Ian Hanson, Associate Art Director, will judge students’ portfolios during the conference and make recommendations to hopeful graduates on finding a job in the industry.  Mad Genius’ Vice President of Creative, Eric Hughes, will speak to students regarding the biggest myths of “idea-making”, how to identify the enemies we all have inside that stifle our creative thinking, and proven practices to be your own idea ninja.  If you want to find out more, check out his presentation below!

“Don’t Get Smacked” and “Don’t Get Bit” are the first two in a group of six short videos Mad Genius has planned to produce for the school.  Since posting the first video on December 14^th, Delta State’s YouTube Channel has received over 18,292 views between the two videos.  The second video, posted on January 9^th, has already received 7, 105 views in just five days.  Don’t forget to come back- we’ve got more plans for this Fighting Okra!

With the growing demand for high-quality, digestible videos for online consumption, Mad Genius believes these types of results are indicative of the branding, video, and digital insights we can bring to the table for our clients.  Check out our videos below:

Louisiana Hot Sauce, a popular condiment produced by Bruce Foods, a New Iberia, Louisiana-based company, had over 45,000 Facebook fans at the time they hired Mad Genius; those numbers are growing under Mad Genius management. Their current promotion, a partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is an all-expenses-paid trip to Canton, Ohio, where the winner and 7 friends can have the “Ultimate Fantasy Draft Party” at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other prizes include $1,000 cash, a Cajun Injector Grill and a year’s supply of Louisiana Hot Sauce.

“Clients like Bruce Foods understand the importance of a strong social media presence, and we’re able to help guide them through running a large-scale promotion like this and maintaining engaging content, long-term,” says Chip Sarver, Mad Genius President. “We’re pleased at our current portfolio of social media accounts, and excited to keep building this department. Having designers and web experts on staff alongside strategists, researchers and writers gives us the unique ability to meet every facet of our clients’ social media needs.”

Mad Genius also helps clients launch their social media platforms. From audience strategy to tab and skin design to content development and management, the agency helps brands realize their potential in the vital social space.

Says Mad Genius Social Media Director Beth Kander: “Some companies still have some hesitations regarding social media, because it’s both new and a lot less ‘controlled’ than traditional media. It’s smart for companies to consider the risks – but companies also need to realize that the biggest risk is opting out of the social media world. It’s where their clients are, it’s where causes are, it’s where constant conversations are taking place. Businesses need to be part of those conversations. That’s how they can mitigate risks, and reap business opportunities.”

Mad Genius is headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, with an additional location in Tampa, Florida. The agency is known for going beyond the limits of most firms, tackling all facets of brand strategy, design, advertising, social media, comprehensive web and interactive development, scripting, media placement and marketing, as well as animation, filming, and multimedia production.

To “like” the Louisiana Hot Sauce page, go to facebook.com/LouisianaHotSauce. To “like” Mad Genius, visit facebook.com/madgsocial or follow @MadGSocial on Twitter.

The Bruce Foods “Yam Right Holiday” television spot, part of the “Yam Right” campaign for Bruce’s Yams, was one of the award-winners. The other winning spot was “We’re Coming,” a television commercial announcing new franchise locations for The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, A Family Food Drinkery. Both of these spots highlighted the creativity, production value, and energy Mad Genius poured in to the projects, helping celebrate each client and their message in a unique way.

From the Telly Awards website: The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. Since 1978, our mission has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. The 31st Annual Telly Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.

Mad Genius is a full-service creative agency. Headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, with an additional location in Tampa, Florida, the company is known for going far beyond the limits of most firms, tackling all facets of brand strategy, design, advertising, comprehensive web and interactive development, scripting, media placement and marketing, as well as high-end animation, filming, and multimedia production. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/madgsocial, or follow us on Twitter @madgsocial.

Google is one of the largest companies in the world, utilized daily by millions of users. In addition to their search engine, Google has many other platforms. To date, over 3 million businesses have adopted Google Apps to streamline workplace productivity. Of those 3 million businesses, 50 of them will be profiled on the Google blog, including Mad Genius. Google interviewed Mad Genius’ Interactive Director, Rob Rubinoff.

The piece featuring Mad Genius is currently live on the Google Enterprise and Google Small Business sites, and continues being re-posted far and wide.

