Soapbox

The multi-media, digital age has transformed communications and journalism in quick and profound ways. Those changes in technology and in how news is disseminated and consumed require a new and evolving kind of journalism education.

For the third year in a row Northern Kentucky University's College of Informatics will give area high schools students a taste of what's in store for them in the work world through a week long "Journalism in the Digital Age" workshop, June 14-18.

The on-campus, day program is open to 20 students and costs $175. It will be held on NKU's Highland Heights campus. The workshop is open to Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati students and is the only type of its kind in the region.

"So much is changing in journalism, and we want to have the students see what is happening in the field," said program director and NKU journalism lecturer Michele Day.

During the program, students will be trained on the fundamentals of journalism including researching, interviewing and writing. Still, most emphasis will revolve around using those basic skills to create news reports in different media including video, web and photography production.

"We are really trying to give them a sampling of everything that goes on in online journalism, and the multi-media aspects of it just keep growing," Day said.

Students will get individual training in using a video camera and microphone, writing for the web, and creating stories via photo slides. They'll also learn how to publish that work to the web.

Among the planned activities is a video scavenger hunt where students will crisscross campus and learn how to combine their video snippets into journalistic stories and post them online.

For more information on the program, go to Journalism in the Digital Age Workshop web site.
 
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Michele Day, NKU journalism lecturer

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Bioformix, a local startup developing sustainable adhesives and plastic alternatives, has received more than a million dollars in venture capital funds from local investors, including Queen City Angels and CincyTech.

The Blue Ash-based company launched last year. Its founders are Adam Malofsky, CEO, Bernard Malofsky, CTO and chief scientist, and Steve Levin of Acara Global, who now serves on Bioformix’s board of directors and was the initial seed investor.

The $1.05 million in funds will be used to increase production efficiency, secure intellectual property and develop first markets in high value adhesives. In addition to creating green materials, the company is also working to assure they are affordable.
 
"Our extensive prior experience in multiple areas from our consulting and corporate experiences catalyzed the creation of Bioformix," said Malofsky. "Bernie's deep experience with this type of chemistry over a 45-year career coupled with Steve Levin's and my experience identifying and assessing innovations allowed us to match this chemistry's characteristics with a well defined set of market metrics for sustainable materials."  Malofsky spent nearly 25 years in commercial and product development in chemicals, polymers, and performance materials.

Bioformix is developing a broad new class of green, sustainable, environmentally and biologically benign monomers, resins, and polymers using proprietary new monomer chemistry.

"Bioformix is poised to quickly commercialize high-margin products that exhibit product-performance advantages in demanding market segments," said Bioformix board member Bob Pangborn. "These environmentally friendly products are derived from natural raw materials, but unlike many "green" products, they also enjoy an advantageous cost position. I am most excited about Bioformix' ability to be a major player in these markets."

Bioformix is Cinytech's 14th portfolio company.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Carolyn Pionne, CincyTech

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Cincinnati Metro is asking riders to share their stories about using public transportation in a contest where two community-chosen winners will receive a free one-year buss pass.

The "Tell Us Your Story" contest is Cincinnati's part in the national "Public Transportation Takes Us There" campaign of the American Public Transportation Association. Cincinnati's contest borrows from the national campaign by seeking out public stories related to four key areas: economy and jobs, environment, energy independence and quality of life. Metro is looking for concise, personal stories from riders who can explain how public transportation has helped them improve in those four areas. The contest is accepting written and video stories, eight of which will receive a free, one-month bus pass. Two community selected stories (one in each medium) will receive a free, one-year pass.

"We're looking for riders to tell us how metro has helped them get to a job, or cut back on their environmental impact," said Metro Public Affairs Manager Jill Isaacs Dunne. "We're hoping that by the public telling their stories, Metro can tell a story of what it means for people to have public transportation in Cincinnati."

