Design : Innovation + Job News

There's a certain kind of power to a really good metaphor, and for a top example, just consider Bicycle Theory.
 
The St. Paul-based brand marketing firm, started in 2001 by entrepreneurs Ben McCoy and Jeremy Burgeson, got its distinctive name in part from McCoy's love for cycling, but also from the company's mission.
 
"It's a great metaphor because when we chose it, we were working with small brands and we could see how bicycles were representative of brand marketing," says McCoy, noting that a strong brand is similar to a well-designed, well-maintained bicycle that can carry its rider farther and faster than a poorly constructed bike. Even the wheels can be metaphorical, he adds--they stand for the two primary media that carry campaigns, print and web.
 
The idea for a brand management company was first sparked when the founders were just out of college and working for a creative agency. McCoy jokes that they were both the kind of kids who knew how to program VCRs in the 1980s, so they gravitated toward technology, and in 2001, the Internet was still like the Wild West.
 
"We started in a basement, and then moved into larger spaces over the years," he says. The firm has five full-time employees, and McCoy notes that they're ready to grow, but want to be methodical about expansion.
 
"There's so much innovation going on, and every day brings a new round of problem solving," he says. "We're excited about the possibilities, but at the same time, our goal isn't to be on the bleeding edge, it's to be on the cutting edge. We always want to make sure our solutions will work."
 
Source: Ben McCoy, Bicycle Theory
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

The housing market's slow-but-growing recovery is good news for everyone from homeowners to lenders, and it's particularly welcome news for Minneapolis company Mobile Realty Apps.
 
Established in 2009, the technology-based startup entered the market at a tricky time, admits founder and CEO Aaron Kardell. But even with a sickly industry, the firm saw modest growth during its first two years. Over the past year, however, the traction really began to build. "We've seen pickup in a significant way, especially as our apps are getting more noticed," he says.
 
The company has developed a range of applications for tablet computers and smartphones, and is garnering the most attention lately for HomeSpotter, an app that uses a device with a live camera feed to deliver information on a specific property. A user can just point a smartphone or tablet down a street and instantly get info on all the houses for sale on that stretch.
 
Mobile Realty Apps has also been upgrading its other applications, drawing customers like Edina Realty, RE/MAX, and NorthstarMLS. "Our local success has positioned us well for rollout on a national level," Kardell says. "We're seeing a convergence of key factors in our growth, including increased credibility based on our local customer base, and pickup in the housing market."
 
The company's wins created the need to find bigger office space, leading Mobile Realty Apps to recently move into the Grain Exchange building.
 
Kardell expects the momentum to continue, with an expanded client base, more product lines, and strong growth. As the housing market comes back, Mobile Realty Apps will be ready.
 
Source: Aaron Kardell, Mobile Realty Apps
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Inver Grove Heights-based agribusiness company CHS is owned by farmers, ranchers, and cooperatives across the country, and now, all of those stakeholders will be able to connect even more effectively through a new online platform.
 
Dubbed the CHS Center for Cooperative Growth and launched in October, the platform gathers diverse viewpoints from the industry and academia, with the goal of making cooperatives more effective.
 
Jessica Lamker, CHS Director of Marketing and Organizational Development, notes that the project came together when the organization considered the needs of the next generation of agribusiness leaders.
 
"Many agricultural cooperatives were formed in the 1930s," she says. "What we're finding is that as time goes on, young people don't understand the value of having them, and why they're important."
 
The online tool will provide clarity about complex topics related to cooperatives. For example, the latest content includes insight about equity management, with four industry leaders offering videos and articles on the topic. A future topic will be how cooperative boards of directors can achieve more alignment with each other and with customers.
 
The reaction from users has been strong, Lamker notes. Not only are farmers and ranchers turning to the site to access research papers and garner advice, but also to connect with others.
 
For the future, Lamker expects that content will continue to be king, with tutorials and tools. "Having the opportunity to bring this to life has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing where it goes from here," she says.
 
