Job Title: Junior Web Designer

Department: Creative, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Director of Creative Services

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

Mandalay Baseball Properties currently owns and operates five Minor League Baseball teams, in addition to numerous consulting agreements that focus on various aspects of ballpark construction, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. In 2009, Mandalay Creative Services was formed as an in-house creative group to provide a one-stop shop for various creative needs—including newspaper ads, brochures, website design, logo creation, print collateral, digital signage creation, radio and television production, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Web Design/Graphics Intern for their in-house creative department. A candidate for this position will work closely with the Director and will be involved with various projects from inception to completion. Duties and responsibilities may include working within the provided content management system (CMS), designing and updating page layouts, graphic creation for various promotions or events, rebranding team newsletters, brainstorming new ideas for use on the web, involvement in discussion and implementation of social media strategies, and more as determined.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

The best candidate will be proactive and a self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude. He or she will possess the ability to work closely with an industry professional, be excited and ready to grow in the field, have a calm demeanor, be flexible to change, and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, a troubleshooter, a creative thinker and is detail oriented, organized, and resourceful. He or she should have a basic understanding of the creative process, but be willing to adapt to new systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support the creative group in executing the vision and strategy for improving MBP team sites.

Develop custom web advertisements supporting both sponsor and team initiatives.

Assist in maintaining the club’s e-newsletters and marketing emails.

Stay current with developments in HTML email marketing to improve campaign strategies.

Edit and optimize photos.

Ask questions and come ready to learn.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Good written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in quality work while being open to constructive criticism.

Knowledge of HTML 5, CSS 3 and emerging web trends.

Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver).

Experience with Adobe Flash and Javascript is a plus.

Knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Has received or is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or design school certification in visual communications, web design/development, or a related field. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment is preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume and a link to your portfolio to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or mail your resume to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Video Production & Motion Graphics Animator

Department: Creative, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Motion Graphic Designer and Video Production Specialist

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

Mandalay Baseball Properties currently owns and operates five Minor League Baseball teams, in addition to numerous consulting agreements that focus on various aspects of ballpark construction, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. In 2009, Mandalay Creative Services was formed as an in-house creative group to provide a one-stop shop for various creative needs—including newspaper ads, brochures, website design, logo creation, print collateral, digital signage creation, radio and television production, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Video Production and Animation intern for their in-house creative department. A candidate for this position will be responsible for working closely with a motion graphics designer and will be involved with various projects from inception to completion. The scope of the work is broad, and includes marketing and PR communication materials, concepts and designs for digital signage content, and editing highlights clips. Other work may include 3-D logo illustration and animation, animated TV spots, and audio for radio commercials. This position will also learn about brand guidelines and how to deliver projects on time and under budget.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

The best candidate will be proactive and a self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude. He or she will possess the ability to work closely with an industry professional; be excited and ready to grow in the field; have calm demeanor; be flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, a troubleshooter, a creative thinker and is detail oriented, organized, and resourceful. He or she should have a basic understanding of the creative process but be willing to adapt to new systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work with a Creative Content Designer on all aspects of our projects from concept, storyboard, preproduction, voice-over sessions, shooting, and acquisition though editing, post-production, motion graphics, distribution, and review.

Create motion graphic content in various sizes and formats for LED video walls, video boards, and LCD displays at our five stadiums.

Assist with graphic design, animation, audio, and video editing requests.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

Establish and work within timelines and budgets.

Gain knowledge of not only motion graphics and production, but also design for print, digital and press publishing processes, concepts, and techniques.

Ask questions and come ready to learn.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Good written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in quality work while being open to constructive criticism.

Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite CS4 (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash) and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Soundtrack, Compressor) is preferred.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Has received or is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or design school certification in multimedia design, animation, visual communication, or a related field. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment is preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume and a link to your demo reel to Creative Services at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or mail your resume and a DVD to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd.

