AW Employee Spotlight: Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

At Addison Whitney, our people are our most valuable resource. We are lucky to have such a talented group working throughout our offices, and in our AW Spotlight series we wanted to spotlight our employees, finding out more about who they are, and their thoughts on working at Addison Whitney.

In this edition of the AW Spotlight, we wanted to get the insights of four of our amazing team members from our visual branding and verbal branding teams, finding out what gets their creative juices flowing, and asked them their thoughts on the question: Where do you find inspiration when starting your creative process?

Check out their answers below!


Cathleen Foley, Director of Visual BrandingCathleen_Foley

"Whenever beginning the creative process, I start with research. I like to learn as much as I can about the subject matter and let the research spark inspiration.

The findings can manifest in different ways – a shape, a color, or even a font choice. It also helps to associate meaning to every decision in the creative process."


Brittany Scott – Manager, Verbal BrandingBrittany_Scott

"My inspiration begins with brainstorming – I love to browse online and then write down everything I can think of related to a particular topic.

I explore specialized resources and research unique words/phrases related to my ideas. (For example, if I’m thinking about a company or product working strategically towards a goal, I may think about chess, which is a very strategic game. I’ll then research chess moves and other chess-specific phrases that might symbolize strategy and success.)"


Dave Dixon – Senior Graphic DesignerDave_Dixon

"For me, there’s no one go-to source for creative inspiration. Sometimes it’s the obvious answers, like a well-constructed logo or particularly inventive package design; other times it’s something a bit different, like the latest soccer gear or the navigation design in a video game.

Whatever the project at hand, I’ll look for something in the creative brief that catches my attention, a phrase or concept that might be unique to the project. From there, I try to extrapolate on that idea and follow the various pathways that inevitably branch off from that starting point."


Rachel Loucks – Junior Verbal Branding AssociateRachel_Loucks

"Broadly speaking, I get inspiration from all kinds of places. When naming, I regularly borrow concepts from astronomy, mythology, architecture, chemistry & biology, music, famous figures, and the plant and animal kingdoms, as well as words from other languages.

More narrowly, I use a couple of resources regularly during my creative process. One of my preferred tools is OneLook - acts as a thesaurus, dictionary, and subject index, and is especially helpful in finding new ways to speak to classic concepts."

Addison Whitney is a global branding firm with a passion for building strong brands.
To learn more about Addison Whitney, visit our website at AddisonWhitney.com, or contact us here.


National Name a Day Day

We all know Labor Day, April Fool's Day, Groundhog Day and Earth Day. These holidays are nationally known and often make headlines. In our lifetime, we've all probably celebrated one or all of these (one way or another). There are federal, national, religious, secular and lastly, weird and unusually named holidays. If you're taking entries, how do I get my holidays on the list? How do I make it official? I guess my first step is to research if any of my days are already taken.

Not surprisingly, I found that there is a "day" for nearly every day of the year. Some days have multiple celebrations. Most of the strangely named and unusual celebrations are not officially recorded by presidential proclamation or congressional records. Go figure. I did find a few I could get on board with: Book Lovers Day, Eat Outside Day & Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. Some I would not be a supporter of: National Chocolate Covered Insect Day & No Pants Day which is celebrated on the 1st Friday in May, thankfully not at AW. When polled, a few associates came up with celebrations they'd like to add to the list.Read more


VP Consultant Elf

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Bill Lippincott, aka Blisters
Favorite Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life. How can you beat Jimmy Stewart in this black & white classic. A quotable line for all life’s moments.

Favorite Holiday Treat: Bob’s Peppermint Candy Canes. I’m talking about the real deal here, none of that Chinese crap. Hard candy, baby! Break a molar and smile the whole way through.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Opening the gifts on Christmas morning still tops all, young or old.

How do you trim your tree? I buy it, set it up, and put on the lights. After that manly man’s work, I retire for a cocktail and let my wife handle the decorations.

Favorite Reindeer: I’m not sure, but I wonder if after giving Donner his name, Santa moved him up to the front as not to be so close to his sleigh?


Project Management Elves

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Ashley Popham, aka Bouncy Bubba Louie
Favorite Holiday Movie: Snoopy Christmas
Favorite Holiday Treat: Fudge
Favorite Holiday Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies
Favorite Holiday Tradition: Getting together with my three best friends and having our annual cookie baking and decorating at someone’s house.
Trimming the Tree: I like the old fashioned ornaments, and I like to collect city ornaments from places I’ve traveled to.
Favorite Part of Christmas: Decorating and going back home to Atlanta to visit my friends and family.

Keri Lynch, aka Jolly Angelpants
Favorite Holiday Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Holiday Treat: Peanut Butter Kiss cookies
Favorite Holiday Tradition: My mom letting us open one present on Christmas Eve, and it was always a new pair of Christmas pajamas.
Trimming the Tree: Lots of tinsle.
Favorite Reindeer: Vixen. Who doesn't like a reindeer who isn't afraid to be a little naughty?

Laine Beyerl, aka Snooky Sparkly-Toes
Favorite Holiday Movie: A Christmas Story. Yes, I do like to watch it at least 6 times during the 24 hour marathon
Favorite Holiday Treat: Pierogies (family Christmas tradition) and Chocolate Fudge. Not at the same time.
Favorite Holiday Tradition: Overeating.
Trimming the Tree: I visit my parents every year and the tree is usually trimmed already with ornaments from over the years.
Favorite Reindeer: Donner--the most overlooked reindeer of all.


Strategy Elves

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Betsy Lard, aka Bijoux O'Leary
Favorite Holiday Movie? I still laugh out loud at A Christmas Story
Favorite Holiday Treat? Christmas Wassail is a hot, spiced cider; it's my favorite way to warm up in the evenings
Favorite Holiday Tradition? My family has a bonfire each year, where we roast hot dogs, make s'mores and catch up with friends and family
How do you Trim your Tree? We haven't developed any theme yet. We just trim our tree with a mishmash of ornaments passed down from our families
Favorite Reindeer? Blitzen is cool; I think his name originally meant lightning, which you'd need to deliver all those toys in one night.

Beth Anne McPheeters, aka Crumpet
Favorite Holiday Movie? A Christmas Story and Love Actually
Favorite Holiday Treat? Cookie box (it's more of a bucket) from Mom's friend
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Watching Dumb and Dumber on Christmas Eve
How do you Trim your Tree? I don't have a tree -- I'm broke and lazy
Favorite Reindeer? Prancer -- cause he sounds fancy


Market Research Elves

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Elizabeth McGaha, aka Wacky Bubba-Louie
Favorite Holiday Movie? Nester the Long-Eared Donkey (I cry every time)
Favorite Holiday Treat? Nonfat no-whip peppermint mocha from Starbucks
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Going to see the Capitol Christmas Tree and the National and State trees in D.C.
How do you Trim your Tree? The day after THanksgiving with multi-colored lights and as much glitter and sequins and tackiness as possible
Favorite Reindeer? Blitzen

Meredith Badinelli, aka Sunny Mistletoe
Favorite Holiday Movie? A Christmas Story
Favorite Holiday Treat? Chex Muddy Buddies
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Trimming the tree (and of course, opening presents!)
How do you Trim your Tree? Multi-colored lights and an assortment of ornaments collected over the years
Favorite Reindeer? Comet

Erin Broszkowski, aka Nipper Angel-Pants
Favorite Holiday Movie? Miracle on 34th Street -- I've seen it a million times and still get teary
Favorite Holiday Treat? Peppermint Ice Cream -- my mom and I stalk the freezer section right after Thanksgiving
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Even though my brother and I are in our 20s, we get pajamas every Christmas Eve that we have to sleep in and wear the next morning when we open presents
How do you Trim your Tree? When my mom was a kid she got an ornament every year for the tree. She continued the tradition with my brother and I. Our tree is covered with all of our ornaments past and present.
Favorite Reindeer? Dancer


Senior Project Manager Elf

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Eliza Brenkus, aka Blinky Mistletoe

Favorite Holiday Movie? Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) Not the Tim Allen one

Favorite Holiday Treat? My favorite recipe is an egg casserole. It is great to have ready for all of the guests that are in the house at Christmas. Of course, brie in puff pastry with cranberries and pecans is a great app for the holidays.

Favorite Holiday Tradition? For the past few years, we have gone with my family to St. Thomas for Christmas... it has been AMAZING.

How do you Trim your Tree? We gathered ornaments from all of our travels in Europe and Beyond... Brett and I are very protective of our ornaments, they have their own case. I know lame.

Favorite Reindeer? I am going with Blitzen. It is the holidays, everyone should be a little Blitzen.


SVP Elf

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Vince Budd, aka Blinky Bed-Head

Favorite Holiday Movie? Christmas Vacation

Favorite Holiday Treat? Pumpkin Pie

Favorite Holiday Tradition? Playing Santa

How do you Trim your Tree? Wife's favorite scissors

Favorite Reindeer? Rudolph


Healthcare Group Elves

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Andy Cuykendall, aka Peppy Mistletoe
Favorite Holiday Movie? It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Holiday Treat? Pizelle Italian Cookies
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Decorating the tree to Frank Sinatra
How do you Trim your Tree? Lights and ornaments - No tinsel or garland
Favorite Reindeer? Blitzen

Bill Purdy, aka Peppermiz Bingaling
Favorite Holiday Movie? A Christmas Story
Favorite Holiday Treat? Bourbon Eggnog
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Fondue on Christmas Eve
How do you Trim your Tree? Generations of hand-made ornaments. NO TINSEL!
Favorite Reindeer? Vixen


Marketing Elves

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Ninh Nguyen, aka Bijou Mistletoe
Favorite Holiday Movie? Home Alone
Favorite Holiday Treat? Pumpkin Pie
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Ice skating outside at the uptown rink
How do you Trim your Tree? I'm eco friendly -- I have a plastic one
Favorite Reindeer? Dancer-- since I like the show "So you think you can dance"

Brooke Sanders, aka Nipper Tum-Tums
Favorite Holiday Movie? Elf
Favorite Holiday Treat? Chocolate Peanut Squares, Breakfast Casserole
Favorite Holiday Tradition? Sitting in front of the fire, reading a book, and drinking hot chocolate with the Christmas tree lit up and Christmas music playing in the background
How do you Trim your Tree? Christmas ornaments that my mom has bought me--one every year since I was born
Favorite Reindeer? Rudolph