Innovation News

UC undergrads present innovative medical devices to industry leaders at “Do It or mDIEp Day!”

By Newsroom

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March 15, 2011

Teams of University of Cincinnati undergraduates will be unveiling more than a dozen new, viable medical devices they designed at the second annual "Do It or mDIEp Day!" event today.This event - part showcase, part competition - is presented by the Medical Device Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program (MDIEP) at UC's biomedical engineering department. Students have worked in teams, some with the help of other universities, to create innovative solutions to a wide variety of real-life medical challenges.The showcase is a culmination of work started in the fall, and the devices will be unveiled before industry professionals from across the country, said course director Mary Beth Privitera."They learn through experimentation and create a fully functional prototype," Privitera said.Among the devices is one that stimulates blinking in comatose patients (whose eyes often dry out from a lack of movement), one that improves rotator cuff surgery, one that captures tissue in the chest cavity and another that can rapidly detect stroke in patients during an emergency.In total, students will show 8 devices, including some that were created to solve problems at the request of industry partners including AtriCure, Inc. and Procter & Gamble. Those designs generated are the property of those organizations, Privitera said.Each team of students worked with a technical advisor, and participating students come from a variety of backgrounds including design, business and biomedical engineering. During the showcase, they'll have five to seven minutes to explain the design, then breakout into groups where people can ask deeper questions."It's kind of an investor's pitch to the audience. They lay out what the problem is, what the solution is, why their device is better, why someone would want to buy it," Privitera said.Once all the devices are described by the teams, each member of the audience will vote for the ones they like best with $1 million in"BearCash Dollars" they can invest. The device that gets the most BearCash wins the contest.But the real prize comes later. Where appropriate students have filed provisional patents through UC's tech transfer office, and will be listed as an inventor on any device that is patented and/or becomes a reality.The device technology can be licensed or used to start new companies. Last year, four provisional patents were filed with Intellectual Property developed by students and are actively being licensed by the University.In previous years, students have licensed this intellectual property and have started their own businesses.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Medical Device Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program Director Mary Beth PriviteraYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

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New A-Line Magazine makes a beeline for Cincy’s smart, crafty woman

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 8, 2011

At a time when online media is all the rage, Cincinnati CityBeat publisher John Fox is bucking the trend with the upcoming launch of A-Line, a women-centered print magazine featuring local food, fashion and culture.CityBeat staffers have experience in magazine-style publications with numerous special, glossy inserts including its CityLiving guide and wedding issue. For the past several years, the weekly alt-paper has also done a special Women's issue. But A-Line takes those special sections to a new level; the magazine will publish once a month and have an identity that stands alone from CityBeat, Fox said."We'd been talking about doing a fashion and beauty special section," Fox said. "But the more we talked about it, the more we thought 'Why don't we just do this as a separate publication.'"A-Line will be a bound, portable, 8" X 9" publication. It's designed to have a more fashionable look than the newsy CityBeat, Fox said."In recent years we've been doing special sections on glossy paper and we just like the way it looks. The photos are better, you can design it a lot better. It just looks great. Newspaper is good for what it is, but it's not the same as a magazine," he added.A-Line will have one thing in common with CityBeat; it will be free. Distribution initially is planned for 200 sites including boutiques, hair salons, doctor's offices as well as Joseph Beth and Whole Foods stores, with a 10,000-copy run. Among planned features are local fashion, DIY projects, recipes, film, music, and more.A-Line's first issue will launch in May, at its helm is editor Maija Zummo, a former CityBeat reporter who returned to the newspaper's downtown offices to oversee the magazine full-time. Fox also hired a full-time advertising and sales representative for the magazine. A-Line is geared toward a wide age range and will feature local writers and subjects across varied walks of life, Zummo said."When you think about the way we set it up, it's not for a particular age group but instead for a type of women: eclectic, crafty and edgy," she said.The magazine will also host regular gatherings at local restaurants and hot spots to create a network of givers and to raise awareness of local charities and causes.Want to know more? A-Line is working to create some pre-launch buzz with Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as a Pandora internet radio station Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: John Fox, CityBeat and A-Line publisher, Maija Zummo, A-Line editorYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Cincinnati State students win 11 ADDY Awards

