THE BIG IDEA BAKE-OFF IS A COMPANY-WIDE COMPETITION THAT GIVES STAFF MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR OWN IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA. I WAS ABLE TO NARROW THE 40 ENTRIES DOWN TO 7 FINALISTS...BUT I JUST COULDN'T CHOOSE A WINNER...SO I'D LIKE YOU TO HELP ME DECIDE. HERE'S A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS FROM OUR 2008 BIG IDEA BAKE-OFF FINALISTS!

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

Katie, Digital Advertising Sales Assistant
marthastewart.com digital scrapbook
Big Idea: A marthastewart.com digital scrapbook that would allow marthastewart.com community users to create and store virtual scrapbooks online and share them with family and friends via their community profile. Users would design pages from scratch using virtual versions of Martha's tools and embellishments or scan and upload pages from actual albums they have already created. Ultimately, they'll be able to order their scrapbooks professionally printed and bound within their favorite Martha Stewart Crafts albums.
View Katie's presentation

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

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

Jackie, Senior Integrated Marketing Manager
Special publication about collecting
Big Idea: To publish a onetime magazine called "The Essential Guide to the New Vintage." It'll be filled with everything you need to know to spot treasures at tag sales and flea markets without investing a lot of money. The guide will cover new, inexpensive trends in collecting and show ideas on how to beautifully use and display what you've found.
View Jackie's presentation

Irina, Product Designer
Line of home merchandising catering to young demographic
Big Idea: To create a modern line of housewares that caters to a younger demographic. This line will combine affordability with the highest standard of quality that our brand is known for. The products in this line will be fun, colorful, and elegant; they will include furniture, tableware, home decor, bedding, and bath items.
View Irina's presentation

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

Thank you for voting for your favorite Big Idea. The poll closed on Thursday, February 7. On Tuesday, February 12, Martha will announce the big winner live on "The Martha Stewart Show." Be sure and tune in to find out which idea Martha will be bringing to life.