Now in week seven of quaran-teamME-ing, we thought we should share a glimpse of where all the heavy lifting gets done: our home offices. And we can’t forget our furry friends who join us and the views we’re enjoying from our windows!
Stay healthy. Wash your hands.
– Team ME
Now in week six of quaran-teamME-ing, we’re chuckling over coffee and funny GIFS as we connect via online chats every morning. We’re enjoying camera views where kids crawl over their dads and insistent dogs jump into laps – all while we’re still getting the work done. It’s a new normal, but our home offices are now camera-ready.
Here are a few situations that have made us laugh:
“The team was working hard to approve invoices. Then, we received new items for approval—DUCKS! Missi sent pictures of her home office’s new additions. We approve!!”
– Mark Keister, Operations Officer
“On more than one occasion during a phone call, my cat has chimed in (out of jealousy for wanting to be involved in everything I do) and that always gets a laugh from people. You’d expect a vocal child, not a cat!”
– Mindy Justis, Senior Account Manager
“Hearing ’Baby Shark’ playing in the background of our team’s Monday morning conference call while Marie tells Mark to mute his computer and the rest of us laugh (they are hosting their great-niece).”
– Nick Hoffman, Project Manager + Planner
“While making breakfast one morning, I played music on our Bluetooth speaker. Before my girlfriend, Kylie, got on a video conference, I shut the music off and went to another room forgetting to disconnect the speaker. As she sat across the room giving her weekly update, her entire team heard the TikTok videos I was watching.”
– Tim Bates, Account Coordinator
“Turning the Transit Columbus virtual meeting into a drinking game!”
– Marie Keister, President and CEO
Stay healthy. Wash your hands.
– Team ME
One month into quaran-teamME-ing, we’re savoring the silver linings.
We’re serving our clients digitally without missing a beat. We’re cooking more. Taking afternoon walks. Giving our kids and pets more attention than ever.
In fact, we did a quick Team ME survey. Here’s what we learned.
We hope you are enjoying some silver linings too!
Stay healthy. Wash your hands.
– Team ME
Vitaminwater recently launched a conversation-starting New Year’s challenge – $100,00 to select participants that could go a full year without using their smartphone. The contest rules stated that participants would receive a 1996-style cell phone and could use work laptops, desktop computers and voice-activated devices but smartphones and tablets were prohibited.
We polled members of #teamME to find out if they could do it, for how long and what they could accomplish in a year without all of the scrollin’ and swipin’. Check out what we said.
Marie
Cindy
Missi
Nick
Stephanie
Angela
Tim
Mindy
Ah, the most delicious holiday is upon us; filled with family, friends, thanks and of course—mouth-watering food. When it comes to the annual autumn gathering, some people love the turkey most while others prefer mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies or pie. No matter your favorite, Thanksgiving feasts wouldn’t be complete without each dish, just like #teamME wouldn’t be complete without each member of our cornucopia serving up great work and client service in their own unique way.
Naturally, we needed to know which fare we each would be if we were, indeed, Thanksgiving food. We each took a quiz to find out and the results are in. Check out who’s what if we were Thanksgiving food. You’ll never guess who’s the main turkey:
This year, and every year, we are so thankful for an awesome team filled with many unique professionals with an array of talent, and for the clients we serve. Happy Thanksgiving from #teamME.
“Be kind, be self-aware and above all else, be you!”
Last Wednesday, I kicked off #teamME’s inaugural “On the MEnu” lunch and learn by serving up the importance of personal branding.
I define strong personal brands as someone’s authentic and genuine image or reputation. Strong personal brands are not about popularity, boasting or being arrogant. Many people view personal branding as vanity and self-serving but that’s not the case. It’s about intentionally letting your brand shine and being vulnerable. By doing so here are the tradeoffs you’ll experience:
For more, check out my presentation here: On the MEnu: Personal Branding
“Character is who you are when no one is watching.”
– Legendary Head Coach, John Wooden
“Your personal brand is who you are when everyone is watching.”
– Tim Bates … maybe
Before our interns went back to school this fall, we asked them some reflection questions about their summer’s here at MurphyEpson.