By Newsroom

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Higher Education

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March 8, 2011

Cincinnati State students were dominate players in the 2011 ADDY Awards announced by the Cincinnati ADCLUB last month.The school's students won five Gold and six Silver local ADDY Awards. The nationwide advertising competition, sponsored by the nonprofit American Advertising Federation, pits 60,000 professionals and students from 200 advertising clubs in 15 districts against each other. Winners will go onto district competition.In Greater Cincinnati, students from AIC College of Design, the University of Cincinnati, and Gateway Community and Technical College also competed.Among Cincinnati State winners were the team of Lorelei Buescher, Nicholas Fields, and Dariea Shorter, all graphic design majors, who received a Silver ADDY for the "Chrysalis Interactive Stationery" they designed as part of their end of term spring Capstone project.Their winning design incorporated the concept of transformation through a see-through, die-cut logo that changed depending on whatever the stationary sits on, Buescher said.Buescher, of Newport, is a non-traditional student who returned to college after working in the mortgage company industry with her husband. She's a second-year student with a double major in graphic and web design who'll graduate in June. Last year, she won three local and one regional ADDY. An intern at Curiosity Advertising, Buescher is seeking a second internship once the current one wraps up. She plans on staying in Cincinnati after graduation and go into advertising or branding."I actually think the opportunities here are really good. I think a lot of the (local marketing and branding industry) was driven by P&G being here, but Cincinnati competes pretty well with the larger markets," she said.The Cincinnati State ADDY award recipients include:• Kevin Adams-Jones, Kevin Meyer, and Ryan Lulg, all Audio/Video Production majors, who earned two Gold and two Silver ADDY awards for work on behalf of CincyDance, an educational program of the Cincinnati Ballet that provides dance training at no cost for third grade students.• Jillian Ball, a Graphic Design major, received a Gold ADDY award for a logo created as part of Cincinnati State's Digital Studio 2 class.• Sarah Haun, a Graphic Design major, received a Gold ADDY award and a Silver ADDY award for photography. She received a second Silver ADDY award for a logo created as part of the Digital Studio 2 class.• Ron Smedley, a Graphic Design major, received a Gold ADDY for a poster created in the Digital Studio 1 class.• Dariea Shorter, a Graphic Design major, received a Silver ADDY for an illustration titled "Happiness is Hazardous."Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Cincinnati State Communications and Cincinnati State student Lorelei BuescherYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Ample digital media finds niche, grows, finds new office

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Architecture + Design

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March 8, 2011

Nearly three years after starting a digital branding firm, the five multi-media creatives behind Ample have added to their ranks.This past fall, the company hired two new employees (a developer and senior project manager) and moved into a new space on the 5th floor of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation's building downtown.Company strategy head Josh Fendley said Ample has found its stride. The company has been working with many small startups and entrepreneurs looking to promote and present their products and services in an engaging, user friendly way."It seems like that where the world is heading. (Companies) want make sure that their user experience is great. But we're finding a lot of places don't want to take that on themselves," Fendley said.That's where Ample comes in. The business' seven employees can tackle all aspects of a multi-media web project from copywriting and strategy to web development and design.They've worked with several startups familiar to Soapbox readers including Paycor, B2Bee and Hoist. Though most of Ample's work is in the digital world, it's also experienced outside the web."With Hoist we did all the packaging, branding and web design. That's been a big feather in our cap," Fendley said.The company has also done work for more established brands, including White Castle, whose web site Ample overhauled along with local agency Northlich. The site integrates customer video and photos, as well as Facebook and Twitter. One of the company's newest clients is Rhinestahl, a Mason-based tooling company that's grown by becoming the OEM provider for GE's aircraft and gas turbine engine custom tooling work."They quickly became self-conscious about their image, so we are working with them. We love being a partner with people. We can't take on the world for people, but there is a lot that we can do," Fendley said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Ample strategy director Josh FendleyYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Wearcast, Empower MediaMarketing and more looking to make an impact at interactive festival