The Telly Awards honor excellence in local, regional and cable TV commercials, and is one of the most sought-after awards in the arena of advertising and video production. Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards exist to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting the community. The 30th Annual Telly Awards, in 2009, received over 13,000 entries, from all 50 states and 5 continents.

Founded in 1936, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi sets the benchmark for youth development organizations in the region. They serve more than 3,200 youth annually at their six metro-Jackson clubs and their camp site in Hazelhurst, MS. They primarily work with high-risk youth to improve their lives and enable them to become successful, responsible, contributing citizens.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi provides a range of services: they are open in the afternoons and over school breaks so that youth have a safe place to study, play, create art, build their life skills, learn from guests who come in for career days and other events, etc. The clubs also provide meals and snacks for the youth in the building. It’s not just a child care program, tutoring and mentorship initiative, or community center – it’s all those things and more.

The statistics about the impact of BGCCM are amazing. To name a few? When surveyed, 85% of alumni say the club helped them know right from wrong; 82% say it improved their self confidence; 67% said it improved their ability to avoid difficulty with the law… and 57% say their club “saved their life.” This program lowers crime, prepares kids for brighter futures, and betters our community today and tomorrow.

Even more amazing? A one-year club membership costs only $25. No child is turned away.

We think this genius deserves more attention. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi needs more support. We want to raise awareness about what this organization is doing for our community, because it’s truly vital – and in order to keep this incredible service available to Mississippi children, at such a low cost, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi needs help.

That’s why Mad Genius is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi. We’re donating our services to create an informational video and promotional pieces for the organization. That’s how strongly we believe in what they’re doing for our community.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi, visit http://www.bgccm.net .

Geniuses Celebrate Addy Gold!

February 5, 2010 – It was a banner night for Mad Genius at the 2010 ADDY Awards. The Mad Genius team brought home 10 Gold awards, 6 Silver awards, and became the first company to win the new Best of Show award for Interactive Media.

Six of the ten Gold ADDY awards won by Mad Genius were for work completed for Southern Farm Bureau Insurance, including the Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Annual Report, the online campaign for Farm Bureau Insurance racing, the intro animation for the “New to the Crew” webisodes, and three of the “New to the Crew” webisodes in their entirety.

Mad Genius also took home the Gold for projects they completed for Intrusion Defense Group (graphics and overall campaign), and for their own new Mad Genius website, madg.com, as well as the new Mad Genius logo.

Interactive Director Rob Rubinoff with our Best of Show!

The Interactive Best of Show award is a new addition to the ADDY celebration, recognizing excellence in the realm of web and new media. Mad Genius became the first company to win the award. It was the crowning moment in a great evening for the Genius crew.

The ADDY Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types. Hosted by the American Advertising Federation of Jackson, central Mississippi chapter of the American Advertising Federation, the 2010 ADDY Awards were held at the newly-restored Hotel King Edward (Hilton Garden Inn) in downtown Jackson.

The local ADDY Awards are the first tier in a national competition: all across the country, local entrants vie for recognition as the very best in their markets; local winners then compete against other winners in one of 14 District competitions; finally, district winners are forwarded to the third tier, the national ADDY Awards competition. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry, for the industry.

9 - GETTING REAL WITH FARM BUREAU

We started the year off right: in January 2009, Mad Genius officially became the agency of record for ten Southern Farm Bureau Insurance states. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year; in that time, the Genius has developed an Toolkit utilized by Farm Bureau agents throughout the region, created an eye-catching series of webisodes called “New to the Crew” at Joe Gibbs Racing, produced commercials such as Phone Tree and Call Center, developed campaign and promotional materials… and this is only the beginning.

8 – AN EMMY, SOME ADDIES, AND BEST OF JACKSONS… OH MY!

In 2009, it seemed like you couldn’t swing a lab coat anywhere in this office without hitting another award. We’re proud of our animator Wade Acuff, whose work on Between the Lions earned our team another Emmy. Between the Lions is produced in Mississippi, and the Eyevox (now Mad Genius) animation department plays a critical role in bringing the show to life. Mad Genius was also well-represented at the American Advertising Federation of Jackson’s annual awards program, the Addies, bringing home multiple awards, including a Gold Addy in the Interactive category, for our work on the MMI Hotel Group website. Oh yeah, and the Jackson Free Press also honored our minions with several awards: Beth Kander won Best Jackson Writer, Opie Cooper won Best Jackson Filmmaker, and Eyevox was named one of the metro area’s top locally-owned businesses. Not too shabby, Team Genius.