Background:
Joey Hart
Jackson Keister
Mitch Isler
School: Miami University
Grade: Senior
Major/Minor: Journalism, Economics
Vocational interests: Writing, PR, Copy/Video Editor, Video Production
Hobbies: Fishing, Watching sports, Reading, Podcasts
Ideal job you’d like to have some day: Documentarian
School: Wittenberg University
Grade: Junior
Major/Minor: Early Childhood Education and Special Education
Vocational interests: I’ve struggled in school academically and I want to help those who have struggled like myself.
Hobbies: I love to play golf, and hangout with my friends. It’s the best of both worlds when I get to experience both at the same time.
Ideal job you’d like to have some day: I would love to teach first or second grade.
School: University of Cincinnati
Grade: Senior
Major(s): Political Science and Economics.
Vocational interests: Public policy development and public sector management.
Hobbies: Playing drums and crafting/building things.
Ideal job you’d like to have some day: One day I’d like to work in a position that gives me the ability to impact public policy for the better. Political advisor to an elected official, non-profit director, or organizer for a political party would all be great positions.
Joey: I searched for PR firms in the Columbus area (where I’m from). I wanted to work at a place where I knew I could learn a lot and that was very well integrated in the Central Ohio community, and MurphyEpson fit that bill.
Jackson: I learned about MurphyEpson through my mother and father; the CEO and President of MurphyEpson. Also, I heard many great things about teamME from Wittenberg alum and Account Coordinator Tim Bates.
Mitch: Marie and Mark were my neighbors from the time I was 2 years old until I was 10. We still only live a five-minute walk away, and my brother and I are both good friends with their son, Jackson. I had also previously worked at ME as a PUP Campaign spokesperson.
Joey: Being able to be a part of a video shoot was a really neat experience, especially because that field interests me. I also loved being able to help plan media campaigns by doing research and participating in meetings.
Jackson: I enjoyed working for my parents and to be able to work alongside Tim Bates and my lifelong friend and fellow Intern Mitch Isler.
Mitch: One of the most memorable experiences that I had this summer at MurphyEpson was the first time I went down to the Short North to see the streetscape construction on High Street. ME is working to make sure stakeholders of that project are kept informed and reasonably happy. Besides learning all about the public relations process that day, I also had the opportunity to see the project manager Mindy Justis calm down two very tense individuals who had different opinions of the construction. I also enjoyed any times that I could work collaboratively or talk with members of the team. Everybody at ME is so easy to get along with and they’re all great at what they do.
Joey: How versatile the world of PR really is – communication is a very broad term, and here I was able to see the full gamut of that type of work from writing and graphic design to videography and face-to-face interactions.
Jackson: How different working in an office is compared to working in a school. I figured out that I would rather work in a school than in an office.
Mitch: I was a little bit surprised about how much industry knowledge the team has, though I don’t think I should have been. I expected general public relations and design expertise, and MurphyEpson does have plenty of that. What really makes them competitive, though, is the depth and breadth of knowledge the team has about the industries they work in. People know construction jargon, can easily keep up with technical engineering terms, and everyone keeps up-to-date with new trends in the field.
Joey: Always be open to trying something that you don’t think you would be interested in. You never know if there is a different focus that fits your skillset or interest. Also, always bring your laptop charger to work!
Jackson: To come into the office with a smile on your face and want to work. I realize that I had a different relationship than my fellow interns being that the CEO is my mom, but I recommend getting to know the other employees that make up #teamME. At first, I only really knew four members of the team but now, I believe I have created friendships with others. This will not be my final time working for team ME, but I am excited to have gained much more of a grasp of what we do.
Mitch: Future interns should try to form relationships with the people they’re working with. It was easy at MurphyEpson, but it really does make all the difference in a job to have an inclusive and fun team environment.
From #teamME we want to extend our sincerest appreciation to these three awesome guys for all of the hard work and effort they put in these past three months. We’re sad to see you go so soon but we know you’ll accomplish great things in your senior and junior years at Miami, Wittenberg and Cincinnati. Thank you Joey, Jackson and Mitch!