Written entries should be limited to 150 words; video entries should be a minute or so. There are several ways to submit them. Metro will capture video at events in Cincinnati this summer, starting with at kickoff event May 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fountain Square. You can enter your own written and video through Metro's web site. The contest is from May 27 to July 31. Metro will chose winners of the one-month free bus pass and the public will vote for the Grand Prize winners on the metro web site from Aug. 3 to 31.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson    
Source Metro Public Affairs Manager Jill Isaacs Dunne

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox 

Ballet tech cincinnati, the nonprofit that's expanded Cincinnati's dance vocabulary, has expanded its own vocabulary beyond dance. Its new name, arts innovation movement Cincinnati, (or aim) reflects the diversity of programs it hosts and its big goals for expanding the city's arts outlook.

Marvel Gentry Davis, aim cincinnati's Producing Artistic Director and President of the Board of Directors, has overseen the organization's development from its humble roots. In 1997, ballet tech was a nonprofit designed to provide dance performances for one small dance school in Maineville, OH.

"What we found," said Gentry Davis, "was that this organization was being controlled by a handful of people - but a nonprofit had to belong to the community."

The organization recently moved to its Kennedy Heights facility, which has allowed it to further the diversity of Cincinnatians served by its programs. Located in the District A arts Corridor, the building now welcomes the Q City Players Comedy Improv Troupe, Jazz Jams music improv sessions, dance classes, and a summer performance camp.

Gentry Davis became President of the Board in 2001, and guided board members in deciding what ballet tech could bring to Greater Cincinnati. They wanted to create dance performances that catered to non-traditional audiences, such as parents of small children. They also hoped that their brand of dance would be a catalyst for diversity and tolerance in the wake of 2001's civil unrest in Over-the-Rhine.

According to Gentry Davis, the resulting Leaping for Literacy dance shows are "designed for a two-and-a-half-year-old, but can also be enjoyed by that child's parents and grandparents."  

Last February's Talking Eggs production was based on a Caldecott Award-winning children's book of the same name; next April's Leap is Lord of the Jungle, a Tarzan story. Leaping for Literacy won ballet tech the 2008 Scripps-Corbett Award, given to arts ventures that impact society. ballet tech/aim cincinnati was also the only arts organization finalist for the regional ONE Award, recognizing excellence in nonprofit operations.

Nine years of Aronoff Center performances will culminate in a 10th anniversary celebration - August 14's Gala of International Dance Stars. The only event of its kind in the Midwest, the Gala will feature 17 dancers from world-renown companies and five world premieres.

You can keep up on aim's programs through its Facebook page.
 
Writer: Elena Stevenson
Source: Marvel Gentry Davis, Producing Artistic Director and President of Board, aim cincinnati

AtriCure, a West Chester-based medical device company, has received conditional approval from the FDA to test a procedure to treat patients with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm).

"Patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF represent a large and growing number of the AF population. These patients are often the most challenging and time consuming to effectively treat," said Andrea Natale, M.D., Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

A clinical trial of the dual epicardial/ endocardial procedure (DEEP), or hybrid procedure, will occur at five U.S. medical centers on up to 30 patients. Enrollment should start later this year. The (DEEP) procedure combines surgical and catheter ablation techniques to treat patients with persistent forms of atrial fibrillation.  The trial will use AtriCure's minimally invasive surgical ablation product platform in conjunction with the Biosense Webster(R) THERMOCOOL(R) catheter ablation product platform, according to the company.

"We believe the clinical science will demonstrate that our DEEP AF hybrid procedure is an important advancement, and that stand alone minimally invasive and hybrid procedures will become a standard of care for persistent AF patients and patients that have failed catheter ablation procedures," said David J. Drachman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

AtriCure develops, manufactures and sells innovative cardiac surgical ablation systems designed to be highly precise.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: AtriCure

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

You've probably heard of boutique hotels, boutique clothing and even boutique bowling but a Mason physical therapist turned fitness coach has turned a workout concept called "Bikini Bootcamp" into a locally-owned boutique fitness center for women.