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Department: Creative Services, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Graphic Designer

Hours: Paid Seasonal Internship, 25 hours per week

Start Date: February 13, 2012

Mandalay Baseball Properties currently owns and operates five Minor League Baseball teams, in addition to numerous consulting agreements that focus on various aspects of ballpark construction, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. In 2009, Mandalay Creative Services was formed as an in-house creative group to provide a one-stop shop for various creative needs—including newspaper ads, brochures, website design, logo creation, print collateral, digital signage creation, radio and television production, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Junior Graphic Designer for their in-house creative agency. The Junior Graphic Designer will be responsible for project work from inception to completion of marketing and PR communication materials. Projects include developing concepts in addition to designing and producing print collateral, signage, web/digital communication, logo illustration and original design. Project designs must follow brand guidelines while delivering within defined timeliness and set budgets.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

Proactive, self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude; ability to work with minimal supervision; calm demeanor; flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, troubleshooter, creative thinker, detail-oriented, organized, resourceful and understanding of the creative process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and present drafts and ideas to clients.

Create logos for various initiatives and events.

Assist with other graphic design requests, sponsorship presentations, and PowerPoint templates.

Develop publication projects, including print advertising in newspapers and magazines.

Design stadium signage that often includes large format pieces.

Possess a knowledge of design for print, digital and press publishing processes, concepts, and techniques.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as visualization skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Proactive self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in the quality of their work.

Ability to work in a supportive role and take direction.

Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate unpredictable deadlines.

Willingness and ability to do what it takes to see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite CS5 (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) in a Mac environment.

Experience in motion graphics using After Effects, Flash, and/or Final Cut preferred, but not required.

Ample knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A study of design, visual communications, or equivalent in graphic design experience. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume & portfolio to Creative Services at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or mail to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Job Title: Junior Copywriter

Department: Creative Services, Mandalay Baseball Properties

Location: Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH

Reports to: Copywriter

Hours: Unpaid Seasonal Internship (College credit available if applicable), 20-25 hours per week

Start Date: Feb 13, 2012

Mandalay Baseball Properties currently owns and operates five Minor League Baseball teams, in addition to numerous consulting agreements that focus on various aspects of ballpark construction, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. In 2009, Mandalay Creative Services was formed as an in-house creative group to provide a one-stop shop for various creative needs—including newspaper ads, brochures, website design, logo creation, print collateral, digital signage creation, radio and television production, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mandalay Baseball Properties (MBP) is looking for a candidate to serve as a Junior Copywriter for their in-house creative agency. The Junior Copywriter is responsible for the conception and execution of innovative copy for integrated, cross-channel initiatives including print advertising, digital marketing, online advertising and direct mail. The Junior Copywriter will partner with the copywriter of Creative Services and designers to ensure the art direction supports the concept.

CHARACTER TRAITS:

Proactive, self-starter that can maintain an upbeat, positive, “can do” attitude; ability to work with minimal supervision; calm demeanor; flexible to change; and possess the ability to adapt and adjust to a variety of situations. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, troubleshooter, creative thinker, detail oriented, organized, resourceful, and understanding of the creative process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and present drafts and ideas to clients.

Vary a message based on medium, target audience, and product.

Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary and submit for approval.

Write newspaper advertisements, sales letters, and other related marketing, informative, and promotional material.

Create names and slogans that appear on brochures, packaging and other miscellaneous items.

Develop advertising campaigns.

Meet with clients to determine their specific needs and explain concepts and ideas.

Proofread existing copy and design drafts.

Brainstorm ideas for print, video, and design.

Communicate the status of all projects by means of daily updates and status reports.

Research services or products associated with an advertisement’s focus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as proofreading skills.

Demonstrate ability to work as a team player.

Good interviewing, listening, and visualization skills.

Must be able to solve problems in an efficient and professional manner.

Possess a strong work ethic and take pride in the quality of their work.

Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate unpredictable deadlines.

Willingness and ability to do what it takes to see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel and Outlook/Entourage in a Mac environment.

Ample knowledge of the creative process is preferred, but not required.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

A study of English, journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience. Previous experience within a creative agency or marketing environment preferred, but not required.

