MI YOUTH APPRECIATION FOUNDATION
Building a Legacy of Leadership, Learning, and Youth Empowerment
Each summer, Metro Detroit Youth Day brings over 30,000 young people together for a day of mentorship, leadership, and inspiration. As the Midwest’s largest youth event, it serves as a celebration of potential and purpose—and a platform where futures are shaped.
To elevate this powerful initiative, the Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation (MYAF) turned to Eric Wheelwright for a full-spectrum creative campaign that would expand visibility, deepen community engagement, and attract sponsorship support.
Scope of Work
Website Design & Management
Led the design and long-term management of MYAF’s website, transforming it into a central resource for event registration, updates, and community engagement. Optimized for clarity, accessibility, and mobile responsiveness.
TV & Radio Commercial Production
Scripted, directed, filmed, and edited multiple broadcast-ready spots that ran throughout Metro Detroit. These commercials captured the excitement of the event and invited community participation across generations.
Event Videography & Photography
Captured powerful visual assets—keynote speakers, youth activities, and sponsor activations—that now serve as both archival footage and marketing tools for future events.
Sponsorship Strategy & Presentation Design
Developed a compelling sponsorship proposal that clearly outlined tiered benefits, social impact, and brand alignment opportunities. The materials helped secure new sponsors and deepen support from returning partners.
Donor-Focused Media Kit
Produced a full fundraising package that included a professionally filmed event video, a branded DVD, and a printed pledge card—designed to emotionally connect with donors and drive action.
Creative Writing & Messaging
Authored press releases, radio scripts, event copy, and social media messaging to align the campaign with MYAF’s voice while appealing to youth, parents, educators, and funders.
Digital Engagement Campaigns
Crafted and executed email outreach and digital content strategies to promote registration, attendance, and sponsorship participation in the weeks leading up to the event.
The Learning Center – Designed & Launched by Eric Wheelwright
As part of MYAF’s expanded educational mission, Eric conceptualized and built The Learning Center — a year-round online platform dedicated to student success. This interactive space features:
- Homework Assistance: Tools and links for students seeking academic help
- Educational Games: Brain-stimulating activities that make learning fun
- College Row: A curated guide for college and trade school readiness (Coming Soon)
- Anti-Bullying Resources: Education and advocacy content to promote safer schools
- Study & Learning Tips: Articles on managing stress, note-taking, and test prep
- Resource Desk: A collection of high-quality educational tools including Khan Academy, Desmos, Fact Monster, and Schoology
This platform reinforces MYAF’s commitment to helping youth thrive well beyond event day—by placing academic enrichment at their fingertips.
Telling Their Story
40th Anniversary Campaign Promo
Celebrating a Legacy. Inspiring a Generation.
To build momentum for the 40th anniversary of Metro Detroit Youth Day, Eric Wheelwright developed and led a multi-platform promotional campaign designed to energize participation and attract new support.
From concept to execution, Eric produced and directed a suite of high-impact creative pieces—including broadcast TV spots, streaming and digital video ads, radio commercials, and coordinated print collateral. Each element captured the heart of the event’s legacy while positioning the anniversary as a renewed call to invest in youth, mentorship, and community unity.
By blending celebration with strategy, the campaign elevated visibility, reinforced MYAF’s brand, and ensured the 40th milestone was not just remembered—but re-energized.
Sponsorship Proposal Strategy & Deployment
To support the 41st annual Metro Detroit Youth Day, Eric Wheelwright led the development of a professionally crafted sponsorship proposal—designed to clearly communicate impact, outline tiered benefits, and align the event’s mission with partner values.
The proposal was strategically formatted for both print and digital use, enabling versatile distribution across meetings, email campaigns, and presentations. It was also embedded on the MYAF website to allow potential sponsors to easily view, download, and share the packet—amplifying outreach and accelerating sponsor engagement.
Digital Flyer Design & Campaign – Youth Idol Auditions
Designed and distributed a high-impact digital flyer to promote auditions for Metro Detroit Youth Day’s Youth Idolcompetition. The piece targeted youth participants ages 8–15 and was optimized for social sharing and email engagement to maximize visibility and sign-ups.
Full-Catalog Design & Marketing Copywriting
Eric Wheelwright led the complete production of the Metro Detroit Youth Day event video and accompanying DVD, managing all stages from creative development to delivery. In a first-of-its-kind approach, Wheelwright conceived and implemented the idea of printing a scannable QR code directly on the face of the DVD—an innovation that allowed viewers to access the video content on mobile devices. This breakthrough bridged traditional media with emerging digital access, expanding the DVD’s utility and reach. He also directed and edited the video, designed custom interactive menus, and oversaw the layout and production of the DVD case and packaging, delivering a fully integrated media experience that reinforced the event’s impact and message.
Event Photography Led by Eric Wheelwright
