Originally published on biznik.com.

When you think of an iPad, you may think of books, games, movies, or countless ways to distract yourself, but this new tool can be transformational to a marketing professional’s strategic and creative process.

It’s like a blank slate ready for a great idea and, as the iPad evolves, it’s proving to be a game-changer to the industries it affects. In marketing, the one constant we face everyday is to develop innovative, persuasive ideas and solutions that connect with customers and move them to action. With that in mind, here’s a few recommended apps that can both help and inspire you.

The most beautiful presentation tool available today.
If you need to present to an intimate audience, say 1-3 people, your iPad’s 9″ screen is ideal. The size and form is conducive to smaller meetings and the quality of the shiny screen will make your content come alive—especially product demo movies saved as H.264 or MPEG4 format played through the native iPad video player. Presentations in Keynote also look great and it’s easy to use by taking advantage of the provided themes, charts/graphics and transition effects. Plus, you can edit PowerPoint presentations as well. Watch how Keynote works.

Document creation in your pocket (well, almost).
Two weeks ago, I had a vision for a project concept while standing on a train platform. Fearful of losing the idea thread, I quickly took out my iPad and wrote a two-page brief standing upright. This was easily done with Apple’s Pages app. It’s a stripped down version of the desktop version, redesigned for a touch platform with numerous features like control over the style of your fonts. Honestly, after the first page, I could’ve used a keyboard, comfortable chair and a nice cup of coffee. But it did the job and I got the document done, printed it out, and was ready for the 10am launch meeting. The newest version also supports Airprint but you must have a compatible printer. Watch how Pages works.

New, fresh ways to ideate.
Marketing and creative people are always ideating. Previously, if you had a great idea in the middle of the night, you might jot it down on a pad. But, pencil and paper today is so passé (I kid) and one-dimensional when you have Moodboard Pro. It’s a beautiful way of capturing ideas and sketching solutions from a 10,000 foot perspective. Images, colors, concepts all captured within a mood board that can printed it out and handed over to your creative team for later execution. If only Don Draper had one. I wonder what that would look like. Watch how Moodboard works.

A better way to read and edit PDFs.
The good folks at Good Reader have done something really good. They’ve built a Reader app that’s currently the best PDF annotator available today. With your finger, add comments, notes, revisions, highlights and save it for later or e-mail edits to a colleague for implementation. Read more on the Good Reader website.

The only issue I currently face with my iPad is actually getting it back from my 6 year old daughter who’s practicing her letters, playing games, or reading interactive books like The Night Before Christmas.

Do you use an iPad to better your experience and what apps do you use to transform your process?

App-y Holidays!