For many designers, LogoLounge is the ultimate web resource for the latest and greatest logo and identity work. As creative director at WestmorelandFlint, my team and I often use the site for inspiration and reference.

Users submit logos and, in turn, can view thousands of designs from the world’s leading agencies, as well as up-and-coming trendsetters. You can think of it as an online inspirational gallery for powerful and thought-provoking design.

The projects in the LogoLounge book series are selected by an international panel of eight judges based on quality, timeliness, relevance, and inspirational nature.

One of the logos selected was for Education Minnesota, the leading advocate for public education in Minnesota. The union asked Flint to design a logo for I Raise My Hand, a public awareness campaign aimed at uniting Minnesotans to support and improve the state’s strong education system. Here’s what I came up with:

The logo was used throughout the multimedia campaign, which consisted of television, online and print advertisements, as well as direct marketing, the I Raise My Hand microsite and the I Raise My Hand Facebook page.

The other logo selected was for Lakeshore, a senior housing facility and long-time client of WestmorelandFlint. They wanted a logo to celebrate the successes of employees who have reached milestones in their positions, as well as residents who have made great strides in their recovery process—to tell them, “Way to Go!” Here’s what designer Matthew Olin came up with:The logo was used as little signs of motivation on note cards, mugs, emails and buttons.

It’s an honor that our team’s logos have been selected among the top designs and designers we all look up to, and it’s exciting to create work that will inspire others as well.

Matthew and I feel honored that these particular identities were chosen. Both logos were for such great causes that it makes it makes their publication even more meaningful. It’s great to see such a beautifully executed, human-centered design recognized on a higher level.

The book will be published on July 1, 2012, but you can pre-order LogoLounge 7 online today.

She takes care of all account management details for five clients, working to make sure that our projects from our clients get done. “I deliver projects to my Flint team colleagues, shepherd the projects through and present projects to our clients. I also strive to keep my team members and clients happy and excited about future projects,” Jesse says.

Study up

Away from work, Jesse likes working out, going out and staying in to study. She is earning her graduate degree in business/strategic leadership from The University of Mary, and expects to graduate in December 2012.

She says: “Being in school and working full-time, I must be organized and disciplined. Especially since I was out of school for two years prior to going back. I knew I wanted to go to grad school at some point in my life, I just needed to find the program that best fit me and what would help me grow with my current position.

“I spend most of my nights reading or doing assignments. But I’m learning valuable information that I share with my colleagues and our clients, and I know I will be happy in the end when I am finished with my degree.”

Leaders lead

“I am also active in the Fargo-Moorhead Young Professionals Network (YPN), which takes up some of my time outside of work,” Jesse says. “I am most active with the Personal Development Committee. That started when a lady who I worked with on a pro-bono event invited me to get involved. I started in Aug 2011 and so far I really enjoy it.”

Pump up the volume

“Weeknights, If I don’t have class or homework, I go to the gym for a workout. I attend a ‘body pump’ weightlifting class twice a week with some of my colleagues. It is a great way to relieve some stress and keep my head clear. I also try to make dinner if I have enough time. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend if I can squeeze him in,” Jesse says with a wry smile.

“I do try to go out with friends at least once during the weekend. Sometimes that means watching NDSU Bison football games or just dinner, drinks and or a movie. I also visit with my baby niece, who lives nearby.”

Jesse, left, and friends tuned in to the NDSU Bison Championship football game as the team won its first Division 1 FCS National Football title last month.

Whenever possible, Jesse also attends music concerts. “I just love music, no specific artists. I have always been active with music. I played the saxophone, piano and even had some guitar lessons. I was also very active in choir and competed at different singing competitions,” Jesse says.

Find Jesse on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Jesse!

What was your first job?

Cashier at a grocery store

What did it teach you?

To go to college!

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day?

I would like motivation to take an hour each day to go to the gym. I would attend a workout class, run, walk, whatever I could to feel refreshed. Or else I would make a really nice meal.

What’s the best advice you ever got?

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Some of CCI’s projects include:

Internationally known Ralph Engelstad Arena

Canad Inns Destination Center

Evergreen Hall, University of MN, Crookston

For 30+ years, CCI has balanced quality, energy efficiency, ambitious deadlines and of course tight costs in building new commercial facilities.

The challenge: CCI’s proposal book for new projects didn’t match the quality and innovation level of their services.

