Interview with Idea Baby

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview Idea Baby. If you don’t know who Idea Baby is, I have to ask you, have you been in a cave?

Idea Baby was/is the logo for the BYU AdLab. A few years ago Idea Baby was the king of the world, he was the mascot for the leading advertising program in Utah and one of the best programs in the country, he had a girlfriend, money, and everything a half-lamp, half-baby could want. It wasn’t until a little over a year ago that everything changed. The BYU AdLab redesigned the website giving it a more professional, traditional look, that eliminated the need for Idea Baby. His girlfriend left him and the money dried up. He spent a year unsure of where he was going but saw his life get dramatically better the last few months when he took a position in the AdLab as an “icon on Jeff’s desk.”

I walked into the AdLab to meet with him. I’d been in here a few times but was fairly unfamiliar with the layout. I looked around nervously and saw Idea Baby sitting in Jeff’s office. He waved for me to come in. I walked in and outstretched my hand to him, ignoring it, Idea Baby continued typing his email. He gave a one minute sign with his finger. Obviously, his time spent with Jeff is rubbing off on him. I waiting patiently. When he finished, he spun around and blinked three times. This was morse code for hello. Having a light bulb for a head, Idea Baby, had to overcome this handicap by learning morse code. It is how he speaks today. This was a detail, I had forgotten, making the tape recorder I brought seem very silly. Not one to look the fool, I started the tape recorder anyway, and the interview began.

Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I don’t really remember much about my childhood, I know I was manufactured in China because it’s printed on my back. I don’t know if I was born a normal doll who later had his head removed and replaced with a lightbulb or if I was created this way originally. The first thing I remember is Rebbie (Groesbeck) and Andy (Laugenour) looking down at me. It was beautiful but frankly, I don’t even know if I am boy or girl because the plastic baby body doesn’t give much indication. I’ve always felt sort of manly, except when Dancing with the Stars comes on. Man I love that show. (he laughs, I think… it is difficult to tell because it is just a flashing lightbulb)

How have you liked your new position as an icon on Jeff’s desk?

Oh, I love it. Honestly, when the mascot thing became less official and everything began to fall apart, I really worried about where my future was heading. I didn’t think anything else could be as awesome as that job, but frankly, I really like sitting on Jeff’s desk. He really is nice to work with. We have developed a very good working relationship.

Did that relationship change at all when Jack Hadley or Rebecca Hammond started working at the Lab?

(Laughs) No, I loved working with Jack and Rebecca has been just fabulous. I always joke with (Rebecca) that she stole my desk but she knows I am kidding. Truly, I don’t know what I’d do with my own desk. Typing is very difficult for me, so I tend to only use an iPhone to browse the web and keep up on the mascot news. I feel like the AdLab staff is at it’s best right now.

The AdLab has been getting a lot of press lately, does it make you miss the days of mascotting?

No, never. You know, there was a time when this sort of press would have made me long for the days of being in front of the camera but lately, in my older age, I’ve become very content with sitting at Jeff’s desk. It is comfortable and familiar.

How do you go the bathroom?

What is wrong with you? I am a doll. Are you some kind per-

Moving, on. What is your relationship with Rebbie Groesbeck?

I love Rebbie. Not only is she one of the first things I really remember, but her and Andy introduced me to Jeff. They are what gave my career the kick start it needed. She will always have a special place in my heart. I knew our time together wouldn’t last. I am a plastic doll and she was a human. The breakup was bad timing, really, it had very little to due with me losing the mascot position. We had been growing apart for years. We still keep in touch and I wish her the absolute best.

Do you have your eye on anyone currently?

No. I had a short fling with a lamp but it really wasn’t clicking, she just wasn’t good at turning me on. (Editors note: Idea Baby loves puns apparently, that sentence was full of them) So I guess, I am still on the prowl. Watch out ladies… and electrical appliances.

Do you keep in touch with Andy.

It’s odd, because I feel like Andy had a major hand in creating me, so I feel that I should pray to him every night. I feel like Andy has a really big influence over my life. He left the lab so that I could be here and for that I am eternally grateful. I am currently working on a hymn about him. It will be beautiful. It’s called, “I believe in Andy”.

Do you have lots of side projects in the lab?

Well besides the hymn to Andy, I am currently working on a statue of Andy with a bushy beard to put in my study. I’ve also done some paintings of Andy. Clearly religion has a big influence on my life, but that is how we are at BYU. We always produce awesome work but we try to never forget who we came from.

Well, we are about out of time, anything you’d like to add?

Listen, I love the AdLab. The things that the lab, Jeff, and the students have done for me is amazing. They’ve given me fame, friends, happiness, and now a peaceful life. I guess, I’d like to call out to all companies: The AdLab is a place that you can go to get awesome work done by real student professionals. I’ve never felt closer to anyone in the lab. So come one, come all, and visit the AdLab. While you’re here stop by and say hello to me. I will really light up when I see you. (I almost removed that last pun, but it had heart)

As I left the lab, I looked back at Idea Baby, he was talking with some students. They were all laughing and smiling. He was an amazing man/child/appliance. I knew that this would be an interview I would never forget.