Big Spaceship Adds to Staff

We like to have fun here – both during and in between all of the work. We find that a creative atmosphere leads to better ideas. Foosball and Guitar Hero help, but for a while now we’ve been asking Michael for a ping pong table.

He had two (admittedly justifiable) concerns that prevented our wish from being granted:
1. Space. We have plenty of that in the green screen room, but we use it for projects.
2. Noise. Ping Pong players can get rather LOUD.

We approached this project as we do all others…by thinking strategically. I crafted an implementation plan and job application written from the viewpoint of a one Mr. Ping Pong Ball.

He was qualified, intelligent and, yes, tactical. His proposal outlined his many benefits and detailed how he would overcome the barriers voiced by the boss.

Ping Pong Ball tackled the chief obstacles head-on, beginning with space.

As for noise, he recommended we build a noise meter to keep the shouts and cheers in check.

The letter of recommendation from Nolan Bushnell certainly didn’t harm his chances.

I’m happy to say that the proposal met with success. Ping Pong Ball will soon arrive at Big Spaceship, alongside his accoutrements (in the form of paddles and a 9×5’ table). As long as folks abide by the rules, we’ll get along just fine. I’m very much looking forward to this fellow joining our crew.

September 3rd, 2008  by Jessica / 2 Comments / Trackback / ping pong, strategy

95% of Strategists Love Their Job

Yes, I’m one of them. I love being able to spend time thinking, contemplating and then working with others to make ideas into something real. At family functions or cocktail parties, I invariably get a “oohhh, that sounds so fun” when I describe my job.

While neither the IPA Strategy Group survey (their site requires membership) or Heather Lefevre’s Account Planning survey (not exactly strategy, but…) really account for the work that I do — Creative Strategy — they both capture many of the challenges in this line of work.

Here is some food for thought:

Strategists feel valued by their clients (87%) and have confidence to deal with the challenges thrown at them by their clients and agencies alike (87%).

69% say they are happy working where they are.

Me too.

June 26th, 2008  by Tina / 0 Comments / Trackback / Strategy

Addicted to Brands

Yes, I am that person who has reviewed thousands of movies on Netflix and loves Amazon’s recommender services. I love the instantaneous yes/no or love/hate decisions. So with Noah Briar’s Brand Tags site, you can do it with a bunch of highly recognizable brands.

Like the highly charged logo for the 2012 Olympics.

May 28th, 2008  by Tina / 0 Comments / Trackback / branding, strategy

Ads prepare you for the real experience.

Russell Davies talks about the idea of “pre-experience design.”

If the experience of playing with the iPhone is good, the pre-experience of iPhone advertising helped prepare people for it.

May 1st, 2008  by Tina / 0 Comments / Trackback / experience design, advertising, strategy