Category Archives: think-tank

10 Trends Shape the World in 2013

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This morning I attended the annual 10 Trends that will Share the World in 2013 and Beyond, presented by Ann Mack, Trend-Spotting expert from JWT. It was sponsored by The Advertising Federation of Minnesota and at their monthly breakfast event. I kept my notes raw for you below, so you can see how I interpreted the 30 mins presentation by Ann. It was nice I actually walked in with her and got some one-on-one since it was the 3rd time we had met. She works and lives in NYC and laughed at how early the 7:30AM breakfast was and how lovely the weather was in Minnesota of course. (smart sarcasm) I admire her presentation skills, style and down to earth personality.

ScreenCapture_notes

Read through or skip to my hashtag follow and get a snapshot #10Trends13.

1. Play as a competitive advantage
At unstructured time
Driving seeking balance
75% feel like there is always something coming at them
So lets play as a competitive advantage.
Act as Catalysts for play

Image Source is Pinned from Maddi Price

Pinned from Maddi Price

2. Super stress era
Now what?
2/3 hospital visits are due to stress
300 billion dollars
45% more stress than a year ago

3. Intelligent objects
Smart Fabrics, geek to chic!
Gen Z
Sports wear
Grocery smart carts whole foods
RFID- tags on clothes

4. Predictive personalization
#BigData
Each min of each day, 2 million searches on google.
Me-centric consumers
Harder than ever before to reach us.
Market to individuals
Transaction more personal
Integrate data analytics
Watch out privacy -
Win over with benefits.

5. Mobile fingerprint.
Currently 1 billion – 2 billion 2015
Create smart-centric experiences and support
Security
As I load more personal data 63% are concerned

6. Sensory explosion – engaging the senses
Driving 64% crave experiences
Experience things rather than
Cut through the clutter!
Prefer experiences over things
Harris’s toy kingdom
Augment reality
Powerful Disney Bandaids
Make messaging and packaging more memorable

7. Everything is retail
Worlds colliding
More demanding retail environment
More demanding consumers
I see it. I want it. Let me learn about it, BEFORE I buy it.
Window shopping and purchases after hours.
PayPal
Make shopping faster, simpler and easier

8. Peer power
People are sharing everything!
We are trust strangers (don’t tell the kids).

9. Going Private in Public [answer to what's next in social]
Privacy control of shifts away from the individual
Friends are also
59% teens I try to keep parts of my life private, but my friends share everything.
I wonder where that photo will go?
The rise of reputation management
Actions and attitudes will be online
Social commons
Profile management
Rise in Facebook alternatives
Path App

10. Health and Happiness: Hand in Hand
More optimistic people are 50% likely to have heart attack
Happiness diets, modern American diet is making us “Mad”
Brands- Walgreens, corner of happy and healthy

Capture#10trends13

Had some great interactions today on the feed after the event too. (@TheLacekGroup was myself RT’ing to show the #BigData content piece, but that still counts right?)

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You may have remembered last year’s post, or you can compare the trends by reading more.

Stay smart and remember you won’t learn without the effort to attend events, listen to smart people and shake (and many cases I hug) friends and peers.

your mn design gal

learningandnetworking

Pictured here a recent non-profit event held locally at the U of M that I spoke at.

Apple of My Eye

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Spring forward today! Did you set your clocks ahead 1 hour?

This morning I was up early, (until noticed the time change, then wasn’t) with a fresh mind I wanted to finish up some brochure concepts before the busy week begins again and started up my Mac. I have been lucky enough to improve my software after 7 years and upgrade to a Mac Air. Did you just read that right– 7 years?

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My side by side comparison pictures show you my 15″ Powerbook that I purchased in 2005 for $2,370, with my lovable Student Discount pricing, on the RIGHT. She has had Creative Suite 3 on her since the beginning and she has been working slow over the last handful of years, but I haven’t complained and have treated her well with daily power-downs and always carried her in a well-padded case. She was only dropped when about 3 months old that left her with a front left indent that I grew to love. 3 years ago I did have to remove the screen saver mode due to freezing, but that didn’t bother me much. Who needs to see the tropical island stock photos in the middle of a Minnesota winter anyway?

