The commercial, entitled “Butterfly,” features an original song written by Imaginasium and produced locally. The song is set to computer-generated animation of cabinet doors fluttering through the scene and coming to rest on a full kitchen setting crafted by Valley Cabinet.

“The Telly Award is significant because it reiterates that great work is being done by firms in smaller markets that aren’t typically thought of as creative hot spots,” commented Joe Bergner, Executive Creative Director. “But of even greater importance is the affirmation that the spot communicates our client’s story in a fresh, engaging way, which in turn will resonate with their customers.”

Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 14,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

His older brother, Sam, pushed his wheelchair around the beginner’s course during the Big Fling, a disc golf fundraiser held on June 8, 2008, in Appleton’s Plamann Park and organized by Imaginasium Copywriter Eric Severstad.

In its 4th year, the Big Fling benefits the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network (FVSSN), an organization dedicated to the interests of brothers and sisters of people with special needs and long-term illnesses. Brothers and sisters typically take a back-seat to the needs of their siblings who naturally demand more attention and care. Through workshops (Sibshops) and other supportive measures, the FVSSN helps siblings get information about the disability, receive support from their peers, and celebrate their important role as siblings.

An avid disc golfer, Severstad worked with the FVSSN to create the Big Fling in 2005. “Disc golf’s appeal is that it’s easy to learn, inexpensive, and fun for all skill levels. Even some siblings with challenges can play. The sport is a perfect complement to the FVSSN,” he said.

Wisconsin is a hotbed for disc golf, with a course in nearly every community. People see it and want to learn, but they don’t know how to get started.

“That’s one of the aspects of the Big Fling of which I’m most proud,” said Severstad. “We hold a free, family-friendly disc golf clinic taught by the best golfers in the area. We promote the sport and, in turn, get people interested in a great cause, the FVSSN.”

In addition to the clinic, the Big Fling consists of an afternoon competition for all levels of play and finishes with a “jumbo putt,” during which all golfers simultaneously putt at a single basket for prizes.

Alex and Sam appreciate the chance to experience a sport together, and the FVSSN appreciates offering this unique opportunity.

Visit fvssn.org for this year’s results. And watch for information on next year’s Big Fling.

Harnessing the awesome power of modern software to improve client deliverables

Contrary to the popular cliché, knowledge is not power. The application of knowledge, however, can lead to powerful results.

Recently, Imaginasium graphic designer Renae Geimer and production artist Kelley Rudolph attended Adobe’s Creative Suite Conference in an attempt to learn and utilize the incredible power of Creative Suite 3 (CS3), the design industry’s leading-edge software program. And although the two had been using CS3 for some time, they hadn’t fully tapped into its vast functionality.

Renae and Kelley trekked to the capital of country music, Nashville, Tennessee, for 4 days of teaching, tutorials, and twangin’. They joined 200 attendees from around the country, and both attended 18 separate sessions giving them knowledge and the ability to apply it to their daily work lives.

“We regularly met after sessions, both with our jaws dropping,” Renae said. “We had both been using CS3 for a while, but it’s so much more powerful than we thought,” she added.

“The sessions not only gave us instruction but also the courage to explore the software in-depth,” said Kelley. “CS3 is seamless in how it integrates InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash. I can now take what’s in my head and make it real,” added Kelley.

In addition to the intense info download, the two had a chance to visit the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Hatch Show Print, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and take in local cuisine (pulled pork and cornbread) at Jack’s Bar-B-Que.

The convention experience allowed Renae and Kelley to get immersed in CS3, return with loads of useful information, and share with the Imaginasium creative team, which helps us tell our clients’ stories better. In short, their newfound smarts makes design easier, more efficient, and fun.

“I can’t wait to try the new techniques we learned,” said Kelley. “It will streamline our processes while increasing productivity. Basically, it gives our clients an improved end product by allowing us to control the potentiality of existing and emerging media. That’s better for our clients and the vendors we have contact with every day,” Kelley concluded.