Melissa Maston, a longtime physical therapist, began coaching the Bikini Bootcamp in a small gym her husband built for employees of his Mason-based company Matson Money.

"The employees didn't really use it during the workday. I thought we could open it to the public and started the Bikini Boot camp for women," said Melissa who became a certified fitness coach in early 2009. "It went crazy, and within a year it was time to expand."

Bikini Boot camp is an intense, high calorie burn fitness class that mixes cardio and low weight training. The class proved so popular that Melissa expanded her offerings, and in April opened Keep It Tight fitness in a former sofa express in Symmes Township.

Keep It Tight fitness is not a typical gym. It's highly structured and focused, and is tailored to each member's goals.

"It's not the type of place where you just come in whenever you want and exercise by yourself. You make an appointment, and we work with our girls one-on-one, talking to them about specific goals they want to accomplish," Melissa said.

The 6,000 sq. ft. fitness center has a variety of classes, and a hot yoga studio in addition to cardio equipment. The center has three employees and includes nutrition counseling.

Membership ranges from $75 to $399 a month, depending on how many times a week members want to work out. Classes are geared toward specific goals and include names like Tight Tummies, 100% cardio, Hot Power Lunch and Chick Power Hour.

Keep it Tight also uses the web to keep members on track with videos of exercises that can be performed at home, nutritious recipes, suggestions for beauty products and a place to download music playlists from classes on iMixes via iTunes.

Melissa believes the center's focus on pushing members to get results, and its women-only atmosphere is appealing to members who are willing to pay higher prices than a traditional fitness center.

"We have women who belong to other fitness centers, but just don't feel like they get those results without help," she said.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Melissa Matson, owner Keep it Tight Fitness

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox 

For those that love video games, a new one is an addictive, guilty pleasure. Some fan favorites come from a local company - Zoo Games.

From their offices near Rookwood Pavilion, Zoo Games finds and promotes new games and innovative ways to enjoy the gaming experience. The company specializes in moderately-priced, family-friendly games for the casual gamer: racing, game-show, action-adventure, and the like. Brands represented include Jeep, Hello Kitty, and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson.

Some Zoo Games products are bundled with creative gaming accessories that put players into the action. Independent game designers bring fresh ideas; Zoo Games provides the marketing polish, and connects the finished products to distribution platforms.

"Zoo Games was originally based in New York," said Mary Kish, company marketing specialist.  "But as we began to focus primarily on sales and marketing as opposed to development, the need for a location with consumer marketing ability increased. Cincinnati was a prime location for these needs."

Currently, Zoo Games' Cincinnati headquarters employs 20. The company plans to recruit new talent for its finance, digital, and marketing departments.

Zoo Games recently launched IndiePubGames, a site where gaming enthusiasts and indie game developers can meet, game, and generate new ideas. May 1, IndiePub launched a Game Design Competition; the designer of the grand prize game receives $100,000 and a contract to have their game published. Gamers who register are entered to win an iPad each month, and a flat-screen 3D TV as a grand prize. Both contests end September 15.

Zoo Games launched in 2007; its leadership team was formed after a merger of three companies: Green Screen Interactive, DSi, and Zoo Publishing. Zoo Game's top leadership includes CEO Mark Seremet, who also co-founded Take 2, the world's sixth largest publisher of interactive entertainment software.

David Rosenbaum, former president of DSi, was appointed president of Zoo Games in 2009.

Steve Buchanan rounded out the leadership team with his appointment as COO in March 2010. He was president of West Chester-based Jack of all Games, a major video game distributor.

Today, Seremet, Rosenbaum, and Buchanan steer Zoo Games; the length of their successful involvement with video games gives them a wide-angle view of the fast-paced industry.

Writer: Elena Stevenson
Source: Mary Kish, Marketing Specialist, Zoo Games

A group of University of Cincinnati students brought home a second-place prize for their plan to raise awareness of Kohler's Save Water America campaign.

The Wisconsin-based kitchen and bath fixture company awarded runner-up status to the University's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America for their proposal. It involved raising campaign awareness where large groups of people gather in Cincinnati's urban core, including Findlay Market and the Reds Opening Day parade in addition to placing more traditional radio ads.

"The unique situation with us is that we are the University of Cincinnati - we could utilize the entire city in our campaign. That’s why we went beyond campus to include Findlay Market," says senior Brad Okel. "We had two goals for our campaign: use Cincinnati as an example for water conservation trends, and position Kohler as an expert in water conservation."

The Save Water America campaign promotes water conservation and awareness and tips through an interactive web site that allows users to find specific ideas for their lives.

"Winning second place in a national competition is a great indication of the way the program is growing," says Communication Professor Maribeth Metzler, the director of UC's Public Relations Program and faculty advisor of PRSSA. "Our students are seeing the benefits of their hard work and it's causing them to become more competitive and proud of what they’re doing."

UC came in second behind Syracuse University with Ohio State University finishing third. The winners were announced in April and were told they will receive water saving products for their home universities.

UC began offering a public relations certificate in its Communication Department in 2003. The certificate is one of two in the state certified by the Public Relations Society of America (the other is Ohio Northern University just outside of Lima) .

Last year, UC's PRSSA chapter won first place in a statewide Donate Life Ohio campaign, the organ donation effort sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health. The year prior, in its Debunkify campaign, the chapter earned "Best Creative Execution."

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Kim Burdett, assistant PIO McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, UC PRSSA chapter president Kelley Ujvary

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

BAE Systems in Butler County has just been awarded a $10 million federal government contract to armor vehicles for commercial use.

Under the contract, BAE will armor commercial SUV's and pick-ups. The custom vehicles will be tailored to specific customer needs and include mission specific-features. The vehicles won't look like traditional military-style transportation, and are intended to look like everyday commercial vehicles, according to the company.

"With the current growth in areas of conflict, we are seeing global demand for commercial armored vehicles continuing to keep pace," said Don Dutton, Vice President with BAE Systems' Security & Survivability business. "Because they're designed to blend in with local, indigenous cultures, and they send out a decidedly different 'message' than military-style vehicles, we're seeing more and more commercial armored vehicles being used, both here in the U.S. and abroad," added Dutton.

Locally, BAE employs approximately 1,600 and is one of Butler County's largest employers. The commercial armored vehicles will be manufactured in West Chester starting in late 2010, with the first set of deliveries scheduled in 2011.

BAE is an advanced manufacturing, product and service company based in the United Kingdom, with 107,000 employees worldwide. The company's Butler County plant is part of the global aerospace, defense and security company's Land and Armament business unit.  The company's client base includes the air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Jennifer Robinson, BAE Systems

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

The Christ Hospital has been chosen to take part in a national research study testing a new FDA-cleared medical device designed to better treat hard-to-heal, chronic wounds.

The Smart Negative Pressures, or SNaP, Wound Care System is a disposable suction device that requires no electricity or batteries. The novel device uses "negative pressure therapy" or removal of small amounts of discharge from chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute and dehisced wounds, ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure).

"We're excited to have been chosen to take part in this national study. The SNaP System is a small and silent device that uses a patented vacuum technology to provide a therapeutic benefit to chronic wounds," said Mark Harding, M.D., medical director of The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center.

The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center is one of 12 hospitals taking place in the study, which will compare the SNaP device to the negative pressure devices currently on the market.

SNaP is in the pre commercialization phase, having received FDA clearance in 2009. It's manufactured by California-based by Spiracur, Inc. The device delivers this negative pressure through tubing that is connected to dressing that creates an airtight seal around the wound. It's fully portable and about the size of a cell phone.

"It is indicated for use on a variety of ulcers typically seen on our patients here at The Christ Hospital and is ideal for our outpatient clinic. It generally takes about five minutes for a dressing change, which can be completed in the clinic by a nurse or physician or at home by a caretaker," Dr. Harding said.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Michael Beauchat, The Christ Hospital

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Local entrepreneur Scott Miller has just launched a new company from the Hamilton County Business Center, and is working to generate some buzz about his new software product, the Bee.

B2BeeLLC launched within the last week with its namesake software product The Bee, an invoicing system designed for small business owners.

"I really wanted to create something that would help small, one-to five-person companies. One day I sat down and had coffee with about 50 of these small business owners, and everyone was having a hard time with accounting and bookkeeping. Most invoicing programs are made for accountants, and these weren't accountants. I wanted to create something that would help them," said Miller, of Blue Ash.

This isn't Miller's first foray into entrepreneurship, in 2004 he sold Treadstone Group, an IT consulting and systems integration firm, to Exact Software.  

"After that I played some golf, taught a class on entrepreneurship at Miami University and did some Angel investing," Miller said.

But the creative bug, or bee, got to him again.

"I've been planning the venture and writing software for the last 10 months. We've had a soft launch and have some clients signed up, but this week we're starting to gear up our marketing efforts and tell the world about it," he said.

B2bee is a self-funded company and has three full-time employees, as well as several outside contract workers.

The Bee is professional, but simplified version of programs like QuickBooks, Miller said.

"(Quickbooks) is based on double-entry accounting. You have charts of accounts, debits and credits that are very intimidating. None of that is part of our system, it's very simple to get on and start generating invoices," he said.

The software is internet-based, and can be downloaded from the B2Bee website, users pay $14 a month for the service. Users can access the program for free for their first three clients, when a company gets a forth client the $14 a month service fee kicks in. The website also offers a 30-day free trial.

"It's a web application that you can use from anywhere. You can fire it up from your browser and it's very secure. Every year we will continue to make small changes to software, but there are no upgrade fees," Miller said.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Scott Miller, founder B2Bee

You can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Cincinnati Innovates 2010 is offering Greater Cincinnati entrepreneurs, creatives and inventors more chances at start-up prize money this year, with more than $80,000 in awards.

Cincinnati Innovates evolved from InOneWeekend, which challenged - and equipped - aspiring entrepreneurs to create a viable start-up business in three days.

The second annual competition is open to anyone now or originally from a 15-county area of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. It has a broad reach and can include innovative products, devices, business processes and more.  The top prize is $25,000 sponsored by CincyTech.

This year's competition ups the stakes and opportunities for innovators. There are several new prize categories including a $5,000 web development award sponsored by CoStrategix, a $10,000 award in branding and design services from LPK, and a $10,000 commercialization award to a Kentucky-based company sponsored by The Northern Kentucky eZone, Tri-Ed, Vision 2015, and  Biologic.

"There is so much happening in Northern Kentucky," said Cincinnati Innovates founder and organizer Elizabeth Edwards. "But last year we only had 16 entries from Northern Kentucky. This year with the Northern Kentucky Prize we are hoping for a couple hundred."

To enter the contest or get more info, go to the contest's website. There you'll enter a short description of your idea and upload pictures, video, or sketches to help explain and showcase it. The earlier you enter the better, because you can enter more than one idea and update and improve on entered ideas after submission, Edwards said.

Cincinnati Innovates more than doubled its sponsorships over last year, up to 23. They include representatives from the region's legal, economic development, health, investor and media communities (including Soapbox).

Need a little help in fleshing out or presenting your idea? This year Cincinnati Innovates is offering more group workshops throughout the competition, based on feedback from last year's event, Edwards said.

Among scheduled workshops are "How to Finance a Startup," and "Cincinnati Innovates Video Workshop."

"We'll have 14 cameras there for people to help them craft an elevator pitch, and we'll have some angel investors there to help," Edwards said of the video workshop. "Many of the proposals that won last year had good video explanations. Some were 30 seconds; some were four minutes. They weren't professionally done, just well put together."

There are no age restrictions to entering. The contest is open now through Sept. 1. Winners of a total of 10 prizes - including a community choice award picked by online voters - will be announced September 22 at the Cincinnati National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Entries will be judged by investors and other industry experts from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Elizabeth Edwards, founder Cincinnati Innovates

You can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Three years after moving around Ohio and Kentucky, the 9th Annual Ohio Valley Affiliates for Life Sciences (or OVALS) Conference will return to Cincinnati in 2011.

OVALS launched in 2002 at the University of Cincinnati to connect the region's major research and medical universities. It started with just a few partners and has grown over the years to include the Air Force Research Laboratory, CincyTechUSA and Ohio University.

The founding partner universities, in Ohio and Kentucky, attract and expend approximately $650 million per year on basic and applied research, which generates over 240 intellectual property disclosures per year, according to OVALS.

"We started this as an opportunity to pull together some of the research universities in our region. It’s a way to create a larger, critical mass of activity. On an individual level it's harder for us to compete with the east and west coasts," said Dorothy Air, OVALS chair and associate vice president for entrepreneurial affairs at UC.

The conference is the organization's signature event and brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. It also includes the Universities of Kentucky and Louisville and Bluegrass Business Development Partnership.

When the conference returns to the Queen City, even more university partners could be involved, Air said. At least three universities that conduct research but aren't traditionally known as research or medical universities have expressed interest and may join the affiliates by next year, she said.

In addition to gathering for the annual event, OVALS These affiliates share resources and equipment that make the Ohio and Kentucky life sciences community stronger, Air added.

"We all exist in a small area, and are within two hours of each other. That actually is an important part of how we pull this together. We wanted the kind of partnerships that help us to grow as a bio science and life science community," Air said.

Among the projects OVALS has helped bring to the area was the recent national Small Business Innovation Research conference that came to Kentucky.

"To attract a national conference to a region you have to show you have local support in terms of organizing it, and that 500 or 600 people will come to it. (SBIR) put out a call for proposals. Kentucky led that and OVALS supported it," Air said.

Two-state organizations like OVALs are rare, and garner interest outside the region.

"A lot of people are quite taken with idea that we have two states working together and multiple organizations working with it. It's a little different model than what goes on in some areas. Because this is affiliation and not an official or government entity, it's pretty amazing that we pull together to get things done," Air said.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Dorothy Air, OVALS Chair

Xavier student Angela Santarpio had always wanted to own her own business. The dream materialized sooner than expected in Santarpio Design.

Santarpio Design, which she describes as a "down-to-earth" graphic design company for small businesses and individuals.

Having another year to go on her marketing and art studies degree at Xavier was no obstacle.

"It wasn't until recently that I saw a way to combine my entrepreneurial dream with art," said Santarpio. Friends and family approached her to help with brochures and other graphic needs, and she realized she loved the process of meeting with people face-to-face and creating an image that made the statement they desired.

"The idea of designing for individuals, rather than advertising firms, really appeals to me because it’s so much more personal. You get a little peek into someone else’s life or business as they trust you to help make their ideas come to life," she said.

Set to launch June 1, Santarpio has worked to build awareness of her business on Facebook and Twitter. The website has a feminine vibe, but communicates the company’s abilities with clear, strong images and language.

Although Santarpio Design specializes in custom, affordable event invitations and stationery, they can provide business cards, brochures, and the like for small businesses. Santarpio provides digital-only products for email distribution, as well as traditional printed designs.

Angela and her mother, Lauren Santarpio, are the founding partners of the firm. Lauren's freelance photography experience gives her an eye for what looks good; she also holds a leadership role in a charity that designs and makes quilts for children in need. Kevin Santarpio, Angela's father, is an engineer and entrepreneur who gives practical and tactical advice.

Santarpio Design plans to collaborate with Jennifer Nally, a wedding hair specialist, to market wedding invitations at competitive prices.

"We are still evolving and finding our footing in the overcrowded design market," said Santarpio.

Written by: Elena Stevenson
Source: Angela Santarpio, Partner, Santarpio Design