OK, I’ll admit it, my office is usually on the messy side. I wouldn’t go as far (and you shouldn’t either) to call me a “Hoarder,” but I’ve definitely acquired my fair share of chotchkies and client memorabilia during my client services career. While some may look at my collection as junk, each item (or at least most of them) has a story to tell.

1. Briefcase Business Card Holder: My Aunt Joann gave me the world’s smalls briefcase as a college graduation gift, and it’s been with me ever since. It’s proven to be a great conversation piece.

2. Kenny: “Oh My God, They Killed Kenny” is an iconic line from the Comedy Central animated series South Park, which was one of my favorite shows in college. I also had my first internship at Comedy Central in New York. It was there I found my passion for public relations and marketing. The first official press release I ever wrote was for a series of network interstitials featuring a (I can’t remember her name) Canadian comedian.

3. Good Neigh-Bear: State Farm was one of the first national clients I worked on in Chicago. My furry friend is just one of the many client “gifts” I still carry with me. If any one is in need of branded magnets, I have plenty.

4. Squeezable Coors Light Cans: One of the most exciting days of my early professional career, was when I was told I was going to work on the Coors Brewing Company account. Before becoming a craft beer snob (of sorts), Coors Light was actually my beer of choice. One of my favorite experiences working on the account was when I got a behind the scenes tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden, Co. Drinking two-second old beer was quite an experience for this beer lover.

5. The Singing Bass Plaque: No story there. Someone put it in my office during my first week at Willow, and I haven’t had the energy to toss it or will it to one of Willow’s newer team members.

6. Trade Show Name Badges: During the past nine years, I’ve attended countless trade shows and conferences spanning dozens of industries. I reviewed specs for new roller coaster designs at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, learned the ins and outs of trucking at the Mid-America Truck Show and attended Fraternity gatherings for national women’s organizations where I’ve been one of (less than) five men in sea of women. I’ve done my best to hold onto all my name badges in order to keep track of where I’ve been. Luckily, when I started at Willow, I received a man’s bust as a welcome gift, which has provided be an ideal location to hold and display my name badges. Sure he has neck pain, but he gets by.

My collecting has slowed down in recent years, but I doubt it will ever stop. Trust me, I’ve tried.

——

Missed any of our posts this week? Be sure to check out the Weekly Wrap Up below for our industry insight and brain power.

Marketing 101: QR Codes Here, QR Codes There, QR Codes are Everywhere!
Let’s Chat: What Web Browser Do You Use and Why?
In Marketing News: Throw It Against the Wall and See What Sticks
Pin Busters: Who’s Up For a Challenge?

What do you do at Willow?
I am the public relations coordinator so I will be doing anything related to PR, media relations and social media.

How long have you worked at Willow?
Two weeks.

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

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pepperoni, definitely.

What was your first pet’s name?
A black and orange cat named Spooky.

What was your favorite subject in school?
English

What was your first job?
I grew up on my family’s farm in Cloverdale, IN and at the time my dad was raising pigs so I helped a lot with the swine operation all through high school.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
Tough choice – probably Pirates of the Caribbean.

If you were a super hero, what would your super power be?
Teleporting – it would be so nice to not have to factor in driving times!

What drew you into the marketing business?
Consumer behavior in general interested me at first – public relations ties right into those same ideas. Helping companies interact directly with their customers, whether it’s announcing a new product or crisis communications, I was hooked.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Lucky. Spontaneous with a plan.

If you could be one animal, what would it be and why?
A bear. I would love to hibernate all winter and have someone wake me up when it’s spring.

Frozen custard or ice cream?
Ice cream, specifically Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked – it’s amazing.

How do you eat an Oreo?
I don’t like Oreos.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
On a boat cruising from tropical place to tropical place with my favorite people.

Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre and why?
A little more than half way back, right in the middle of the aisle. I like to be in the center, preferably with no one in the seat in front of me, but you can’t win them all.

What’s in the trunk of your vehicle at this moment?
An umbrella, a snow scraper and an apartment finder book.

What’s on your desk at work?
My laptop, phone, calendar, AP Stylebook, a lamp, notebook, folders, pen, glass of water and a Diet Coke – oh, and most importantly, my to-do list.

What’s your favorite part of working at Willow?
Definitely the people. It’s great to come to work with creative, fun and successful personalities everyday.

What’s your favorite Indy restaurant?
I’m not picky – right now I’m really into the Broad Ripple restaurants with an outside seating atmosphere.