Stepped up look

CCI turned to our Grand Forks office for a new proposal book. The deadline was tight, since CCI was presenting its bid for the new Choice Heath & Fitness Center. We worked with the CCI team to write, design and produce the 42-page book, customized to fit the request for proposal.

CCI's enhanced bid proposal book.

Goal #1: achieved

CCI was selected to present for the project! We then worked with CCI staff members on presentation tips and techniques, guiding them on everything from what to wear to powerpoint help tips and the order of speakers.

CCI got the bid!

Today, Choice Health & Fitness is well on its way to completion.

Next step: website

CCI had never had a website. They knew it was important, most of their competitors had websites, yet CCI’s client projects took priority. As CCI continued to focus on its own work, our Grand Forks office and Flint Interactive team created CCI’s website.  The company knowledge was fresh in our minds, and the content for the website was already partially written. We wrote, designed and developed the site, which also features a Bid Library where subcontractors can request secure access to upcoming projects and current project documents.

Here are a few website pages:

The site showcases CCI’s projects and team of employees that make the company what it is today.

The site was built to highlight the beautiful buildings CCI has worked on.

Easy-to-follow layouts take users from projects categorized by industry to services and team bios.

We’re proud to help take CCI to new levels of success!

Get Valentine’s treats made with true homemade love for your sweeties through her Facebook page: Facebook.com/MandysKitchen

From our Fargo office, Mandy designs media plans for clients throughout the Flint Group. “First, we look at each client’s marketing objectives. I then consider media options, based on reach, cost and effectiveness. I have daily contact with vendors in print, broadcast and interactive. I then choose the medium and vendor that best reaches the client’s target audience. I also manage the regional group dealer programs. These programs allow dealers to advertise in more costly regional publications that have larger reach than local publications by pooling their money together. I handle all media planning and placements for these programs, which really show potential for dealer channels and keep me busy,” Mandy explains.

Baking her way to balance

“I analyze spreadsheets with large amounts of data, which can be mentally tiring,” Mandy says. “When I bake, all I have to do is follow specific instructions. Baking also allows me to be creative, especially when decorating. However, baking is also a lot of standing on your feet. Together, it’s a nice balance.” Away from the office, Mandy plays volleyball once a week and manages a women’s softball team in the summer. She hits the gym with her sister-in-law and makes homemade dinners to enjoy with her husband.

Prime time: Holidays

Mandy’s prime time is the holidays. “I bake, bake and bake some more! I bake every evening and spend several entire weekends rolling lefse, making caramel rolls and cut-out sugar cookies,” she says.

Christmas cookies and orange rolls from Mandy’s Kitchen

One December weekend in particular: “First I started yeast for caramel roll dough. It’s amazing how a little water, sugar and yeast can rise 10 times larger than when you began! After my yeast was ready I mixed it with the warm milk, sugar, salt and flour. Then I added more flour and kneaded the dough for 20 minutes. Then I cut the dough in half placing each portion into its own bowl, sprayed it with cooking spray to keep the dough soft and covered it with plastic wrap. “While I let the dough rise I started the peppermint kisses, which are made out of meringue and sprinkled with crushed candy cane. I piped the mixture onto the cookie sheets and baked the cookies for 1 ½ hours. As these were in the oven, I prepared the caramel mixture for the caramel rolls. Then I beat down the dough and stretched it out into a long rectangle. I then buttered the dough and sprinkled sugar and cinnamon on top before rolling the dough into a long snake of dough. I then cut the dough into 12 individual rolls and placed them on top of the caramel mixture.”

All in a weekend day’s work: Caramel rolls ready for the oven in Mandy’s Kitchen

“By then the peppermint kisses were ready to be taken out of the oven. Then I started the cut-out sugar cookies. After mixing the dough I rolled it out and cut-out Christmas trees and stars. After baking I let them cool before frosting each cookie with buttercream frosting. To be efficient, I definitely have to know how to multi-task,” Mandy says.

“I bet my colleagues would like lefse”

“About three years ago, I asked my mother to make lefse with me, as it was always a staple at my grandma’s Thanksgiving Day table. As we were rolling out lefse, I thought, ‘I bet people at work would love lefse!’ “So I put out a sign-up sheet at the office. I made more than 500 pieces of lefse at Thanksgiving and another 500 at Christmas. Since then, I have expanded to Krumkake, spritz and other Norwegian treats as well as cookies, cupcakes and cakes.

