Wednesday, October 29, 2008

On Finding and Hiring the Right People

It's no secret that I think Bart Cleveland of McKee Wallwork Cleveland is one of the best writers contributing to the Ad Age Small Agency Diary.

His most recent piece is another winner:
Hiring the Right People Is a No-Brainer (Finding Them Is Like Brain Surgery)

A sample from the article:

Time allows you to get to know someone. Time reveals someone's subtle characteristics. Not just negatives, but positives too. I've hired people who I at first believed weren't really the right fit, but over time, I discovered the real person behind the first impression. You must be willing to take your time if you want a staff whose sum is greater than its parts.
Take the time to read the entire thing. As always, it's full of Bart's practical wisdom and a common sense that is too often overlooked.

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Job Opening - Wordpress Coder / Designer

From the Boise Craigslist:

A local online marketing firm is looking for a wordpress professional who is proficient in coding and designing for clients using wordpress to develop their websites and blogs.
The "online marketing firm" is not identified, but full details about the position can be found here.

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Monday, October 27, 2008

New Hire at Carew Co

Following on the heels of their recent move into a larger office space, Carew Co. has added to their staff.

Ryan Lascano has joined the shop as a Graphic Designer. Ryan was previously with Noot Group in Boise, and will be working in both online and print environments at Carew Co. Ryan is a graduate of The Art Institute of California - Orange County.

Congratulations Ryan.

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

REMINDER: Coffee Morning

It'll be here before you know it...

This month's Coffee Morning is scheduled for this Friday, October 24th, at Java on 6th and Main in Boise starting at (or around) 7:30 am.

See you there.

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Taking Action in an Uncertain Environment

There’s no way around it. The waters of today’s business environment are murky at best. You name it, it’s in turmoil – financial markets, housing markets, the list goes on and on. And yes, that impact is felt even here in Idaho.

Call it what you may – a slowdown, an economic downturn, or even the dreaded ‘r’ word that is recession – we’re in it. It affects agencies, their business, and their clients. Like it or not, that is the reality in which we live.

And facing up to that reality will make it that much easier to get through.

Oliver Russell found themselves in that very position. As an agency owner, this is the third recession that Russ Stoddard has been through, and in his own words, “I learned a few things from the first two and am trying to apply those lessons as best I can, sooner rather than later.”

Placed in this position, and given the business outlook for the next six months to a year, it became apparent that cuts were necessary in order to reshape Oliver Russell to be successful for the long term. So, painful as it was, cuts were made. The end result, as Russ described, is that “we’ve got a creative team here that is now engaged with plenty of work. That wasn’t the case before the layoffs, and I didn’t see the economic environment changing for the better in a significant way.”

For those who were affected by the layoffs at Oliver Russell, the agency provided assistance to them where possible – from severance pay to job finding and assistance with the launch of new business ventures.

In the marketing and advertising community, this is certainly unpleasant news. And chances are, similar scenarios will play out elsewhere – both inside and beyond the borders of Idaho. Those who are in leadership or ownership positions in these agencies face some very tough decisions over the coming months. Those who are able to take action, however, rather than be paralyzed by fear, will have greater control over the future success of their respective agencies.

The eternal optimist, Russ signed off with a fitting conclusion to our exchange: “And for anyone out there in the ad/design/digital community who’s wondering, watch out – yeah, we’re alive, and we’re breathing fire.”

As for other agencies in and around Boise that are being called on by those who were impacted – take the meeting. They are all extremely talented people in their own right, and will be outstanding additions to any team.

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Monday, October 20, 2008

New Hire and Other Activity at Michell + Palmer

Mitchell + Palmer in Boise has quietly busy since opening their doors in April.

Among other things, they've done a little hiring: Hollis Welsh has joined the agency to "assist with project management, strategic research and development, copywriting, community and vendor relations, and account services support."

They've also moved their offices -- they're now in The Muse Building at 1317 W. Jefferson St.

On the client front, they're current client list includes the likes of Home Federal Bank, Pro-Team, SquareConnect and FameFifteen, among others.

Updated with correct URL for Home Federal.

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Job Openings at Wirestone

Wirestone in Boise has a few job openings these days:

Junior Web Analyst
Java / Solutions Architect
.Net Technical Developer

Full details about each position can be found by clicking on the respective title.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Think Pink: The Concert for the Cure

As some of you may have noticed, there is a new banner hanging on the upper right side of the Idaho Ad Agencies blog.

Think Pink - Because you know someone or know someone who knows someoneThink Pink's Concert for the Cure is a benefit concert to educate the community about breast cancer, and to raise funds for the Boise Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th, and full details are available below.

Think Pink Inc. was founded in October 2004 in Coeur d'Alene by Jen Henriksen, Crissie McDowell, Melanie Adams and Katie Shamberg, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Boise chapter of Think Pink was started in August 2008 by Lindzee Frei, Kate Holgate, Michelle Caster and Crissie McDowell. From Think Pink's Our Story:

Our goal is to educate our community about breast cancer and aid in the fight to find a cure in our lifetime through various fundraising activities. 100% of funds raised are directly donated to the Boise Affiliate of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and are used to provide research grants and uninsured women in our area with mammograms, an essential tool in early detection.
To date, Think Pink Inc. has raised nearly $40,000 through events and t-shirt sales. More details about Think Pink are available on the fact sheet from their website.