Source: Jessica Lamker, CHS
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

MHTA Session Preview: Tech, Innovation, and Life Science Industries
February 5
Science Museum of Minnesota
20 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
$15
 
Presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association and Life Science Alley, this event features a panel discussion with several legislators, including Speaker of the House Paul Thissen, talking about the future of tech, innovation, and life sciences in the state.
 
Health 2.0: Aetna and Azul 7
February 6
Azul 7 offices
800 Hennepin Ave., Suite 700, Minneapolis
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
$15
 
For the past year, design firm Azul 7 has been working the Aetna to develop a cohesive user experience across multiple systems. In this talk, both sides will discuss the project, as well as give insight on the challenges and benefits of designing user-friendly technologies in the health care industry.
 
Business Valuation Conference
February 6
University of St. Thomas
1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis
7:30 am - 4:30 pm
$199
 
This annual conference, now in its 23rd year, covers an array of business valuation topics, including the basics of a real estate appraisal, use of regression analysis, and eminent domain. Toby Madden, from The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will give an economic update to kick off the day.
 
Social Media and Data Analytics for Digital Marketing
February 7 & 8
Carlson School of Management
321 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
$3,000
 
As part of its Executive Education series, the Carlson School of Management presents this two-day conference on making smarter use of social media and their data. Participants will learn how to extract business intelligence from social tools, why they should tap into open innovation opportunities, and much more.

In 2009, Kate Ryan Reiling and some friends were waiting out a snowstorm in an Uptown apartment, and they quickly became bored by their game selections. That's when the fun really started.
 
The group put together flat glass beads, Jenga pieces, string, and a dictionary. One person would choose a word, then try to depict it using the game components. Although it was a simple way to pass the time, Reiling was struck by the level of creativity and enjoyment that emerged, and she used her business school background to turn a fun afternoon into a full-time avocation.
 
Using pieces she first cobbled together from surplus stores, Reiling created Morphology, a game that lets players "morph" wooden sticks, cubes, glass beads, little wooden people, and other elements into a representation of certain words.
 
When Reiling brought a prototype to a major toy and game show in 2010, she knew she had a winner. She sold 400 games on the spot, and later that year began landing on lists like Time magazine's Toys of the Year. She says, "I began to get emails from around the world asking about the game. It's been really amazing to see the momentum and watch this catch on."
 
Reiling created a version for kids called Morphology Jr., and her ultimate goal is for Morphology Games to be acquired by one of the major game companies. Until that happens, though, she'll work on getting the game in more stores and expanding distribution. With so much buzz building in this holiday season, she's expecting strong growth in the next month and beyond.
 
"We see a real opportunity to keep expanding this and designing more games that encourage creativity, and maybe even move into the digital tablet space," she says.  
 
Source: Kate Ryan Reiling, Morphology Games
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Social media marketing has become crucial for all types of companies, since it allows them to connect with current and potential customers, but there's also a way to boost those efforts: digital advertising.
 
Minneapolis-based agency 90 Degree Media has been honing the advertising options it offers to clients, and these now include display ads, search advertising, video, mobile, and other selections. Clients can choose how ads get served up within a single medium, like mobile, or they can blanket the Internet with end-to-end solutions.
 
Since the agency has a couple of key partnerships in place, it offers advertising options at a much lower rate than companies might find if they were to make deals on their own, according to founder Jamison Geisler.
 
He started the company in 2009, after working in digital marketing and web development since 2001, and noticing that the majority of companies lacked good customer service. "I felt that so many of these companies really just didn't care about their clients or their business," he says. "It was merely a paycheck. Something needed to change." He decided to strike out on his own as a way to provide stellar customer service while developing customized digital advertising campaigns.

The company currently has six employees, but increasing client numbers will likely result in hiring in the year ahead, Geisler says.
 
He chose the name 90 Degree Media because it implied a sharp increase in profits, the image of a graph line that takes a sudden turn upwards. He says, "Although it's nice to think of that image in terms of our company, we really look at it as that kind of movement in profits for our clients and partners."
 
Source: Jamison Geisler, 90 Degree Media
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Creative agency Periscope continues to keep its Human Resources department busy.
 
