Our Digital History is History

Posted June 11th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

In an article written by Lynne Brindley, the chief executive of the British Library, she makes a shocking assertion that in the future, the 21st century may just be a big black hole in our history.

With everyone storing their information online, we tend to casually delete any outdated information and upgrade with the new. So what happens to the old information? Does it disappear forever?

Lynne begins her article with a statement about the United States’ President website. Apparently, all old information on the site is erased forever when a new president comes into office:

“At the exact moment Barack Obama was inaugurated, all traces of President Bush vanished from the White House website, replaced by images of and speeches by his successor. Attached to the website had been a booklet entitled 100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration – they may never know them now. When the website changed, the link was broken and the booklet became unavailable.”

Whether or not this statement is entirely true, it makes me think about my personal history on the Web. I delete, rewrite, redesign, and reorganize my life on a monthly- sometimes weekly- basis without ever thinking about losing those memories. The social Web of today is an amazing diary of so many people’s lives- How do we store this history of the human personality in 21st century America? Will it continue to be destroyed, and ultimately forgotten in the future?

New Summer Intern!

Posted June 9th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Krista Duran Betz just started as our newest Intern at Myijve. Her graphic design background is an awesome fit with us and we’re so excited to have her here!

The 2008 AIGA Charlotte Portfolio Review was the first time the Myjive crew met Krista. As a young designer, she definitely impressed us with her unique talent and knowledge of design- A full year of experience later, we just couldn’t say no when she applied for our ’09 Summer Graphic Design Internship.

We are continuously looking to learn as much from Krista as she learns from us. The experience of exchanging information with a fresh set of eyes (on both ends) is an amazing opportunity that will evolve our entire team as a whole.

So, Krista- Welcome to the Jive! We’re excited to see where the next few months take us, and glad you’re on board!

Click Here to read more about Krista in the latest Membership Spotlight from AIGA Charlotte.

Pics from Ron’s CAMA Social Media Marketing Presentation

Posted March 23rd, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

If you missed the presentation, check out the slides @ blog link. Here are a few images captured at the event:

2009 Charlotte Addys!

Posted March 12th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Charlotte Ranked #7 for Young Professionals

Posted January 27th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals group, Engage Charlotte, recently had a discussion with The Charlotte Business Journal to determine why Charlotte ranks as the seventh-most-desirable market for young adults 18 to 34 years old among the country’s largest metro areas.  

The discussion includes the facts of Charlotte’s small business success, and our entrepreneurial spirit for innovation and growth. It’s a longer read, but gives great insight into Charlotte’s stride to the top! My favorite quote from the reading:

“Today consumers have more choices for products and services. In fact, nearly 50% of product sales are coming form products and services that are less than 2 years old. This requires companies to be continuously innovating and bringing new products to market. Does this innovation come from within a company or should a company look outside for innovation? Bringing new products and services to the market is about risk and reward. The costs can significant and therefore the rewards need to justify the investment. Innovation also needs to have a positive impact on brand, customer retention, and market share. The impact of not innovating could be detrimental.Once a company understands the importance of innovation, then they need to figure out how to innovate. Companies also need create a culture where innovation flourishes. A culture where risk is allowed. A culture where failure is not only acceptable, it is encouraged.”

To read the full discussion, visit the Charlotte Chamber’s website

To read the full article, visit the Charlotte Business Journal’s website

Imagine Charlotte in 2015

Posted January 27th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Crossroads Charlotte is asks the community to envision Charlotte, 2015. Playing at 6 locations on Tuesday, February 3rd, this creative outreach hopes to encourage civic action- now. You can reserve a seat for free by clicking the link below:

2009 Marketing Forecast

Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

The 2009 Marketing Forecast meeting, put on by the Charlotte American Marketing Association (CAMA), had a great turnout; with a crowd of top marketing executives in the area, this event proved to be and important look to the future.

Each panelist made important points about past success in the industry, and where the trends are going for 2009. You can view the podcast of this event, including an additional presentation, “Online Video Revolution” at CAMA’s Podcast.

Ron’s presentation:

Agency Words of Wisdom

Posted January 14th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Recently, our team was enlightened by a well-known developer in West Michigan, Jim Reminga, about the true meaning of a client-serving business. Sure, we all want to blow every other competitor’s business out of the water when it comes to presentation, but where does the real glory come from? 

Here’s Jim’s view:

“Design+ [Jim's first architecture firm in MI] decided to take a unique approach to the very first interview we had with a prospective client.  We prepared a conceptual analysis of the project, assumed a program and created a few conceptual solutions. We told them we were going to skip the traditional interview and demonstrate what our first meeting with them would be like if they hired us. We came in 2^nd for that project (because our firm was only about 10 minutes old), but we used that technique many times and lost very few projects.

We did millions in fee with the Prince Corporation over the years.  My favorite compliment came from their president when he said, “When I’m laying awake at 2 AM worrying about my business I know you’re laying awake worrying about us too.” 

Great design is what you do and sometimes you’ll be lucky to have someone who only wants to buy great design.  Most clients, however, seek out a consultant because they have a very serious business need (opportunity or problem) and they want you to help them.  You may win awards from your peers for great design, but you will build repeat client relationships (the best kind) by getting in their shoes, laying awake thinking about their problems and making them successful.  We preached to our employees that our #1 goal was making our clients successful.  Profit was never a goal; it was the reward we got for solving client problems.”

*Jim currently owns Crossroads Ventures, a real estate development firm in Grand Rapids, MI. You can contact him through his business website: www.crossroads-ventures.com/

Good Ideas in 2009

Posted January 8th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

2009 is here – and we’re all wondering what new technologies and ideas will emerge in the new year. The creative forecast, I’m sure, will shine even through the hard economic times. There’s a passion and politics found in creative and marketing agencies all over the globe, and it’s going to take alot more than the economy to bring us down. Hell, I’ve seen some great ideas come to life with scrap paper and a pen.

So, encouragement aside- it never hurts to saturate your brain with other people’s ideas and strategies to make yours better. Scrap paper and a pen may get you ideas, but the ever-important ‘zing’ of your campaign comes with intense strategy and development. I get a number of articles and journals sent to my email on a daily basis to make sure I’m up-to-date with what other creatives are doing. One of these newsletters is by PSFK, a website dedicated to consumer and creative trends.

The PSFK company is a collaborative insight and ideas company run from New York with a team of future-thinkers from around the globe. It began with two friends emailing each other pieces of trend and idea news between New York and London and it eventually blossomed into the popular website it is today. Now, you can read news from their offices in New York, London, Hamburg, Sao Paulo, and Shanghai.

‘Good Ideas in 2009‘ is PSFA’s new book that goes through the ideas and innovations PSFA feels are important for the new year.