SPOTLIGHT: space150

Thanks to a tip from my Campaign’s professor Jim Pounds, I had the good fortune of landing a summer internship with Minneapolis interactive advertising agency space150. Things must have gone well, because I’m still here and no longer an intern!

space150 has a crazy commitment to evolving in the industry. We apply this not only to our clients, but to ourselves. Every 150 days, space150 updates to a new version. Let me explain: Every 150 days our logo, business cards, website, front door, everything changes and updates. Currently, space150 is in version 21: THINKFREE.LY. When I started, version 20 was Welcome to the Futurarium. Version 22 is almost here and will be revealed on December 19. We will celebrate our update with a Version/Holiday party. Check out some previous versions.

Named the 535^th Fastest Growing Private Company (out of 5,000) by Inc. Magazine, space150 has definitely evolved over the years beyond just the version changes. Starting as a small creative and tech shop, space150 has grown into a full service interactive agency, having added display media only within the past couple years. Good thing they did, or I’d probably be working at Walmart right now. We have a growing list of clients, including Dairy Queen and the Deeqs, for which we were nominated for an OMMA Award, American Express, General Mills, Imation, Starz, André Balazs Properties, and Andersen Windows.

Beyond serving our clients, space150 also reaches out into the community to help create conversation in the industry. Previous Yaybias discuss space150’s Mobile Conference back in September, and you can still view the presentations online, showcasing space150’s commitment to the blossoming mobile industry. Also, space150 will be joining forces with the University of Minnesota’s AdClub to put on an Ad Summit for students. It should be an all-around good time.

Housed on the second floor of a historical textile factory in the Warehouse District, the atmosphere adds to the unique culture of space150. With old fireproof doors converted into tables and a fallout shelter in the basement, this is definitely a fun place to work. The desks are out in the open, conference rooms close with garage doors, video games in the lobby and HFT (Holy F-ing Tomb, our large room for agency-wide meetings with pillows to sit on), a ramp for leading in bikes, music constantly playing, a full bar, and, if you’re lucky, you may just see a puppy or two. There are also offices in New York and LA. My dad, the engineer, thinks it’s crazy that anyone gets any work done.Media Lounge area.

The lobby, complete with video games and Billy's motorcycle.

Conference Room 1

The ramp, for bringing in bikes, etc.

The bar for mandatory fun.

The backbone - where the creatives do their thing.

My desk. A little messy, I know.

Check out some of our other employees such as Marcus Fischer, Paul Isakkson (formerly known as Twitter’s Don Draper), Mike Fetrow, Billy, and John Grudnowski.

I have several people to choose from to give their opinions of space150. John’s office (as Media Director) just so happens to be next to mine. Unfortuneately, the video file has, I've been told, become "corrupted." So, you'll have to wait to hear his inspiring words.

Be sure to keep a lookout for space150's new holiday effort: 150spaces (coming soon). In the meantime, check out one of my favorite space150 holiday gems: Gem Sweater.