By Soapbox

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Architecture + Design

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March 8, 2011

Cincinnati creative companies are ready for Austin's South by Southwest Interactive conference March 11-15, aiming to connect with thousands of participants and fellow professionals. Considered highly influential, the conference is loaded with events on marketing, Web and all things digital. It saw more than 14,000 participants, and the SXSW Music and Film festivals recorded similar numbers.Cincinnati companies know this year's Interactive will draw big audiences - perhaps bigger than last year's fest."We're going to be doing a lot of grassroots marketing strategies - installations, street teams, spreading the word virally," says Josh Heuser, founder of Ionic Collective, which partners with nightlife venues in the Midwest. (Seen the Hoist energy drink? They handle that.) "I went down in January and made a lot of contacts with local resources.""It's a really important time for Cincinnati to make an impact down there this year," Heuser adds.Of the companies, Ionic Collective hosts a March 14 showcase featuring local indie-pop band Bad Veins and national bands. The showcase also features Cincinnati company Wearcast, making its debut at SXSW. As co-founder Jaydev Karande explains: "We let people take any thought, statement, expression and turn it into a cool T-shirt … without needing any design skills. It's as easy as updating your Facebook status or sending out a Tweet."Wearcast started in June 2010. The company was enticed by SXSW's exposure opportunities, Karande says. "The real feedback we're going to get is going to down there. Good or bad - it doesn't matter. You get it there."Connecting with local companies bound for SXSW, Karande and Heuser organized a SXSW pre-party at Mainstay Rock Bar downtown Feb. 25 that included reps from Wearcast, Ionic and companies such as Empower MediaMarketing and Crush Republic. Writer: Rich ShivenerSources: Kevin Dugan, Empower MediaMarketing, director of marketing; Josh Heuser, founder of Ionic Collective; Jaydev Karande, co-founder of Wearcast

Media Bridges hiring two, expanding services

By Newsroom

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General

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March 1, 2011

Since the late '80s Media Bridges services have evolved as the city's public and educational access media provider. Starting as Cincinnati Community Video, it's gone from a primarily television based organization to one that specializes in a spectrum of media services from radio to web.Since the late '80s Media Bridges services have evolved as the city's public and educational access media provider. Starting as Cincinnati Community Video, it's gone from a primarily television based organization to one that specializes in a spectrum of media services from radio to web.Media Bridges is now evolving into a new phase, expanding its services to its nonprofit and governmental clients, and hiring two new staff to help implement them.At the helm of these changes is newly hired Director of Nonprofit Services and Education, James Czar. Czar comes to Media Bridges from the private sector as a creative director for a local video production company and a manager of communications for nonprofit Enjoy the Arts."When this opportunity came up, I had to seriously consider it. I truly believe in the mission of Media Bridges offering free access to media for the public and helping them to express themselves. It's a wonderful mission," Czar.Media Bridges is in the process of offering a new suite of services including some specialized media training courses that will be available for a fee. They're hiring a web design developer and an account manager to help offer these services. The organization will continue to offer its free services, he said."We're not going to lose the core of our mission, offering free classes and education. However, with the expansion of nonprofit services, we can have some purposeful and revenue generated growth that can fund what we do as part of our mission for free," Czar said.All the details of what exactly will be offered and when are close to being worked out, but they will be based on client needs. They include certifications in software and hardware as well as other computer and IT classes, audio, video and web design."It will be an extension of what we already do … we're working with clients to identify all their needs," Czar said, adding that new services should be announced within the next month.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Media Bridges Director of Nonprofit Services and Education James CzarYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites Media Bridges is now evolving into a new phase expanding its services to its nonprofit and governmental clients, and hiring two new staff to help implement them.At the helm of these changes is newly hired Director of Nonprofit Services and Education, James Czar. Czar comes to Media Bridges from the private sector as a creative director for a local video production company and a volunteer for nonprofit Enjoy the Arts."As a volunteer, everything you do is about helping people. So when this opportunity came up, I had to seriously consider it. I truly believe in the mission of Media Bridges offering free access to media for the public and helping them to express themselves. It's a wonderful mission," Czar.Media Bridges is in the process of offering a new suite of services including some specialized media training courses that will be available for a fee. They're hiring a web design developer and an account manager to help offer these services. The organization will continue to offer its free services, he said."We're not going to lose the core of our mission offering free classes and education. However, with the expansion of nonprofit services, we can have some purposeful and revenue generated growth that can fund what we do as part of our mission for free," Czar said.All the details of what exactly will be offered and when are close to being worked out, but they will be based on client needs. They include certifications in software and hardware as well as other computer and IT classes, audio, video and web design."It will be an extension of what we already do … we're working with clients to identify all their needs," Czar said, adding that new services should be announced within the next month.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Media Bridges Director of Nonprofit Services and Education James CzarYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Yelp restaurant, business review site gets local with community manager

By Newsroom

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General

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March 1, 2011

Like all sorts of review websites that have popped up in the last few years, Yelp relies on local input from seers and doers for its millions of reviews of restaurants, local services and businesses.Yelp, though, is going a bit further with its local investment in Cincinnati and in dozens of other cities hiring community managers who do everything from host local get-togethers to write weekly newsletters.In Cincinnati, Alex Shebar, a city import with a background in reporting and communications, is spreading the Yelp gospel, highlighting the city's local businesses as community manager."It's a lifestyle job. You cannot run Yelp Cincinnati like Paris or London or even Columbus. You need to love the city and want to talk about it for a living," he said.Shebar's job is to know - and tell - what's new and hip in Cincinnati, from bars and supermarkets to hotels and boutiques. He does this by exploring the city and by hosting Yelp events with an especially enthusiastic group known as the Yelp Elite Squad. This squad is made up of locals who spend time crafting insightful, varied and numerous reviews."They are the best of the best. They write great reviews and a lot of reviews," Shebar said. This Elite Squad is an invitation only group, but anyone can apply to be part of it (except business owners who can open free business accounts). As part of being in the Elite Squad members are invited to Yelp events across the city once a month in partnership with a local business."We throw a party for them. We've had them at bars, galleries, bowling allies. I've been trying to do more in Over-The-Rhine so people can see it's really not the most terrifying place on earth," said Shebar, who lives in the historic, but sometimes troubled, neighborhood.He also hosts events open to the public.Though Yelp might be most known for its restaurant reviews, it also contains reviews of dozens of services and businesses like spas, hospitals, auto repair shops and veterinarians. You can even find a few apartment and school reviews.Yelp reviews have had an impact on businesses, even ones those that aren't so glowing."There are two ways you can handle negative reviews, you can get upset about them or you can respond to them. A great example is Coffee Emporium (an OTR coffee shop where Shebar has hosted an event). Some reviews said the place was noisy, and the owner put in $5,000 of sound dampening equipment," he said.The events are free, and offer writers more fodder for their reviews. In addition to setting up events, Shebar also writes the Weekly Yelp Cincinnati edition, a theme based email newsletter that highlights entertainment and other local interests. Focusing on only independent businesses, it includes reviews, event listings, openings and other news. You can interact with Shebar on Twitter @YelpCincy.Shebar doesn't sell ads for the site, though it does have a corporate sales staff since the site relies on advertising to make money.The next scheduled Yelp event is Yelp Drinks in April which will feature about a dozen bars that will offer half-off of their three best drinks. It's an open event.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Alex Shebar, Yelp Cincinnati community managerYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Cincy Sneaker Showcase attracting enthusiasts from across the country