7 – A PRESIDENCY COMPLETED

2009 marks the completion of Mad Genius Chief Operating Officer Chip Sarver’s term as President of the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is instrumental in keeping the Ridgeland business community strong, and Chip has been glad to serve… but the Genius knows the truth: Chip’s only completing his run as Chamber President so he can pursue his next title, President of Everything in This Universe and Six Others.

6 – COMING TOGETHER TO REMEMBER HEATHER

Some of the work we’re most proud of here at Mad Genius is when we partner with organizations working to make a difference. Heather’s T.R.E.E. was founded to honor the memory of Heather Spencer and eradicate domestic violence. Mad Genius designed the poster, VIP pass and press materials for the 2009 Heather’s T.R.E.E. “Soulshine” Memorial Concert, which was an important and touching tribute.

5 – DID YOU HEAR “Z” NEWS?

Z-Line Designs, one of the top five manufacturers of ready-to-assemble home office and entertainment furniture in the United States, selected Mad Genius to work on Z-Line brand strategy and interactive development. Z-Line Designs is based in San Ramon, California, and offers a broad range of furniture styles to suit a wide array of lifestyles. Z-Line Designs furniture is available through a number of online furniture retailers and major retail outlets, including Target, Wal-Mart, Office Max, Sears and Staples. Z-Line choosing Mad Genius is a win for Mississippi!

4 – IMAGINATION EDUCATION, INC.

Mad Genius has an arts and education initiative called Imagination Education, Inc. Though still brand-spankin’ new, Imagination Education took some giant steps this year. We were selected as a teaching artist group featured in the Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster, and were also chosen by Parents for Public Schools for inclusion in JumpstART. We’re working with Casey Elementary, we taught at Millsaps College for the second summer in a row, we served as instructors for the Canton Young Filmmakers Institute, and we’re working on launching several other projects, including Yeah, Write Whatever (a snarky project that tackles literacy through creative writing). We’re feeling the momentum – stay tuned for further ie developments!

3 – THE SHED GOES MAD!

Talk about rocking and rolling – Mad Genius recently became the agency of record for The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint, a FamilyFoodDrinkery.™  Headquartered in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with franchises expanding throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, The Shed serves a full-scale barbeque menu in their unique, fun-loving restaurant environment. Named one of the Top Forty Fastest Growing Businesses in the State of Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2008, The Shed is a regular award winner at the Memphis in May International Festival’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and has been featured on Live! with Regis and Kelly and Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on The Food Network. Now, The Shed’s gone Mad… and the Genius loves getting Saucy with The Shed!

2 – RICK MOORE NAMED SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

We were busting our buttons* when CEO Rick Moore was named Mississippi’s Small Businessperson of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Rick traveled to DC for Small Business Week, convening with other statewide SBA award winners. We think Rick himself put it best: “It’s both humbling and inspiring to represent my home state, and show the rest of the nation that even in this troubled economy, there is positive, innovative work happening right here in Mississippi.” Well said, Rick. We hereby name you Genius of the Year, too. For good measure.

1 – THE MERGER: EV f/v + MG a/c = Creative Fusion

And of course, the biggest event of 2009: Mad Genius’ merger with Eyevox Film and Video Production. In the summer of 2009, these two innovative companies became one media powerhouse, under the single name Mad Genius. Being able to offer start-to-finish creative and promotional services, as well as a signature style of outside-the-box-thinking, makes Mad Genius a regional standout. Since the merger, we’ve made great strides. We were excited to launch our swanky new logo, and also launched our all new website, complete with a virtual portfolio, client testimonials, an introduction to some of the Genius’ minions, and more.

So there you have it. It’s been quite a year. But we’re even more excited for what 2010 has in store. From all of us to all of you … have a Genius New Year!

Ridgeland, Mississippi

In July, Mad Genius merged with Eyevox Film & Video Production, the state’s largest full-service production company. Prior to the merger, Mad Genius, Inc. operated as a groundbreaking creative and advertising agency. The two companies often collaborated on cutting-edge projects; they now capitalize on the creative benefits of their alliance, as one creative house, under the single brand name Mad Genius.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was a formal welcome from the Ridgeland business community. Special thanks to Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee, and the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce, as well as everyone who came to show their support for Mad Genius.