Adsoka Art Director Participates in Art Buddies
Program pairs creative professionals with kids for after school activities

(December 18, 2007) Minneapolis—The fall Art Buddies program paired Whittier Park Elementary School students and creative professionals, like art directors and architects, for a six-week after school program. Each pair worked together to create a costume for the child related to what they want to be when they grow up. Gretchen Westbrock, art director and designer at Adsoka, participated in the program.

The goal of the costume is to represent the career abstractly. For example, if the child wants to be a dentist, they would not create a costume to look like a dentist, but rather a mouth with a toothbrush. Westbrock worked with a third-grade student who wants to be a fashion designer. They created a costume that looked like a dress form fashionably decked out.

Westbrock said, “Art Buddies was a fantastic opportunity to support art education in public school. My buddy and I worked passionately on our project and the outcome was a bit quirky but beautiful. While gluing, pasting and collaging with an eight-year-old partner, I was reminded of the fundamentals of creativity!”

To learn more about the Art Buddies program, visit www.artbuddies.org.

Minneapolis-based Adsoka is a full-service marketing, design and communications agency. Adsoka serves business-to-business, retail and nonprofit clients. The agency’s integrated skills include branding, advertising, copywriting and public relations. Adsoka has served over 130 clients including Breadsmith, the American Red Cross, Star Tribune and MindUniversity. Award-winning work includes the back to school campaign for the Mall of America and an awareness campaign for the American Red Cross. The Adsoka newsletter, 6x, offers insightful marketing tips bimonthly. Creative Contributions is the company giving program for donating billable work to nonprofit organizations. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Adsoka and Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City Receive Web site Award
Philly Award recognizes excellence in nonprofit communications

(December 10, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka and the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City (DSG) received a first place Philly Award honoring excellence in nonprofit communications for the DSG Web site. DSG accepted the award at an award ceremony on Friday, December 7 in Kansas City.

“[The web site] provides clear links for specific users and has lots of stories and photos… The ‘For Me’ section is terrific,” one judge said. The For Me section is an area of the site just for individuals with Down syndrome.

The Council on Philanthropy judged Philly Award entrants in seven categories; the DSG Web site received a first place for nonprofits with revenues under $1 million. To learn more about the Council on Philanthropy, visit www.kcphilnet.org.

“Forming strong information architecture was key to this site’s success. The site holds a great deal of content without being overwhelming,” said Maggie Swanson, editor at Adsoka. “We also really enjoyed establishing the ‘For Me’ section.”

The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City is a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. DSG seeks to provide the entire community with information and education to broaden awareness and foster positive attitudes regarding people with Down syndrome. For more information, visit www.KCDSG.org.

Minneapolis-based Adsoka is a full-service marketing, design and communications agency. Adsoka serves business-to-business, retail and nonprofit clients. The agency’s integrated skills include branding, advertising, copywriting and public relations. Adsoka has served over 130 clients including Breadsmith, the American Red Cross, Star Tribune and MindUniversity. Award-winning work includes the back to school campaign for the Mall of America and an awareness campaign for the American Red Cross. The Adsoka newsletter, 6x, offers insightful marketing tips bimonthly. Creative Contributions is the company giving program for donating billable work to nonprofit organizations. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Vita.mn Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with Events, Campaign

(November 13, 2007) Minneapolis—The weekly publication Vita.mn is celebrating their one-year anniversary with an event-packed week—and it all launches tonight. Most of the events are free and all are open to the public.

• Tue 11/13 @ 7:30: Found Footage Festival at Parkway Theater free
• Wed 11/14 @ 7:30: Singled Out at The Saloon free
• Thu 11/15 @ 7:30: Concert featuring Cloud Cult, Doomtree, First Communion After Party and DJ Espada at the Varsity Theater free, need to register online
• Fri 11/16 @ 7:00: ICON: Paintings by Nicholas Harper opening reception at Rogue Buddha Gallery free
• Sat 11/17 @ 9:00: Salsalabrosa Saturday at Picosa free-$8
• Sun 11/18 @ 2:00: Twin Cities Scavenger Hunt $10

For more event details and to register, visit www.vita.mn.

