phoenix House values of compassion, commitment, optimism, expertise, and collaboration.”

“We are doing difficult and important work helping individuals recover and remove the stigma of addiction,” says Howard Meitiner, President and CEO of Phoenix House. “Siegel+Gale’s beautiful design and their grounding in simplified communications and real language help immeasurably in conveying our message to people who need our help.”

The logo consists of three components: “Wings of Hope” highlight strength and responsibility, support, and freedom – the layering of the wings and their warm, positive colors symbolize the compassion and caring that lead to recovery in the Phoenix House community. The Phoenix House name, in Rotis Serif typeface, is the foundation from which the wings take flight above the tagline “Rising Above Addiction.”

“‘Rising Above Addiction’ communicates the essence of Phoenix House in a distinctive and effective way,” says Mr. Siegel. “It fuses values, messaging, and identity to convey the Phoenix House personality, culture, and value proposition.”

The new identity also transforms the Phoenix House Phoenix House Website ( www.phoenixhouse.org), newly rebuilt to encompass the full scope of the organization’s programs in 10 states, and improve access to information and tools for individuals suffering from addiction and their families, former program participants, and the broader addiction community of professionals, researchers, and treatment providers.

Phoenix House serves close to 7,500 men, women (including women with children), and teens each day at more than 150 drug and alcohol treatment prevention programs in 10 states.

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