Now, about the concert:

Think Pink’s Concert for the Cure
WHERE: VAC Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St., Garden City ID
DATE: November 8th
TIME: Doors open at 7 Music at 8
TICKETS: $20 ahead of time at http://www.visualartscollective.com/ $25 at the door ($20 at the door if wearing pink)
LINEUP: Dan Costello
Ned Evett and Bill Coffey
Smooth Old-Fashioned High

The Boise Advertising Federation has also selected this event as their public service event for the year.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event at the Sapphire ($750) or Pearl ($500) levels, and anyone interested should contact the Think Pink chapter via email, or by telephone at 208.861.8097. They'll be able to provide more details about everything included in the individual sponsorship packages.

Finally, for anyone who would like to add the Concert for the Cure banner to their own website, here's a little snippet of code to help you along the way:



Special thanks to Stuart Walsh for the Flash banner.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Idaho Radio News Calls It A Wrap

It's a sad day in the Idaho blogosphere.

After five years and almost 2,500 posts, Don has decided to shutter IdahoRadioNews.com. The final post on the site pretty well sums it up:

I’ve become increasingly busy and don’t have the time to dedicate to this project. I’m certainly going to miss bringing you the scoop - but I won’t miss trying to wrangle the comments.
On a personal note, Don's success with the Idaho Radio News site was an early influence on this site, and for that I say Thank You for all of the hard work over the years.

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Upcoming Event - Three Courses + Cake Luncheon

The Boise Advertising Federation is back at it with their Three Courses + Cake luncheon series.

This month's luncheon features guest speaker Hank Blank, founder of Hank Blank Inc, a marketing firm based in Orange County, CA. Hank will be speaking on "Why Advertising Agencies Don't Want New Business."

The luncheon will once again be held at The Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove St.

Date: October 23rd.
Time: 11:30 - 1:00

Email reminders about this event went out Monday morning, but for anyone who may have missed it, details are available below:


Also, for those who may have missed the past couple of speakers from last spring, the Three Courses + Cake Rewind is available, which is a podcast that features previous guest speakers at luncheon events. Subscription instructions and other details are also available on that page.

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Monday, October 13, 2008

Upcoming Event - AIGA Get Out The Vote Show and Reception

The AIGA Idaho's Get Out The Vote poster design competition was, by all measures, a smashing success. They received a total of 46 poster designs from 36 designers, including 18 poster designs submitted by students from Meridian High Schools.

The posters are currently on display at Flying M Coffeehouse in Boise and the Flying M Coffeegarage in Nampa.

This Wednesday, October 15th, AIGA Idaho will host a reception from 5:30 pm - 7:30 at the downtown Boise Flying M to showcase all of the designs, and the designers behind them.

The posters will be on display in both Boise and Nampa through November 5th.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

An Introduction to SOVRN Creative

SOVRN Creative is one of the latest new shops to open their doors in the Treasure Valley. The company was founded by Brian Cottier, Philip McLain, and Joe Rice.

The three founders had previously worked together while at Wirestone. Joe and Brian had been with Wirestone since the beginning, and prior to that were among the earliest members of Mediaphex Production Company. Prior to his time at Wirestone, Phil had worked for Stoltz Marketing Group, as well as Creative Source.

From their website

SOVRN was founded with three basic principles. The first is to pursue business relationships that are healthy and honest, and that benefit all participants. The next is to ensure that each project succeeds through the application of our knowledge and expertise and the delivery of appropriate solutions for the intended audience. Finally, we want to work with organizations that have the courage to stand apart, and see the value in great creative and effective marketing.
In the first few months that their doors have been open, SORVN has already had an opportunity to work with a number of clients, including the Special Olympics World Winter Games and Z Factor Sports, among others.

The original announcement of their launch is available here. Having known all three of the founders for many years, I look forward to seeing great things from SOVRN Creative.

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October Coffee Morning

Let's see if two weeks notice is enough time for everyone to put this on their calendars...

The October Coffee Morning will be held on Friday, October 24th.

Same time and place:
Location: Java, corner of 6th and Idaho
Time: 7:30ish AM - 9:30ish AM

I'm sure there will be no shortage of topics to discuss.

Bonus - for those who can't make the Coffee Morning, there has been rumor of a Cocktail Evening. Let's see what develops on that front.

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Monday, October 06, 2008

Freelance Job Opening: Production Artist / Junior Designer

Came acrosss this during a quick swing through the Boise Craigslist jobs section.

There is an anonymous post looking for a Freelance Production Artist / Junior Designer to support whomever posted the ad. Experience and requirements are pretty well laid out -- the applicant must have worked in both online and print environments, as well as 2+ years of professional experience.

Full details about the job are available here.

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Carew Co is on the Move

Carew Co. has picked up shop and moved their office.

Not too far, mind you. They've moved from the 3rd floor of The Eagles Building at 6th and Idaho down to a larger space in the lower level of that same building.

(Is it possible to play the theme song to The Jeffersons backwards? Would that be appropriate here? Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Congratulations to the Carew Co. crew.

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Friday, October 03, 2008

An Election Season Reminder

Regardless of your political leanings, or support (or opposition) of individual candidates, the first step in participating in the electoral process is making sure that you're registered to vote. And if you're not, you only have a few days left to change that.

A few registration reminders from the Idaho Votes website:

Who needs to register?

Any eligible person who wishes to vote in Idaho and who has never voted here or who has changed name or address since last registering needs to register.

Once I register, do I need to register again for the next election?

Registration is permanent as long as you vote at least once every four years in a primary or general election, and do not move. You need to re-register if you change your address or name.

Can I register to vote by mail?

Yes, but the mail application must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election.

That last question means that voter registration information must be postmarked by (or before) October 8th this year. Yes, you can register to vote at your polling place, but given the turnout that most are expecting for this year's election, you could save yourself a lot of time by taking care of registration in advance.

The Idaho Votes website has a Voter Registration Form available on their website, and it only take a few moments to complete, print and mail.

And with that, we'll now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

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