In conjunction with the one-year anniversary, Vita.mn and Adsoka are launching a venue-based awareness campaign inspired by street art. Look for the posters to pop up all over town!

“Vita.mn is all about fun,” said Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka. “The week of events and ongoing promotion is all about getting up and going out, having fun and visiting the great venues in the metro area. We’re encouraging people to sample new places and enjoy their favorite spots more.”

Vita.mn is your ultimate play planner to what's going on in the Twin Cities. On www.vita.mn you can connect with other locals to share thoughts and recommendations on hotspots and happenings. Vita.mn is in on racks Thursdays and always online. Learn more at www.vita.mn.

Adsoka Receives Platinum and Gold 2007 MarCom Awards

(November 5, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka today announced it is the recipient of five MarCom Awards, including two platinum awards. Adsoka received awards for the following work:  

• Red Cross obituary advertising campaign: platinum award, advertising campaign category
• Voom 411 business cards: platinum award, design/business card category
• Mall of America back to school advertising campaign: gold award, advertising campaign category
• Red Cross obituary advertisement: gold award, writing/ad copy category
• Cabrini Partnership annual report: honorable mention, pro bono category

The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) oversees and administers the MarCom Awards. The international awards program receives over 5,000 entries each year. Each submission was evaluated by a panel of senior-level professionals. Other winning entries include Merrill Lynch, Toyota and the American Cancer Society.

“It is important to recognize the creativity and effort of our partnership with our clients. Awards do a good job of reminding us all to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve done,” said Jason Inskeep, principal at Adsoka. “Awards also push us to greater success with future work.”

MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and communication professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials. Learn more at www.marcomawards.com.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Art at Adsoka Is a Success

(October 1, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka held its sixth Art at Adsoka event on Friday, September 28. The event featured art by Ray Becoskie, Bill O’Neil and Mary Olson and music by Danny Sigelman from The Current and Dean Vaccaro and Jezus Juice from Tambuca. The event, which included the much beloved Adsokatini, drew approximately 400 people. A number of original pieces were sold. See photos from the event.

“It was great to bring clients, vendors and friends of Adsoka together in celebration of the artists,” said Abigail Waters, public relations manager.

The art will be displayed through November in Adsoka; the gallery is open to the public during regular business hours.

Art at Adsoka supports the arts by providing gallery space and promotional marketing. Adsoka developed Art at Adsoka in 2003 as a means to celebrate creativity and its positive influences. Previous artists include Nicholas Harper, who was named in 2007 by CNN as an artist to watch.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Adsoka Principal Highlighted in Campus Publication

(October 5, 2007) Minneapolis—Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka, was featured in the fall 2007 publication Creating Futures in an article titled “Jason Inskeep: Community-minded Entrepreneur.” The article described Jason’s commitment to community involvement both individually and through Adsoka.

“Jason serves on the boards of directors of the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization, the International Association of Business Communicators-Minnesota chapter and the Linden Hills Co-op, where he serves as board president,” stated the article.

“Jason is well-connected in the community and generous with his time,” said Gretchen Westbrock, art director at Adsoka, who has worked with Jason for five years. “He is always finding ways to benefit organizations large and small.”

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Adsoka Launches Creative Contributions

(October 8, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka is delighted to announce the launch of the giving program Creative Contributions. On a monthly basis, Adsoka donates a percentage of billable time to nonprofit organizations through Creative Contributions. This program was created out of the desire to recognize our nonprofit clients, the work they do and how marketing supports their goals.

“Adsoka has actively donated work, consulting expertise and money to a variety of organizations and causes since the company’s inception,” said Jason Inskeep, principal. “It is in our organization’s DNA.”

