Bio of a hyperactive huminid
Spazsquatch is the pseudonym for Michael Bodalski, a web developer with more than a decade of experience in the advertising industry. An expert in interactive marketing, who possesses a passion for technology’s bleeding edge, while remaining tempered by his appreciation for the pragmatic. With an eclectic range of knowledge rivaled only by Wikipedia, (and an inclination for slight exaggeration), Michael has provided his insight to many internationally recognized brands. Target, Pillsbury, Royal Caribbean and Bauer Nike have all benefited from the applications and sites Michael has created that grab the minds of new customers and encourage brand loyalty.
With work described as “industry defining” by an AdWeek magazine columnist, Michael has been lauded by advertising industry publications including Communication Arts and The Show Book. His work has also garnered recognition from the Minnesota chapters of American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and American Advertising Federation (AAF), who awarded him 17 awards between the 2004 and 2005 shows. In 2004 he claimed more awards than any other developer that year.
Michael has also won the prestigious AGIA Exhibit A Competition (www.exhibit-a.org). Based on interactive usability, navigation and user experience, the work was judged by a panel including respected interaction experts Jason Fried (37Signals) and Peter Merholz (Adaptive Path).
Prior to joining the world of advertising, where he has worked with some of the industry’s top advertising and design firms including Olson + Co. (2005 Agency of the Year by Big Idea magazine) and Yamamoto Moss, Michael labored away long hours as a production assistant on film and video crews in the Detroit area. There, Michael developed the understanding that great creative work was as much hard work as inspiration. Taking this belief with him to Minneapolis, he developed his appreciation for high design and understanding that for interactive to be efficient, form must follow function. Beliefs that have influenced his approach to projects.
Even in his off time, Michael is known for going all out. He is a Guinness Record holder for 63 hours of continuous movie viewing and he consumed an entire box of raisin bran in one sitting — all in the name of being a “Bran(d) Champion”, parodying Olson + Co.’s corporate motto. Far from a desk-bound developer, Michael holds a City Broomball champion trophy and a regular rider in the MS-150 cycling journey benefiting Multiple Sclerosis.