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LEFT: New 13″ MacBook Air RIGHT: 15″ Powerbook

Why the Mac Air when you’re a designer? I asked myself, an Apple Expert (his business card actually said that) and multiple Twitter friends, that question many times over before deciding. There are a lot of rumors out there, and lets face it, I’m not designing huge billboards or rarely having to do semi-truck logo wraps. My main-squeeze trusty-advisor was confident and then even upgraded the MacBook Air to ensure she would be right for me.

My Computer has the following configuration:
•
2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
•
8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
•
256GB Flash Storage

To ensure my 13″ down-graded screen size wouldn’t hold me back, have an add-on display to hook-up easily. No, I shouldn’t have gotten the iMac kids, for I live a very portable lifestyle. Working in the living room when Real Housewives are on, in bed those Saturday mornings or late night discovery sessions and for reviewing design work onscreen with clients, lets just do your corrections right in Indesign please.

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Overall, I’m super happy with the speed in Creative Suite. Even though the flash drive start time doesn’t give me time to go into the kitchen and heat-up a cup of tea like the ’05 MacBook did, I can’t imagine not having the speed I have now.

Did I mention the sleek paper-thin design? That is just the icing on the cake for it leaves your PC friends in even more wonderous jealousy.

Glad I sprung-forward into a piece of equipment that better suites my lifestyle. Watch for the next computer upgrade blog post in 2020!

A Mac Gal since 2005,
Tricia jo

Tricia_onmac

Simple jewelry art idea to share

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So many of us have the chunky necklaces that don’t fit in our traditional Jewerlry boxes. To fix this awkward problem of hanging them in random places or losing them in your closet, my brilliant mother Candee gave me this Pier1 art piece. It is to be hung in my walk-in closet to be fashionable and yet very useful.

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Accessorizing hasn’t been this fun, and the mini mirrors actually make this even more of a modern day jewelry box by hanging your necklaces on them.

Here’s the simple idea live in my closet:

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Keep trying things that are not the normal use for those objects. Turn art into useful art!

Pin this and share with friends!
MN design gal and her mother Candee

1 extra special shiny object

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Twas the night before December 1st and St Paul was shimmering, Rice Park had their lights bright for us on that mild night. Being escorted to St Paul Grill by Steve, it was a special treat to end the week.

View from table at dinner, St Paul Grill

View from table at dinner, St Paul Grill, taken with Instagram application

I wasn’t wearing anything fancy but my favorite coral sweater and jeans. If I would have known this night would go down in history I would have worn something a bit more royal for the occasion.

After our fabulous dinner, walleye for him and salmon for me, we headed to the bright and shiny Holiday lights in the park. This was our 3rd time at Rice Park, having it also been marked as our 3rd winter season together as a couple. 20121208-090857.jpg

Tree hugging

Trying to settle me down from taking random funny pictures in the park, Steve asked to take a picture of just me behind the big blue tree. “Why? That’s kind of strange” I tell him. Steve began to tell me and little did I know that this tree is as tall and bright as the iconic Rockefeller Center tree in New York City and is lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week until January 1 with 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

As I was standing there smiling and also thinking my boyfriend knows his lights, he began to tell me how much he loves me and began to explain our journey of meeting and falling in love. Before I could ask or think anymore he gets down on one knee.

I quickly filled-up with excitement and was shocked to be asked a question so unexpectedly and without any notice or signs to prepare, I took a deep breath as tears rolled down my cheeks and said “Yes”.

oneknee_Nov302012

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11 o’Clock on the dot! Look closely!

I looked at my lovely ring and my fiancé and couldn’t help but think this was still a dream. My second surprise was that we were staying at the St Paul Hotel with champagne waiting in the room for us.

The very first question I had for Steve after the proposal was “Did you ask my dad?” Steve replied, “of course I did.”

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Happy Wishes to you and may I remind you that the best surprises are the ones that are unexpected. This one I will always hold close to my heart. Loving my new bling and look forward to sharing the love this Holiday season with family and friends and my new fiance!

newly engaged,
your mn design gal

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Busy is not my excuse –

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How often do you see someone that has their status on the google chat or instant messenger marked as busy.