Clients currently enrolled in the Creative Contributions program include the Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization, Cabrini Partnership, the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City and the Twin Cities Red Cross. Our work with these clients has led to significant results. Learn more about Creative Contributions.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Pinnacle Services, Adsoka Client, Is Listed on the Inc. 5,000
Inc. 5,000 lists the fastest growing private companies

(August 23, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka client Pinnacle Services, a company that provides services for children and adults with long-term disabilities and senior citizens, was highlighted in Inc. Magazine’s first-ever “Inc. 5,000” list that recognizes the country’s fastest-growing private companies. Pinnacle Services reported a 35.6 percent growth in revenue over three years.

St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs said, “St. Louis Park is a diverse community with great businesses, schools and residents that continues to demonstrate its attractiveness with news such as this and being recently noted as one of America's Top Communities for Young People. Congratulations are due to Pinnacle Services and Flextech for getting recognized for business growth.”

To qualify for the 2007 Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 list, companies had to be U.S.-based and privately held, independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2006, and meet financial growth standards. The Midwest region, with 1,046 of the 5,000 businesses listed, is noted as the best area in the country for business growth.

“It is fulfilling to receive recognition for the work of our people and the people we serve. The opportunity to share the story of how our services are improving the lives of individuals and their families is important,” said Nicolas Thomley, CEO of Pinnacle Services, Inc.

Complete information for this year’s list can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The list features a profile for each company and is searchable according to industry, city, state, region and year founded.

Pinnacle Services, Inc. is an innovative multi-service provider for children and adults with long-term disabilities and senior citizens. The company offers case management services, residential and vocational support services to people and their families in various counties throughout Minnesota. The mission of Pinnacle Services, Inc. is to ensure quality services are provided to the people they serve. Additional information about Pinnacle Services can be found at http://www.pinnacleservices.org.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute Chooses Adsoka
University of Minnesota center enhances the leadership of nonprofits and the public sector through research and courses

(September 20, 2007) Minneapolis—The Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center (PNLC) of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute in the University of Minnesota chose Adsoka to develop marketing for the center.

The PNLC provides undergraduate and graduate classes and professional development; the center also has a strong focus on research that informs nonprofit and public services sector processes. 

Adsoka is in the process of renewing printed and online communications. The new materials are expected to be launched publicly in November.

The purpose of the Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center is to enhance the leadership of nonprofits, philanthropy and the public sector to work together, and with the private sector, to advance the common good and serve the public interest. To learn more, visit http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/pnlc/index.html.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Adsoka Adds Talent

(August 15, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka recently welcomed new employees Alason McFarland (business manager) and Kayla Stearns (designer) to the team.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

VOOM 411 Launches in Twin Cities
Adsoka leads the marketing effort

(July 25, 2007) Minneapolis—Voom 411, a new directory assistance company, launched beta testing on July 9, 2007. The new service pairs standard directory assistance information with live operators who have local knowledge of the seven county metro area and excellent Web search capabilities. Movie reviews, directions, traffic reports, weather forecasts and more will all be available through the operator.

Adsoka updated the company’s brand identity, created a Web site, provided trade show personnel support and developed promotional materials.

Voom 411 is projected to cost $0.99 per minute; this is less expensive than traditional 411 directory assistance, which averages $1.50 per call. Most calls can be efficiently handled within one minute.

“Voom 411 is an excellent resource for busy people,” said Maggie Swanson, editor at Adsoka.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Adsoka Sponsor of 10,000 Arts Crawl
Arts quarterly, 10,000 Arts, holds design crawl event

(July 10, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka is a sponsor of the 10,000 Arts Crawl, a design crawl hosted by The Rake and MNartists.org. 10,000 Arts is a quarterly publication by The Rake. The design crawl will be held on Thursday, July 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. on Glenwood Avenue. The design crawl destinations include Abitare design studio, AIA Minnesota, Hirshfield’s Design Studio, Ivy Men’s + Design and Ligne roset. Admission is free.

