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News - News - News
News, insights, interesting tidbits and upcoming events are offered here
so that you may be kept current with what's been going on in the world of
Ideas & MORE. If you'd like to know more about any of these items,
just sharpen your crayon and drop us a line.
A Special Thank You!
These civic and professional organizations invited and hosted
Ideas & MORE for speaking engagements and creativity presentations.
Enjoy a pictorial view of selected events in our
Gallery.
Upcoming Happenings in 2010
Stay tuned for details.
Recent Events
Joe Fournet Gives Creativity Seminar to City of Houston's 2010
Administrative Professionals Conference
Houston, TX - On May 12, the City of Houston's Administrative Professionals Conference was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center and featured the theme, "Imagination: Awakening the Power Within You." Joe Fournet of Ideas & MORE presented a session on "Kick Starting Creativity Without
Screwing Up the Idea."
Included in the speaker track, Power of Positive Thinking, Mr. Fournet presented various techniques of idea generation, examples from different companies, and what it takes to be creative, regardless of one's environment.
During this not-so-traditional delivery, a special appearance by and true story about the Energizer Bunny versus the Texas Border Patrol was a humorous highlight. Other points discussed included: Creativity Survival Kit, Warp Speed Thinking/Idea Generation, Management's Responsibility to Creativity, and Don't Bring a Dead Cat Without a Shovel.
Download Highlights, Creative Guidelines, Helpful Stuff here.
More information can be obtained by contacting Joe.
International Business Association at UH Downtown Enjoys Lively Lecture on Creativity in Today's Business World, Around the World
Houston, TX - The International Business Association (IBA) at the University of Houston-Downtown was host March 31 to a guest lecture on creativity in today's business world presented by Joe Fournet of Ideas & MORE.
Fournet discussed various idea generation methods, both silly and serious, along with certain guidelines to enhance one's creativity. Examples were cited from several companies including Nalco, Halliburton and Harley-Davidson.
Joe Fournet addresses creativity techniques and their impact on culture
Commentary was also shared relative to different countries' cultures and their impact on creativity and its execution. Read all about it right here and right now. Also, download your copy of Creativity Guidelines and Helpful Stuff.
Joe Fournet is Keynote Speaker and MC at Annual Awards Gala for
the Society for Technical Communication
Houston, TX - The Houston Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication recently held their Winter Bash and Awards Night and featured Joe Fournet of Ideas & MORE. Mr Fournet was the keynote speaker for the awards gala and also served as MC for the evening at the University of Houston Downtown.
The theme for the evening was Mastering Communications in an Ever-Changing World. Having this in mind, Mr. Fournet spoke on the importance of the idea in today's communication regardless of whether it's technical in nature or not. He also offered up several tips to enhance one's creativity while having some fun.
Here's a recap of the presentation.
"I’ve known Joe for several years and knew him to be a creative talent. I attended the awards ceremony and was surprised to see Joe there. I thought he was someone’s guest. Well, he was a guest – our guest speaker. He was our master of ceremonies and handled the task with charm and aplomb.
As entries and awards were introduced, he managed to entertain and amuse us with comments about the world of technical communication, witticisms and a few serious words about the creative process.
He was thoroughly professional and engaging and a welcome addition to our awards program. I would invite him back any time."
-- Gem Smith, senior member Society for Technical Communication
Joe engages the STC audience in explaining how one's environment can aid or hinder creativity.
Courtesy of Hiebert Photography & Professional Imaging
Ideas & MORE Kicks Off AAF-Little Rock's Year by Showcasing Tips to Kick Start Creativity
Little Rock, AR - The American Advertising Federation - Little Rock kicked off their year by hearing ways to kick start creativity. Joe Fournet, President and Creative Director of Ideas & MORE spoke about the importance of the idea and illustrated several different techniques to generate ideas during the January gathering of the Little Rock ad fed.
Joe Fournet stresses a point on idea generation. Referring to the big crayon, he stated that for "bigger ideas, use bigger crayons."
During his presentation, Fournet discussed, among other issues, several definitions and perceptions of creativity; how important having FUN is in the business; and that one "should never fall in love with your idea . . . because there's always a better one around the corner."
The Creative Wizard explains the strategy behind using an octopus illustration in a print ad for a chemical company.
Those in attendance as well as those of you around the world wanting to know more about the creativity presentation may review the Highlights. Also available is the Helpful Stuff (PDF) handout which we hope you'll find, well, helpful.
Past Happenings in 2009
(News Items from 2008 and earlier, see Ideas & MORE News Archives)
Joe Fournet Takes Creativity Survival Kit to AAF-Amarillo
Amarillo, TX - The American Advertising Federation Amarillo invited Joe Fournet to bring his Creativity Survival Kit to their November professional development luncheon and present some techniques to kick start creativity.
Fournet presented several different techniques to not only kick start the creativity process but also suggested several guidelines to use when developing ideas. Those not able to join the festivities or just needing their memory banks refreshed can view the Highlights.
Stressing the need to have fun, our Creative Wizard makes a point for the crowd . . . and the photographer. "When you stop having fun in this business, it's time to hang up the spurs," claims Fournet.
Ideas & MORE Exhibits at Marketing Excellence Luncheon,
Hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership
Houston, TX - The Professional Services Council of the Greater Houston Partnership hosted the Fifth Annual Marketing Excellence Luncheon,
Marketing Reconstruction: Paving Your Way to Success.
As a member of the Council and the Marketing Subcommittee, Ideas & MORE was proud to be an exhibitor. Those of you not able to attend can download the following two helpful papers we had on display at our exhibit:
Creativity Tips and Helpful Stuff
AAF-Corpus Christi Welcomes Creative Wizard, Joe Fournet of
Ideas & MORE,
As He Guides Ad Audience Through Enhanced Creativity Techniques
Corpus Christi, TX - The American Advertising Federation - Corpus Christi welcomed Joe Fournet as their March professional development speaker. His topic: "Kick-Starting Creativity Without Screwing Up the Idea," covered tips and techniques to enhance one's creativity as well as idea generation.
Mr. Fournet seasoned his presentation with references from Lee Clow of TBWA/Chiat-Day, the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy and maverick companies like Harley-Davidson. All three epitomize the belief in ideas and outward thinking. As Mr. Fournet stressed, "Don't ever under estimate the power of your mind or your imagination. Don't ever be afraid to ask Why, Why not, or What if?"
A special Highlights page features excerpts from his talk and the "Eight Guidelines to Enhance Your Creativity" is also showcased. Along with these tantalizing tidbits, is the ever-popular Helpful Stuff, a collection of both Web sites and books Mr. Fournet recommends for enhancing creativity within us.
As most ad clubs have members of all ages and experience levels within the industry, Mr. Fournet's creativity presentations touch upon pertinent aspects of this profession and how best to deliver an innovative idea to the client that actually may work. That's a novel idea in these troubling times.
Like other ad clubs in AAF District 10, AAF-Corpus Christi was a wonderful host to the Creative Wizard and The Town Club is a magnificent venue along Shoreline Drive.
Ideas & MORE's Joe Fournet Finishes February By Trekking to AAF-Lubbock, Presenting Tips and Advice on Kick-Starting Creativity
Lubbock, TX - The Lubbock chapter of the American Advertising Federation played host to the Creative Wizard himself, Joe Fournet of Sugar Land's Ideas & MORE, during their February 26 professional development luncheon.
"When we screw up pronouncing a name, we get embarrassed. When we screw up an idea in the name of creativity, we have a problem!," began Mr. Fournet. "Creativity plays a vital role in getting the consumer's attention," he continued.
"Even more important is the idea, and how best to convey it in a convincing manner. That's our challenge, especially for small business and companies with ever decreasing budgets."
"But remember this," he cautioned. "Never fall in love with your idea. There's always a better one around the corner. It may not even come from you!"
Read more about Mr. Fournet's comments to AAF Lubbock from this Highlights page as well as learn about some useful resources in Helpful Stuff.
Ideas & MORE Journeys to AAF-Beaumont to Present:
"Winning and Wacky Ways to Kick-Start Your Creativity --
Without Screwing Up the Idea."
Beaumont, TX - Focusing on the importance of idea development and having fun in the process, Joe Fournet, Creative Wizard of Ideas & MORE,
presented several tips and techniques to kick-start the creative process.
The Beaumont Chapter of the American Advertising Federation learned about creativity as a state of mind, and that everyone needs to have
his or her own Creativity Survival Kit.
"Creativity is the manifestation of a lack of desire to be logical all the time. My favorite definition is 'intelligence having fun,' " states Fournet. "And if
you’re not having FUN with the creative aspects of this business, it’s time
to hang up the spurs! ," he cautions.
In a segment called "How do you sell ideas that work?," Fournet stressed
"Listen, listen, listen! Learn what your clients want, then discover what they need. You do that by provoking conversation."
Joe Fournet of Ideas & MORE
"When you need bigger ideas, use bigger crayons."
Read more about the Beaumont talk on creativity from this Highlights page as well as learn about some useful resources in Helpful Stuff.
Here's what one excited audience member had to say about Joe's suggestion of using large Post-It Notes:
"Thank you so much for speaking to our organization yesterday. I enjoyed the
presentation very much! Ashley and I went back to the office and plastered
huge post its all over the walls and came up with great ideas for
billboards and our upcoming magazine. Yay! Thanks again!"
Stephanie D. Molina - Director of Marketing
Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau
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News Items from 2008 and earlier, see
Ideas & MORE News Archives
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A seasoned creative services firm, Ideas & MORE offers innovative advertising, marketing and design services for Sugar Land, Houston and beyond.
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