You wait a while and walk away from the computer and come and look and it’s still marked as busy.

Then you realize it’s always marked as busy. 

Now, what do you do?

Type “hi” even though it always says “you may be disturbing this user”

Send them an email instead of messaging thinking that a quick question over IM will bother them or awkwardly show up on the big screen during a WebEx to a client.

Walk by their desk to see if they are really there at or if they are just pretending to work while surfing Mashable or have left their desk for the day.

The truth of the matter is I have been busy and so busy that I haven’t been able to write a blog post since the last time I made fish at home back May. Remember the Tilapia post? That’s what made me write a post tonight- because I cooked an incredible piece of Salmon. It was the piece that it had a beautiful seared crust and the flavor was mouth-watering it almost tricked your mouth you were at that sea-side restaurant you paid $50.

Things are great. (Thanks for asking.) And speaking from experience, if you see someone that has the busy status on for more then a few hours, they probably are busy but not busy enough to say hello back or answer a question. It’s OK to check-in on a friend that just got a new job and they haven’t reported to you how it was, or it’s summer and you think they are always busy going to the lake. Still invite that person to your BBQ, email them, text and better yet call them.

What’s your definition of getting busy?

On that note, good night and I promise not to be a stranger,
your mn design gal

busy talking at Olson this year at the nonprofit event for Ad 2 MN

Nacho Mama

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Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13. That means your mom, any new mothers, (including three of my best gal pals and their 3 sons) should be celebrated all the way up to those hip-old Grannies, (my Nanny Carole and Nanny Joan of course).

my mom on the lake

My Mom Candee with her daughters Trina (My younger sisters) and Me

To follow-up on my May Day Basket social post for the Cedar Floral Design Studio. By the way, did you LIKE them yet? They are at 32 Likes just 5 days after delivering the May Day baskets to total of 12 local businesses resulting in a possible 32,000+ impressions.
The Like stat is a bit lower than what I had expected, but for a small locally owned flower shop this is very good. Lets face it, I’m not working on a National brand right? Now that we have hit past 30 Likes, Facebook activates the insights panel. That means one can now get all nerdy with the insights, impressions and amount of reach including an analyse of the demographic that is currently Liking the page. Waiting at least 1 week to generate the insights works best, and even 1 month is even better.

Facebook Live Comments So remember your MaMa on Sunday, a new Mother (whom could even be your wife) or that is a friend or family member and to share the love with not only flowers (from Cedar Floral Design Studio) but to make them feel special and thank them for their hard-work and love.

nacho mama,
your mn design gal 

Not a Mother- they aren't mine

Steve and Kael (3 weeks old), Caden (6 mos old) not my kids- my best friend’s boys.

OLSON, Best Buy and #Trends – Oh my!

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Being on the go is something I am very used to putting many things on my plate including volunteering for nonprofits, keeping up with the digital and creative trends and currently looking for a JOB all while trying to maintain some sort of personal life-family-friends and maintain and grow my network. The average MN gal right?
In just 1 week, I had participated and learned about 3 totally different topics in 3 totally different locations. Let me share.

OLSON: Ford Center: Ryan Murray Photo

Ryan Murray Photo: Ad 2 Olson

Starting off with the last Ad 2 agency event of the season! The Ad 2 Programs event I have planned and dreamed about for the MSP community for a while. It was at OLSON in their new space at the newly remodeled Ford Center Building in Minneapolis. 260+ pre-registered attendees making it the most pre-registered and attended Ad 2, Ad Fed event thus far (not counting the SHOW folks). The hands-on tour given by OLSON employee volunteers started the night off was a great way to greet guests entering on the 10th floor. Then moving to the 9th where there was much to taste and drink and of course people to network with. The agency has the 7,8,9 and 10, while 6th they share but have a fabulous photo studio in. Christina Clawson, Senior Brand Manager at OLSON, and I had known each other for handful of years and been planning this event for almost 3. Knowing the space would be a great way to bring the Advertising community in to enjoy, learn and explore.
Interactive Director and Vice President Paul Ratzky got to share some great influential case studies that have paved OLSON to be one of the top agency’s.