“We are delighted to sponsor such a fun event,” said Gretchen Westbrock, art director. “Adsoka is a strong supporter of the arts in the Twin Cites, so this is a great fit.”

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

Principal of Adsoka, Jason Inskeep, to Keynote at Digital Discovery 2.0

(July 10, 2007) Minneapolis—Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka, will deliver a keynote presentation at Digital Discover 2.0 on the topic “Managing Expectations: Secrets on what today’s marketing can do.” This event is delivered by IKON Office Solutions, and will feature topics relevant to marketing management and marketing communications professionals.

“Adsoka has been a leader in innovative ways to approach marketing, and we're thrilled to have them deliver a presentation,” said Craig Ruhland of IKON Office Solutions. “The vast and varying experience Jason brings to the table made him a must-have for our solutions forum.”

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

(July 5, 2007) Minneapolis—Spill the Wine restaurant chose Adsoka to lead the creation and launch of their loyalty campaign. The campaign is designed to help visitors experience new wines regularly. The “SPILL IT” membership, named by Adsoka, will be launched in the coming weeks. Adsoka created the various promotional materials.

“Spill the Wine is a fun restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere,” said Maggie Swanson, editor at Adsoka. “The SPILL IT membership is a great way to get people learning about various wines.”

SPILL IT members receive eight glasses of wine from the extensive by-the-glass list for $25. The membership also includes 10 percent off in the Spill the Wine boutique located in the restaurant.

For more information on Spill the Wine, visit www.spillthewinerestaurant.com.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

(June 28, 2007) Minneapolis—Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka, joined two arts boards in June including Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization (TCFAO) and Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA).

TCFAO established in 2002, and its goal is to promote local galleries, museums and community centers. For more information, visit www.twincitiesfinearts.org.

MCBA established in 1983, and its mission is to engage diverse artists and learners in finding creativity, expression and inspiration through the book arts. For more information, visit www.mnbookarts.org.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

(June 21, 2007) Minneapolis—The Adsoka office was featured in a television commercial. The office was designed by Adsoka client The Foundation Architects.

“We’re not surprised our office was chosen,” said Gretchen Westbrock, art director at Adsoka. “People frequently comment on what an excellent space it is. Years later, we still appreciate The Foundation Architects’ work.”

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

(May 30, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka received two 2007 bronze Horizon Interactive Awards in the e-commerce/shopping and public service/nonprofit categories honoring their Web work for clients Baby Goes Vintage and Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization (TCFAO) respectively. The 6th annual Horizon Interactive Awards was the most competitive to date with nearly 1,000 entries from 26 countries.

Each submission was evaluated by an international panel of industry professionals and a panel of end-users. Entries were judged on originality, overall appearance, user experience, communication of message, technical merit and effectiveness of solution. Other winning entries include Dell, Philips, Verizon Wireless, The Home Depot and the Cartoon Network.

“Adsoka enjoys finding ways to engage the user with each Web development project,” said Maggie Swanson, editor at Adsoka. “We’re proud of the work we do for Baby Goes Vintage and the Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization.”

Baby Goes Vintage is an online retailer of vintage-inspired items for babies. The e-commerce site features a gift registry for expecting parents. Learn more at www.babygoesvintage.com.

TCFAO is a nonprofit membership-based organization that art galleries, museums and individuals may join. The organization promotes local galleries, museums and community centers. Learn more at www.twincitiesfinearts.org.

The Horizon Interactive Awards is a prestigious international competition recognizing outstanding achievement among interactive media producers. The awards showcase the best Web site design, cd-roms, dvds, video, kiosks, video games and other interactive media. Learn more at www.horizoninteractiveawards.com.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, nonprofit and others. Written and visual creations are applied in a distinctive manner because Adsoka immerses itself in the communication context. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.