Following a steady hiring rate in 2011, the agency kept growth strong this year, adding 123 employees as of the beginning of October. That brings the company's total employee count to 475, with the majority of those staffers in the Minneapolis offices.
 
Lori Sharbono, Periscope's VP and Director of Business Development, notes that hiring is a result of robust business development efforts, which added some new clients and expanded some services as well. Loyalty marketing services, retail branding, and increased analytics capabilities have all been put into the agency's existing services mix of content creation, brand development, website creation, media buying, and other capabilities.
 
"It sounds simple and basic but what works for us is to focus on client success," says Sharbono. "We grow our capabilities based on what they need, and we try to stay a step ahead of that. In order to achieve that level of innovation, we focus on bringing in subject matter experts who can provide insight."
 
In addition to its Minneapolis office, Periscope also operates smaller offices in Hong Kong, New Delhi, and Toronto. Most of the new hires this year will be in the local office. Although the growth rate might make it more challenging to keep finding enough office space, it also creates a vibrant culture, Sharbono believes. "We have a very unique culture here, and that's what draws people," she says. "We have commitment to our clients, but we're also committed to creating a fun, lively culture for employees."
 
Source: Lori Sharbono, Periscope
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Minneapolis health and medical marketing agency StoneArch unveiled an iPad-based mobile selling platform designed for medical device manufacturers and their sales forces.
 
The platform, dubbed VOLLEY, was developed in response to an observed need, according to company president Jessica Boden.
 
"Most of our clients are medical device manufacturers, and they depend on their direct sales forces to sell their products," she says. "When the iPad launched, the medical device industry was an early adopter, but because they lacked a strong platform for the industry specifically, the devices became more like toys than tools."
 
StoneArch brought together a cross-functional team to address the issue, and ended up with its first proprietary application, which launched on Oct. 16th.
 
VOLLEY allows for customized content across diverse target audiences, and features a sales rep coaching tool that can help reps deal with challenging customer situations. Use of the application also comes with StoneArch support, including training and deployment, and the agency offers rental iPads for small and mid-sized companies.
 
Boden says that VOLLEY is already being well received in the industry, and the agency is planning its next iteration after getting feedback from users. The project hasn't just filled a need in the marketplace, either--it's also created some new bounce at StoneArch.
 
"It's been really fun to develop this; the organization has gotten energy out of making it happen," Boden says. "It gives us fuel for thinking about other ways we can use innovation to help our clients accomplish more."
 
Source: Jessica Boden, StoneArch
Writer: Elizabeth Millard
 
 

 Most conferences feature a tradeshow floor, and exhibitors often compete to have the most innovative, eye-catching booth. That's where Skyline Exhibits shines.

The Eagan-based company designs and produces portable and custom modular exhibits for the tradeshow industry, and their work is seen both at conferences and at museums, mall kiosks, and public events. Skyline's designs combine soaring, two-story graphics with interactive displays, or more compact screens that are lightweight and portable. If you've been to a tradeshow lately and been wowed by the sheer creative force of an exhibit, chances are good that Skyline designed it.
 
The company employs more than 250 people and is hiring at a steady pace. Customers report that with Skyline's help, they're selling more at trade shows and are distinguishing their services more easily from competitors. In addition to a 270,000-square-foot facility in Eagan, the company has a location in Shanghai, as well as in the four largest venue cities in North America--Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, and Toronto.
 
But not long ago, Skyline faced some challenges as the economy struggled. Company president Bill Dierberger notes, "After watching the industry suffer the economic consequences of 9/11 and the dot-com bubble burst, we recommitted the company to innovation and re-energized around it."
 
The firm developed a product commercialization process that spurred growth, and these days, new product sales are increasing 10 percent faster than legacy product. Dierberger credits "sustained innovation" as the secret sauce that's keeping Skyline adding jobs and boosting sales. "We provide unique solutions to the trade show industry," he says. "That helps our clients achieve their objectives."
 
Source: Bill Dierberger, Skyline Exhibits
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

The campaign to end texting while driving is heating up, especially with the recent announcement by AT&T that it was joining up with the Department of Transportation and the FCC to establish a national movement to halt the practice.
 
