Robot Creative - Design and Marketing Weblog

Introducing C.J. Wolfe - Web Designer and Developer

CJ Wolfe, the newest addition to the ROBOT team, is a kickass web designer and developer who has been cranking out websites for the past five years.

In 2006, CJ earned a BA in Computer Graphic Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word. After completing his degree, CJ worked as a web designer at various creative and web firms, where he created websites for some of San Antonio’s most prominent businesses.

CJ prefers working for small companies. He’s glad to be at ROBOT, where he is encouraged to “wear different hats” and try new things. He is fluent in xHTML and CSS markup languages. Oh, and English as well. While CJ is soft-spoken, his web design sure packs a punch.

When CJ is not knee-deep in HTML code, he is most likely spending time with friends and family or watching action and drama-filled movies. Besides design, some of his interests include new technology, watching basketball and football, and constantly learning in order to beef up his design performance in the workplace.

Meet ROBOT's Summer Marketing Intern: Juliet Taylor

Juliet Taylor is ROBOT's summer marketing intern. Her responsibilities include researching new technologies for marketing and assisting with various ROBOT marketing initiatives.

Juliet is majoring in Communication at Trinity University, where she is a member of a local sorority and a viola player in the Trinity Orchestra. Some of her interests include new media, photography and traveling. When not concentrating on her intern duties or other extracurricular activities, she is most likely hanging out with friends, watching the Daily Show or eating breakfast tacos.

Juliet has thoroughly enjoyed her time as an intern. Who knows, she may begin collecting vintage robots soon.

Meet Robot's Spring Marketing Intern: Crystal Nguyen

We are very excited to welcome Crystal Nguyen, a participant from the December ROBOT Internship Mixer, to the ROBOT team for the Spring Semester of 2011.  

Crystal will be working on a number of our marketing projects, including ROBOT's student outreach through Facebook, research and preparation for ROBOT speaking engagements, promotion and preparation for ROBOT events and more. 

 

Crystal, a senior at Trinity University, is double majoring in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, and Spanish. She served as the vice president of Alumni Relations of the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity, as co-captain for Trinity's women's club volleyball team for two years and as the public relations chair for the Vietnamese Student Association. Did we mention she's fluent in Vietnamese and can also speak Spanish and Portuguese?

Crystal brings a fresh energy to our marketing projects, and we're very excited to have her on the team!

Robot Holiday Party 2009

by Andrew Watson

Robot had its annual holiday employee extravaganza last month, complete with great food and a Secret Santa gift exchange. Taryn, our marketing manager, has taken the reins of the party planning committee, and this year's holiday party set the stage for her first major undertaking as the anointed one. Let's see how she did...

 

Pulling from her marketing expertise, Taryn successfully implemented a strategic Secret Santa gift exchange that was targeted towards its intended audience - us! Rather than a total crapshoot as to what to get your fellow employee, Taryn created a spreadsheet where each person listed 3 general types of gifts they would like, without being too specific. A sort of friendly "point you in the right direction" approach that still seals in the element of surprise that a traditional gift exchange provides, while keeping everyone happy with their gifts. Progressive. Groundbreaking. Brilliant.

How many times have you received a ceramic garden frog when you are clearly more of a wool scarf kind of person? "Well no more!" - not with Taryn at the helm. Looks like the SS Robot has some smooth sailing ahead.

  

While the gift exchange 2.0 upgrade was a welcome new edition to the proceedings, some things have remained a staple with our annual get together. Once again, the eclectic and mouthwatering array of pot luck vittles was worthy of a king's feast, Brittany's eyes were closed in 94% of the pictures, my tongue took on a dark purple hue from excessive Shiraz intake, and a good time was had by all, (as evidenced by the laughter and hilarity that ensued throughout the night)! Here's looking forward to next year...

 
 
 

So a Captain, Pumpkin and Geisha walk into this bar...

by Andrew Watson

"It's the most wonderful time of the year...."  Sorry Mr. Williams, but I'm talkin' about HALLOWEEN! What other day do you get to dress out of the ordinary and act like a kid again? No, not Casual Fridays...HALLOWEEN! A few of us got into the spirit of dressing up for this most festive of themed nights and we have the photos to prove it.

Lara wins the Art Mimics Life category with her baby pumpkin costume. Looks like she's ready to pop, and she still has a month to go. It really is the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Our newest web developer, Holly, wins the Most Likely to Kick Your Butt in a Fight While Still Looking Stylish category. Look at that form - that stare down! Not only does this geisha need just a small paring knife to put the smack-down on this ninja, but she adds insult to injury by fanning herself in the process.

Once again, I've gone shopping at the rummage sale that is my brain, and come back with costume ideas that skirt the line of childish nostalgia, originality and quite possibly good taste. Even if it's only for one night of drunken stupor, Captain Kangaroo lives again! Mr Green Jeans can't be far behind...

Introducing Taryn Pate, ROBOT's New Marketing Manager

Taryn Pate joins the ROBOT machine as our Marketing Manager in charge of executing client marketing initiatives - from marketing plan development to research to copywriting.

Taryn spent the last four years as the Meeting and Event Coordinator for an investment company with over 1400 associates. She coordinated all on- and off-site events and also developed and oversaw creative marketing strategies for the company's on-site cafe.

Originally from El Paso, Taryn journeyed to New Mexico to study Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University. She found herself back in El Paso after graduation, and aided in managing numerous food service start up companies. Soon after, Taryn traveled to England and France, where she completely fell in love with the culture. She had full intentions of moving to England until she found out they would quarantine her dog for three months. This being unacceptable, San Antonio was clearly the next choice.

Ever the perpetual learner, she lives by the saying, "you learn something new every day" and forces herself to do just that. Taryn brings her love of creative thinking and entrepreneurship to helping ROBOT's clients expand their horizons.

ROBOT's New Business Development Manager, Katie Rider

Katie Rider joins ROBOT as the Business Development Manager. With over 9 years working in advertising sales, ranging from direct mail to newspaper and internet advertising, her breadth of experience gives her the perfect background to help educate and assist our small/medium-sized business clients. In addition to her media sales experience, Katie has also worked in sales promotion and marketing for a major West Coast lifestyle magazine and a well-known skin care brand.

A native Californian, Katie was raised north of San Francisco near the wine country of Napa Valley where she learned to appreciate the intoxicating beauty the nearby vineyards had to offer.

Katie attended Chico State University where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English. She moved to San Antonio expecting to be surrounded by cacti and tumbleweeds, but has since learned to appreciate the abundance of oak trees and rainfall. That's right, compared to Napa, it rains plenty here in San Antonio.

Katie's sales philosophy is to establish long relationships and to fulfill the creative needs of our clients by tapping into the the ROBOT team's pool of talent and expertise.

When she's not out chasing down prospective clients for ROBOT, Katie's taking in stray kittens, shopping at local Farmer's Markets and watching the Food Network.

Halloween Tricks...or Treats

Office Rascal Startles Office Enforcer!

The picture below contains graphic content that may not be suitable for children.  Please be advised. 

After picking on Carl for buying a long tweed coat in San Antonio, the land where no one needs a coat, Carl was determined to get revenge.  He surprised us all when he ran into work dressed as a streaker for Halloween.  No one was more surprised than Laura who had told him only streakers needed coats like his in SA.  Laura was caught so off-guard she missed the opportunity to use her new found Army detainment skills and Carl made his escape. 

Don't worry, no employees were scarred, underclothed or overly shocked.  Just another interesting variety of Halloween costumes at Robot Creative.       

Andrew's Halloween Costume Countdown - Part 3

by Alfredo San Martin

For any kid growing up in the 70's and early 80's, a love of the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie was a must. However, for Andrew, this love grew into something more...so much more. Either that or he just had a run-in with a bottle of self-tanner. Let's find out more.

Q: Somewhere along the line adults lose their desire to dress up. How did you keep yours alive?
A: Probably it has to do with my somewhat competitive nature and lots of alcohol. Just kidding, I'm really not that competitive.

Q: When was the last time you went Trick-or-Treating?
A: Probably not since I was about 12. Ever hear that Seinfeld stand up routine on Halloween...yeah, just like that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M523VCKvCVo

Q: What is your favorite horror movie?
A: I'm not really into horror flicks (they're scary)

Tune in next week for the big unveiling. Andrew will reveal this year's costume to the world. If you haven't sent in any guesses, be sure to do so. Until then I'll leave you with this tasty tidbit. Try not to let it get stuck in your head!

"Oompa loompa doompety doo
I've got a perfect puzzle for you
Oompa loompa doompety dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me..."

ANDREW'S COSTUME HINT:
Smooth to the ear, soft to the touch

Andrew's Halloween Costume Countdown - Part 2

by Alfredo San Martin

In part 2 of my interview I wanted to find out more about Andrew's inspiration without the camera scaring him off. You know those creative genius types. However, after seeing the drink in his hand, I'd say he's pretty comfortable.

Q: Describe your reason for making your own costumes.
A: I like the process of figuring out how to make/find the parts of the costume and obviously the custom aspect of it. I think people really appreciate seeing costumes that are that kinda hidden gem that you have forgot about or never would have thought of.

Q: What is your favorite costume to date?
A: That's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. But if the costuming gods were going to take away my privileges if I didn't, I'd have to say Count Chocula. That was a great balance of craftsmanship and crowd pleasing ability.

A few questions into the interview, I slowly get the feeling that The Count is trying to hypnotize me. I am suddenly craving chocolaty-cereal goodness. Be right back!

To be continued...

ANDREW'S COSTUME HINT:
I got the blues...