Big-Idea Bakeoff Winners!

Well, the votes have been counted and the results are in for the second annual Big-Idea BakeOff, the company-wide competition which gives staff members the opportunity to share their own ideas for the future of our brand.  After the seven finalists pitched their ideas, we invited viewers to vote for their favorite idea on this blog.  The number of votes was astounding – 625,114 votes total!  First place is shared by two winners – Alexis Givens with her allergy-friendly recipe publication idea and Shara Lasky with her idea for a publication focusing on pets and pet crafts.  Their prize is to receive their choice of either one thousand dollars in cash or twelve hundred dollars worth of MSLO stock and the chance to help develop their project for the company.  It will be most interesting to see where all this leads. Congratulations to everyone!

BIG-IDEA BAKEOFF EXPLANATION

We have received some comments from people who were not happy with the results of the Big-Idea Bakeoff. And yes, it’s true that Alexis did win 57% of the popular vote. However, choosing two winners for first place was a strategic process and was taken very seriously. We absolutely felt that both were such good ideas for the future of this company, and rather than focus on just one concept, we are excited to bring both ideas from the co-winners to fruition.

Co-Winner!

Shara, Associate Product Manager
Special publication for pet lovers/pet food
Big Idea: To create a yearly or biyearly publication focusing on pets and pet crafts, where readers will be encouraged to create their own pet-related products, and we'll also offer tips for including your pet in your life...

My alternate idea is to create a packaged line of Martha-branded pet craft items. This line would vary from holiday-themed products, like a bone-shaped Christmas stocking, to wedding items, like a ring pillow your dog could wear down the aisle.
View Shara's presentation

Co-Winner!

Alexis, Deputy Home Editor
Special publication catering to those with food allergies and sensitivities that would include recipes
Big Idea: To publish a special magazine that offers delicious allergy-friendly recipes, making life for people with food allergies and sensitivities easier and more delicious. Millions of people, including myself, can't eat nuts, dairy, wheat or gluten, and I’d like to empower people to make great recipes even if they can't use all the standard ingredients.
View Alexis's presentation

Co-Runner up!

Barbara, Television Producer
Freestanding Martha Stewart store for merchandising and workshops
Big Idea: A huge Martha Stewart store right here in New York, and soon to come to a city near you! Imagine floors and floors of shopping, learning, creating -- all under one roof. Meet celebrities, join in live demonstrations, get one-on-one help from our editors, advice from our experts, be a guest on our radio shows, eat fabulous food, take a class, make the perfect cappuccino, and maybe even get to drink it with Martha. A store that's everything Martha? It's a good thing waiting to happen.
View Barbara's presentation

Co-Runner up!

Jacqueline, Product Manager
MSLO employee cookbook
Big Idea: To publish an "Employee Cookbook," which will be a collection of the best handed-down family recipes from the 700-plus employees at MSLO. It will feature favorites such as my coworker Sabrina's carrot cake and my fiance's third-generation "Sunday Sauce." I guarantee there will be something for everyone in this cookbook, and it will also help to justify the "Martha 15" that everyone gains when they start working here!
View Jacqueline's presentation

Comments

[Andrea and the Weimaraners]

Dear Martha,

Happiest news today -- Pet Project wins its place !

Please stay connected to my blog featuring you and your pet activism this month.

Will do anything I can to support your animal kingdom ventures.

Andrea Spencer
Retired CEO, National Cancer Society for Animals
http://andreajetspencer.blogspot.com/

[Heather]

Congratulations everyone, but especially Alexis, Shara, Barbara, and Jacqueline! They were all wonderful ideas!

[fluffy]

How could there have been a tie between Alexis's idea and Shara's idea? Martha, you said on your show that Alexis's idea won by 57% Why bother having a vote if you do what you want anyway and not what was voted for?
I guess you can make more money with another pet magazine than an allergy magazine.

[liisamarja]

although i voted for the martha store, i can't wait for the allergy-friendly recipe magazine. please, please, please, can we it have also in europe??!!

[Darryl Moland]

Oh, come on! In times when you're dropping a wonderful print publication like Blueprint, I'd say it would be smart to develop a Martha Stewart Store, rather than something as specific as pets or allergies. The pet magazine might be viable, but allergies? The employee cookbook might be better left just as that. And I'm disappointed that the idea for a line of products appealing to a younger audience didn't see the light of day. Just one person's (well-informed) opinion though.

[Emmy]

I would heartily embrace MSLO coming out with a line of pet products. I still have the green pottery dog bowl dish from the old catalog. I've noticed that Whole Foods has come out with organic cotton leashes and dog collars - so the market is ripe for some good quality pet stuff that MSLO could produce.

[Kathy]

Congratulations to all!
Kathy

[Hardboiledegg]

Okay the pet lover idea where are the dog clothes made out of bright orange safety vest materials with reflective tape now that is a sensible item for people who let their pets run loose and the name of the animal should be visible I don't think the kids name on the backpack rule applies

[amy]

Hurray! My choice for allergy cookbook won. We are in great need of some new recipes. can't wait.