Although individuals can "take the pledge" to stop texting and driving, they can also thwart temptation with DriveScribe, a mobile application that acts as a real-time driving monitor and "coach" that gives tips on better driving. Parents can also use the app to get alerts whenever a teen texts while on the road.
 
Created by Minneapolis-based tech firm Drive Power, the app launched in August and is seeing a great deal of momentum already, including a pilot project in Saudi Arabia and a partnership with GMAC insurance.
 
CEO Will England notes that the quick adoption rate is being fueled by a free version of the app, as well as an expanded incentives program and an aggressive awareness campaign. He says, "We're continuing to gain traction in the individual-user market, even hearing from parents that many are requiring their teens to use DriveScribe when they drive."
 
Another growth driver: corporate partnerships, like the ones with GMAC and the Saudis. The project in Saudi Arabia involved having employees of Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil companies in the world, use DriveScribe. With a large fleet of vehicles, the company believes that DriveScribe can reduce liabilities and minimize accidents.
 
"We're actively working with corporate partners to promote safe driving among large groups of drivers," England says. With such high-profile projects leading the app's kickoff, look for DriveScribe to come to a vehicle near you in the not-too-distant future.
 
Source: Will England, CEO
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

There are numerous advertising, public relations, digital, and design firms in the Twin Cities, but in combining all those skills, Pocket Hercules is confident that it'll continue to stand out.
 
The Minneapolis-based agency, founded in 2005, has been growing steadily this year since expanding their offices in the Warehouse District. In addition to representing high-profile brands like Pearl Izumi, Rapala, and Mortenson Construction, the firm is finding strength through brands they've launched on their own: Lakemaid Beer and Tiny Footprint Coffee.
 
Given the interest in fair-trade coffee, Tiny Footprint in particular is really taking off, and will be sold at the Minnesota State Fair this year, notes agency principal Jack Supple. The coffee is also in the American Swedish Institute and Wilde Roast Cafe, and expectations are high that the eco-conscious brand will become better known in the near future.
 
Lakemaid is also enjoying some longevity. Launched in 2008, the brand was created for fishermen and cabin owners, and is offered every year at the opening of fishing season. Supple says, "We're humbled by the success we've experienced so far [with Lakemaid]. We owe it all to our dedicated fans who look forward to the beer with great anticipation every year."
 
The firm is also seeing growth through PH Digital Labs, a new digital marketing agency that the company launched in February. Dedicated to focusing on a client's online presence, the offshoot of Pocket Hercules utilizes search engine marketing, social media marketing, digital content creation, and intelligent web design.
 
"What we're seeing is organic growth," says Supple. "We're growing our brands and bringing in new business, and as a result we're adding people and seeing a really good year."
 
Source: Jack Supple, Pocket Hercules
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Nonprofit site CaringBridge continues on its relentless growth track with the launch of user-generated video that lets site users share their stories with friends and family.
 
The project, facilitated by Minneapolis-based web design and development firm Nighthawk Marketing, features a pre-designed video template that asks users to create an orange or white heart (the colors of the heart in the CaringBridge logo) with an inspiring word or a loved one's name on it. Users can then upload a photo, and it is added to the video.
 
CaringBridge debuted in 1997, as a way for seriously ill people to create one central, online page that could keep friends and relatives updated about their health changes. Since then, the site has recorded nearly two billion visits, and founder Sona Mehring says the group is continually looking for ways to expand services and deepen the connections made through the site.
 
"There's still tremendous potential for how CaringBridge can be used," she says. "All of our development supports the idea that people are now used to sharing online, and that we just need to find ways to harness those networks."
 
She noted that in addition to the introduction of the video, other service offerings are being refined, such as a calendar program that allows visitors to volunteer for making meals or coming along on a doctor visit.
 
"People who are using CaringBridge are going through a journey," says Mehring. "They appreciate that they can reach out to others through the site. It lets them know that they don't have to be on this journey alone."
 
Source: Sona Mehring, CaringBridge
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

Some creative agencies can provide stunning strategies and vision, while others are stronger in delivering the technology that turns a promise into a workable project. At Modern Climate, they don't feel the need to choose.
 
