For some, it may be hard to imagine that those of us working here at Callis have a life outside of work. After all, we eat and breathe Callis. (As a side note, we also know what to say to keep the boss happy.) But the truth of it is that there are many different personalities and faces that collaborate daily within the walls of our agency. For the past couple of months and the remaining few weeks, we will continue to provide a brief insight into the minds that work and “live” here.
Dana Johnson, a.k.a “Morning Glory”
As an Account Manager, Dana manages the flow of public relations and advertising projects within and outside the agency. She also provides support to the public relations, interactive and client service teams. Her other responsibilities include placing media buys, handling vendor relations, and managing Callis’ social networking sites.
Dana is not a morning person. She never has been and most likely never will be. In fact, the entire office jokes that she doesn’t really come to life until after 10 a.m. Interestingly enough, this non-morning person shares an office with the most chipper morning person Callis has to offer. Whether this was done on purpose, or by accident, it seems to balance out for both.
It’s a wonder Callis ever hired Dana, being Kansas born and raised as a KU fan. The border war showdown (America’s largest running college rivalry) has been tense between this Jayhawk fanatic and an office full of Tiger fans, ever since she joined the Callis team. Yet, somehow we all manage to look past one another’s viewpoints and find a way to be a professional team of our own. (As a side note: Since Dana joined the agency, KU has earned one national championship, while MU is still setting their goals high - Dana wrote this.).
Like many things that go without explanation in her life, Dana has chosen to be a vegetarian for three years now. With the support of few, and the questioning of insanity by many others, this non-meat eater can’t really explain why she doesn’t eat meat; she just doesn’t. Maybe it has something to do with being a KU fan!
Stay tuned as next week we will dish on another face of Callis. Hint: This Business Developer is a social butterfly!
The 2010 NRA Bianchi Cup pistol competition is history and a new champion was crowned. Doug Koening, of Team Smith & Wesson, came out on top to win the Open Division title. Doug is considered a “new champion” only because he finished second to Bruce Piatt in the 2009 competition. Doug is certainly not new to the first place podium as this is his 12th Bianchi Cup championship! Congratulations Doug.
The Bianchi Cup is a world-renowned pistol competition drawing both male and female shooters from across the globe. In 2010, competitors at the Bianchi Cup represented seven different countries. The competition took place in Columbia, Missouri and was the thirty-second year for this National Rifle Association sponsored event.
Recently, I took a few days off from work to visit my family. On my way to the airport in Kansas City, I received a text message alerting me that my flight had been delayed an hour. No big deal. Upon my arrival at the airport, I received yet another text notifying me that my flight was delayed another hour. Now we have a problem. There was no way I was going to make my connecting flight in Denver. I’ll spare you the details of the agony I went through to find a way to make it to my destination over Memorial Day weekend. Thankfully via text messages, I was alerted to the issue and knew it was crucial to get to the airport as soon as possible in order to speak with an airline agent.
A day and an eight hour layover later in Denver, I was feeling anxious, yet relieved that my journey was finally on course. Being the people watcher that I am, the layover wasn’t as agonizing as anticipated; I was actually entertained watching all the action funneling through the airport on a Thursday afternoon and evening. From men and women in business suits, young adults in military uniforms, a band resembling Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, children and even adults racing up and down the escalator walk-ways, the action was non-stop. There were people on laptops, most of whom were not working, but browsing Facebook. I walked behind a row of people sitting at a gate that were all on their phones, a few emailing and the rest also browsing Facebook or playing FarmVille. There was the occasional ego that would sit nearby and may as well have begged me to listen to his “important” conversation. A much needed snack later in the day caught me off-guard, as the woman next to me in line started talking as she reached with both hands for the last two bags of M&M’s. Just as I started to reply to her, I caught a glimpse of the bluetooth in her ear and realized she wasn’t asking me how my day had been thus far. As I waited later that evening at my gate listening to my iPod, I watched as a young girl was studying biology from an actual textbook, while to my left, a young man was catching up on some sports using his Amazon Kindle. Surprisingly, during my entire day of what some may refer to as “snooping” and I like to refer to as “investigating”, I noticed only one iPad in use.
Finally, as it was time to board my plane later that evening, I watched as most everyone rummaged through their carry-on trying to locate where they had placed their boarding passes. Meanwhile, the man in front of me simply handed the airline assistant his phone and with a quick scan he was boarding the plane. After my travel woes, I could see how using a mobile ticket with access to my itinerary could be both helpful, as well as save some room in my already heavy and full carry-on. After all, I was lugging around what seemed like an extra 100 pounds of airline paperwork just for my trip!
