I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for quite some time and never thought it would land me an opportunity in design.  One slow weekday I was assigned to work at a networking event to tend to an appetizer buffet and supply cocktails to a group of working professionals.  I honestly wasn’t thrilled about it because I wasn’t allowed to have other tables and I knew it wasn’t going to be very profitable.  I made the most of the situation and seeing that it was a networking event started listening in on conversations thinking that maybe something might strike my interest.  I overheard Penny say something about Prime Advertising.  Growing up in Maple Grove, I had researched the company and knew it was a place I was interested in.  I bid my time and finally decided to introduce myself.  I knew I would feel a bit awkward, but really what did I have to lose?  I casually mentioned that I may be a waitress, but I was also a recently graduated fantastic designer.  I inquired about any job openings, internships, or just the opportunity to take a tour of the company.  We swapped information, and though I was proud of myself for saying something, I never expected anything would happen.

So here I am.  Actually, since my internship is coming to a close I suppose I should say “so there I was.”  I started my internship as I expect most people do, like a duck on the water.  On the surface I appeared to be calm and confident, but those feet were turning fast underneath wondering if people would like me, how everything was going to work, if I’d be successful, hoping I wouldn’t have to do any lame “internship” work.  Luckily, my internship has been far from lame.  I technically was part of the web department, but I had the opportunity to taste a little piece of everything. 

I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects from creating banner ads for the new myprimeguide.com, working on header images for websites, email marketing, and seeing how Prime’s content management system (Element z) worked in the web department.  In print I had a taste of the newsletters and worked with multiple clients in logo development.  I even got to sneak in photography work ranging from taking pictures at the Maple Grove Days parade, staging portfolio images, to a 3 location photo shoot for Galaxy Auto.  Overall, what I liked most about my time at Prime is that I rarely felt like an intern.  I didn’t have all menial tasks; instead I worked with clients and had independence.  For something unexpected, it turned out better than I would have planned.

Let’s see, if I was reading a blog about an unexpected intern, I would probably expect some good cliché or gooey heart-felt advice—the kind that makes you roll your eyes a bit.  So here you go.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Not only is that how I ended up here, but that’s really the whole point of your internship.  You’re not expected to know everything yet.  Think of it as a perk, you’re surrounded by people who have more experience and know the tricks and secrets of the industry, and since you’re the intern their basically expected to let you in on everything.  I also found that in many circumstances whoever was helping me discovered something new or rethought the process of how they were doing things in the first place.  I believe that would be called a win-win situation.  

Here’s a good one to follow; make mistakes.  Everyone knows that information sticks a lot better when something goes wrong than when it works perfectly the first time.  On the same note; be prepared for the unexpected, and run with it, and while you’re at it take any opportunities to show your hidden talents.  My internship had nothing to do with photography, but because I had all my camera equipment with me and offered to take some product shots, I ended up doing random photography projects and two involved photo shoots on my own.

I’m sure I could think of more tidbits of advice, but I’m sure you already know them, and they would be far better served if you went out to seek them on your own.  So for now we’ll just say that I’ve put in my two cents.  In the end, I have learned a wealth of information and gained experience in areas that can’t be taught in school.  I’m very grateful to everyone at Prime who has helped me along the way and sparked the energy to help my career along.  I have truly enjoyed working with the staff and hope to keep connected with Prime in the future.  I am very thankful for the opportunity and glad that someone gave me the chance to start collecting my piece of “real-world” experience.

The response was very enthusiastic to our call for photo entries,  we are so appreciative of all who shared their talents!

All entries are on display through mid-September at the Government Center for public viewing.  Three photographers were recognized in each category with each 1st place receiving $100; 2nd place $50; and 3rd place $25.  In addition, this year a Youth category was added.  Four photographers under 18 were selected to each receive a $25 award for sharing their skill.

All photos submitted are available for viewing on www.myprimeguide.com/photos.  Make sure to check out the photographic skill that abounds in our community!

Going Together

1st Place Winner:  “Bubble Boy” by Suzanne Olson

2nd Place Winner: “Laundry is Starting to Get Interesting” by Neill Johnson

3rd Place Winner:  “Plunge Into Summer” by Diane Schaefer

Going Strong

1st Place Winner:   “Rally ‘Round the Flag Boys” by Rich Moll

2nd Place Winner:  “Grand Slam Celebration” by Pamela Baker

3rd Place Winner: “The Town Green….In Green” by Dean Scheidler

Going Natural

1st Place Winner:  “Winter Branch” by Pat Aldritt

2nd Place Winner: “Purple Flora” by Rob Gray

3rd Place Winner: “Elm Creek into Spring” by Blair Luedke

Going Wild

1st Place Winner:   “Brutus the Bulldog” by Peter Haag

2nd Place Winner: “A Perfect Perch” by Jen Auseth

3rd Place Winner: “Baby Deer” by Bijoy Anose

Youth Recognition

“Maple Grove’s Lights in the Sky” by Alec Andrzejek

“Backyard Frog” by Erin Linder

“Swing into the Future with a Smile on Your Face” Morgan Pfaff

“Ice Engulfs a Newly Formed Pine Tree Sprig” by Morgan Schoo

These photographers were presented with their prize and certificate of appreciation at the August 15th City Council meeting.  Don’t be surprised to see these and other entries in future newsletters, City of Maple Grove and Prime Advertising & Design websites, and area-wide publications.  The contest will return in 2012, so keep those shutters clicking!

This is Maple Grove’s largest event and it is a big undertaking! Deb Syhre, the President of Maple Grove Community Organization, sent us a list of what it takes to make Maple Grove Days successful…

• 46+ events
• 25+ entertainment groups
• 23+ organizations
• 130 business in the Business Expo
• 104 units in the parade
• 115 sponsors
• 48+ business vendors
• 11+ locations
• 300+ volunteers

WOW! This is HUGE! To add to that list of numbers, we are proud to say we have 130+ local area businesses that participated in the Official Maple Grove Days Event Guide. There are lots of great coupons and offers that residents look forward to every year. Plus you can find out all the event details!

The main events include:

• Business Expo
• Fireworks
• Bed Races
• Art Fair on Main Street
• Classic Car Show
• Garden Tours
• Rice Lake Classic
• Parade
• Live Entertainment and much more!

New this year, we are excited that the event guide is available with a searchable flipper technology on MyPrimeGuide.com.

This year, Prime will be participating in the parade on Thursday night and the Business Expo at the Maple Grove Community Center on Saturday. Hope to see you during Maple Grove Days!

Once the logo was designed, Prime had the opportunity to design and develop the new website with warm tones and a clean navigation showcasing the many products and services that Gould’s has to offer.

Building the website on the Element Z Content Management System was essential to Gould’s, giving them the ability to keep their products up-to-date and to add an online shopping area in the near future. Adding Social media to their website was another necessary component when completing the new website, allowing customers to stay current through Facebook.

Finally, Prime developed a new series of ads to target their surrounding communities within Prime’s Official Community Resource & Residents’ Guides^TM.

We are excited to have Gould’s in our portfolio!

In order to secure a better position in the marketplace, Prime assisted in the renaming of Builder’s Carpet to FocalPoint – Flooring, Cabinets, and Design to better communicate what they do and let the public know that they are not just for commercial builders, but they have 3  retail locations that are open to the public. They are a lot more than just a carpet store!  In addition to the new name, we designed a new logo to visually attract more customers.

The updated logo led the way to the new branding that we created for FocalPoint which included: new stationary & business cards, signage & vehicle graphics.  We also developed a comprehensive marketing plan to include digital indoor advertising within the Hennepin County markets, advertisements and coupons within Prime’s Official Community Resource & Residents’ Guides, city newsletters and specialty publications.

After creating print materials, Prime designed & developed a new website utilizing our Element Z Content Management System. They also utilized our copywriting services to help them create a consistent voice throughout the site. In addition, Prime designed & developed an E-mail template and blog which will allow them the ability to get in front of their customers regularly with news, updates, promotions and specials.

Prime was able to be the one-stop shop that FocalPoint needed to take their business to the next level. Contact us today to see how Prime can help grow your business!

Galaxy Auto and Tire Centers is an auto service and tire dealer in the northwest metro of Minneapolis, MN.  They offer 3 convenient locations including Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and Spring Lake Park.
Galaxy Tire & Auto Centers has been in business for 38 years and they have had a handful of logos during those years. Galaxy came to Prime to discuss hiring us to streamline their marketing and to make it more effective.

One of the first things Prime did for Galaxy was to freshen up the logo without losing the familiarity that Galaxy’s clients have come to know, Prime designed a clean and updated logo, while using the blue and yellow that Galaxy has branded itself with over the years.

Once their logo was complete, Prime’s attention turned to Galaxy’s website. They were unable to update their old site and the content did not function as they wished it would. Their new site uses Web 2.0 technology and Prime Advertising’s state-of-the-art content management system. This gives Galaxy the ability to change and update their own content on the fly.  We were also able to update their online service information pages with diagrams and the discount pages with social media links. Prime also interlinked Galaxy’s web pages, helping to create the highest level of search engine optimization.