What do you do at Willow?
I am a Traffic Coordinator

How long have you worked at Willow?
A little under 4 months

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fashion designer… or a professional closet organizer, but I might still want to be that today.

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pepperoni!

What was your first pet’s name?
Maddie

What was your favorite subject in school?
Either English or Science

What was your first job?
I was a Party Host at Party Safari… I basically organized birthday parties for little kids.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
That’s a tough one… Either Remember the Titans or Dirty Dancing

If you were a super hero, what would your super power be?
Flying, of course!

What drew you into the marketing business?
The creativity of it, without a doubt

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Caring, hard-working, motivated, silly and funny

If you could be one animal, what would it be and why?
Probably a dolphin because I would love to live in the ocean, and people aren’t normally afraid of them!

Frozen custard or ice cream?
Ice cream… Vanilla with chocolate syrup!

How do you eat an Oreo?
I just bite right into it, but a huge glass of milk with it is a must-have.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Florida! That’s part of why I chose my icon as a Palm Tree.

Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre and why?
In the middle section, near the middle of the row. I like to be near the center of the screen.

What’s in the trunk of your vehicle at this moment?
Some empty boxes and an emergency kit that my dad gave me.

What’s on your desk at work?
Some pink sparkly pen organizers, a stack of papers, coffee cup, water and an empty bowl (candy was once inside it).

What’s your favorite part of working at Willow?
Definitely the people. I love being able to work with such creative, smart individuals.

What’s your favorite Indy restaurant?
Hmm… Anywhere that’s either Mexican or Italian.

With a day of play of course!

For an anniversary, most people would have just ordered a cake and sent a nice card, but at Willow Marketing we do things a little differently. The day began with the Willow staff receiving bright red hoodies emblazoned with the Willow 20^th anniversary logo.  Decked out in our bright apparel, the staff boarded a party bus for destinations unknown. The first stop on the tour was to pick-up our fearless leader, Brad Gillum, who was genuinely surprised by a rush of red-hooded shrubs.

As the bus tour unfolded, it became apparent that we were visiting landmark locations in Willow’s history. We stopped at all four previous office locations, Butler University and a scavenger hunt at Lowe’s.  In all, we hit 20 destinations. We mugged with clients, posed for pictures and had great fun hearing how each unique location played a part in who Willow is today.

The day’s events were capped off with a surprise party featuring home-brewed Willow branded beer. The mayor’s office presented Brad with a certificate in recognition of Willow’s 20 years of achievement. Anniversary wishes were expressed by numerous clients, partners and friends that have made Willow’s first 20 years great!

What do you do at Willow?
I help out anyone who needs help. I act as a fresh set of eyes as I’m still learning about what Willow is and how we do things.

How long have you worked at Willow?
Since after Memorial Day of this year (nine days).

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed yearly, but definitely an archaeologist, a veterinarian and a pediatrician, until I realized that I really didn’t like science courses.

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Spinach or sun-dried tomatoes.

What was your first pet’s name?
Bud, short for Budweiser. (My dad named him!)

What was your favorite subject in school?
Spanish & Media Arts (photography) in high school.

What was your first job?
Camp counselor with Willow’s very own video wiz, Doug Fredbeck.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
Titanic!

If you were a super hero, what would your super power be?
I would love to be able to apparate like they do in Harry Potter, which is thinking of a place, and BAM you’re there.

What drew you into the marketing business?
People. And why do people like what they like? Buy what they buy? Support the causes they support? You have to get in their heads and that’s a fun challenge.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
I walk really, really fast.

If you could be one animal, what would it be and why?
A dolphin. They are so strong and smart and live in beautiful places.

Frozen custard or ice cream?
Neither. I prefer salty over sweet.

How do you eat an Oreo?
I mainly just try to not get them stuck in my teeth!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
London.

Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre and why?
Midway up, middle. Because it’s the best view! (Very practical)

What’s in the trunk of your vehicle at this moment?
Running shoes, random books, swimsuits, jumper cables and an ice scraper.

What’s on your desk at work?
I haven’t had a chance to make my desk my own, but if I make it anything like my desk in college… photos photos photos and few magazine pullouts of my favorite athletes/musicians.

What’s your favorite part of working at Willow?
I’m never sure what new job is going to be thrown my way!

What’s your favorite Indy restaurant?
Anything in Broad Ripple or downtown with outside seating – the ambiance and people I’m with are more important than the food!