We think we’re a pretty cohesive bunch here at THE DM GROUP, but there’s such a thing as going too far.

Head of Client Services Brandon Clark, has, in recent times, developed the peculiar habit of dressing identically to his male colleagues. We’re not sure if it’s on purpose or not. He says it’s unintentional.

But whether it’s a coincidence as Brandon claims, or some kind of identity crisis, our male staff are finding it more and more difficult to decide what to wear in the morning.

Congratulations to HOSTPLUS for capturing two new trophies at this year’s AFSA awards ceremony held in Melbourne on Friday.

HOSTPLUS was awarded Excellence in Communication for their TFN Campaign and also a finalist with the One Super Pledge Campaign in the same category.

Both integrated campaigns were created and executed by trademarkDM and clickDM.

But, the award we and HOSTPLUS are most pleased about is the AFSA Super Innovator of the Year for The Pledge campaign.

It came as a super surprise since we had not entered this category but were given the title at the judges’ discretion.

While many at THE DM GROUP have been known to load up on beer-fuelled calories at lunchtime, our CSR group chose to go green instead – with a presentation on low carb design by Rod Wade from Finsbury Green.

Rod spoke about how becoming a low carb or carbon neutral agency – of which there are probably less than five in Australia – could be a massive competitive advantage.

Focusing on sustainability also creates new business opportunities. Nine out of 10 of Finsbury Green’s new clients choose to work with them specifically because of their green products and services.

Food for thought? Definitely.

We’ve been working hand in hand with Melbourne City Mission on their Hand up for the Homeless campaign.

The campaign aims to raise funds for – and awareness of – Melbourne City Mission’s youth programs by asking Melbournians to put their hand up and make a difference.

Hand up for the Homeless kicked off over the weekend with the first ad in Good Weekend. More ads will be in Sunday Life, The Age and train stations, so look out for them.

More importantly, click here to put your hand up for over 6,400 Melbourne children who don’t have anywhere to call home.

Having a creative services director at THE DM GROUP is an exciting new step. Luckily Monique Martino has just the right shoes for that. Or for just about any other occasion, it turns out.

With experience in publishing, design and branding, Monique has worked in Melbourne and London for clients like GM Holden, the City of Melbourne, the Herald Sun, Melbourne Fringe Festival, the University of Melbourne, iSelect, the London Stock Exchange, the NHS, Rolls Royce, BMW, Barclays and RSPCA UK.

Somehow, amongst all this running around, Monique finds time for coffee, talking shoes, shopping, holidays in sunny places and detailed movie critiques a la David and Margaret.

With all that energy and organisational drive, she’ll have us toeing the line in no time.

Today, trademarkDM was announced as one of six international judging hosts for The Global Awards.

We’re proud to be hosting the Melbourne leg of the world’s premier healthcare communications awards program.

Entries are now open, so click here to download your entry kit.

Naturally, we hope see some great pharmaceutical work.

We hope to see a healthy amount of entries, too.

Descartes would be well pleased about the enlightenment that’s struck clickDM in recent weeks.

That’s because – after almost 30 years – Apple’s famous 1984 Superbowl spot has finally delivered on its promise.

But then, the creep started long ago.

First it was the iPod and iTunes.

Then it was the digital technical director needing a Mac Mini.

Then an iMac to work on…in Windows, naturally.

(Now all of clickDM work on Macs.)

And most recently, it was the iPhone.

But now they’ve had several weeks to paw their iPad, the once pro-PC geeks are committed Apple advocates.

They’ve already used it as a presentation tool to give a truer indication of how our digital concepts will look onscreen.

As our digital planning director says, ‘It takes “interactive” presentations to the next step.’

Needless to say, we’re underway developing of our first iPad application that will help one of our clients revolutionise the way they interact with their consumers in person and over the web.

To see how much the iPad is already changing consumer communications check out the MenuPad at Global Mundo Tapas.

Sometimes when creative people put their heads together, something extraordinary happens.

Just like studio manager Liliana Lettieri’s special birthday present for her nephew, Harri.

Harri had an unusual way of dealing with his grandfather passing away. So Lil decided to tell the story of Harri and his Pa in a children’s storybook, in celebration of the bond between the two of them.

Lil’s story moved many of us to tears. It also moved senior art director Craig Sneddon to do the illustrations.

The result is a beautiful story, with stunning illustrations and one very happy little boy.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Say hello to yet another new trademarkDM face, account director Jenni Mercer.

She’ll be working with our healthcare clients and we couldn’t have found someone better qualified for the job.

With more than eight years of advertising experience under her belt, Jenni’s worked on several big healthcare brands, including Lilly, Roche and Janssen-Cilag, on everything from ADHD to schizophrenia, so she’s well-equipped to deal with our creatives.

She also hit the million-dollar mark for billings in her first year as account director – a talent managing director John Kilgour is particularly pleased to add to THE DM GROUP.

No pressure, Jenni!

It’s only been three days but we already like our new account director, Frank Franzese.

Firstly, Frank’s a designer-turned-suit. He switched roles because he was fed up of other people not selling his ideas well and decided he could do a better job. That’s the creatives won over.

Secondly, Frank’s worked across a diverse range of brands, including Telstra Super, ANZ and Merrill Lynch. That’s the account service box checked.

Lastly, Frank’s been making his own wine for five years and he’s particularly proud of his 2007 Heathcote Shiraz.

Bring in a bottle on Friday, Frank and you’ll have 21 new best friends.