So we decided to have a little fun while trying to explain exactly what it is we do… in less than a minute. Whew.
Posts Tagged ‘kja crew’
KJA clears a path to advertisers
May 13, 2011Unnecessary or mandatory?
March 9, 2011The ad agency is the in diabolic center of the “create-on-demand” universe.
Here’s a snapshot.
- We have designers who’ve paid their dues (and tuition – from some fancy college).
- We have clients who want a magical solution – RIGHT NOW – and they have a signed check.
What more could anyone want – right? And then an hour later – or tomorrow – or whenever, there’s another client with a different dilemma. And another signed check. And so it goes. Hour after hour. Day after day. Year after year – if you make it that far.
This shaky business model relies on the premise that the reservoirs “creative types” draw from time and again – perpetually replenish – automatically.
Ain’t so.
In fact, that whole mentality fuels the fast track to quick burn out, desperation and business implosion.
But there’s hope: creative reserves can be replenished.
One of our favorite podcasters, Todd Henry, of Accidental Creative, drills the concept of “Unnecessary Creative” into the heads of his listeners. The idea is quite simple, but absolutely mandatory for creative professionals who take their job performance and future seriously.
Here’s how it works…
For the “create-on-demand” professionals to continually perform at consistently high levels, we must choose to engage in creative endeavours OUTSIDE the 8–5 framework. This nourishes the creative soul and replenishes those continually tapped reserves. In other words, those “extra-curricular” activities creative professionals naturally gravitate toward, actually help us perform better when we’re “on the clock.”
And at a glance, those activities might appear completely unrelated to “day job” functions – but the exercise still works. From involvement in local theater, choir or dance, to master-gardening or furniture building, to welding, sewing or pottery and all points in between – the list is limited only by a person’s imagination. These endeavors allow us to flex and strengthen creative muscles that might get overlooked during the regular work day.
Todd’s title “Unnecessary Creative” refers to the stuff that falls outside official job descriptions and daily paycheck-earning requirements. The reality is, these activities significantly impact how we perform our “create-on-demand” jobs – day after day. Certainly, making time for unnecessary creative efforts requires commitment and concentrated effort. But our experience taught us there’s actually nothing unnecessary about it.
Change agents
February 13, 2011For most people, ‘change’ is unsettling. An annoyance. Even scary. With the explosive growth in knowledge and advances in technology, change for most people is no longer an option. Even so, many feel threatened by it.
At KJA, we’ve always viewed ‘change’ differently than most. We believe ‘change’ creates new opportunities. Fresh starts. Better solutions. Opportunities to assess, regroup and do things better, smarter, more effectively.
In fact, for decades KJA has been viewed as a ‘change agent.’ Clients don’t come to us because they want things to continue on the same course, but rather because they realize a new one is needed – and we are the team to bring the desired change they’re after.
To us, change also connotes LIFE. And WELLNESS. And GROWTH. We simply embrace change and that outlook has, over time, become part of our identity (brand).
Looking back over the past 12-16 months reveals plenty of changes at KJA. One of the most exciting is a change in ownership. In early 2010, respected and seasoned marketing and strategy professional Bob Munson purchased KJA. With his contagious energy and varied skill set, Bob continues leading our team into multiple new ventures.
With Bob’s arrival came the need for changes to our office space. (Again, OPPORTUNITY!) So after some free-form creative exploration, we landed on a solution that accomplished the space objectives — but also ramped up the cool factor of the environment in which we live, breath and work. After a bit of patience (power tool noise, sawdust, paint fumes), we now enjoy the manifestation of… (you guessed it) more change.
One of the most recent and obvious changes to our space grabs your eye as you walk in the front door. Strategically situated front & center in our reception area rests an impressive work of art by local artist, Mark Rabalais. Mark’s expressive style, along with the scale of his work, fit perfectly with KJA’s unconventional organization. We believe his art perfectly mirrors the creative core of our team and our ‘all-out-commitment’ to excellence.
Change is the only constant. Without it – there’s no life, no movement, no progress. So take the next “change” opportunity, embrace it and look for the potential it holds… and don’t be surprised at the good fortune you discover.
Bob Munson, KJA Owner and CEO
New hallway wall decor
Bob's new office brick. Or is it?
New wall installation in Patty's office
New wall slats with roaming elephant
Mark Rabalais painting installed in KJA front lobby
Mark Rabalais painting
Service matters
December 15, 2010
Michelle Corley : KJA Designer & Thinker
What’s your deal-breaker?
A. Higher prices
B. Second-rate products
C. Downright cruddy service
No question, those fall in the “depends on the person” category. You might kick them back and forth, debate and postulate then choose “D. None of the above.”
While you do that, I’m jumping around with pom-poms and saddle oxfords cheering for C. Allow me to defend my rah-rahing.
Consider Target: hugely popular big-box store that doesn’t win the price war. Its focus on designer niches (everything from fashion labels to kitchen gadgets to indoor & outdoor accessories and furnishings) generates a “nicer than Wally World” feeling for customers. Shifting to better designed and higher quality products separated them from the competition AND improved their sales… despite missing the rock bottom price point.
So I count them as proof we don’t settle for cheap stuff all the time.
But most of the time, we like being treated with a modicum of respect. Ever had abysmal service prompt a frustration-filled “I’ll never go back!”?
This past weekend, I did my part to stimulate the local economy. Yes, I was a mall rat for a Saturday. At one department store, the sales lady was divine: patient with all my selecting, attentive but not pushy. At another slammed-busy retail store, the girl manning the chaotic dressing room maintained her sense of humor and our sanity. In four or five different places I saw obvious evidence of folks doing their jobs and serving their customers well.
Then I walk into a shoe store. SCREEEECH!! The nice relaxing Sinatra tune that had been bah-dum-dumming in my head all day came to an abrupt halt. Four employees were scattered through a space you could see from end to end in one glance, wrapped up in their own conversation. I made the loop through the store, passing within mere feet of each one. They never missed a beat, looked up or acknowledged a potential customer – in any way. By the time I left – empty handed – I was literally laughing out loud at the absurd contrast.
Oh and those shoes I was hunting? Six doors down I paid a very helpful gentleman $3 more for them.
So yes, I stand by C as a deal-breaker. I bet I’m not alone. Think about your own “They won’t get another dime from me!” experiences. Then as Christmas shopping shifts into full frenzied gear – take the time to make sure your employees understand the bottom-line implications of delivering downright cruddy service.
Award-winning Public Relations
May 18, 2010~ bouquet “offerings” on the ice…
~ the random exclamations of “encore, encore!”
~ or even the simple declaration “Good job sir!”
All have a similar effect. Each fuels the pursuit for excellence within us.
The crew at KJA just experienced that rush as judges awarded our firm for three recent Public Relations endeavors.
The Central Louisiana chapter of PRAL (Public Relations Association of Louisiana) recently hosted a competition to showcase and bring attention to the exceptional quality of Public Relations work being done here in our own area. KJA Communications Group is delighted to be among the winners for various awards.
The winning projects:
- Media Press Kit – Wall of Random Koolnez: Awarded Certificate of Achievement
- Self-promotion – Wall of Random Koolnez & KJA’s Mind Finds: Awarded Judges’ Award for Outstanding Creativity
- Blog – KJA’s MindFinds: Awarded Certificate of Achievement
And, yeah — we’re already working on those next award winning projects. Now, more passionately than ever.
* Robin Cosenza leads KJA’s Public Relations division.
Way-2-geaux Robin and team!!!
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May 11, 2010We revisit our “Things We Love” series with this entry from our young Sean Gray – designer AND recent Tech graduate. Have we mentioned? We love Sean too.
What do YOU love?
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Tasty team-building
March 24, 2010
David Crain, KJA Creative Director
Sure, it begins with a paycheck. (J. O. B.)
But if it ends there, it can be a miserable, uphill trudge. Counting the minutes to “quittin’ time” is a sign that something’s badly askew. Several dynamics can affect whether you find yourself in that trap — or not.
We credit the KJA founders, Ken & Suzan Juneau, for creating a rock-solid team-spirit foundation. But we also recognize that daily, each one of us has a vital role in maintaining that spirit as we march forward. Over the course of a year, our team embarks on a spectrum of unscripted and spontaneous efforts, each magically bonding a diverse collection of individuals into a passionate and committed TEAM.
The activities vary. Greatly. They can range from a Christmas party at one of our homes to a punkin’ carvin’ contest in the conference room.
Today’s installment – nothing less than genius. And while you’d expect that from a company that does award winning work, today’s creation came from one of our team members who’s not officially part of the “creative” core. (We’re all rethinking this right now!) Our receptionist, Janet Logsdon — the first face you see when you enter our front door, has an array of creative skills of her own. For our people celebrating birthdays in March, Janet crafted a stunning and scrumptious work of art.
Is it a basket of fruit? Is it a cake? Is it even edible?
The resounding “OMG!” responses answer all the above.
Yeah – being part of the KJA team has its perks. Today they were extremely high calorie.
Team-building usually takes a bit of effort – but the benefits always outweigh the investment.
Now you know the secret of our recipe for camaraderie. What’s yours?
–> Click here to see shots of the cake-making process.
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Were there ads during the game?
February 8, 2010-
Michelle Corley : KJA Designer & Thinker
- For years now the Super Bowl, for many of us, has been more about the pull-out-the-stops commercials than the action on the gridiron. What will the Clydesdales do this year? How much more sex will Go Daddy use to sell websites? Will the office linebacker hit again?
That all came to a festive halt for Super Bowl 44. Eyeballs were glued to the passes and runs – and that one game-changing interception. This morning, Super Bowl 44 is about the onside kick, a 2-point conversion, and confetti being caught by an MVP daddy and his son. The talk – rather chanting – is “Who dat!” and “MVP” and “Thank you Breesus!”
Were there actual commercials during the game? Sure.
For me, three stood out. Everything else became a mishmash of Danica, Oprah, Chevy and Mike Ditka.
- Snickers: What’s not to love about Betty White? I thought it was laugh-out-loud funny…and the tag line “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry” – worked perfectly with the scenario.
- Doritos: The bark collar on the dog – the dog smarter than the dirt-bag dude. What’s not the love?
- Dodge Charger: The promises – hilarious. “I will listen to your friend’s opinions of my friends.” “I will watch your vampire TV shows with you.” “I will carry your lip balm.” They certainly spoke directly to their demographic (because lets face it, the Charger is one hot boy-toy muscle car). Man’s last stand.
The USA Today Ad Meter tracks the ads live as they run with a panel of folks. Seems I was in line with the panel on #1 and #2. They picked the Bud Light spot about the house made out of beer cans as their #3. You can see all the results here if you’re interested.
For me – and countless others – what will stick longer than any of these million dollar efforts… that confetti, the teary-eyed MVP and Sean Payton pumping the Lombardi trophy in the air. Can I get a WHO DAT!?!
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Any commercial, moment, image stick in your mind? Weigh in – the comment section belongs to you!
Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company
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Job Shadow Day at KJA
February 3, 2010
In the spirit of “Planting trees under whose shade we’ll never sit”, KJA joined in the Rapides Parish School Board’s annual Job Shadow Day.
We consider it both an honor and an investment in our profession’s future and gladly carve out time for such a worthwhile venture. Students from Pineville, ASH and Aiken Optional spent the morning enjoying a personal tour of our facility and a comprehensive overview of our operations.
From our perspective, the Job Shadowing opportunity, a relatively new approach to career education, is to be applauded. Just a few decades ago, kids on the threshold of adulthood didn’t have such opportunities to peer over inside the career field they were considering. This approach gives the students much more information about specific professions allowing them to better determine what direction best fits their individual interests and strengths.
And who knows — one of the students who participated today just might become part of KJA’s tomorrow. In the 30+ years KJA has been doing what we do, many new, young faces have been brought into the fold. In time, those young faces became part of a very key nucleus.
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Make a one pound click
December 18, 2009
Provide one pound of food for the Central Louisiana Food Bank with your click!
This holiday season, the KJA crew will ring in the New Year with a hefty donation to the Central Louisiana Food Bank.
Your click can help!
Simply click the “Share” button and we’ll add one pound of groceries to our donation. It’s that simple. We’re hoping to load the sleigh with one ton of food for families in need. It’s like putting the spirit of Christmas in cans to be opened throughout the year. But every pound depends on your click.
Your part’s easy. Aim your cursor at the big button, and click to share. (You can send this to friends and family to do the same.) Then celebrate this season of goodwill.
Happy Holidays!
The KJA Crew
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