Welcome to #teamME (again!). Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a senior Journalism and Economics student at Miami University, born and raised in Columbus. I’m interested in storytelling and I can’t wait to get started this summer doing some exciting work in PR!
OK, now it’s time for some rapid fire.
If you could have a cup of coffee with anyone, who would it be?
Jordan Peele. Key can come too.
What’s your spirit animal?
The fox. I really dig that sly and mysterious vibe
What was your first email address? (Don’t be shy.)
jsquad31@yahoo.com. I still use it for spam.
What was your first job?
Summer camp counselor.
What’s the next country you want to travel to?
Hungary. Budapest was the only major city that I wanted to visit but couldn’t when I was studying abroad.
If you were a Crayola crayon, what would your name be?
Zesty Orange. Zesty anything, really.
Where do you go to college?
Miami University.
Phew. What a doozy. Catch your breath and tell us what you do at MurphyEpson.
As an intern, I’m trying to gain experience in all facets of the advertising and public relations industry. Some of my responsibilities include helping set up for public events, sitting in on meetings, in-person communication and writing drafts for client’s projects. Basically, I insert myself wherever I can help #teamME.
What do you do outside of work?
Go out with friends, play board games, read and work on extracurricular projects.
MurphyEpson has cultivated quite the culture of philanthropy. What’s your favorite way to give back to the community?
I love to participate by volunteering in community events such as 5Ks or city parades put on by the Recreation Department in my home town of Bexley.
You’ve got one day in Columbus. What do you do?
Spend the day at the Short North and then see either the Clippers or the Jackets game in the evening, depending on the season.
Give us a note you’d like to end on.
Go RedHawks!
Dads say the darnest things, but sometimes they say the sweetest. Just in time for Father’s Day, #teamME spent some time reflecting on the best advice our dad’s ever passed down to us.
“The man who knows how will always have work. The man who knows why will be bossin’ the jerk. And the one who knows why and can make it sell, will run the company, and be rich as well.” – Marie Keister, President + CEO
“My Dad has always told me (in my career and personal life) to appreciate people for who they are and not try to change them. I think this has really taught me to be compassionate to others. He also leads by example with this, he has never tried to force me into any decision and trusts in who I am. I think that’s pretty awesome.” – Erin Hanna, Art Director
“I was sobbing after my third car accident in about 6 months during college when I called my dad who had just moved out of state. He said, “Are you hurt? Is the other person hurt?” I said no one was hurt, but proceeded to tell him my car was un-drivable. Dad told me that’s what insurance is for and to call my agent. He knew how to put things in perspective and focus on the positive which he did for me right up until he died on Father’s Day in 2012.” – Cindy Byington, Senior Account Manager
“The best advice my dad has given me is to take on opportunities that bring me outside my comfort zone, because it’s those experiences that will help me grow as a person.” – Mitchell Isler, Intern
“Slow down and take life one day at a time,” and “Make sure you’re changing your furnace air filter every 4 months.” – Nick Hoffman, Account Manager
“My dad was always advising me to be patient – a skill I’m still learning to master to this day I regularly hear one of these when we’re together:
“Mindy, remember patience is a virtue”
“Don’t forget that patience is bitter, but it’s fruit is sweet”
“Say your prayers Mindy: Lord give me patience, and give it to me now” – Mindy Justis, Senior Account Manager
“The best advice my dad ever gave me was when he told me that when something bad happens or goes wrong, you have the choice to either dwell on it or move on and overcome it. He suggested that I to do the latter.” – Joey Hart, Intern
“Ain’t No Problem” – Missi Burris, Art Director
“I was having a teenage moment back in high school (probably about an A- on a test) and I asked my dad how he handles life’s ups and downs. He told me without hesitation, “Easy, just be a shark.” Immediately after my initial thoughts of “okay my dad is officially losing it” and I’d rather be a mermaid, he explained, “Every shark has a fin on its back to keep itself stable and persist forward no matter what waves they are navigating—and you have the power inside to do just the same.” – Angela Delbrocco, Account Manager
“No matter if my dad is talking to my siblings and I or the players on his teams, he has always said, “Good things happen to good people.” – Tim Bates, Account Coordinator
What’s the best advice your dad ever gave you? Tag @murphyepson and share the wisdom. While you’re here, take time to get to know a little more about our team and the work we do. Or, “like” us on Facebook to stay in touch!
Welcome to #teamME (again!). Tell us a little about yourself.
What’s up everybody – I’m back! As you may already know, I was so fortunate to have spent last summer interning here at MurphyEpson as a professional sponge and taking in as much as I could. Then when August came around, I took my talents back down to southeastern Ohio for my senior year at Wittenberg University. On campus, you could find me busy involved in many organizations or on the ballfield as a first basemen and two-year captain of our varsity baseball squad. In May, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Business Leadership track. During my job search, I couldn’t help but think about all that I had learned here, so I contacted Marie and guess what, MURPHYEPSON… I’M COMING HOME! (Shout out LeBron’s announcement). These days I’m filling my time exploring unknown parts of the city I grew up in with old friends and new. Most of my enjoyment in life comes through writing, sports, social media trends, coaching and teaching, family, friends, food, fashion and really, really good coffee.
OK, now it’s time for some rapid fire.
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?
My skill would be to know every lyric to every song ever created. I’ve thought a lot about this while in the car with others or whenever I’m out with friends. Nothing is more embarrassing than when a really popular song comes on and everyone knows the words, but you’re stuck there mouthing the wrong lyrics.
What’s the strangest talent you have?
This is a blessing and a curse, but I am an exceptional whistler. Name a song and I’m pretty spot on with my rendition. I practice a lot and my family members and friends who have lived with me can get a little annoyed which gets me in trouble. At the end of the day, it’s a nice trick to pull out of the bag.
Who’s someone you really admire?
Recently, I really admire Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only because of his ability to stretch the floor, snag clutch boards, knock down big threes but because of his courage to speak up and create awareness for mental health. I think it takes a strong individual to embrace and add avenues to further the conversation.
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?
I feel like this is pretty typical for recent college grads but I want and expect to travel outside of the country. After talking with a few of #teamME’s world travelers, I’ve decided that I want to go to Europe and do a major cities tour and then when I’m a little older, hit the best tropical beaches.
At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?
I’m a huge shoe guy. Right now I own close to sixty pairs of all different types of styles. My answer would be Journey’s because you can purchase just about any kind of shoe in their B&M stores as well as online.
Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
Emperor’s New Groove because I’m entering a new stage in my life right now and to be honest, it’s feeling pretty groovy!
What are you reading right now?
“Make Your Bed” by Retired U.S. Naval Admiral, William H. McRaven. The book is based on the graduation speech McRaven gave at the University of Texas that has over 10 million views on YouTube.
What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?
Most people that play sports videogames like to play against each other for fun. Not me. I set up franchises of my own, act as the general manager, and play against the computer. Things get pretty serious.
Phew. What a doozy. Catch your breath and tell us what you do at MurphyEpson.
Here at ME, I’m working as an account coordinator where I’ll be collaborating with our account managers and art directors on various projects and community managing our agency’s social media platforms, amongst other things. I’m happy to be back and excited to get to work!
MurphyEpson has cultivated quite the culture of philanthropy. What’s a charity you wish more people knew about?
One of the freshman baseball players on my team at Wittenberg this past year, Jack Hollinshead, created a non-profit organization called, My Inner Warrior. The mission of the charity is to provide physical fitness opportunities and sports equipment for children living in low-socioeconomic areas around the state of Ohio. Jack has multiple team sponsors (Wittenberg University, Baldwin Wallace University, and various high schools) which work to obtain donations. All donations go to events and equipment which the youth can use for as long as they are participants in the organization.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
Besides this blog post, the coolest thing I’m working on right now are social media posts for our agency and for a client.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
My parents have always told me to be work as hard as I can to always be a good person because good things happen to good people. It’s pretty simple but simple and deep beats abstract and shallow.
Awesome. To learn more about Tim, connect with him on LinkedIn and check out his last blog post!
