Company

Bill Finn, CEO/President

Founder and President of Finn Digital LLC, Bill Finn is responsible for the strategic innovation, design and support of digital media initiatives, bringing more than 12 years of expertise with Fortune 100 and other corporations, both national and international in scope.

Bill consults on, designs, and produces business communications projects including interactive marketing strategy, e-learning, core business data applications, rich internet media, video and corporate event media. His ability to transform clients' business vision into results-driven digital media has helped the Finn Digital Team win best-of-category and excellence awards from the Business Marketing Association in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005 as well as multiple awards from the International Academy of Visual Arts in 2008.

He has assisted global corporations in design, development, and support of:

• Interactive marketing strategy
• E-learning Systems and Initiatives
• Business-Critical Presentation Design
• Business Data Tracking (KPI) Tools
• Large Event Presentations and Display Media
• Safety Incident Reporting Systems
• Shipping Load Entry and Driver Data Management Systems
• Project Sales and Management Tools
• International Sales Incentive Management Tools
• C-Level Interactive Marketing Media Kits
• Strategic Partner Consulting for select clients on major customer accounts

Bill is a past president of the Business Marketing Association in Milwaukee, a board member of the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association, and a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s Council of Small Business Executives, the MMAC China Business Council, the Milwaukee World Trade Association, the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation and the UW E-Business Consortium.

Favorite local restaurant?

II Mito Enoteca in Wauwatosa: Consistently excellent cuisine, superb service, best value in Milwaukee.

Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what?

I've never re-gifted an actual gift but I have gotten raised eyebrows when recycling those little gift bags you receive gifts in. I can never find the cool ones that people give to me so I just save those and use them when giving my own gifts. My mom saved and ironed the Christmas wrapping paper from year to year, so it runs in the family.

If you could save time in a bottle, what's the first thing that you'd like to do?

If I could save time in a bottle, I'd use it to capture the agonizingly idyllic moments of my life: a sun-drenched, lakewater-filled Labor Day weekend; the second glass of Bordeaux at a sidewalk café in Paris waiting for a certain shopper in the BHV; the creative collective groove when all the project design elements come together; or when my daughter laughs.

Who is the current heavy weight boxing champion?

Ali. Always Ali.

First thing you do when the power goes out?

When the power goes out, I usually enjoy the brief moment of silence first.

Jill Schmidt, Interactive Strategist

An expert in interactive strategy, Jill Schmidt provides insight and understanding not only of best practices in award-winning interactive media, but also extensive research and usage of current and future interactive and web trends.

She assists clients in developing an interactive plan that provides measurable business results, and facilitates understanding of the participation risks and rewards associated with current Internet trends. Her work was recognized with a 2009 Bell Award from the Business Marketing Association for best-in-class newsletters.

Jill's areas of expertise include:

• Interactive Account Management
• Social Media Strategy
• Online Advertising and Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Qualitative Analysis

She serves as the Vice President and 5th term board member of the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association and as an active member of the Business Marketing Association and the UW E-Business Consortium in Milwaukee.

Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

What's the strangest thing you've ever worn?

For crazy day in third grade, I made a high pony tail in my hair and taped(!) a whale on top of my hair "spout" and then placed five whales of various sizes on subsequent whale spouts above it.

Do people refer to you as "the outdoorsy type?"

I would have to say, with nearly 100% certainty, absolutely not.

Name three places you've visited on vacation:

Rome, Italy

Villefranche, France

Cologne, Germany

What's your earliest memory of social media?

I met many of the friends that I still keep to this day on early BBS sites when I was 16. We chatted, played online Battleship, participated in forums and paid for credits to use the sites themselves, along with additional credits to use the "Internet".

Have you ever made a submission to the Urban dictionary?

I co-authored "Twobligation" with my husband. It's the moment you decide to follow a friend of a friend on Twitter, only to learn that this person over-tweets about mundane things. You can "un-follow" said person only if they have not yet followed you in return. Otherwise, you are twobligated to keep them.

Tim Grove, Developer

A seasoned interactive media professional, Tim Grove is a master in implementing award-winning dynamic, data-driven programming while being fully-versed in cross-browser compatibility, extending his programming knowledge to DHTML and usability.

In addition, Tim contributes a strong understanding of systems design and architecture, and helps to identify project challenge areas and corresponding solutions.

His areas of expertise include:

• Flex/Flash Design and Development
• ActionScript
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, XSLT
• ASP.NET, ASP, PHP, ColdFusion, Visual Basic, C#
• Microsoft SQL, MySQL
• Adobe Development Suite
• Web Standards Compliance

Tim serves as the Web Chair for the Business Marketing Association in Milwaukee, and as an active member of the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association, Milwaukee Adobe Users Group, and the UW E-Business Consortium.

Tim holds an Associate’s Degree in Informational Technology/Multimedia from ITT Technical Institute in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Typical bed time:

Sure.

Feelings on pleather?

I won't tell if you don't.

Decorating style: Modern or traditional?

Modern I guess. I just don't like weird-looking plastic chairs.

What is your weird hidden talent\ability?

It wouldn't be hidden if I told you.

When someone neither confirms nor denies allegations, do you think they're guilty?

Depending on the allegation: Severe: yes; Medium: maybe; Mild: no, they just want to debate.

Travis Wolf, Developer

As an experienced web developer, Travis Wolf is closely involved with the hands-on execution of web and interactive projects on a daily basis. He is expert at rapid analysis, process identification and delivery.

In addition, he's delivered innovative code solutions on a number of projects and is experienced in clearly expressing client project communications.

Travis' skill set includes:

• Flex/Flash Design and Development
• ActionScript
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, XSLT
• ASP.NET, ASP, PHP, ColdFusion, Visual Basic, C#
• Microsoft SQL, MySQL
• Adobe Development Suite
• Web Standards Compliance

Travis serves on the Web committee of the Business Marketing Association in Milwaukee, and is an active member of the Milwaukee Adobe Users Group and the UW E-Business Consortium.

Travis holds a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Media Development from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

Which character on "The Office" do you relate to the most?

Ryan, because I'm the office hottie.

Favorite out-of-the-norm pizza topping?

BBQ sauce.

Have you pressed the snake button at the public museum?

No.

Name the animal: part mammal, part reptile and part bird

Hippocrocarrow: Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Sparrow.

What literary character would people compare you to?

The Velveteen Rabbit.

Jake Rohde, Art Director

As the creative force at Finn Digital, Jake Rohde produces a healthy balance of elegant design with a solid base of usability in interactive, print, and web design for corporate clients. Interested in all things visual, Jake’s award-winning approach to design includes a process of research, study, collaboration, brainstorming, sketching, refining, detail, and polish to produce a custom, defined, and relevant design for the project at hand from creative development to final deliverables.

Jake's skill set includes:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe Fireworks
• Quark XPress
• Swift 3D
• Digital Photography
• HTML/XHTML, CSS
• Web Typography
• Web Standards Compliance

Jake also serves as a presenter/instructor for the Graphic Design Industry Seminar conducted at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He is an active member of the Business Marketing Association in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association, the Cream City Photogs and the UW E-Business Consortium. He’s also co-founder of Valo Photography.

Jake holds an Associates of Applied Arts degree in Graphic Design from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin.

What inspires you?

Inspiration comes in many forms for me, mostly in the day to day things I come in contact with. This could be a magazine I am reading, a website I am viewing, the way a shadow intersects with something to create an interesting shape, movies, brainstorming with other creative people, photography, or even audible sources that trigger a response to something in my past.

Best thing about the weekend

There are a few reasons why I love weekends: 1. Quality time to spend with my wife Catherine. 2. Long photo-walks or photo shoots depending on the weekend 3. Long bike rides

Favorite Wisconsin treasure?

North Point. A tiny, not so impressive "in person", photographic destination for many local Milwaukee photographers. North Point is home to my favorite tree (may sound a little odd), take a look here at a Flickr set of images taken at North Point. The title tree of the set is the tree I am referring to.

Finish the sentence, "When I'm bored, I..."

Make things. Photographs, paintings, doodles, thought clouds, lists, posters, random designs, bikes, food, paper airplanes, macaroni murals, etc.

Most memorable cartoon from your childhood?

I actually don't really remember too many cartoons from my childhood. However, I do remember having picnics with my father on the living room floor watching TV. I think we would watch things like Mr. Rodgers and the sorts. He would make breakfast and we would lay out a blanket. He worked a lot, so this time spent together was very special. I don't remember what we watched; it was more about the time spent...

Kari Dunham, Interactive Account Executive

Kari brings strong insight into the digital strategy with her expertise in social media. She coordinates with several clients on long- and short-term deliverables, ensuring that the process from consultation through delivery is handled smoothly.

Kari's social media expertise includes:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Yammer
• Sprout
• Utterli
• Jing
• Wikispaces
• Blogger
• Wordpress
• Flickr
• Digg
• Weebly

She is an active member of the Business Marketing Association in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association, and the UW E-Business Consortium.

Kari holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Your social media platform of choice.

It is a real toss up between Twitter and Facebook. Facebook is great for personal use keeping in touch with friends, making plans on the weekends, posting/sharing pictures, and the of course occasional Facebook-stalk. Recently, many of my family members have joined Facebook, so we have an interactive family tree and family group. I like Twitter to share cool, interesting, and innovative things with others (some that I know and some I don’t) on a more professional basis.

In my spare time, I...

Take my dog for walks on the nature trail by my house. I am also a big fan of The Bachelor & Bachelorette so you can usually catch me watching those on Monday nights.

Top 5 songs on my iPod

I can’t name the top 5, but when I turned on my iPod here are the first 5 that came up: Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Beat It by Michael Jackson, It’s a Shame by The Spinners, Out Here Grindin’ by DJ Khaled, Macho Man by the Village People... I have eclectic taste…what can I say?

Favorite childhood summer activity

I would always love opening up lemonade stand with my friend Alex outside her house in Wrigleyville. Surprisingly we would always walk away with a handful of money. It felt so good to be a small business owner.

Most creative Halloween costume

One time I was a dead bride, because a neighbor was putting on a Haunted House and needed a “prop.” I laid in her garden for 3 hours pretending to be dead. People walking past would debate if I was real or not, and after awhile I would pop up and scare them. It was awesome.