As I walked through the plane to my seat, I suddenly did one of those quick turnarounds. Yes, it was Evan Lysacek, Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars runner-up. While I waited for the rest of the plane to board, or perhaps notice the low-key athlete, I sent out a couple of quick text messages, a Facebook post and Tweet via my phone. Then it hit me, I too am one of those people that spends hours using technology! This left me to think, “How in the world did anyone traveling just a few years ago manage to function without the use of all the advanced technology that has quickly become so addictive in today’s society?” It’s just not possible.
For some, it may be hard to imagine that those of us working here at Callis have a life outside of work. After all, we eat and breathe Callis. (As a side note, we also know what to say to keep the boss happy.) But the truth of it is that there are many different personalities and faces that collaborate daily within the walls of our agency. For the next couple of months we are going to provide a brief insight into the minds that work and “live” here.
Adrianne Fillinger, a.k.a “The Juggler”
As a Graphic Designer for Callis, Adrianne provides artistic design, illustration and computer graphics creation for agency clients. She also provides support for the completion of digital and print production projects. Prior to joining Callis, she worked as a Creative Specialist at Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co. and as an Advertising Specialist at Midway USA.
Adrianne quickly learned to juggle life when she joined Callis. For over two and a half years she has been commuting an hour to work each day. As a mother to an eight month old, her daily morning routine can be somewhat hysterical when it doesn’t play out exactly as planned. From those joyous mornings that start way earlier than expected, to those even more joyous mornings where an extra five minutes could turn a frantic morning into a productive day, there is no telling what stories this early riser will have when she runs through the doors each morning. Fortunately, with family in the area, Adrianne is able to bring her son to town with her whenever she feels the need to use her lunch break for some additional mother and son time.
Outside of work and being a mother, Adrianne’s interests are very broad. From rock concerts, renaissance festivals, movies, 80’s music, to possibly turning a tattoo idea into a design for a friend, her interests are much like her morning routine; unpredictable. With all of her interests but with little free time to indulge, Adrianne still finds art as a passion and a way to unwind from a fast and furious lifestyle. Whether she is painting murals, creating illustrations, designing and renovating her new house, or just painting designs on her toes, her artistic talent plays into everything she does.
Stay tuned as next week we will dish on another face of Callis. Hint: This Account Coordinator is not a morning person!
Recently I spent a week in Baltimore at the annual Electric Power trade show. It was my third time attending the event, which is a show geared to utilities, independent power producers, equipment and service providers. I was there representing ProEnergy Services. As their marketing partner, we help them prepare for the show by designing and building their display, handling all the logistics and details of the show, implementing show marketing plans, having literature ready and meeting with media.
In a world suffering from economic stress, there sure seemed to be a lot going on. Here are some of the things that I picked up at the show.
- There is a lot of discussion about renewable energy and particularly biomass projects. With the challenges and media attention on off-shore drilling, renewable offers an opportunity to produce power without some of the environmental issues. It is gratifying to know that both our city, Sedalia, Missouri and our clients, ProEnergy and State Fair Community College, are involved in innovative biomass projects.
- Capital is still scarce for investment into power production projects. It’s not that the money isn’t there. It’s just that there are more strings attached to securing the funds for investors and more scrutiny on their financial capabilities.
- Much of the activity occurring within the industry right now is overseas. There are a lot of areas around the world that have dire need for power, so that’s where the money is flowing. As the economy rebounds, the domestic market should rebound as well.
- India appears to be a hot spot for new project development.
As a side note, I want to say that Baltimore is a great convention city. A 20 minute cab ride from the airport puts you in the Inner Harbor Area, which is adjacent to the convention center, and close to a variety of nice hotels, great restaurants and entertainment. So, you can stay in one of the nearby hotels and walk wherever you want to go. It’s perfect for a conventioneer.
At Callis, we’re working to build our presence in the power industry by building a network of media contacts, influencers, clients and prospective clients. Every show we attend enables us to expand this network and our ability to make things happen for our clients. Next up is PowerGen in December. Look for us there. We would love to meet you.
For some, it may be hard to imagine that those of us working here at Callis have a life outside of work. After all, we eat and breathe Callis. (As a side note, we also know what to say to keep the boss happy.) But the truth of it is that there are many different personalities and faces that collaborate daily within the walls of our agency. For the next couple of months we are going to provide a brief insight into the minds that work and “live” here.
Amanda Cairer, a.k.a “The Happily Married One”
As an Account Executive, Amanda provides strategic direction, client service and project management for agency accounts. In addition, she also leads the energy marketing team at Callis. Marking her fourth year at the agency, Amanda has also served clients as a Media Buyer and Account Coordinator. Prior to joining Callis, she was a Business Growth Strategist for J&L Marketing and worked in sales and marketing for Cooperative Workshops, Inc.