Traditional homemade Norwegian lefse from Mandy’s Kitchen

Small adjustments make a big impact

“I love sharing food with others. It makes me happy to share the treats that my family has passed on to me. Some of my favorite cookies are still the ones my grandma made. I hope to someday pass these treats on to my children as well.

“I also like making small adjustments in recipes to create my own unique goodies. Small adjustments can be made to make a softer cookie, a richer taste, a creamier frosting. I even make my own vanilla!”  I grew up around cooking and baking. My grandmother is still known for always having baked treats around her house. You couldn’t visit her without having a piece of pie or a cookie. She also inspired me to do canning. I make my own seasoned tomato sauce that is great in goulash, lasagna and spaghetti. I canned more than 150 pounds of tomatoes this summer!

“During high school I also worked at the local café, first as a waitress and then as a cook, and sometimes as both. I took great pride in making good meals for customers. Ever since then, I’ve thought about opening my own café/bakery.”

Strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting from Mandy’s Kitchen

In the meantime, she says, “I don’t have any trouble finding taste-testers at Flint.” And you never will, Mandy.

If you’d like to order homemade goodies from Mandy’s Kitchen, visit her Mandy’s Kitchen Facebook page.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Mandy!

What’s your dream job? Owner of café/bakery

Which job would you not want to have? Fast food cook My cooking/baking is a way of connecting with people, not serving high sodium high calorie burgers for a buck.

What was your first job? Waitress at the local cafe

What did it teach you? How to cook to order and how to make large quantities of food

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day? Decorating cakes

What’s the best advice you ever got? Don’t expect respect. You have to earn it.

What sound do you love? Ocean lapping on the beach

What scent do you love? Cut grass

The FMCVB, the official visitor information center for Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., has been a client of Flint Group for several years. With so much going on in the Fargo-Moorhead area, the FM CVB was looking for a better way to deliver timely and quality information to on-the-go visitors.

Our solution? A revamped Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) mobile site, Fargomoorhead.org.

FM CVB’s existing mobile site had limited navigation, and its aesthetics were neither inviting nor engaging. And for an industry that is all about meeting and exceeding visitors’ expectations, well, that just wouldn’t do.

Let’s get a before-and-after look at the main pages, just for kicks (and yes, because the new site is awesome):

Mobile Awesomeness, an online resource featuring the best of mobile web development, thought it was pretty awesome too—so awesome that they decided to feature it in their inspirational gallery.

Anyone with a smartphone or tablet can visit the site to access community information. The location-aware guide allows visitors to use the “nearest me” feature to list and sort options, making exploring the community easier. There’s also a “things to do” section, which lets users sort by type of activity or event, beginning with today’s events. Each listing also has a share tool that allows users to share the event or destination on their social spaces, such as Facebook or Twitter.

In order to make the site a valuable community resource, we’ve designed the platform in a way that encourages public participation. Local businesses and organizations can upload calendar information to the FM CVB website, and the content will appear on both platforms. Companies can also email deals or discounts, which are featured on both the website and mobile site.

Since mobile web browsing is predicted to overshadow web surfing from a personal computer in less than five years, we designed the FM CVB site to function within multiple operating systems. Users who enter Fargomoorhead.org into their browser will be sent to the new mobile site, whereas visitors using a basic feature phone will be redirected to the CVB’s old mobile site.

In an age where content is king and accessibility is essential, the FM CVB mobile site gives visitors fingertip access to Fargo-Moorhead’s most pertinent community information.

Keeping those balloons in the air all day keeps Mikaela pretty busy, but in her downtime, she also serves as a SEO/SEM strategist and project manager for Flint Interactive.

Outside of the office, Mikaela puts her balloon-bopping skills to good use as a volleyball coach and competitive player.

A passion for volleyball

“Five years ago, a friend from WestmorelandFlint signed me up to coach club volleyball with her. I had never really seen myself as a coach before, but I jumped at the opportunity to stay active and meet new people,” says Mikaela. “That introduced me to a number of people in the volleyball community, which led to a three-year stint as a high school coach and the opportunity to play competitive adult volleyball in a number of different leagues.”

Mikaela, who played Division I volleyball at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., says the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing the growth and improvement in the girls each season and over the years.

She says, “Watching them change and develop in certain skill areas really makes me feel like I’ve made a difference. There is no greater gratification than having one of my players turn to me during a game with a big smile on her face after a winning block or attack, both of us knowing that it is something we have been working hard on during practice.”

While their athletic achievement is significant, Mikaela also enjoys watching the girls interact with, and make new, friends. She makes an effort to organize off-court activities so her players can get to know each other without the added stress of competition.

“It’s very important to bring fun and enjoyment into the season, because that is what creates the moments that many of them will remember forever,” Mikaela says.

Off the court

Between coaching club volleyball from November to June and high school volleyball from August to November (not to mention the constant balloon bopping), Mikaela only has about a month and a half of downtime. So what does she do then?

“When I’m not coaching or playing volleyball, I enjoy a quiet night at home watching BRAVO TV on the couch. Sad, but true,” she says.

Mikaela admits her life gets pretty crazy, but she says the busyness actually works in her favor.

“I have to be very organized so that I know where I need to be each night of the week. That also keeps me very organized at work, which helps me more effectively manage projects and timelines.”

Maintaining high spirits

Whether she’s at work or on the court, one of Mikaela’s goals is to keep people happy.

“With volleyball, it’s making sure players and parents are getting the most out of their time and money by running valuable, educational practices,” she explains. “At work, it’s managing client expectations and relationships and ensuring our team delivers the best possible end product.”

As project manager for Flint Group, Mikaela is responsible for managing timelines and budgets and assigning duties to team members. In her role as SEO/SEM strategist, she manages paid search campaigns and creates strategy for search engine optimization—all while perfecting her balloon-bobbing techniques.

How does she do it? We’re still baffled.

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Mikaela!

What’s your dream job?
Wedding planner or owner of a clothing boutique.

Which job would you not want to have?
Hospice care—I am much too emotional for that.

What was your first job?
Receptionist at a hair salon.

What did it teach you?
Unfortunately, it taught me how to gossip—you wouldn’t believe how fast word travels in those places.

What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day?
Sewing.

What’s the best advice you ever got?
To take the leap and move to New York. I was definitely homesick and there were times I wanted to leave, but looking back, I wouldn’t trade that experience. I met some amazing people, and it taught me how to stand on my own and be more independent.

What sound do you love?
Sneakers on the gym floor.

What scent do you love?
Cilantro.

So when the new leadership team at one of the country’s largest privately-owned hotel companies came to Flint Communications with “a new name in mind” we were energized.

Formerly Tharaldson Motels, Inc., the company operates approximately 200 select service and extended stay hotels across 24 states, representing 16 different nationally-recognized brands.

First key audience: Employees

The company, now called TMI Hospitality, employs 175 in the Fargo-Moorhead area, with more than 4,500 full and part-time employees across all operations. The majority of their employees are hotel housekeepers, front desk clerks, maintenance and other staff members who work under the many different hotel brands. The company is now fully-owned by employees, since the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1999. Perhaps more than in other re-naming/re-branding efforts, the employees at TMI Hospitality were a crucial key audience.

Words to live by

Together with the leadership team at TMI, we created an internal “manifesto” – words for all TMI employees to live by and be proud of. The manifesto states that all employees are Impression Makers, and each person’s job is part of a greater team’s effort to be the very best.

Making an impression

Flint helped TMI Hospitality with a complete re-brand project and plan to officially introduce its name to employees at an event on October 31, 2011. A few of the things we created:

-          A video to share the manifesto and introduce the new CEO’s vision for the company’s future:

-          New logo and tagline

-          Posters and banners with the newly created manifesto

-          Print ads and stationery

-          Public relations media kit, bios and photos for targeted local and national PR efforts that, thus far, have yielded nice coverage, including this article in The Forum newspaper:

TMI Hospitality plans to open four new properties in 2012 and has more ambitious growth also on tap.. Learn more about them at:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Check this out:

It’s the new logo, which Flint Communications designed last week, now in use by North Dakota State University Athletics for its first Division 1 FCS National Football Title. The NDSU Bison beat Sam Houston State, 17 – 6 in the championship game on Saturday, January 7, in Frisco, Texas.

Welcome home, winners!

Watch the team arrive back to the their home turf, the Fargodome:

Our Fargo office has a long relationship with NDSU Athletics, so we were excited about the special logo design project: we’re even more excited it will now be put to use! NDSU Athletics plans to use it on official recruiting, promotion and other materials from stationery to apparel. If you’re a Bison fan, feel free to download it for your Facebook profile or other social media.

To us, a champion exemplifies heart, drive, confidence and a whole lot of hard work. You’ve got it, NDSU Football. Congratulations!

One of Flint’s most senior employees, donna (the lowercase “d”s are intentional—she started when she was 15, and they just stuck) has been with the company for 23 years. As director of media services, she oversees the Flint Group media planning and buying processes, focusing specifically on broadcast media and retail accounts.

donna had a small flower bed at her condo in Moorhead, Minn., but her gardening “took on a whole new life” four years ago when she moved to St. Cloud, Minn.

A passion for planting

donna says her passion for planting helps offset some of the stress and detail-oriented, rigid work she performs for the Flint media department.

“I don’t have to play by the rules when I garden. It’s very relaxing and therapeutic—almost god-like,” says donna.

Gardening “every day it isn’t raining or cold,” donna takes great pride in her lavish landscaping. She looks forward to summer evenings when people walking, and even driving, stop and ask to see her yard.

Her favorite gardening store is Scenic Specialties Landscape Center, a beautiful 14-acre hobby farm she visits often for planting supplies and project ideas.

donna’s first large-scale project after moving into her new home was restoring the 4,500-gallon pond at the southwest side of the house. The pond, complete with a waterfall and underwater lights, is home to 100 fish, including koi, shubunkins, and orange, white and black goldfish.

Trading her green thumb for a thimble

When she’s not gardening (i.e., when it’s winter), donna trades her green thumb for a thimble.

“Wintertime is for crafts,” she says.

donna hadn’t sewn since she was 13, but two years ago, she began sewing on her mom’s sewing machine—an appliance that is older than her. She started out making simple, patterned mittens from recycled sweaters, which she now sells at Gypsy Lea’s, a store in downtown Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Her most recent crafting endeavors include making winter headbands and wine gift bags, which she gives to friends and family.

Donna usually gets her reusable materials from garage sales, thrift stores and her own “goodwill bag,” but her favorite retail craft store is Crafts Direct.

From antique to trendy

donna also collects vintage dishes, a hobby she describes as “a sickness.”

“It’s really bad—I’ve filled about every cupboard I have,” says donna.

Seeking to condense her generous supply of antique china (or perhaps secretly wanting to make room for more), donna took on a four-day project to restore her childhood dresser with a mosaic top made from crushed, old plates.

The most fun part of the project?

Shattering the plates, says donna.

Are you interested in purchasing a unique, homemade gift for someone special? Contact donna dodge to chat about the possibilities!

Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with donna

What’s your dream job?
Working in a greenhouse

What was your first job?
Waitress

What did it teach you?
That I didn’t want to work on my feet all day.

What’s the best advice you ever got?
Be mindful. Enjoy each moment.

What sound do you love?
Children laughing

What scent do you love?
Baking bread

And I’m not the only one. I’ve heard many admit that Pinterest should come labeled with a warning: highly addictive. Many have said the site even steals from their Facebook time. Now that’s powerful!

Some marketers are already dubbing Pinterest as “next year’s Google+ or Twitter.” So, what kinds of brands can benefit from Pinterest? And how?

Meet SunButter
SunButter is a great tasting alternative to peanut butter made from specially roasted sunflower seeds. It’s also very healthy, tastes delicious and is manufactured in a completely peanut-free facility right here in the Red River Valley.

Team members from across the Flint Group manage SunButter’s social media presence. As personal Pinterest addicts and serious SunButter fans, when the idea of Pinterest was brought up for SunButter, we jumped at the chance. Pinterest’s visual focus was a perfect match for SunButter’s drool-worthy, peanut-free recipes. And, perhaps most importantly, our friends were already there! Moms, the peanut allergy community, paleo dieters, health nuts, foodies—they were already hanging out on Pinterest.

We proceeded to create an account as “SunButter Elizabeth” – openly disclosing the brand, while maintaining our blogger Elizabeth persona (who, in fact, really is a Flint copywriter and social media maven, Elizabeth Hansen). Elizabeth’s naturally warm personality and relatable mom approach helps to humanize the SunButter brand across social media, including Pinterest.

SunButter Elizabeth’s Pinterest adventure has only just begun, but we already have boards centered around the themes of: crafts, inspiration, breakfast, lunch, savory, sweet treats, snacks, smoothies, cookies and “no peanuts, please!”

We’re excited to see how Pinterest aids in SunButter’s continual community building and growth on social media!