Time is important to all of us. Galaxy has always emphasized safety, but wanted to let people know that they are also convenient. “Savings Your Way” and “Peace of Mind, On Your Time” became their new slogans. The new slogans are followed by icons that give you the choice to sign up for their blog feed, like them on facebook, follow them on twitter, join their email club or text message for special offers.

There are so many different ways to find what one is looking for and Galaxy wanted to make doing business with them easy.  By being so accessible online, Galaxy has increased their search engine optimization, while also emphasizing convenience. Best of all, Prime has created auto-feeds so that Galaxy’s blog posts feed into facebook status updates.

Their latest project completed was for the MERSC event that was held in April. Keeping up with the new brand and client-centric focus, Galaxy updated their special event booth. We stuck to the basics, updating a table throw that included Galaxy’s new logo, a vinyl pull-up banner, 2-sided 22” X 28” sign, flyers and personalized Galaxy USB drives as a promotional handout.

If you’re in the need of auto service or tires, please visit Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers.

BLFEC came to Prime to create a new website that not only looked different, but could be used as an educational resource for their patients. We updated the colors that were used on the site to match their logo to help build their branding. We also added more photos throughout the site to be more visually appealing.

The content management system was a very important feature for BLFEC.  They added a very comprehensive list of services and detailed information on many eye infections and diseases,  becoming a resource for their patients.  They have specials/promotions that they want to keep up-to-date regularly and this tool allows them the flexibility to edit their site as much as they need.

At Prime, we enjoy helping our Maple Grove neighbors build their business and we enjoy the wonderful partnerships with have within our own community.

We began with developing & designing a website that visually reflected the client’s industry and technology. In addition to the website, we created an E-mail Template that will allow them to be in regular communication with their existing and potential new clients. Allowing Infinity to send e-mails on product updates would be very important to the success of this new product launch.

Utilizing the look and feel that was created for the website, Prime designed and printed visually grabbing brochures, inserts and business cards that could be handed out at the NACE event and be readily available for potential customers.

The final marketing piece that was imperative to a laser perfect appearance at NACE was the design and construction of an 11 foot, 360 degree lighted tower which displayed Infinity’s logo and their new XMS product.  Prime also created 5 foot, double-sided retractor panels which were strategically placed in the area, so no matter where spectators ambled – they were wow’ed by Infinity’s look, feel and information.

All of these marketing materials were designed to be utilized in a variety of ways and will make their appearance again at the SEMA – The Premier Automotive Specialty Products Trade Event and many other upcoming opportunities for Infinity.

The Guide features holiday offers and fun events that are happening around the area. There is truly something for everyone! For a complete list of all of the Mistletoe & Memories events visit www.MyPrimeGuide.com/mistletoe I am so excited about a brand new event that Maple Grove Community Organization (MGCO) is putting together this year in conjunction with the Hometown Holiday event on Main Street, which has taken place the past 3 years. Drum Roll please…………. A Holiday Parade in Maple Grove! YES! The Sleigh Bells and Sparkle Parade will happen on Saturday December 4th at 5pm. Get your spot on Main Street between the Town Green and Arbor Lake Parkway. To find out more details on the event, go to www.MapleGroveDays.com

This year, our Mistletoe & Memories Holiday Events Guide™ will be online! Now you can read the guide anytime, anywhere! The new page-flipper technology gives the user the ability to search text in the guide. Click on ANY website or email in our publication and it will link to that website! We give you instant access to what you want!

With my obsession for Christmas & holiday fun, I was so excited for the Parade to take place here in my hometown. I will be volunteering through MGCO to help put on the NEW Sleigh Bells and Sparkle parade! Come out to see Santa and enjoy all that Maple Grove has to offer. Hope to see you there for this family fun event!

The first step was a change to the design of the SCC logo. It was important that they had both an icon with their logo and their business name so people would be sure to know who they were. We also changed their business items including business cards and print materials.

The largest “remodel” came with their website design. We wanted to create a clean, streamlined design that would be very easy to navigate for visitors as well as very visually appealing. Showcasing the beautiful work that SCC does was very important and so we added multiple photo galleries to the site as well as some video testimonials.

With the redesigned website, it was very important for SCC to get in touch with and stay connected to their existing and future clients. Adding a blog helps create a “conversation” between the SCC staff and their clients, offering helpful tips, trends in home remodeling and establishing themselves as an expert in their industry. An E-mail template and Vertical Response account allows SCC to send e-mail blasts to their client base with special offers directly to their inbox.

Let Prime help you “remodel” your business and let SCC Kitchen Bath Home help redesign your world!