(May 2, 2007) Minneapolis—JoAnne Tomczak, President of Furoshnikov’s Formulas, was featured in the Star Tribune on May 1 in an article by Maria Elena Baca titled “Looking to Baby Your Pet?” Tomczak was quoted in the article offering home-cooked dog food as an alternative to heavily-recalled commercial foods.

“Commercial dog foods are convenience foods, and we’re seeing more and more concerned dog owners looking for an alternative way to feed their beloved pets. Our blend of essential vitamins and minerals used in conjunction with home cooking, is the perfect way to ensure your dog is eating something you can be sure is nutritious,” said Tomczak.

“The article offers dog owners a great opportunity to learn more about how to cook for your dog. More and more people are affected by the pet food recalls and now is the time to explore other options,” said Jason Inskeep, principal at Adsoka.

The mission of Furoshnikov’s Formulas as noted at www.CookForYourDog.com is to help people feed their dogs a complete and balanced diet using preservative-free wholesome foods. For more information, including how to order or to request a complimentary sample, visit www.CookForYourDog.com.

(May 25, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka will hold its sixth Art at Adsoka event on Friday, September 28. The art will be displayed through November in Adsoka; the artist and musician have not been announced. The event is expected to attract several hundred people. Hors d’ oeuvres and beverages will be served.

“We always enjoy having Art at Adsoka,” said Gretchen Westbrock, art director of Adsoka. “It’s fun to bring together clients, vendors and friends for a good time—all while supporting the local arts!”

Art at Adsoka supports the arts by providing gallery space and promotional marketing. Adsoka developed Art at Adsoka in 2003 as a means to celebrate creativity and its positive influences. Previous artists include Nicholas Harper, who was named in 2007 by CNN as an artist to watch.

(April 23, 2007) Minneapolis—The Twin Cities Area Chapter of the American Red Cross selected Adsoka to create advertising for their "Get Ready" campaign. The "Get Ready" theme encourages individuals to get a kit, get a plan and get involved. The advertisements take the form of obituaries to create impact.

“Being prepared for disaster is how lives are saved. We believe all chapters of the American Red Cross will implement their own 'Get Ready' campaigns to encourage individuals, families and communities to get a kit, get a plan and get involved. Adsoka’s willingness to contribute to this effort is greatly appreciated,” said Ted Canova, chief communications and marketing officer from American Red Cross, Twin Cities Area Chapter.

The campaign is timely as the Red Cross seeks funds to support the expanded service requests in area communities and with individuals and families.

“The concepts we’ve created are edgy and geared toward action,” said Jason Inskeep, principal at Adsoka.

The mission of the American Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The chapter also teaches children and adults how to save lives through first aid, CPR and AED training, water safety instruction and community safety education. The American Red Cross is not a government agency. Their programs, which serve community members in the eight county metro area, rely on the financial support and voluntary service of generous citizens in the Twin Cities area. For more information, visit www.redcrosstc.org.

(April 23, 2007) Minneapolis—The release party for Peddling Medicine will be held May 25 at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis. Golden, Black Blondie, Big Quarters, Ernie Rhodes, Prof & Rahzwell, Man.i.fest and VERB X on the Wheels will be performing in the two-part show. The two-part show features an all ages show at 5 p.m. and an 18+ show at 9 p.m. Tickets are for sale through Ticketmaster.

“This is a great opportunity to promote the album,” said Jason Inskeep, principal. “The pre-released album has had an excellent response, especially on iTunes.”

The album Peddling Medicine has 13 tracks including “Elevator Music” featuring Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. Tickets for the show are $16.50 for those 18 years and older and $31.50 for those 21 and older.

(May 25, 2007) Minneapolis—Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka, was featured in the April edition of IABC’s Volunteer Spotlight, an editorial granted to IABC members who have made a significant impact on their member chapter.

