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.

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.

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.

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!

We’re only halfway through the 2010 World Cup and we’ve already seen Italy, France and England fall.

But the biggest upset of all is happening here at THE DM GROUP, where the men are getting their behinds kicked by the little Asian chick.

Top of our tipping league sits Nina Ee – 200 points ahead of the closest competition.

Nina’s ahead partly because of her extensive football knowledge. And partly because half the league don’t realise they need to tip for every round.

But it’s football and what matters at the final whistle is who wins, not how they do so.

Last year we created a campaign to cut THE DM GROUP energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 10%.

And as we wrote, in one month we exceeded our target with a 30% reduction in the number of black balloons produced.

But it didn’t end there.

Our corporate social responsibility team has just reported we’ve continued to reduced our energy use by a further 11.8%.

That’s an average 160 less black balloons. Every. Single. Day.

The reward?

A greener planet. A warm fuzzy feeling. And a chocolate frog with the message to keep hopping to it.

Yesterday, we told you about Olivia Passmore’s commitment to enter Run Melbourne to raise money for YMCA Open Doors.

At the time of writing, she’s $310 towards her modest $500 objective. But as YMCA Development Manager, Olivia, explains…

‘When you consider it costs $41 for a gym membership for an at-risk teen, $67 to provide aquatic lessons for a school kid from an disadvantaged family and $140 for a 2-day activity camp for a single dad and his kids, you can start to see how even a small donation will make a real difference to people on Victoria’s socio-economic fringe.’

Donate here.

Working with the YMCA we’ve come to realise just how much it does to help people of all backgrounds.

But like many community organisations, the Y needs help too.

Which is where YMCA Development Manager, Olivia Passmore, has taken a big step – one of about 10,000 to come.

That’s because Olivia has entered the Run Melbourne marathon to raise money for the YMCA Open Doors program.

Open Doors helps people doing it tough by subsidising 80% to 100% of the cost of YMCA health and wellness programs and services, like therapeutic camps for people with disabilities or aquatic education for kids from financially strapped families.

Olivia has a modest target – $500 – to run 10 long, long, long clicks.

(Believe us, looking at her, she ain’t no runner.)

But like us, you can help ease Olivia’s pain – and the financial pain of many Victorians – by making a donation.