To apply, send your resume & writing samples to Creative Services at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or mail to:

Fifth Third Field

Attn: Mandalay Creative Services

220 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Picking the perfect holiday present doesn’t have to induce panic. Gift giving can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday season (I won’t even get into awkward confessions from your inebriated relatives). What kind of gift should it be? How much should you spend? Will the present-getter be upset you didn’t spend more? Or will he or she be angry if you did spend a lot and it winds up being inequitable in value to the gift you received? So much pressure! Santa makes it look easy since his recipients are typically under the age of 8. Toys? Yes. Socks? No. Done. For the rest of us, there’s Activated Spaces.

What started out as an art project to give downtown Dayton properties some jazz hands has entered its second phase: pop-up retail. “The ultimate goal of Activated Spaces is to bring new life and vibrancy to downtown Dayton,” says updayton cofounder Scott Murphy. “Pop-up shops offer the flexibility small business owners need in an atmosphere that will let them ‘test drive’ a location before committing to a longer-term lease.”

For the inaugural round, three shops were chosen from a list of applicants to put their merch up for sale in selected locations. Beaute Box, located at 116 W. Fifth St., specializes in high-end nail and spa services. Situated at 519 E. Fifth St. is PEACE on Fifth, the retail arm of the Dayton International Peace Museum offering certified slave-free, eco-friendly and fair-trade products. Comfort and Joy, 521 E. Fifth St., is a warm and fuzzy co-op of women whose handmade goods are said to “get you through the coldest winter night.”

The gift you give someone is necessarily reflective of your opinion of the person receiving the present. This year, avoid the shrink-wrapped basket of “deluxe” bath items and for goodness’ sake, put DOWN the Chia pet! Choose to purchase a lovingly hand-crafted item or personal service from a local business. “I take pleasure in knowing my products weren’t mass-produced from an assembly line or concocted in some Frankenstein laboratory,” says Comfort and Joy’s Evelyn Gordon, who creates scented Mason jar candles in her kitchen to sell at the pop-up on Fifth. “In a small business, products are driven not only by retail performance, but by direct feedback from customers. If someone asks me to modify the scent of a candle—maybe add a hint of cinnamon or cloves—I can do that and come back with new, customer-driven products the next day.”

Matching local businesses with vacant storefronts, overseeing the placement process, outfitting each space with signage and décor, supporting marketing needs and helping small business owners navigate the retail industry is no small order, especially for a group of volunteers representing a variety of industries and professional backgrounds. “We are fortunate to have a good group of passionate people who care about seeing downtown succeed,” says entertainment purveyor Jay Nigro, a Generation Dayton member coordinating pop-up retail efforts. “Research shows time and again that spending money locally—purchasing goods and services from locally owned businesses—keeps that money circulating in a community. That money gets invested in schools, nonprofit groups and feeds into the tax base. Buying local helps create and support jobs and education right here in the Miami Valley.”

Taking advantage of the “try-before-you-buy” lease options Activated Spaces offers gives small business owners like Lisa Scott the opportunity to see how a location will work before committing to a longer-term lease. “Activated Spaces is a great way to get started in operating your own business,” the Beaute Box owner says. “You never know how a relationship will work out with a property owner if you’re leasing, or if your location will get the traffic you think it will until you get in a space, and I’m glad Activated Spaces offers this option to ‘test drive’ my location before I sign a long-term lease.”

So no matter what kind of gift, large or small, take the stress out of holiday shopping and remember to buy local this holiday season. Your purchase of a handcrafted item undoubtedly will make the season merry and bright for your recipient and the families of the local merchants and artisans. Revitalizing the local economy is the gift that keeps on giving, unlike a leopard-print Snuggie.

For those of you who don’t know, Portfolio is a creative staffing agency based in Columbus. They match employers with talent for either freelance or full-time assignments. They handle design, writing, interactive, and project management.

We caught up with Portfolio co-owner Kristen Harris to ask how things are going  and what they have in store moving forward.

Sam: Kristen, I know Portfolio expanded into Dayton about a couple years ago. How’s that going?

Kristen: Dayton is good, it’s a really creative and welcoming community. We’ve built nice client relationships in the area, and we’re are always meeting fantastic creative talent here.

It’s interesting to work on new and different projects or searches, and to see how the needs of our Dayton clients vary from what we see in Columbus. That learning process and building relationships is a lot fun for me and our team!

Sam: Has the expansion been worthwhile for your business?

Kristen: It has been worthwhile, in many ways. Of course working with new clients and talent is wonderful, but this move also allowed us to explore and learn about expanding into cities beyond Columbus. We plan on doing more of that, and Dayton was an excellent first venture out beyond our home base.

We’ve learned some really valuable things, like how to connect with the right people in a new city and weighing whether we really need a physical office (for us, that answer was not really).

Sam: Sounds like Portfolio has grown a lot the past few years. Why is that?

Kristen: Yes, we have grown. There are a lot of factors, but I think the biggest one is that we understand and truly care about our clients and talent.

Catherine [Portfolio co-owner] and I started this business because we needed help finding the right creative people to work with us when we were designers and art directors. I would have loved to utilize a company like ours, but it simply didn’t exist. Having that industry experience and ability to figure out what someone really needs (which may be different than what they ask for) has proven to be extremely important.

As is connecting with our creative talent to really understand what they need and are looking for in their career. When we add someone to our internal team, we’re always looking for industry experience—we can teach the recruiting and staffing piece, but we can’t teach a passion for working with creative people.

Sam: Why should freelancers think about working with Portfolio, rather than pursuing business directly with various companies? Wouldn't it be better to "cut out the middleman" and do it yourself?

Kristen: It really depends on what you do and what your goals are.

If you’re looking to build up a business, have solid experience and connections, have a steady stream of work well into the future, and are comfortable marketing yourself, you’re probably doing great on your own. These tend to be people who are established freelancers, have a solid client base, are well-known in the market, and truly want to work independently and run their own business.

If you’re missing any of those key pieces, a company like ours can be a good resource to fill that gap, whether it’s finding more work, building up experience, or making connections in the local creative community.

Sam: Who's the best fit for you guys? Experienced freelancers or newbies?

Kristen: Both. There are a lot of factors that go into making the perfect match with one of our clients—skill set and experience level matter, but so do soft skills, personality, availability (our clients generally need people onsite at their location), and whether the rate fits their budget.

Most clients are looking for some professional experience, but it really depends on the position they need to fill and what other support they already have on their team. We have clients who are looking for the whole range, from recent grads to experienced executive-level creatives, and everything in between.

Of course, what we’re looking for is always based on what our clients are looking for. So right now interactive design and/or development and writing specifically for marketing or advertising are really top on their lists. But recently we’ve placed graphic designers, creative project managers, account managers, writers, developers, visual merchandising specialists, photo retouchers, illustrators … it’s a wide variety. And we never know what a client will ask for next!

Sam: Dayton is a small community. If you had a full-time job but wanted to look around, could you turn to Portfolio? Is there a truly confidential way to work with you guys?

Kristen: We are a vault. Confidentiality is extremely important to us, as it is to our clients and talent. The nature of our business is that we know a lot of things about a lot of people and companies, and we keep it all to ourselves.

If you’re working somewhere and just want to explore around for other options, that’s a great time to talk to us. We may not have the perfect opportunity for you right now, but if we know who you are and what you’re looking for, we’ll know it when we see it. The best time to look for a job is when you already have a job.

Sam: Anything else a creative should know about Portfolio?

Kristen: The more we know about you and what you’re looking for, the better opportunity we have to make a good match with one of our clients.

We work with a lot of creative companies and departments both in Columbus and Dayton, and we know what they’re looking for. Not just what they say or put in their online job description, but what they’re really looking for.

When we work together, it’s a partnership with the end goal of finding the right fit for our client, and getting you into the right place for the next step in your career. I think we’re pretty fun and friendly. People should feel free to reach out to us any time through the site at portfolioiscreative.com or call us at 614.839.4897.

Sam: Thanks, Kristen!

Samantha Enslen runs Dragonfly Editorial.