Inskeep joined IABC five years ago and has helped the organization create materials for events and advertisements. He has also hosted IABC Welcome Events six times a year for the past three years.

“The largest benefit has been the many people I've met and the stories they have shared with me about their jobs. Sharing the ways we solve marketing challenges and what we still face is very insightful,” said Inskeep.

IABC Minnesota provides programming, career development and networking opportunities to help people and organizations achieve excellence in public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication.

(April 27, 2007) Minneapolis—The commercial graphic art poster “CHOCOLATE: a Divine Delight,” an element of the “savor life” advertising campaign created by Adsoka, Inc., was selected for exhibition at the Bread Circus Event held in the Minnesota Historical Society Mill City Museum (www.millcitymuseum.org). Created for Breadsmith (www.breadsmithmn.com), the savor life campaign has been the signature of numerous bread promotions.

Lorenzo’s Bread Circus (www.lorenzosbreadcircus.org) brought together the Twin Cities baking community for bread tasting, discussions, demonstrations and kids’ activities. Hosted by professional bread baker and educator Lorenzo, the event aligned with the Mill City Museum atmosphere. The museum is housed in the Washburn A Mill and tells the story of milling and—in many ways—the story of how the Midwest developed.

The event demonstrated the love of bread endures today. From the chocolate bread shown in the poster to nuances of sourdough starters, attendee behavior illustrated a great deal of interest in bread baking and recipes. Kim Ode, a Star Tribune feature writer, baker and author of “Baking with the St. Paul Bread Club: Recipes, Tips and Stories,” signed copies of her book and held standing room only baking demonstrations in the museum’s baking lab.

The return of the bread circus is likely. “I was asked if we could come back again this summer,” said Lorenzo.

Adsoka Wins IABC Bronze Quill Award of Merit for Communications Management for WhisperPhone

(February 2, 2007) Minneapolis—Adsoka received the 2007 Award of Merit in Communications Management and Multi-Audience Communication honoring the work done for their client Harebrain Inc., the maker of WhisperPhone. Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka, accepted the award at the Bronze Quill Award Gala on February 22.

Each submission was evaluated by two IABC judges from different areas of the country including Harrisburg, Atlanta, Dallas, St. Louis and Detroit. Communication Management has a focus on strategy, and Multi-Audience Communication recognizes programs that target more than one audience.

“Adsoka has done an excellent job of making Harebrain look like a big company. In fact, judging from the entry, it’s clear that Adsoka is more than just their communication firm—they’re Harebrain’s marketing department,” said Bob Porter, judge in IABC Bronze Quill.

“Our work with WhisperPhone has been engaging, thoughtful and rewarding,” said Jason Inskeep, principal of Adsoka. “Harebrain is a great partner, and WhisperPhone is an excellent tool.”

WhisperPhone is a hands-free, acoustical voice-feedback headset that enables children and adults to focus on and hear the individual sounds of words more clearly as they learn by processing language aloud.

WhisperPhone, an educational tool for children and adults, is available for purchase through education suppliers, specialty catalogs, school product retailers and www.whisperphone.com. WhisperPhone® is an innovative product that helps students learn by making their voices more clear as they read. It is hands-free, reversible, lightweight and dishwasher safe. It is made in the United States by Harebrain, Inc. For more information, visit www.WhisperPhone.com.

The Minnesota Chapter of IABC brings together professionals who want to excel in the communications field. It provides lifelong learning opportunities by giving members the tools and information they need at any stage in their career. With more than 450 members, IABC Minnesota was named Large Chapter of the Year for 2006 by IABC. Minnesota is part of the larger, international, not-for-profit organization that serves 13,000 members worldwide. For more information, visit www.IABCmn.com.

Adsoka is a marketing, design and communications agency in Minneapolis. It formed in 2003 and serves clients in a wide spectrum of industries including business-to-business, retail, non-profit and others. Adsoka means adding creative value. Learn more at www.ADSOKA.com.