Snapshot
Birkdesign Inc. is a creative interactive agency that specializes in digital publishing and visual storytelling. Our services include a wide range of creative solutions: content creation, client networking and promotion, infographics, event marketing, collateral branding and design, videos, animation, brochures, logos, song and jingle writing, web design, print, books and publications, gift bags, street and billboard ads, creative strategy, animation and original art and photography, interactive multi-touch eBooks and ePublications.

As President and Creative Director of Birkdesign Inc., JinJa Birkenbeuel partners with clients across many industries to creatively champion their ideas and causes, and also develop strategic interactive, marketing, design and branding initiatives for their businesses. JinJa is a trusted business advisor who fosters a lively creative process within a collaborative client relationship. Since 1997, her solutions have delivered measurable results for her clients' programs. JinJa has provided interactive and personal branding for civic leaders and entrepreneurs, created digital, marketing and advertising campaigns for organizations and institutions, and worked with private and Fortune 500 companies to design corporate communications and financial reporting.

In May 2012, JinJa launched The Publishing Department, a digital publishing company, whose purpose is to help businesses and people reach a global and diverse market through branding, designing and converting their books, documents and publications for mobile devices. The first book released was "Explore Chicago with Chicago Neighborhood Tours" for The Department of Cultural Affairs. It is available on Apple's iBookstore. In November 2012, the company published the art eBook Lee Godie: Finding Beauty. The City of Chicago Cultural Plan will also be designed and published as an multi-touch interactive eBook in English and Spanish by Birkdesign Inc. in January 2013.

JinJa leverages her social capital and business network to raise money for impassioned people and organizations that ignite her interest. She was a member of the gala committees for 2012 Primo Center for Women and Children, and organization dedicated to reducing homelessness one family at a time, and Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art's 2012 Visionary Ball. In 2011, representing the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, JinJa was an expert panelist on women in branding for the Chicago screening of the critically acclaimed film "Miss Representation."

Additionally, JinJa has extensive experience developing creative strategies and gathering requirements for business processes, which include researching the client environment and their customers, analyzing competitor brands and their branding and interactive solutions and then delivering a creative design solution that fits the needs of those processes. In addition, JinJa keeps apprised of current creative technologies and solutions which enables her to provide value-added insight and knowledge to a client’s deepest challenge. JinJa’s competitive advantages are audience and end user-focused development approach for the best creative solutions, attentive client relationships, detail oriented, high integrity, networking and sourcing for clients and methodical project management skills.

A visual communications graduate of Northern Illinois University, JinJa is also a songwriter and publisher for Utah Carol (http://www.myspace.com/utahcarol), a musical group that composes songs for film, advertising and business. The mother of three sons, she donates her expertise to projects at their school, Near North Montessori School and serves on the Women's Board of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.

Voted "Best Club DJ" Miami New Times
Seasoned Disc Jockey/Drummer/Mix-Master brings more to the tables

Miami native Joe Eshkenazi, most famously known as DJ Joe Dert, believes that music comes from the soul, and luckily for him he has a constant stream of harmony flowing straight to his fingertips.  As a producer, drummer and international DJ, Eshkenazi’s devotion to adding versatility to the rhythms of the night has placed him at the forefront of his career and alongside iconic artists including Ozzy Ozbourne, DJ AM, Marilyn Manson and Korn.

Eshkenazi’s involvement with music began when he was just 12 years old.  Listening to rock bands like Metallica, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden, he immediately felt a connection to drums.  He began paying close attention to the tempos, progressions and sequences of each song and eventually was able to systematically teach himself how to play along with some of the greatest rock hits.  A traumatic home invasion experience seven years later became the catalyst for Eshkenazi to really follow his dream in music and take the next step in his career.

After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Marketing and Business, Eshkenazi was approached by Miami “nu-metal” band ENDO to fill in as their drummer and complete the group in 2003.  With hard work came a recording deal with Columbia Records, representation by The William Morris Agency and The Firm, a U.S. tour with label mates System of a Down, a second tour with Megadeth, two albums, a platinum record placed on the “Daredevil” soundtrack and a slot at the Ozzfest Tour, one of rock’s highest honors.

Driven by his passion for music, Eshkenazi wanted to add another layer to his expertise and decided to take a brief hiatus from drumming and experiment with the technical side of music.  Knowing the basics of disc jockey work, he began spinning at Automatic Slims in Miami Beach and to this day credits his nights at the social destination for both helping him to evolve his industry aptitude and personal style, as well as developing his moniker “DJ Joe Dert.”

“I realized that I was meant to do this when I began my residency at Rokbar,” say Eshkenazi. “There is something so uplifting about having people on the dance floor until five in the morning – that was my motivation. It’s my responsibility to keep things progressive and fresh because if people leave before four, it means I am not working hard enough.”

Blending rock, hip-hop, old-school funk, house and electro with his signature mash-ups, Eshkenazi’s refreshing take on music instantly became in high demand by South Beach’s premier nightclubs and lounges including: The Forge, Set, Rokbar, Snatch & Suite, Wall at the W Hotel, Nikki Beach and contributing to the opening success of the prestigious club LIV at The Fontainebleau Hotel.  Additionally, international hotspots and celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Will and Jada Smith, Eva Longoria, Michael Bay, Kim Kardashian, Lance Armstrong, Nicole Richie and Matthew McConaughey, took notice of his eclectic offerings and secured him for events and residencies in Toronto, Los Angeles, Berlin, Boston, the Bahamas, Dallas, Majorca and New York. 2012 saw Eshkenazi expand his DJ journey to include residencies in Dubai, Europe, and Central America. Bringing his unique style of Open-Format djing to audiences from all walks of life.  

With the success of his career, Eshkenazi was inspired to push the envelope even further to redefine his place in music.  He collaborated with longtime friend DJ Affect to bring all his talents to the table, resulting in a live DJ and drumming performance dubbed “The Joe Dert Affect.”   

Eshkenazi has had the privilege to work with renowned talents in the rock and electronic industries including Ozzy Ozbourne, DJ AM, Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, DJ Vice, Korn, Rob Zombie, Creed, Disturbed, David Guetta, Pete Tong, Evanescence, Cedric Gervais and many more.  Having mastered the art of entertaining and bringing cutting-edge style to sophisticated locations, Eshkenazi has gained the reputation as a diversified artist with the ability to adapt to his surroundings and really permeate life into an event.                                         Eshkenazi lives in Miami Beach, FL.



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