By: Kyle Streitmatter
Love, Above All.
A story. A concept. A trailer graphic. And so much more.
We are thrilled to introduce this new trailer graphic and hope it serves as a powerful reminder to all who see it. It’s certainly eye-catching, and it seems to make a unique impression upon all who take the time to look on it….and think.
But where did this trailer come from? Why, “Love, above all?”
I’m glad you asked because the story behind it is a powerful reminder.
Focus on What’s Important
Nussbaum has a long history of putting unique messages on its trailers.
In the early 2000s, as company leadership considered potential trailer graphics, they sensed that God wanted them to focus on what’s truly important.
Through a variety of events (each of which is a story in and of itself), “Celebrating Faith & Family,” “Forgiveness Brings Freedom,” and the “Purpose Driven” trailer graphics were born. These graphics are still in use today, and we’re so thankful for the powerful messages they display to the public.
But eventually, it was time for something new.
A New Message
After two years of prayer, Nussbaum still had no direction for the next trailer graphic. Then, during the summer of 2020 and the chaos of COVID-19, Brent Nussbaum was having lunch with a group of friends. He mentioned to one of them that Nussbaum was looking for a new message. Given everything going on with COVID-19, Brent asked his friend what he thought was the biggest need in society.
“Well,” replied the friend, “one that comes to mind is ‘love, above all.’”
“Love, above all?” thought Brent. “What does that mean?”
It took some time and some thought. But the phrase stuck. Now we had the message…but what would it look like on a trailer graphic?
The newest member of the marketing team, Saige Anderson, had an idea.
Where The Chalkboard Idea Originated
Saige was in the middle of several big transitions. She moved from recruiting to marketing at Nussbaum and simultaneously moved into a new apartment.
One of the walls in her new home was a chalkboard, and it got her thinking: what if we put “Love, above all” on a chalkboard and invite employees to be vulnerable with their struggles? And, not only be vulnerable but commit to putting love above that struggle?
The chalkboard was built. Instructions were sent out. And slowly, but surely, crossed out words began to appear. The words you see on the trailer today were contributed by Nussbaum employees.
Fast forward several months (through many design files, tweaks, and hours of hard work), and the new trailer is sitting on the lot.
Always Remember
1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Colossians 3:14 – “And above all these things put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
The last 18 months have been incredibly stressful and uncertain. Likely each one of us is faced with areas where we struggle to love. Maybe it’s strong opinions, shattered expectations, or fear of the unknown.
Our sincere hope is that this trailer and the message it conveys will be a reminder. In the day-to-day mundane of life, in the face of difficult circumstances, amidst questions and a short supply of answers –
may we learn to Love, above all.