It’s not to say that everyone in the office that is married isn’t happy; it’s just that Amanda’s take on marriage is somewhat more amusing! She insists for those that are entering the world of marriage that it gets even better with time. Of course, this has led to much teasing throughout the years for Amanda. Every time someone has a story about their spouse not emptying the dishwasher, forgetting to fold the laundry, neglecting to take out the trash, or complaining about the lack of dinner due to the diet their significant other has placed them on, the response given is always those seven words of wisdom in which Amanda swears by still to this day; “It just keeps getting better and better!”
Being a motherly-figure is in her blood. Whether at work or home, she insists on caring for those around her. At luncheons, she scours the menu looking for items that may be suitable for others before she ever looks for herself. Big announcements such as pregnancies make her tear up and scurry throughout the office searching for a Kleenex. As a mother of two young boys, Amanda spends her days strategizing for clients and her evenings building train sets with her children and husband. Rarely does she ever spend any of her free time away from her boys. Family is everything to her; she is even neighbors to her own mom and dad!
Although she doesn’t have a lot of free time in life between caring for a young family, work and attending United Way board meetings, she does find ways to unwind. Massages, pedicures, and chick-flicks with her niece are just a few ways in which she finds that much needed relaxation time.
Stay tuned as next week we will dish on another face of Callis. Hint: This Graphic Designer really knows how to juggle - life that is!
Last week, I spoke to the Pettis County Management Association (PCMA) in Sedalia, Missouri. We discussed new media marketing, and particularly search engine and social media marketing. They were an involved group, jumping right in with questions and comments; which made for a fun presentation. My big take-away from the evening was their receptive attitude toward social media’s capacity to drive business; their business.
For starters, understand that most of their companies don’t market direct to the consumer (the “low hanging fruit” of social media). Instead, I was primarily speaking with management personnel from manufacturers, distributors, local government and economic development agencies. Only a few attendees were involved directly in sales or marketing. Yet, they definitely got it. Over the course of 90 minutes, not once did I hear “this couldn’t benefit my company.” Certainly, not every company will receive the same types of benefit from a social media presence, and they clearly knew better than that. But they still got it.
They “got it” because they live it. Even just one year ago, my presentation would have required a great deal of education; the basics of Facebook, for example. But last week, in this West-Central Missouri room of mid-managers, I didn’t need to do that. They were already a part of the social media generation.
Though they weren’t all heavily invested in social media on a personal level, they understand that in just a few short years the world has changed and there’s no turning back. Tweeting, Facebook updates, YouTube videos, iPhones and iPads were all familiar topics. They all understood the power of Amazon product reviews, for example. There was an understanding that a teenage son or daughter will answer a text message before they’ll answer the phone. It’s a fairly short leap from understanding those interactions, to being able to recognize this major shift in marketing.
They didn’t take time to argue the virtues (or lacking virtues) of social media. Instead, they went directly to processing how social media can and will impact their organizations:
- Driving sales
- Encouraging feedback
- Enhancing customer service
Of course, we also discussed issues like privacy; allowing social network access from work, and company policies related to an employee’s online actions. It was telling that several in the group expressed an opinion that disallowing social media via a firewall at the workplace was dangerous in multiple ways, and might even cause problems down the road in attracting and retaining the highest-quality employees. When these comments came about, no one shot back in disagreement (which caught me by surprise, honestly).
It may be true that the Midwest lags behind the coasts in terms of everything from technology to fashion, but if the response of this group of Sedalia, Missouri managers is any indication, the Midwest is tackling social media.
For some, it may be hard to imagine that those of us working here at Callis have a life outside of work. After all, we eat and breathe Callis. (As a side note, we also know what to say to keep the boss happy.) But the truth of it is that there are many different personalities and faces that collaborate daily within the walls of our agency. For the next couple of months we are going to provide a brief insight into the minds that work and “live” here.
Chris Young, a.k.a “The Addicted One”
As Interactive Director at Callis, Chris’s responsibilities include overseeing web site development and management, e-commerce implementation, search engine optimization, pay-per-click, Internet advertising and social network integration. He also supports sales and execution of interactive marketing projects within the agency. Prior to joining Callis, Chris was the managing partner at an Internet services company. He has 20+ years of experience in Information Technology and Internet marketing.
It didn’t take long for us all to catch on that Chris has a few addictions in life. The most noticeable one is his infatuation with Diet Coke. Breakfast, check; Lunch, check; Snack, check; Dinner, check! If only his dependence on this product was enough to land him a life-time supply! His second addiction qualifies as somewhat of an obsession; Disney World. This is by far Chris’ favorite vacation destination for the Young family. In October of last year, Chris took his love of Disney to Facebook. After realizing his family’s favorite Disney greeter was retiring, he organized a fan page on the social media site to encourage fans to join and spread the word to generate 1,000 fans by the greeter’s retirement date. The word spread like wildfire and not only did the fan site exceed its goal, Disney took notice and began using social media to recognize other employees, by creating cast member profiles. (At least Chris is taking credit for this). This is proof that not all obsessions or addictions are a bad thing!
When it comes to both his work and home life, Chris is outnumbered in the male to female ratio. After a long day in the office where females also outnumber males, he then heads home to his wife and two young daughters. Chris is also an active member of Rotary and he and his family have enjoyed hosting their third exchange student via the Rotary Youth Exchange. Beyond family and work, Chris’ interests include technology, reality television, singing, piano, 20th century jazz, pop, and rock. He truly is one talented and versatile individual!
Stay tuned as next week we will dish on another face of Callis. Hint: This Account Executive is one energetic, happily married, working mother.
For three days last week Charlotte, North Carolina rolled out the red carpet to NRA members from across the United States as they attended the 139th NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits. Don’t be fooled by the name however, as this “meeting” drew more than seventy-thousand participants to the Charlotte Convention Center for a weekend of sights and sounds that made up the premier consumer hunting and shooting sports event of the year.
The Sights:
Once inside the convention hall, attendees were greeted to acres of firearms, hunting and shooting gear, accessories and all of the newest products for hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts. Over four hundred manufacturers from all over the world displayed aisle after aisle of products and services geared to every shooting sport interest and budget. Not only did the attendees have the opportunity to meet the manufacturers face to face, but they also received hunting and shooting tips from some of the most well known experts in the world. Where else could a deer hunter from Iowa talk with a former rocket scientist from NASA about trajectory data for his favorite rifle bullet; only at the Sierra Bullets booth, and only at the NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits.
The Sounds:
Every year, the NRA event draws popular speakers from diverse backgrounds including politics, sports and entertainment, and the 2010 event was no exception. Speakers at this year’s NRA event included former Governor Sarah Palin; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Ambassador John Bolton; talk show hosts Oliver North, Glen Beck and Sean Hannity; and entertainers Chuck Norris, Ted Nugent and Charlie Daniels. Tickets for these speakers were sold out, so it was obvious that attendees didn’t just come to look at guns. Topics surrounding the Second Amendment freedom to bear arms were not only delivered by the celebrity speakers, but were discussed around show spaces and dining tables throughout the convention center.
For 139 years, the NRA has assembled their membership to see and hear all that is new and exciting about the hunting and shooting sports industry they love. Charlotte was a great host this year. Pittsburg has big shoes to fill in 2011.
For some, it may be hard to imagine that those of us working here at Callis have a life outside of work. After all, we eat and breathe Callis. (As a side note, we also know what to say to keep the boss happy.) But the truth of it is that there are many different personalities and faces that collaborate daily within the walls of our agency. For the next couple of months we are going to provide a brief insight into the minds that work and “live” here.
Linda Harris a.k.a “The Cold Blooded One”
As Creative Director at Callis, Linda oversees the development of agency creative and interactive projects. She has over 19 years of experience in graphic design, online and print production. Prints ads, e-letters, catalogs, technology management, websites and trade show booth designs are just a typical day in the life of Linda Harris.
By cold blooded, we mean that her body temperature is not normal! Enter her office and you are immediately hit in the face with a burst of heat that feels as if it could penetrate the skin and burn it instantly. The space heater in her office is cranked to high in the mornings and most afternoons. This warm office is keeping more than just creativity flourishing, as Linda is expecting her first child in late October.
Painting, photography, her motorcycle (she cried the day she had to put that away), and the outdoors are just a few of Linda’s hobbies. The arts are a passion in the Harris household; her husband is also a local artist and art teacher. She and her husband enjoy country drives on the weekends with camera in-hand to capture photos that are often used to inspire paintings for various auctions or charity events in the area.
Linda is also an active member of her church, serving as leader for the youth group. She has been a participant, team captain and online chair person for the Relay for Life of Pettis County. The Relay for Life has a significant meaning for Linda, as she is an eight year survivor of breast cancer.
Born and raised in LaMonte, MO, Linda feels fortunate to have her family close. She regularly visits both of her parents on the farm that she grew up on, as well as her sister and brother-in-law that live in Lee’s Summit. This close-knit family is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the soon-to-be-first baby boy in this all girl (and dad) family.
Stay tuned as next week we will dish on another face of Callis. Hint: This Interactive Director is a lover of music and Diet Coke!