"We can deliver top to bottom, including all the technology" says Geoff Bremner, the agency's president. "We're capable of very strong creative ideas, but also have the ability to deliver the code."
 
The agency got its start in 2009, with roots in a different interactive agency, Wolfmotell. The founders from that firm joined with Bremner to capitalize on their experience in product development and other services and broaden their approach. The result has been a full range of services for clients, and more national accounts, Bremner says.
 
The other result has been a nice amount of growth. The agency employs 45 people, and will see about 35 percent growth this year. Bremner predicts that Modern Climate will stay robust, likely sailing along at about 20 percent growth year to year in the near future.
 
The agency's ability to provide full services is one driver, but Modern Climate also stands out for its expertise in delivering powerful brand experiences for clients.
 
Recent projects have included the development of the Health4Me mobile app for UnitedHealthcare, the creation of a communications platform for Northern Brewer's recent store opening, and improvement of Geek Squad's consumer site.
 
"We see so many opportunities for fun consumer engagement," says Bremner. "When people enjoy a brand experience, they want to interact more with that brand. So, our focus is to create a great experience through the whole journey."

Want to report a particularly nasty pothole, or let the city know about a traffic light issue? Now there's an app for that.
 
The City of Minneapolis recently launched the new Minneapolis 311 smartphone app, which allows users to report service requests, including complaints about road wear, signal problems, and graffiti.
 
The app uses GPS technology to pinpoint the location of the problem, and sends that information to the appropriate city department.
 
Minneapolis 311 originated in August 2004 as part of the Minneapolis One Call Project; the number (311 in the city, 612-673-3000 from outside) is staffed between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. According to the program director Don Stickney, about 70 percent of all calls are for information, and the remaining calls are for transfers or requests for service. Stickney notes most of the highest-used service requests can be processed online, which makes the new mobile app a strong addition to the program.
 
"The City answers between 1,000 to 2,400 calls per day on average," says Stickney. "Not only does the new Minneapolis 311 Mobile App give Minneapolis citizens a convenient and efficient way to report issues, the Open311 integration enables the City to automatically and seamlessly respond to those issues outside of traditional contact center business hours."
 
Another advantage for residents is the ability to check in on requests that have already been submitted. The app also generates an email when the request has been completed by the relevant agency.
 
The app was built by Connecticut-based SeeClickFix, a software developer specializing in these type of apps for government and community group clients.  
 
Free to download, the app is available for iPhone and Android, and those with Blackberry or Windows phones can submit reports to 311 through SeeClickFix.com.
 
Source: Don Stickney, City of Minneapolis
Writer: Elizabeth Millard

The Twin Cities are rich in creative agencies, and have drawn attention for the breadth of options from spunky startups to established major players. Recently, industry magazine Advertising Age showcased the local area, noting that it's little wonder that so many agencies get their start here since Minneapolis is a "smart and artsy town."
 
One of the prime examples, the article noted, is Zeus Jones, a Minneapolis-based firm that focuses on building brands and providing customer experiences and messaging that stand out in the marketplace.
 
Founded by advertising executives who'd worked together at large local agency Fallon, the company was started in 2007 as a way to deliver marketing instead of advertising, states Zeus Jones co-founder Adrian Ho.
 
"We had a simple idea: that the reason people like companies has to do with what they do, not what they say in ads," he says. "We have an idealistic view of what that means, and for the last five years, we've been figuring out what that means."
 
In general, he adds, Zeus Jones assists companies in thinking about how they define their brand, and helping to rebuild that brand around a purpose. Ho says, "This goes above and beyond products. We figure out the best ways to bring their purpose to life." That could mean product design, retail design, strategy, or other creative services. Clients have included Thymes, Nordstrom, and Purina ONE.
 
The agency has 32 employees, and is currently hiring and growing. Ho notes that the business plan didn't center around growth, but as the firm has drawn more clients, it's been a natural evolution.
 
"We think there are better ways to communicate a company's message than running ads, and we're seeing that proved on a bigger scale here," says Ho. "Clients respond to that."  
 
Source: Adrian Ho, Zeus Jones
Writer: Elizabeth Millard