OLSON: Ad 2 : Ryan Murray Photo

OLSON : Ad 2 Ryan Murray Photo

OLSON Speaking : Photo by Heather Rudloff

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Full House I snapped after giving opening announcements.

A unique piece of this event was the portfolio reviews that were going on for anyone that had signed-up ahead of time where 6 OLSON creative were giving one-on-one reviews for 15 minutes. This is another way Ad 2 has put the plug into education and also being different within our programs. Thanks Olson!

I announced to the 200+ guests about our 1st Place National Award that American Advertising Federation had rewarded Ad 2 with for the 2011-12 Programs. It was another way to create awareness of the National partnership with have with AAF and Ad 2.

The night ended up a quick clean-up by a few savvy volunteers including creative director and past Internship hirer Randall Herrera, then over for a few celebratory drinks next door at Darby’s. Cheers to a successful night!

—-

@mndesigngal Instagram

The weekend of Easter had approached and I found myself with 1200+ ultra-cool-geeks including developers, programmers, designers and IT influentials at the minne*bar conference at the Best Buy Headquarters. I arrived early to make sure to get my trendy t-shirt and began the day with a presentation on fundraising in Minnesota. It gave me insight on Angel funding, crowd funding and start-up funding in general. Also advice such as, “sell to your family but never sell the control of your company to them”, (at least not right away).

Above is a @mndesigngal Instagram from the day

What's Your Why

I then moved to a segment on “What’s Your WHY?” which involved reflecting on oneself’s track through childhood goals to current job’s and the combining of them. Also a super great topic of why culture creates a sustainable competitive advantage.
A past Apple employee spoke about working on the same team as Steve Jobs and even asked us the question “When did the first iPhone come out?” —- Do you know? 2007! It’s strange because you think it’s like 2001 or something, but that is what is so great about technology, we ask why then there is change and innovation happens.

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Can you Read This?

Can you read this? I can. So strange how our mind works even online now.

I then met Drew Fleck who presented a segment on Expanding your Entrepreneurial Social Capital. He hit it home for me on this topic; not only learning more about location and the diversity of groups but taking it to the next level in evolving one’s network. I ended up having lunch with Drew and got to learn even more one on one.

The Day wasn’t even half over yet after those 3 sessions! What was pretty ironic was being at Best Buy then just a few days later… Brian Dunn CEO of Best Buy resigns. It has nothing to do with me I swear.

—-

Then the week wrapped-up with an amazing Ad Fed breakfast speaker from JWT New York, Ann Mack. She shared with nearly sold-out event, the Top 10 Trends for 2012. She did stress that trends can be shaped, and that these were from her perspective.

Here are my brief notes and the exciting TOP 10:

1. Navigating the New Normal
Smaller Scales… such as 50cent bubblegum and affordable clothling from high-end designers

2. Live a Little
Without giving up a lot.

3. Generation Go
Redefining what success is. (Was she talking to me directly here?)

4. The Rise of the Shared Value
Drivers: Opportunities in growth can be found in problems of needs.

5. Food as the new Eco-Issue
Fans of the part-time diets, “Meatless Mondays”, Vegan until 6pm etc.
Chipotle commercial— who has seen it?

6. Marriage Optional
60% of Bachelor degrees are Women. The new thought of test-driving a marriage for two years. (For real) More marketing is being done to the single woman.

7. Reengineering Randomness
People don’t want to be told- they want to discover.
Brands such as : Livingsocial “infuse the new”, daily lives, Lollihop and pop-up stores.

8. Screened InteractionsTweets Touch screens have been tapping into our lives slowly… ATM’s to… Bus stops, retail stores and more.

9. Celebrating Aging
Marketers need to look at the life-stage rather then the age of the consumer.
You have the right to be young at any age.

10. Objectifying Objects
CDs, Cash, a book… don’t need them anymore but something about holding it can be a status symbol.
Vinyl records seen a 41% increase in sales over last year!

—-

What can I say? A busy gal likes to keep a busy mind. Can’t believe I had to put these 3 very large and influential events into one post. But this gal is busy, and I will continue to write in 12 PT for you like I have promised.

Your MN Design Gal and so much more!
Tricia

Instagram follower

While on the Search…

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As some of you may know, I have been interviewing over the last week since my latest change in works.

I do research on the job itself which sometimes I have applied or it was refered to me from a head hunter or friend and then get to the company finally the person who will be calling or I will be doing the interviewing with.

I came across this word today philanthropist:
means “the love of humanity“—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of “what it is to be human,” or “human potential.”
In modern practical terms, it is “private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life”—balancing the social-scientific aspect emphasized in the 20th century.

I liked the meaning a lot and it surprised me how much more excited I am now to talk to this person after reading something she had in her twitter description.

On the job search!

On the job search! Watch for NYC recap soon too!

The job journey will continue! Now by tonight’s event, I truly will be a philanthropist for the team will be having over 250+ advertising, students and exciting people attend the Ad 2 event tonight! Watch for that recap next week!

Tricia*

See you at Minne* on Saturday?

Bad Days Happen for a Reason (Right?)

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The first thing on a Monday morning you never imagine hearing “We are sorry, but your going to have to lay-you-off”

It is that feeling of – OK – Thanks – now what?
I find myself feeling a bit strange and awkward like I did something wrong. Not true. It was brought to my attention it wasn’t my fault just a reorganizing business decision.

I have never been “laid-off” before. This term is a bit strange to me. Laid? Like I’m going to be laying in my bed now because I don’t have a job? If you want me off then why am I laying down?

The end of the work day I then find myself in the Dentist’s chair for a routine cleaning. (Of course scheduled before the morning came upon me.)

“How was your day?” the friendly lady smiles at me.

Do I dare say it?

“Well, I was laid-off”- I half-smile back to her.

Her face falls to a pity frown and I get a nice hard tap on the back.  “Have you been flossing?”

An hour later. 1 Cavity is found and I’m on my home.

All I want is a nice glass of wine and to laugh a bit with the roommate, which he informs me to cheer me, he’s grilling outside for us on the nice 65 degree night!

So the grill is on and the hamburger are now patties and all of a sudden a big rain storm drives in and the propane runs out. Yes, all at the same time.

Now, after all this, I felt like Fuel’s Song “Bad Day” should just be playing as I walk away in the rain (possibly with my middle finger up in the air).

I didn’t go outside or get wet and frankly never give the middle finger unless I’m in my car.

Moving forward from the Manic Monday, I find myself in the middle of the very first week that I have never been be not in control with my career decisions involving leaving a job. (Yes, I have left jobs before kids but the rule of thumb is never leave a job unless you have another one lined-up).

I will now move into Sheryl Crow’s wisdom of “Everyday is Winding Road”-

The fact is this next move I will get a little bit closer to where I think I should be in my career and that is apparent.
Not only am I excited to be in stable environment with creative and marketing energy and talent that just makes me want to absorb and learn even more than I do on my own. But I will get even closer to what I should be doing with my talents. Closer to that feeling of success within my colleagues and closer to be able to say how much I love my job and that I’m not only valued but continue to be the Brand Advocate I strive to be.

I had kept a journal with thoughts on parts of my job I enjoy and what I need in my next working environment: {For real not just made-up for this post}
-Stability
-Mentorship
-Be a mentor to others
-Different departments to be surrounded by other than my own
-Challenges to look forward to
-New technology surrounds me
-Drive to succeed / possibly competition
-Goals within the jobs for clients to achieve
…. and more

I also have my cover letter introduce things that my employer should reflect of, as well as things I can bring to the table.
“My future employer will expect me to make ideas a reality, these expectations will motivate me daily. My goal is to be part of a team that can push each other to greater heights of creativity and marketing through digital, social media and the newest technologies.”

With reflecting on that “Bad Day” I guess I can *almost laugh about it now and I have moved on from the empty feeling.

Truly no hard-feelings toward any persons or the company itself. I believe business is business and I have learned things that have made me a better person, co-worker, employer and leader. I also just got a very nice recommendation letter from the President of the company.

Now the real question is–

Who’s brand should I represent now?

TBD your mn design gal

Need a resume quick?
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If you have a hot lead or need me to throw on a fancy suit and come by?
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