By Newsroom

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General

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March 1, 2011

Sneaks. Kicks. Treads.For a subculture of tennis shoe wearers, the shoe is much more than athletic gear or a simple fashion statement. For sneaker fanatics, the shoe is a work of art, a collectable, or an extension of their lifestyle. When it comes to limited edition or rare sneaks, they wouldn't dare wear them and might even display them like a sculpture or painting.There are magazines, blogs and websites devoted to this particular shoe fetish with bright pictures, ratings and reviews of the latest specialty or limited edition Air Jordan's, Air Force 1's, Timberlands and Vans. Sneaks. Kicks. Treads.For a subculture of tennis shoe wearers, the shoe is much more than athletic gear or a simple fashion statement. For sneaker fanatics, the shoe is a work of art, a collectable, or an extension of a lifestyle. When it comes to limited edition or rare sneaks, they wouldn't dare wear them and might even display them like a sculpture or painting.There are magazines, blogs and websites devoted to this particular shoe fetish with bright pictures, ratings and reviews of the latest specialty or limited edition Air Jordan's, Air Force 1's, Timberlands or Vans. But if you want to get an up-close-and-personal look at some of these top-notch shoes, more than 75 collectors, buyers and sellers will be at the third Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase June 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot at the University of Cincinnati. For the uninitiated, a sneaker show is akin to a comic book convention, where people buy, trade or just admire sneakers.The Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase once again is being organized by Matt Tomamichel, who owns Corporate, a sneaker and clothing boutique in Springdale. Sneaker showcases are common in big urban centers like New York, L.A., Atlanta and Miami, but Tomamichel is working to create the premier Midwest show. He also believes this is the only sneaker show in the Midwest where the proceeds go to a cause."People starting doing these a couple of years ago … we decided to use it as a fundraiser instead of (proceeds) going into someone's pocket," he said. "This goes 100 percent back to the kids."Entry is $5 and money raised from the event will go to Shining Star Sports, a nonprofit, mentoring organization that teaches children and young adults life skills and teamwork through the game of basketball. Shining Star supports 20 teams, 200 players and a 35-person staff."We've had some great success with kids going on to Division I schools and getting scholarships though Shining Star Sports," Tomamichel said.The first two shows were held in 2007 and 2009, and have grown each year from 25 displays the to 75 as of now. At least 500 enthusiasts are expected to check out the showcase this summer. Collectors from Cleveland, New York, Atlanta and Texas will be setting up displays, and Tomamichel has fielded calls from as far away as L.A. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase, or in purchasing a table can go to the showcase website. You can also find info on Twitter and Facebook.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Matt Tomamichel, owner of CorporateYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites But if you want to get an up close and personal look at some of these top-notch shoes, more than 75 collectors, buyers and sellers will be at the third Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase June 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot at the University of Cincinnati. For the uninitiated, a sneaker show is sort of like a comic book convention, where people buy, trade or just admire sneakers.The Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase once again is being organized by Matt Tomamichel, who owns Corporate, a sneaker and clothing boutique in Springdale. Sneaker showcases are common in big urban centers like New York, L.A., Atlanta and Miami, but Tomamichel is working to be the premier Midwest show. He also believes this is the only sneaker show in the Midwest where the proceeds go to a cause."People starting doing these a couple of years ago … we decided to use it as a fundraiser instead of (proceeds) going to someone's pocket," he said. "This goes 100 percent back to the kids."Entry is $5 and money raised from the event will go to Shining Star Sports, a nonprofit, mentoring organization that teaches children and young adults life skills and teamwork through the game of basketball. Shining Star supports 20 teams, 200 players and a 35-person staff."We've had some great success with kids going on to Division I schools and getting scholarships though Shining Star Sports," Tomamichel said.The first two shows were held in 2007 and 2009, and have grown each year from 25 displays the first year to 75 as of now. At least 500 enthusiasts are expected to check out the showcase this summer. Collectors from Cleveland, New York, Atlanta and Texas will be setting up displays, and Tomamichel has fielded calls from as far away as L.A. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase, or in purchasing a table can go to the showcase website. You can also find info on Twitter and Facebook.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Matt Tomamichel, owner of CorporateYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Local couple brings taste of urban shopping to Cincinnati with The City Flea

