Posts Tagged ‘Flint Group’

Chris values teams he chooses & teams he’s stuck with (aka family)

By Elizabeth Hansen, September 7, 2012
Fairly new Flintster Chris Lubarski (that’s him in his college grad getup) with part of his A team. Left to right, sister Chelsea, mom Sheryl, nephew Devin, dad Greg, Chris and fiancee Jennifer.

Fairly new Flintster Chris Lubarski (that’s him in his college grad getup) with part of his A team. Left to right, sister Chelsea, mom Sheryl, nephew Devin, dad Greg, Chris and fiancee Jennifer.

“Everyone needs people who have their backs and will support them,” says Chris Lubarski, Account Coordinator in our Fargo office.

In his case, those teams are his family and colleagues. “I spend a lot of time with my family and loved ones. Since starting at Flint, I’ve had the support of my team here, too. I also like watching sports, and I play on basketball and volleyball teams.”

Thankfully his teammates value him, too, since he admits: “It’s a great way to get a work out, since I like staying active, but I don’t have the patience or attention span to go for a run.

“With the Flint Group, I focus on clients who operate through dealer groups. I help manage their direct marketing campaigns and provide marketing support for dealers. We also work on print ads, events coordination and setup, and we’re always bringing new ideas to clients,” Chris says.

“I have also worked on Big Bikes & Little Tykes, a motorcycle ride benefitting the children of Nokomis Child Care.”

Chris with his nephew Devin, lucky little tyke.

Chris with his nephew Devin, lucky little tyke.

Wheely great event

“Right now, I’m working on the Ride the Red project, which is Saturday, September 15 in Fargo-Moorhead. It’s a bicycle ride along the Red River to benefit Hospice of the Red River Valley,” Chris says.

A new team member on November 10

Chris spends most evenings with his fiancée, Jennifer Austing. “Jenn and I make supper together, then relax and work on wedding plans. I’m making the invitations, programs and other elements. Next up are the wine bottle labels for our big day, which is November 10 of this year.”

Follow their engagement and wedding plans here.

Chris and his #1 teammate, Jenn.

Chris and his #1 teammate, Jenn.

Road games

“We spend nearly every weekend traveling to visit our family members, which is always worth the miles,” Chris says. “Jenn and I made it to a Twins game this summer, which was awesome and we hope to make that an annual event. Otherwise, we catch them on TV when we can.”

Thankfully, Chris and Jenn will be celebrating in November (since the Twins won't be celebrating much).

Thankfully, Chris and Jenn will be celebrating in November (since the Twins won't be celebrating much).

I have always enjoyed playing sports: basketball, football, track and field when I was in high school. Nowdays, I am more interested basketball, volleyball and softball. I do wish I had more time for sports, but I maximize what I can do. Having a full-time job is definitely different than being in college. You have to really prioritize and manage your time,” Chris explains.

Go for it, Chris. We’ve got your back!

Connect with Chris on Twitter and LinkedIn

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Chris!

What’s your dream job? I am not sure exactly what that is yet, but I’m pretty sure that I am on the right path.

Which job would you not want to have? I would definitely not want to be the guy who cleans out Porta-Pottys. I can’t imagine that being enjoyable.

What was your first job? My first job was at my high school during the summers as a technology assistant. I helped update, move, clean and maintain our school’s computers and network. I also helped distribute the staff orders for the upcoming school year.

What did it teach you?  It taught me that there are a lot of things that need to go right behind the scenes to make things work the way they should.

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? If I had the time, patience and an actual guitar…it would be playing guitar.

What’s the best advice you ever got? In high school football we had mottos like, “Believe and Achieve” and “Impossible is Nothing.” Those were a big part of the best advice I’ve received. Through those mottos, our coach continuously told us that we could do anything we put our minds to, no matter what other people thought or what the opposition looked like.

What sound do you love?  A baby’s laugh…it always makes you smile and laugh.

What scent do you love? Fresh-cut grass

How Adam lives a fuller life (hint: he starts at 5:30 a.m.)

By Elizabeth Hansen, August 24, 2012

Food. Fitness. Two common themes for Flint Group employees and clients. One of our employees even ramps up the combination to CrossFit workouts and Paleo eating. Check out a typical day for Adam Fuller,  Account Coordinator in our Fargo office:

Dawn-breaking starts

“I do my CrossFit workouts with another trainer at 5:45 a.m., Monday through Friday,” Adam says. “Morning workouts really wake me up for the day and give me a lot of energy when I am at work. I continue to develop team building skills during CrossFit that helps me work with other athletes and that carries over to the office and being adaptable,” he explains.

Wild Knights, too

After coordinating projects for our clients during the day, Adam works most evenings as a CrossFit Trainer in Fargo at Wild Knights CrossFit.

We caught Adam in between a CrossFit workout and a Paleo meal.

We caught Adam in between a CrossFit workout and a Paleo meal.

“I train and coach at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every day after work and Saturday mornings. I put in about 15 hours of training for myself and 15 hours of coaching each week.

“I was introduced to CrossFit in Canton, Georgia, where I entered a fitness competition. After placing second in Georgia, I decided to get a little more involved in coaching and training. I started training with friends but then was asked to join a local gym as a trainer. One of the best parts about CrossFit is the community; I get to work out daily with my girl friend, best friend and a group of amazing athletes.”

Adam in action during a CrossFit workout.

Adam in action during a CrossFit workout.

30 hours of workouts make a guy hungry

CrossFit is a fitness training program of constantly varied exercises and movements, all focused on improving each person’s overall functional skills. Typical workouts are very intense, so it’s no wonder Adam also spends a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking with friends and focused on Paleo eating.

Adam whipped up these Paleo Tacos with Jicama Shells.

Adam whipped up these Paleo Tacos with Jicama Shells.

Get this Paleo Tacos with Jicama Shells recipe.

What time is it?

Fifteen minutes can change your life. Here’s how it did for Adam:

His Paleo eating interest was sparked by a game-changer trip to Colorado. Adam recalls: “My friend and I drove all through the night to get to Colorado at 6 a.m. We couldn’t stop long and we knew we were coming down to the wire after 15 hours of driving. As we drove past Denver and my co-pilot was completely spent from his last driving shift, I realized we weren’t going to make it in time.

“We showed up to the competition 45 minutes late. I was bummed to have missed a competition after driving all this way, but I could get in my own workout. As I walked in to the gym, I realized I hadn’t figured in the time change.

“We weren’t 45 minutes late. We were 15 minutes early.

“I quickly warmed up and assumed my starting position. After the 3, 2, 1…Go, we were off. This workout involved a series of running, kettle bell swings and pull-ups. After a few rounds I quickly realized why I felt so out of shape: the long drive, time change and 6,000 feet of additional elevation.

“Even so, I placed second,” Adam says. “Some of the guys there were talking about Paleo and how it’s a great fuel for CrossFit.”

Earlier this year, as our intern (he’s now a full-time associate), Adam chronicled his CrossFit and Paleo experiences for one of our clients, SunButter. See Adam’s 30 Day Paleo Challenge blog post.

Next up: Super Bowl of CrossFit

“I am currently training for a couple competitions in the fall in Canton, Georgia; Boulder, Colorado; and St. Cloud, Minnesota, but the biggest competition is in February where athletes compete around the world in 10 events over 10 weeks to qualify for regionals and then the “Super Bowl” of CrossFit, The CrossFit Games.

As he says,” “I really enjoy changing lives in the areas of fitness and nutrition because it allows me to be with people,” Adam says. “Food and fitness are more enjoyable when you are in a positive community.”

Sounds like a full life to us, Adam. Just remember to re-set your watch, huh?

AdamFuller-152FB1-300x200

Get fit and fed

See Adam’s latest Paleo cooking and CrossFit experiences when you connect with him on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Adam!

What’s your dream job? Part owner of CrossFit Gym/Paleo Restaurant combo

Which job would you not want to have? One that confines me to a desk with no windows for long hours in the day; I’m built to be outside.

What was your first job? Sales Associate at Best Buy

What did it teach you? Ask lots of question to get to know someone. Once you know more about someone you can better serve his or her needs.

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? Cooking with different foods or yoga.

What’s the best advice you ever got? Be more interested then interesting because people want to know how much you care before they will care how much you know.

What sound do you love? Stillness, the sounds you get when you are 20 miles outside of town with no cars, cell phones, or internet. Nothing to beep, ring or break the peacefulness.

What scent do you love? Grilling on a charcoal grill

Hello, Officer Nielsen. Meet our Time Sheet Cop.

By Elizabeth Hansen, July 27, 2012

You know those people who just seem to accomplish more at work. And at play? In our organization, one of those people is Tami Nielsen, Accountant based in our Fargo office. Most Flint Group associates know her as the “Time Sheet Cop.” Since our “product” is our time spent on client projects, we must carefully track the time we spend on behalf of each client. Tami holds us accountable so our billing is accurate. That diplomatic energy also fuels her away from the office.

Tami with her husband, Tim.

Tami with her husband, Tim.

Tami’s other hats

Depending on the day, she’s processing any and all of these at one time:

- Billing for SimmonsFlint, Media Productions, Prime Contact and her share of Flint Communications

- Payables for SimmonsFlint, Media Productions and Prime Contact

- Media payables for SimmonsFlint, Prime Contact and Flint Communications

- Month-end reporting

“Plus,” she says. “Keeping my desk clean and creating whatever reports our account executives need for our clients.”

Tim and Tami are also active in the Northern Lights Corvette Club. That’s their ride, first car on the left..

Tim and Tami are also active in the Northern Lights Corvette Club. That’s their ride, first car on the left..

Evenings and weekends, Tami’s involved in any and all of these—also often at the same time:

-        A round of golf on weekends; “Besides our Fargo area golf courses, Tim and I usually spend a summer weekend in Bismarck, golfing at Hawk Tree, too.”

-        Movie night at home

-        Cooking homemade lasagna; “I make the kind with ricotta, and where you don’t cook the noodles first. I like mushrooms, but no one else does, so I make it without.”

-        Baking something sweet

-        A nice glass of wine or mug of beer; Hey, she needs the wine corks and labels:

Tami creates jewelry out of wine corks and picture frames out of wine labels.This is her boutique display for sales.

Tami creates jewelry out of wine corks and picture frames out of wine labels.This is her boutique display for sales.

Guam, Minot, West Fargo and beyond

Tami has two grown children, including Ben, who is now stationed in Guam, serving in the U.S. Air Force. His wife and their children are in Minot. Tami’s daughter Tracy is in West Fargo with two boys. Tami and Tim also have a son, Parker, who is now 12 years old. Parker and two of Tami’s grandchildren have Asperger’s syndrome.

“I’m very focused on learning more about Asperger’s and autism,” Tami says. “Someone needs to be an advocate for our son. Everything I learn will help him better succeed in life.”

Current focus: Fargo Autism Ride

“Last year was our first year of knowing about Parker’s Asperger’s syndrome and we took part in the Bike/Vette ride. It was so much fun!” Tami says.

This year, she’s co-chairing the event. It’s a rally/fundraiser to bring people together and raise awareness for Autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

With Tami working on the event, we’re proud to guarantee it will be a success!

Get to a Flintster: Q + A with Tami!

What’s your dream job? Coordinating volunteers for a worthy cause

Which job would you not want to have? A weekend job

What was your first job? McDonalds

What did it teach you? I really could function on less than 6 hours of sleep as a teenager

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? Piano; I wish I would have continued after three years.

What’s the best advice you ever got? “Sometimes you have to do things you don’t always enjoy, since it’s for someone else.”

What sound do you love? Waves crashing on the beach, especially in Ixtapa, Mexico

What scent do you love? Coconut

A house without a kitchen would suit our Robin just fine. Wine rack required, however.

By Elizabeth Hansen, July 13, 2012

“If I could build a house with no kitchen, I would,” says Robin Bjerken, who works in our accounting office. “Grilled cheese and tomato soup is fine with me. Plus a glass or red wine each evening.”

Robin

Keeping it simple even as things get complicated

Robin, who has worked in our Fargo office since 1988, has also helped the agency grow from one office with a total of 20 employees to the Flint Group, which now includes 10 offices in two countries and nearly 100 total employees.

“When I started, I shared a huge desktop computer with another employee. We took turns using it for accounts payable, time entry, billing and other accounting duties. We also had a trusty typewriter,” Robin recalls.

“Even at that time, taking care of the finances of our agency was much more than simple bookkeeping, and it’s just become more intricate as the agency group has grown,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed being part of all the changes, and have tried to keep the billing and other parts simple and understandable for our employees and especially our clients.”

More time for her favorite boys

No preparation, cooking, baking or clean up leaves Robin more time to spend cheering on the Minnesota Twins (Josh Willingham is her current favorite player, and she gets to Target Field at least once a season). Robin also has more time for her grandson, Jacob, who is now two.

Robin's grandson Jacob.

Robin's grandson Jacob.

With their two sons now grown, Robin and her husband, Jim, also have more time for their two dogs. Both are Weimaraners, but only Pete is designated “naughty.” Robin takes them on long daily walks, since they require exercise and she enjoys the time outside.

Meet Molly, now 11.

Meet Molly, now 11.

Pete doesn't look so naughty, does he?

Pete doesn't look so naughty, does he?

Keeping things simple at our offices and at her home has served Robin very well. We’re grateful for her quiet presence—and frequent tales of Pete’s escapades.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Robin!

What’s your dream job? Manage a kennel for rescue dogs

What was your first job? Waitress at A & W Restaurant in my hometown of Milbank, S.D.

What did it teach you? That’s a job I don’t want to have

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? Piano

What sound do you love? Quiet

What scent do you love? Rain

Who’s behind that bouquet? Shotwell Floral shines on TV

By Sarah Olsgaard, July 10, 2012

Bloom where you’re planted. That advice has served Fargo’s Shotwell Floral very well for decades.

The real secret? Expert staff members.

This family-owned and operated floral shop, gardening center and home decorating store has staff members who provide personalized:
- Advice on how to arrange a bouquet of flowers
- Guidance on what to plant where in beds, baskets and yards
- Gardening advice
- Tips on home decorating and gift giving

As part of Shotwell Floral’s ongoing “A Little Brighter” campaign, our Fargo office recently created a new TV commercial to highlight these floral experts.

Staff members are also featured on Shotwell Floral’s Facebook page.

The overarching “A Little Brighter” campaign also includes radio commercials, print ads, Facebook messaging and email newsletters. All to keep Shotwell Floral blooming where it’s planted!

Learn the secret to success (it isn’t what you may think)

By Elizabeth Hansen, June 29, 2012

Clear communications are a bit of an art. Especially now, with multiple avenues of getting the word out, people who can convey the right information are valuable. So we’re thrilled to have John Hagen, Account Coordinator in our Fargo office, on our team.

John communicates with clients and publications about regional advertisements specifications, availability and rates. He schedules and prepares regional magazine advertisements, and he works specialized vendors to purchase lists for direct mailings. With tight deadlines and strict budgets, it can be a delicate balance, yet John navigates the details successfully.

The secret? Surround yourself with people who also make it enjoyable.

As John says: “People who make work fun also allow me to ask questions and learn things I might not have otherwise known. When work is hard and busy, it’s easier to get things done if I’m able to make it somewhat enjoyable with my coworkers.”

It’s not what you do

That same spirit serves John well away from work, too.

“I am involved with my church, helping out with children’s ministry on Wednesday nights during the school year and part of bible study groups,” John says. “I enjoy music and theater. If there’s a concert or performance in town, I try to see it. I play board games, watch movies, fish or just visit with friends and my girlfriend.”

Making lame activities fun

“I enjoy being around people that I care about. It’s more about who I’m with rather than what we’re doing.  I enjoy doing new and different activities, and I like to do them with people who make them fun. The lamest activity can be fun if you’re with the right people,” John says.

“For example, one summer, before all my sisters got married, we took a family camping trip to Minnesota’s North Shore. The sights and activities were great, but the main thing I remember is how my family and I were able to make the entire trip enjoyable. It didn’t matter if we were crammed in the hot car or hiking with bugs everywhere. We took dumb pictures, made dumb jokes and told dumb stories. It was the best trip ever.”

Jump

See? The secret is who you’re with. The success follows.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with John!

What’s your dream job? I’ve always wanted to work at a record company.

Which job would you not want to have? Fast food restaurant employee

What was your first job? Strawberry picker

What did it teach you? Any job can be fun, if you make it fun.

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? An instrument

What’s the best advice you ever got? You are in control of your own attitude.

What sound do you love? Nature (birds, crickets, wind, etc.)

What scent do you love? Cucumber

Inside addition with Emily and her “blanket addiction”

By Elizabeth Hansen, June 15, 2012

There is an area of our agency group that requires a more methodical, organized approach (hint: it’s not the creative department). Thankfully, our Accounting department is staffed by talented people who are driven by attention to details within processes.

Based in our Fargo office, Accounting Assistant Emily Deal focuses on accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, month-end reporting and balancing, processing postage and other expenses. She even admits her dream job is “counting money. All day, every day.” Perfect fit!

Emily with Kinley

Emily with her niece Kinley

Away from the office, Emily spends nearly every evening at her sister’s home, enjoying time with her sister, brother-in-law and  nephew Griffin, age 3, and one-year-old niece Kinley. Emily also spends some weekend time with them, or at her mom’s home in Lisbon, N.D.

Emily with her nephew Griffen

Emily with her nephew Griffen

Hi, Griffen!

Hi, Griffen!

Stitches in time

“My mom and I make quilts together,” Emily explains. “It’s good bonding time. She and I each have our own duties. I find the pattern, and she makes the fabric cuts. She sews; I iron. We have a system down.   The best part is seeing the progress as each strip is made into a square, into a row, into a quilt.”

One of Emily and her mom’s recent quilting creations.

One of Emily and her mom’s recent quilting creations.

A “thing” for blankets

Emily admits: “I have a thing with blankets; You can never have too many! My mom made me my first quilt blanket for Christmas 1998. Ever since then, I’ve kept an eye out for fabric, and I’m always planning our next quilt.”

Now entering the “no quilting” zone

“We make an average of three quilts a year,” Emily says. ”Once the snow melts, it’s a no quilt zone, since my mom would rather spend days and evenings outside in her garden. Most of our quilts are made from January through March!”

“Quilt” a welcome

“Two of the most special quilts we have created were ‘welcome to our family’ creations. See, 37 years ago, my aunt gave a son up for adoption. This last Christmas, he made contact with her and they reconnected. My mom and I could not think of a better gift to welcome him to the family than a quilt.  We made my new-found cousin and my aunt matching quilts!”

An accounting assistant with heart: that’s why we so appreciate Emily on our team!

Get to know a Flintster: Q & A with Emily!

What’s your dream job? Counting money.  All day, every day.

Which job would you not want to have? Road construction sign holder.

What was your first job? Parts Runner for my dad’s conveyor company.

What did it teach you? Working for my dad taught me a strong work ethic, team work, and independence.

What sounds do you love? Griffin’s and Kinley’s belly laughs.

What scents do you love? Coffee shops and flower shops.

We keep good company

By Sarah Olsgaard, May 22, 2012

Congratulations to the ChamberChoice Awards winners, honored by The Chamber of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo in an event last week.

Paul von Ebers, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota, accepting his company's award.

Paul von Ebers, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota, accepting his company's award.

The ChamberChoice Awards recognize organizations with outstanding business growth, innovation, creativity, community involvement and unique achievements related to a specific business or industry. A panel of independent judges from the regional business community selects the winners from several finalists in each category.

Our staff members work alongside staff members from many of the nominated organizations, serving on various committees, economic development initiatives and pro-bono projects.

We’ve long recognized these businesses’ growth, leadership and innovation, and now others do, too!

Brian Hayer, left, President and CEO, and Denise Magness, Executive Vice President and COO, both from Warner & Company Insurance, accepting the award for Business of the Year.

Brian Hayer, left, President and CEO, and Denise Magness, Executive Vice President and COO, both from Warner & Company Insurance, accepting the award for Business of the Year.

The full list of this year’s winners, including several Flint Group clients, are:

Business of the Year: Warner and Company Insurance - We provide various marketing communications, public relations and interactive services to this Fargo-based company.

Young Professionals Best Place to Work: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota - We provide full-service marketing communications and interactive planning and implementation for this Fargo-based company.

Small Not-For-Profit of the Year:
 Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. – We created marketing materials for this organization a few years ago.

Not-For-Profit of the Year:
 United Blood Services, Fargo - We’ve completed video production for this organization.

Entrepreneur of the Year:
 Barry Batcheller, Appareo - We’ve worked on various projects with Barry and his company.

Small Business of the YearOnsharp

All our best to all the winners for continued success!

Catch up with our Client Services Veep

By Elizabeth Hansen, May 18, 2012

There’s never a dull moment or a repetitive day for Jodi Duncan, Vice President of Client Services in our Fargo office. And that’s just the way she likes it.

“I spend a good portion of my day problem-solving with clients and with employees. I love the variety in my job, which includes writing strategy and proposals, visiting with clients, analyzing data and making recommendations, plus working on different internal management and planning projects,” Jodi explains.

The best part? “I have a rock-solid team that I swear has dedicated themselves to trying to make me look good!”

Jodi admits: “I am addicted to work. I love it and I think about it all the time. I have the perfect job for me, since there’s always something going on, always some crazy deadline and lots of excitement.”

Lights, camera, backstage

Away from office, the excitement continues. Jodi and her husband have two very involved teenage daughters. One is active in high school theatre and music; the other is a track and cross-country runner. Away from the theatre, track, cross-country courses and school, the girls and their friends hang out at their preferred venue: Jodi’s home. She says with a smile: “We have teenagers at our house all the time!”

Jodi's daughter, McKenzie, as Tracy Turnblad, center stage in Hairspray.

Jodi's daughter, McKenzie, as Tracy Turnblad, center stage in Hairspray.

“Theatre is a whole new world for me and I love every second of it! Parent involvement and support is critical to the arts and it’s thrilling to watch our daughter and her friends grow as artists and performers,” Jodi says.  “We believe that all kids need to be involved in something. It helps them stay out of trouble and teaches them valuable life lessons. Too many parents leave the participation to others.  They miss out on some incredible experiences with their children.”

Jodi's daughter, Allison (in the Team Ian t-shirt), on the go.

Jodi's daughter, Allison (in the Team Ian t-shirt), on the go.

Speaking of experiences with kids, Jodi does run with their other daughter. Jodi recalls: “The first race I ran with her, after about half a mile, I said ‘you go ahead.’ She finished the race about 15 minutes before I did!”

Jodi and Allison, ready for a race.

Jodi and Allison, ready for a race.

Lace ‘em up (at 5:08 a.m.)

