Rumor has it, Apple is releasing an iPad mini by the end of 2011. According to China’s Economic Daily News newspaper, Apple is planning to come out with a 7-inch iPad. This newspaper has had a pretty good track record when it comes to rumors, considering that they were spot on in reporting specs and schedule for the launch of Apple’s original iPad months before anyone else (which makes sense seeing that Apple’s products are manufactured in China). You can read the entire article here.

I will admit though, that when the iPad was first announced, I was one of the naysayers, referring to it as the iShaq etc. But after playing with it, and exploring the endless possibilities it offers, I have to admit that if you walk into my office, you will see one lying on my desk. (Brad graciously supplied the web team with an iPad for testing and developmental purposes).

We are planning on using it as a mobile portfolio, a way for our Account Associates to showcase our work – even when Internet access is not available – by storing videos, pictures and even slideshows directly on the iPad. But there are so many other uses!

During a geeky discussion with Brad one day, he mentioned that it would be a huge benefit to the medical field. Imagine walking into a doctor’s office with your iPad. His iPad registers that your iPad is within a certain range, and in an instant your entire medical history is transferred from your iPad to his. He does his checkup, makes a couple of notes, and your file is updated again with the latest information, so that when you go see a specialist, he can access it via his iPad and so forth. All with strict security protocols of course. Fascinating stuff!

What technological, life-changing advances do you think could be made with the iPad?

What do you do at Willow?
Administrative Assistant

How long have you worked at Willow?
4 years

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A nurse

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pepperoni/mushroom

What was your first pet’s name?
A Sheltie named Tam

What was your favorite subject in school?
Spelling

What was your first job?
Fountain waitress in a drug store

What is your favorite movie of all time?
Under the Tuscan Sun

If you were a super hero, what would your super power be?
Super strength

What drew you into the marketing business?
A job need brought me here.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Reliable, easy-going, happy, non-judgmental, independent

If you could be one animal, what would it be and why?
A dog belonging to one of my daughters because I would be treated like royalty.

Frozen custard or ice cream?
Ice Cream

How do you eat an Oreo?
Don’t break it apart

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Paris (part-time)

Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre and why?
Upper level – aisle seat – fast exit

What’s in the trunk of your vehicle at this moment?
Folding chair to sit out at grandkids soccer games

What’s on your desk at work?
Papers, folders, computer, papers, pictures, papers, phone, papers

What’s your favorite part of working at Willow?
The people and the variety of my daily jobs

What’s your favorite Indy restaurant?
Petite Chou

Right now, my favorite television commercial is the Geico “wee wee wee, all the home” spot that shows a pig, hanging out the window of a minivan screaming “wee” and holding pinwheels while the vehicle drives down the road.  It makes me laugh every time I see it. Now, I’m not sure if it is a great commercial, but it certainly grabs my attention.

Why? Because it’s unexpected. It’s memorable. That’s a big part of what we strive to interject into our work. To make it different from anything else, make it memorable and attention getting. Rarely do we have the budget the size that Geico had to create the whirligig-holding swine commercial, but the basic idea is still part of our work. Whether it’s a clever headline, an arresting image or a striking graphic treatment it’s all done to grab your attention. And that’s our job, to make you stand out from the crowd. To be seen and heard.

American Marketing Association, Indianapolis Chapter
Rebranding, Strategic Planning, Campaign Development and Implementation
Indianapolis, IN

Client Profile:
The American Marketing Association (AMA) is the largest marketing association in North America. It is a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing worldwide. It is also the source that marketers turn to every day for information/resources, education/training and professional networking. AMA members are connected to a network of experienced marketers over 30,000 strong and include leading marketing academics, researchers and practitioners from every industry.

Business Challenges:
To create a brand that better represented the benefits of the organization and create a more dynamic website that was more interactive with members and member prospects including the implementation of a blog. The website needed to be able to be quickly updated with events, news, photos and other information by someone without html knowledge.

Willow Marketing Solution:
We began by designing three website options that conveyed a more professional, fun, and dynamic feel than the existing site. The website designs were then shared with the Indianapolis Chapter board members.

Once a concept was approved, we began the programming and implementation of the site. We chose to utilize the WordPress content management system so that all content could easily be updated by someone without knowledge of html.

Indy AMA Website Design

Once the branding was approved, we carried it into postcards, enewsletters, PowerPoint template, pop-up display and email blasts. We also produced and edited a video which showed current members and board members talking about why they joined the organization and why someone should join.

Indy AMA Postcards

The website was overhauled with a rich, clean look that promotes usability and function. The site’s entire architecture was restructured to offer more user engagement. With these enhancements, the Indy AMA’s site traffic has increased 79% over last year.

Yesterday, the Creative Department took a little field trip to 100 Acres at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Why? Cause sometimes you just need to get out from behind the computer and sweat profusely while watching pregnant women curse you for taking them on a hike in near 100 degree weather. Perspiring babies aside, it’s always refreshing to get out and see different forms of creativity other than web sites, ads and commercials. Though at times, we got a Camp Crystal Lake vibe from the grounds(see picture below) and even lost our own web guru, Ed, at one point (it’s rumored a revving chainsaw was heard) it was still refreshing to be out in nature and experience art first hand.

What are some things outside of design that you do for creative refreshment? We’d love to hear ‘em.