[Susan O'Brien]

Martha,
I was very happy to hear the results of the big idea bake-off on your show yesterday. As evidenced by the overwhelming vote for Alexis' idea of a publication with recipes for people with food allergies or sensitivities, there is a real need and market for this type of publication. Therefore it was a real shock to me that you have decided to develop the second place idea based on pet projects. I love my dog but am very disappointed that those of us who have family members with celiac disease or other allergies are not viewed as marketable. In my opinion there is a huge market for books, prepared food products and a magazine focused on food allergy topics. A few recipes on your website just doesn't cut it. This certainly is a missed financial opportunity, but more importantly your company could have engendered the good will of thousands of us who were hoping that Alexis' idea would become a reality. Sincerely, Susan O'Brien

[Deb Schiff]

Glad the allergy mag was a co-winner. I write a blog on using agave nectar instead of sugar and have seen quite an increase in readership in the past 6 months since more people have turned to it instead of sugar for diabetic-friendly desserts. Anyway, congrats to all the winners, and to you, Martha for encouraging innovation at your organization.

[Nicole]

I am confused. How is it that with 57% of the total vote Alexis was not THE winner? How do you get co-winner? It seems to me that Alexis & her Allergy-friendly publication won by a landslide. The Pet-idea was a runner-up!
Thank you, Alexis, for a super idea. I'm sorry you had to share the limelight. You're the #1 winner to those of us in the Food Allergy community!

[Margie]

I believe your choices were done with much serious thought. I have great faith Martha Stewart and company will have a postive impact on pets, their welfare and the happiness of both owner and pet.
Congratulations Shara.

[Trish]

I picked one of the winners and one of the runners-up so I share their joy. I can't wait to see their ideas come to life and thanks again for asking us to vote! Trish

[Jenna Z]

I do really love the pet crafts idea. But I just want to say that I hope MSLO does it right and creates both fun and SAFE items and projects. I have seen some really poorly done pet items in stores lately, not to mention the issues with pet food and treat recalls and pet products tainted with lead and other toxins.

[Linda Gail]

Congratulation to the winners and runners-up. All the ideas were great and I am now anxious to see the winning ideas in action.
Linda Gail:)

[Sally Parrott Ashbrook]

I'm incredibly thrilled that the food allergy idea won! Everyday Food was one of my favorite magazines until I learned about my allergies and intolerances. I'm looking forward to seeing recipes that are more inclusive of people with food allergies in the various MS publications.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Thanks so much for allowing us to vote for "The Big Idea Bakeoff" competition. Your co-workers certainly come up with great ideas. I voted for the Martha Store but love all of the ideas. Congratulations to all who entered the contest. Jan

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the ideas on the show today! I will make the little chocolate cakes for my sister, who cannot eat wheat gluten. I plan to make the Valentines you made with Abigail Breslin for my nephews (and then make some with them after they open their own). And I was so happy to see Uno, the winner of Westminster, as well as Sharkey and Wishbone. My two dogs watched with interest! Is there a place to find the gold dog bowls like the ones you had on the show?
Kathy

[Wannabe]

So excited about the food allergy publication. I am vegan and would love the "Martha-esque" recipes written in a way I can enjoy them!

[Marty]

I was very dissapointed that though the allergy publication was the clear winner, it will not get it's own publication. I know many parents of children with allergies who feel cheated. :-(

[Cynthia Stephen]

Yeah! I will be so excited to see recipes and articles re: food allergies! Martha you can definately have my vote for Best thing to Happen for those with food allergies this year! People do not realize how incredibly scary and small your world becomes when diagnosed with these allergies. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Something awesome to look forward to one of the "Good Things" to come for food allergy sufferers. Have a Beautiful Week!

[Sheila Vuckovich]

I must say I am more then a little surprised that Allergy idea wasn't the clear winner. How can 57% not be the majority? A tie wouLD be the same amount of votes! It appears to me that the decision had nothing to do with the voting. It is fine if you wanted to do a magazine about Pets ,but it is pretty crummy to ask for popular vote & then ignore the results!

It would have been really nice if this contest would have been fair!

[Andrea and the Weimaraners]

PET SUPPORT

ORANGE REFLECTIVE JACKETS inquired about by HARDBOILED EGG -- See one of our Weimaraners wearing his safety hunting jacket on my blog, which this month supports Martha's animal activism, publication and product ideas.

Her prospective magazine could perhaps create templates for 'designer' safety gear, right down to reflective doggie hiking boots and turtleneck oranges, reds and yellows with LCD go green light strands sewn in. Who says being safe, can't be pretty!

If JENNA Z is looking for quality pet products, see if Martha would establish a magazine advertising connection with Pupperware. If you think Tupperware weathers the years, have a look at this pet line that my company endorses! Call "We Are The World Productions" at 508-622-0415. Also, ask Martha to start a screening line on safe and sturdy pet products.

As for toxic pet foods and recalls, see if Martha would dimensionalize her prospective magazine with a grand opening educational outreach symposium on Pier 94. National Cancer Society for Animals doctor friends from Tufts, Angell Memorial, Animal Cancer Foundation and Smith Ridge will tell you what's killing our animals, and saving them too!

Andrea and the Weimaraners
http://andreajetspencer.blogspot.com/

[Deirdra Doan]

I am so Happy about the allergy-friendly recipe magazine!!!

Chocolate ,Chocolate it is everywhere!!!!!
Please,Please Martha, make some yummy CAROB foods. Cake, Candy, Puddings!!! The caffeine type substance in Chocolate is a allergen for me and many.

Carob is so sweet and we need chocolate Substitutes. Even some white chocolate things....

I went to Raw Chef school and love natural foods as well. So maybe a healthy cake with whole grains and natural sugars???

You are my main source for recipes.

I Love you and your shows!

Deirdra

PS I have a art blog because of one of your guests!!
I also love your "Blueprint" zine