To add focus to her days, Jodi’s personal activity is running. “Running helps me clear my mind,” she says. “I run almost every morning at 5:08 a.m. It keeps me stress-free, and my family and co-workers notice if I skip a run. They’ll say: ‘Apparently you need to go for a run,’ which is a good indication that I’m acting crabby or stressed.”

Leg warmers to running shoes

“I run with one of my friends,” Jodi says. “We actually taught aerobics together for more than 20 years. Then, she talked me into running a half marathon. She loves to race, and I love to train, so we are a pretty good team. For our first half marathon, the weather was horrible, cold and windy, and we suffered through it together and were elated when we finished. It was such a rush. Since then, we’ve run many races. Last year, during a half marathon, we got separated at about 10 miles, met up when we finished and were pretty much non-emotional,” Jodi says with her wry smile.

“It’s easy to get complacent. You need to keep things interesting and push yourself to new levels.” Well put, veep. Well put.

Connect with Jodi on LinkedIn

Additional Questions

What’s your dream job? This

Which job would you not want to have? Working outside in extreme hot or extreme cold.

What was your first job? Cooking hotdogs at my dad’s car auctions

What did it teach you? That I HATE boiled hotdogs

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? Golf. I’m really bad at it.

What’s the best advice you ever got? Don’t cry at work. My dad went to great lengths to teach me this lesson!

What sound do you love? Kids loud voices in the middle of the night in our family room. I have a great appreciation for knowing where my teenagers are.

What scent do you love? Citrus

Campaigns win new customers and District ADDY Awards

By Sarah Olsgaard, May 8, 2012

We’re most proud when our work helps our clients grow. Earning a little hardware for our clients in awards competitions always makes us smile, too.

Most recently, Flint Group client campaigns won American Advertising Federation (AAF) ADDY® Awards at the AAF District 8 awards competition, held in Minneapolis. To earn the right to compete at the District level, the campaigns earlier won Gold Awards at the AAF of North Dakota annual competition.

The ADDY Awards are the world’s largest advertising competition, recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. The Flint Group has participated in ADDY’s for decades, and we do appreciate the recognition of our creativity from our industry peers.

Chalk up a Gold winner

West Acres regional shopping center won a Gold Award in the Interactive Media category for its chalkboard barricade graphic.  Last summer, West Acres food court had a vacant space to fill. To get visitors’ suggestions quite literally, we helped create a series of crowdsourcing tactics centered on a chalkboard in the food court area.

Just one day of visitors' ideas for a new restaurant in West Acres.

Just one day of visitors' ideas for a new restaurant in West Acres.

The artwork asked people what restaurant they’d like to see in the space. It went live and filled up in less than two hours. After recording the suggestions, West Acres staff members erased the chalkboard each night, leaving people a clean slate for fresh ideas the next day.

West Acres also reached out to its Facebook fans, crowdsourcing the same question. The winner: Qdoba Mexican Grill, which opened in time for Black Friday shoppers!

Get off the grid and win Silver

WoodMaster won a Silver Award in the Interactive Media category for online banner ads promoting the company’s latest energy efficient furnaces. Here are screen grabs of the flash ads in order of how they appear:

Frame 1 of WoodMaster flash banner ads that won District Silver ADDY

FRAME 2 of WoodMaster flash ads that won District Silver ADDY

FRAME 3 of WoodMaster flash ads that won District Silver ADDY

FRAME 4 of WoodMaster flash ads that won District Silver ADDY

The headlines relate to independence, since people who heat their homes with WoodMaster furnaces, are free of oil shortages, nuclear meltdowns, power outages and just about everything else that makes front page news. We tagged the WoodMaster logo with UnPlug, because it further conveys that sense of independence.

Ads link to the re-designed WoodMaster website and its gritty, outdoorsy and independent look and feel:

WoodMaster's website home page

WoodMaster's website home page

Both campaigns now move on to compete at the National AAF ADDY’s competition, set for June 5 in Austin, Texas. Good luck, ya’ll!