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 1, 2011

Nick and Lindsay Dewald are Cincinnati natives who've lived in the urban centers of Chicago, L.A., and New York City. They loved living in bigger cities, but always had a place in their hearts for the Queen City.Last summer they returned to Cincinnati when Lindsay left a teaching job in New York. After being away for several years, they found a more vibrant downtown than the one they'd left behind. "We were pleasantly surprised to see what was going on. There were a lot of new small businesses and restaurants," said, Nick, a DAAP architecture grad who lives with his wife in Prospect Hill.Their surprise has turned into action, and the couple is working to create a place where talented entrepreneurs can come together once a month to sell and create in a fun, outdoor environment. They're calling the endeavor The City Flea, inspired by a giant weekly market in New York called the Brooklyn Flea that started in 2008."Coming from the Midwest experience, flea markets were far different from what Brooklyn flea is about," Nick said.The Brooklyn Flea has more than a hundred vendors who sell vintage and handmade jewelry, vintage T's, ethnic fabrics and cuisine, bicycles, fine chocolates, ceramics, specialty coffee drinks and more. There are also local musical acts on hand to set the mood for the day.Cincinnati is ready for its own version, Nick believes."There is a whole community that is slowly building downtown and in Over-the-Rhine. We are trying to create a hub for those residents, entrepreneurs and one and two-person organizations who are making jewelry or making waffles," he said. They also see it as a way to draw in people who don't spend a lot of time in the city on the weekends.Nick and Lindsay are working to secure an outdoor spot for The City Flea, but are hoping it will be somewhere along Central Parkway, near downtown and Over-The-Rhine. There are four markets scheduled, June 4, July 9, Aug. 6 and Sept. 3. They have contacted some possible vendors and are seeking out sponsors. They envision the market hosting food trucks and vendors, vintage goods, clothing, antiques, and arts and crafts.If The City Flea goes well, the couple will soon hunt for an indoor spot for a winter market.If you're interested in being a sponsor or a vendor you can contact Nick or Lindsay through The City Flea website. You can also connect with them on Facebook.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Nick and Lindsay Dewald, founders The City FleaYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Six Acres B&B launches Green Box Lunch healthy soul food delivery service

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Entrepreneurship

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February 22, 2011

Think healthy soul food is an oxymoron?Six Acres Bed and Breakfast owner Kristin Kitchen doesn't think so. It takes some tweaks to make soul food both flavorful and healthy, but Kitchen's doing just that with Green Lunch Box, a new lunchtime delivery service."The whole concept is that many African-Americans don't eat soul food on a daily basis, like our parents and grandparents did. Most of us have moved into a far healthier everyday diet. I know I don't eat friend chicken or pork chops and things like that anymore," she said. "I still love greens but I just don't put fatback in them. You can flavor things with so much more than pork. And I still love fish, blackened or sautéd. If it's flavorful and tender and juicy, I'm happier with it," Kitchen said.Green Lunch Box launched late last fall and offers a hybrid of the new and the old, including vegan and vegetarian options. The food is meant to appeal to those who grew up on soul food, and those who want to give it a try. Take, for instance, their black bean soup."We did a black bean soup that some ladies loved. They called us up and asked us what we put in it, they couldn't find a recipe. Well, what was in it was grits. We added a dollop of sour cream and cheesy grits. It just warmed it up and brought a different flavor to the black bean soup. It gives it some weight, where it was more filling and satisfying," Kitchen said.The business delivers downtown and in surround areas, and requires a $75 minimum order.Green Lunch Box is an expansion of the food traditionally offered through Six Acres Bed and Breakfast, which Kitchen runs in College Hill. At Six Acres, guests have been used to breakfast fare; Green Box Lunch catches hungry folks across the city at noon time. "What we really do is serve and offer food to our community and beyond," Kitchen said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Kristen Kitchen, owner Green Lunch Box and Six Acres Bed and BreakfastYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites