Profile: The world of Brand Strategy could not come more naturally to Alex. With years of brand-building experience in numerous areas including enterprise software, biotech, financial services and entertainment--you’d be hard pressed to find an industry Alex can’t navigate. A natural straight shooter, Alex believes in honest and upfront communication both with her clients and colleagues. Her no “BS” approach to brand strategy guarantees an authentic and compelling answer, ensuring that every brand she touches is not only vivid and emotionally charged, but is backed by an authentic brand promise.

Taking great solace in the outdoors, she spends most of the warm months backpacking, hiking, cycling or firing up the backyard grill with her husband David and two cats, Panda and Squirrel. When the weather turns cold, there's a good chance you can find Alex next to a fireplace watching her West Wing DVD collection--even better chance David, Panda and Squirrel are watching too

Interests:

• Links:
• 20 Limited
• IDEO
• Euro Film Cars
• Jeff Koons
• Modernista

Profile: The glue between Brand Strategy and creative execution. Bryan takes the most complex business concepts and builds intricate, accessible and compelling visual stories. Whether its through Photoshop or PowerPoint, ideas are never more clear than when told through the mind and magic of Bryan. Both an accomplished swimmer and talented musician, we keep him focused at his desk with a large cup of chlorinated water and a really cool Nerf guitar.

Interests:

• Links:
• TED
• Pitchfork Media
• Google Reader
• MS Bike Ride

Profile: Please see encyclopedia reference offered here.

Pronounced: Eh-van-je-lin.

Of, or related to, all things Brand Strategy. Often seen in the wild, in the midst of deep thought, contemplative analysis and proactive client communication.

Can be found applying various yoga practices to idea creation processes. Oft noted for consumption behaviors surrounding global culture, B2B brand development practices and philanthropic civic action.

Will defend great work only when provoked.

Records show no clients lost in the field.

Smiles upon approach. Hugs upon departure.

Interests:

• Links:
• Prana Yoga Center
• Santa Monica Museum of Art
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Profile: Luc is responsible for "making the magic happen" ™. A literal giant (at 6'6) among giants, he takes a big picture view of the toughest design challenges and produces creative executions powerful enough to drive entire visual systems. Drawing from a lifetime of education and exploration in the arts, he is never satisfied with the status quo and is always searching to expand his creative vocabulary. A social tastemaker with thorough understanding of design history and a thumb on the pulse of today’s design world, Luc is more than in the know – he is the know.

Interests:

• Links:
• Form 55
• Colour Lovers Blog
• Brand New Blog

Profile: Controller. Hmmm. We'll claim just about anything is "out of control" if we can get Meital to control it. There's nothing she hasn't touched in this office, and it's probably because she's got the most diverse background in town: real estate, interior design, book-keeping, psychology... the perfect combo for Brand Strategy! All you need to know is that we've run out of gold stars to put next to her name. She sees every penny going in and out of this organization - so we all treat her reallll nice like.

Interests:

• Links:
• MS Walk
• Echo Park on Wikipedia
• Mopeds on Wikipedia

Profile: As a former air pilot student turned graphic designer, Alvaro’s eyes have always been wide open. His unique approach to design is no different. While consistently producing work from an imaginative, intuitive, and creative perspective, his priority always remains focused on ensuring his client is completely satisfied with the end result. In true Brazilian style, Alvaro’s vision, passion and dedication is always embedded throughout his work leaving a lasting impression on all those exposed to it.

Interests:

• Links:
• www.visuelle.co.uk
• www.ffffound.com
• www.graphic-exchange.com
• www.a2swhk.co.uk
• www.cirquedusoleil.com

Profile: We never thought we'd need this guy... and honestly, we fought hard to keep him out once he showed up. But man, we don't know how we pulled it off without him. He's the guy with the Excel spreadsheet and a smile, running around the office keeping every single detail that runs our shop in line. He helped us double our headcount, initiate a leadership development curriculum and maximize IPer-client face time through long term project tracking. Sounds like a bunch of operational mumbo jumbo in this little box, but in the big office we call headquarters, he's the man with the plan.

Interests:

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Profile: We couldn't find a Jamie so we had one custom made. It's really the only way someone could be this perfect. Have you ever seen a huge team of creatives not only get along, but track their own projects, prepare client updates and rationalize every single recommendation they submit - all without an ego? If you're a client, thank Jamie for your epic creative work. If you're not, we feel terrible and would be happy to have Jamie train your agency's creative services team, for a nominal fee. And we're not being overconfident here. She's so smart, you're brain will hurt. She's so creative your heart will palpitate. She's also beautiful, worldly, kind... alright alright, you get it.

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Profile: He decided to change his last name he's so skilled in the Jedi art of Information Technology. Omid lathers up our overworked machines with start-of-the-art gadgets and gizmos - keeping us in touch and our clients on target. If you can't find a file, don't blame him - he's built a file sharing system for our clients that's worthy of a Microsoft patent infringement. He's been with us since the day we opened shop and makes sure that we spend plenty of money keeping Dell, Microsoft, HP, Verizon... etc. in business.

Interests:

• Links:
• Gizmodo Blog
• Engadget Blog
• Reddit Blog

Profile: Uses trilingual status (English, Spanish and Legalese) to help Innovation Protocol create concise and clear contracts with its employees, vendors and partners. Curtis also finds time to be a regular contributor to the local paper and teaches law to eager Anteaters at UC Irvine.

Interests:

• Links:
• Rotoworld Fantasy Sports
• Professor Piggington's Almanac
• Slate Magazine
• The NY Times

Profile: Patrick has been putting art into motion his entire life. Humans, music, film, type, and animation, all coming together to form exactly the kinds of beautiful communication that serves Brand Strategy (and conveniently, his soul) so well. His desire to tell a story, and his natural tendency to perform, drive his artwork through time, and across mediums, captivating viewers and connecting thoughts, ideas, and art with people and their lives.

Interests:

• Links:
• Nemomatic | Nemo Gould
• Derby Dolls Roller Derby
• NYC Ballet
• Epitaph Records

Profile: He's the only photographer we've ever met who truly speaks brand. H (as he's affectionately known) has snapped Richard Branson to Kanye West, and channels his creative eye through the lens of Brand Strategy for our innovative clientele. As such, he's made the most technological biomedical device look like a piece of art, and turned a serene cityscape into a capture of chaos.

Interests:

• Links:
• www.hameshshahani.com
• myspace.com/clearmindstudios
• www.chandrushahani.com

Profile: 0110010101101010, but not without 100101111

Interests:

• Links:
• Wikipedia on Binary Code
• Slashdot Blog
• Daily Worse Than Failure Blog

Profile: We looked up "workhorse" in the dictionary and it had a picture of Mike when he was 9. We've never met a designer that can produce so much good stuff so quickly. And that's not saying he skimps on the design brilliance - he's like a skill saw. He'll tear through anything you throw at him, with death-defying precision.

Interests:

• Links:
• www.ffffound.com

Profile: Beautiful. It's his favorite word and how we'd describe his heart. Jeremy's passion oozes from every facet of his being - whether he's on the clock building a global brand strategy for one of our marquee clients, or spending his weekend helping a local musician launch their career with a tightly constructed brand strategy. It's awe-inspiring to watch him work his magic.

We forgave him a long time ago for being the lead singer of an emo-punk band in high school. And for being that super deep counselor at summer camp that sat with you by the fire after everyone had gone to bed and asked "what do you want the world to remember about you...?" Despite his previously hippy ways, he runs his ship tight, keeping his projects on schedule like an ER nurse. We don't play favorites here, so we're not going to tell you about the plaque he's got on his desk that says "IP hearts JT". Just know, you're a lucky soul if you've got Jeremy on your project.

Interests:

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Profile: We're not ashamed to say it. We stole her. She was destined for greatness at an international CPG icon and we baited her with an opportunity to work with fine souls and great clients, all with a coffee shop in the basement.

If Brand Strategy is the war of communication, Shreya really is its finest soldier. As a USC Trojan, she led an army of troops in "case competition" battlefields around the world, bringing home trophies from Copenhagen, Hong Kong and Auckland.

Given USC's admiration for everything Shreya accomplished way back when she was a student, they'll be happy to know she's well on her way to becoming the Frank Lloyd Wright of brand architecture and the Aesop of brand storytelling. She's desperately in love with what we do and that passion just oozes from every piece of work she touches. Just ask her clients.

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Profile: Those eyes! She peers into the dark caverns of your brain and brings forth answers to questions you've never been asked. It feels a little awkward at first, but when Kara shares her deduction in the moment of truth, you'll forget what you used to believe your business was about, and embark on a brand journey that will forever change how your story is told.

It all works because she's as smart as she is sweet - and she's got the detail-focused work ethic to bring it all to bear on our clients' most complicated brand strategy challenges.

Oh, and by the way, she's like a championship hip hop dancer. So if she doesn't wow you with her brain, she WILL serve you on the dance floor.

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Profile: We interviewed some of Matt's business school colleagues before we even had him in for an interview and one description was used by nearly all of them: "intense". We brought him in anyway, and it was really for YOUR own good. Yes, you. Whether you're a client, potential employee or an IRS auditor, we are definitely going to serve you a little Matt. He's just got too much spirit... too much commitment... too much 'gett'r done' wherewithal to not share him with anyone that comes our way.

And to be very clear, that intensity we noted above, we're not scared of it, we're all jealous! Matt's one of those people who you meet and observe and then ask yourself what he had for breakfast.

It all comes together when you see his work. Nothing slips, not even the stuff you are responsible for; because he's keeping track and will make sure everything that was supposed to get done, does - no matter whose responsibility it may ultimately be.

Interests:

• Links:

Profile: For 10 years post his Stanford MBA, Benjamin swam with the sharks of international strategy consulting, including stints with Booz Allen and Accenture. In the last 8 years, he has concentrated on Brand Strategy, with firms like Prophet (working with branding guru David Aaker), Siegel & Gale, and most recently, as Executive Director of Brand Strategy at Interbrand. What fuels Ben is assimilating business strategy, branding principles, and collective senior leadership viewpoints into amazing and long-lasting answers. A modern Renaissance Man wanna-be, Ben started life after college as a tennis pro, and continues secret professional lives in music production, fitness and acting.

Interests:

• Links:
• TED
• Joseph Campbell Foundation
• Mistry Tripoli Fitness
• Benjamin Black Dot Com

Profile: Most of us were angry when Derrick first interviewed. We just couldn't understand how so much artistic skill could come so naturally to someone that's also a teen-movie-cool dude. He's creative, but not snotty. He's strategic, but not pushy. It's just so rare that you get brains and personality delivered through a persona that's a party-good time to be with.

What's so nifty about Derrick's design abilities is that the tool he uses to create his work doesn't really matter. He's as good at PowerPoint as he is with Photoshop, or Illustrator, or InDesign, or scrapbooking?... And if you've ever attempted your life with any of these widgets, you know that mastering one is a lifelong commitment. He's rocket scientist good at all of them! And, he's smiling like a kid in a candy store the whole way through.

See! Aren't you angry too!?!

Interests:

• Links:

Profile: Our Managing Director would be shoeless on a mountain in the middle of winter if it weren't for this little number. She's a tough cookie who is only in the business of gettin' it done. So when she calls, emails or chirps from her throne, everyone in her blast radius becomes 17% more productive.

We love her most though because she's one of the down right best artists / painters we've ever seen. There's no doubt in our minds that Ms. Nadina is going to be way more famous than the rest of us. Just befriend her now so you'll get to say you "knew her when."

Interests:

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Profile: Some people run and hide from social media, Jonathan bathes in it. Pull the trigger and he'll tell you everything you need to know about the latest trends in the field, before he's even taken a breath.

It's his passion and his craft. And he uses years as a professional communicator, educator and world traveler to prepare social media strategies that check all the boxes - market specific, contextually relevant, timely delivery... all the factors you didn't even knew mattered in the confusing realm of social media.

He's on board here at IP because he truly gets where brands matter in the social media sphere. He believes that no social media strategy works without a brand strategy in place as its foundation. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the sector that not only knows that, but is in the business of delivering it.

Interests:

• Links: