Innovation Philadelphia

The Insider: Register Today for "Running on Empty: Make a Little Go a Long Way"

blogadmin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:44:00 GMT

BusinessWeek recently named Philadelphia as one of the U.S. cities best prepared to weather the recession, citing its strength in health care, education and more. Business Facilities Magazine named Philadelphia as one of its editors’ location picks of 2008, touting the Region as an economic development hot spot.

Still, small businesses face unique challenges and every dollar has to count. Should you cut marketing costs, or increase it to be more visible than your competition? Should you downsize staff and outsource more services, or hire very innovative employees? What are the best ways to make your resources go a long way during challenging economic times?

If these are the questions on your mind for your business, please join Innovation Philadelphia for Running on Empty: Make a Little Go a Long Way, a panel discussion and networking reception on December 17, 2008, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, at the PNC Center (1600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA) in the Center Hall.

Learn how to make a little go a long way, as experienced entrepreneurs and business owners from a variety of industries discuss strategies and personal experiences on how to survive and thrive during challenging economic times.

The panel will be moderated by Mark Loschiavo, Executive Director of Laurence A. Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship at Drexel University, and President and Founder of First Serve Strategies, a consulting company that provides businesses with business, operational and management strategies.

Panel participants will include:

Malik Boyd, Managing Partner of Premiere Brand Group, a full-service brand marketing, strategy and communications firm located in Philadelphia.

Charnelle Hicks, President and CEO of CHPlanning, a premier provider of planning services in support of urban redevelopment.

David White, Founder of DesignDesign, a firm that provides creative support to engineering and marketing disciplines.

This event is hosted by Innovation Philadelphia and pre-registration is required to attend. The cost to attend is $25, which includes light appetizers and a cash bar. Register today at www.innovationphiladelphia.com.

Pa. one of most expensive states for college

blogadmin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:04:00 GMT

The Inquirer reports:

Getting a college education in Pennsylvania is more expensive than in many other areas of the country, and students generally graduate with higher debt, says a state education report released today.

The report, The Cost of Higher Education in Pennsylvania, says the state ranks as the sixth most expensive in the country for a public college education - costing $532 over the national average.

The report was presented this morning to the State Board of Education in Harrisburg.

It follows a series of public hearings that the State Board held around Pennsylvania on the affordability of college. The board in September had asked the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the report on college costs in the state.

"The cost of attending college in Pennsylvania is a serious and growing concern," the report said. "...a student's ability to pay for college is a significant factor in preventing Pennsylvania from increasing its college-going rate, graduation rate and its efforts to expand access to lower income populations across the state."

A big concern around the country is rising tuition. Nationally during the last five years, tuition and fees have risen 22.5 percent at public two-year schools to $2,361, 31.1 percent at public four-year schools to $6,185, and 14.1 percent at four-year private schools to $23,712, according to the College Board, which tracks trends.

The Pennsylvania report found that lower income students (from families earning $20,000 or less) are most disadvantaged with about 37 percent of their income going to pay for college after loans. Even at community colleges, 24 percent of their income goes to pay for school after loans, the report found.

Of 10 states in the study, Pennsylvania students graduated with the second highest debt on average - $19,047. Only in New Jersey was it higher: $19,294.

Students from the three state-related institutions, including Temple University and Penn State, graduate with more debt than students in any of the nine comparison states, the report said.

At private colleges, they have roughly the same debt as those in other states.

The department also plans to survey Pennsylvania families on how they pay for college. Results should be available in January.

Tell us what you think!

The Insider: A Snapshot of the Philadelphia Photography Industry

blogadmin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:08:00 GMT

The photography industry has a significant economic impact in the Philadelphia Region. And, as in all sectors of the creative industry, technological advances have changed the industry dramatically.

Joseph Poulshock, photographer and painter, has been involved in the industry for more than 45 years. “Digital technology has advanced to the point where I can take great photography – almost every picture I take is dramatic and worthy of display. I can process them for not much money and have the photographs in an hour.” Poulshock went on to say that the Internet offers a great opportunity for “exposing and selling pictures to the public.”

We’ve clearly come a long way from pinhole cameras and camera obscura, the direct forerunner of the camera and first referred to by Aristotle who questioned how the sun can make a circular image when it shines through a square hole.

Facial recognition software and other new technologies make photography – good photography – accessible to a greater number of people. At the same time, it makes becoming a great photographer more complicated and more human. “Our culture is instantly injected with an infinite number of seemingly good photographs. You can have a technically good photography but still not have the content to make the viewer think,” says James Johnson, Assistant Professor, Chair, Photography and Digital Arts for the Moore College of Art & Design. “The more complicated technology gets, the more specialization is required and the greater the need for collaboration and communication among the people involved. You need people skills to talk through issues about how things are going to get done.”

Bill Cramer, Director of Photography for WonderfulMachine.com, a web portal dedicated to connecting photographers and clients, discusses three technologies that have dramatically impacted the industry over the past decade. “Using digital cameras, we can shoot a ‘test’ picture and see it instantly. If we like it, it's no longer a test, it's a final picture. And we can make adjustments on the fly to explore a situation much more deeply than we could with film. When we're satisfied with one situation, we can quickly move on to another without wondering if we've "got it." Back at our computers, we can process the files ourselves instead of turning it over to a lab. This allows us the opportunity to turn the pictures around much faster for the client, and even more importantly, have a lot more control over the look of the picture. Photoshop gives us another dimension of creativity.”

And then there is the ubiquitous Internet. Cramer continues, “The Internet allows us to deliver pictures quickly, anywhere in the world. And no more unique originals to get delayed, lost, or damaged. It's not unusual for photographers to send their client samples of the pictures for approval during a shoot, and make adjustments in real time.”

For Sarah Stolfa, a fine art photographer, technology has brought about substantial changes for her business. “As a fine artist, I still shoot film but now scan film to make prints with an ink jet printer,” she explained. Recognizing an unmet need for fine artists in Philadelphia – the majority of who have switched to digital – Stolfa and a partner are preparing to open the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center in the Fishtown/Kensington area next year. Photographers will be able to rent time and use of equipment, and also take classes. “Our business will cater to fine artists that formerly printed in the dark room and who want to get and stay up-to-speed in new digital technologies.”

Studying Photography in Philadelphia

From an academic perspective, Philadelphia schools have a lot to offer. In fact, says Cramer, “Going back 30 years, the biggest change in the industry was that in the 70s, there was an explosion of universities offering photography programs.”

Project Basho is a photography resource center located on Germantown Avenue in Old Kensington, an artist-concentrated and culturally vibrant section of Philadelphia. It is a small yet dedicated organization of photographers, run by photographers, for photographers. With the community darkroom as the locus of the program, Project Basho offers introductory and advanced classes and specialized workshops on historical processes and other formal issues in photography. (www.projectbasho.org)

Moore College of Art & Design offers a BFA program in Photography and Digital Arts that prepares students to pursue a variety of career paths in the field of photography and time- and web-based media, giving them the flexibility to enter many industries, both existing and evolving, that are based in information technology and new digital media.

Antonelli Institute offers occupational degree programs in photography and graphic design/commercial art. Located in Pennsylvania, the school teaches artistic and technical skills necessary to succeed in the creative visual arts. Antonelli Institute is known for providing individualized "hands on" instruction in classes taught by working professionals. (www.antonelli.org)

The Art - Photography Option at the Community College of Philadelphia prepares students to continue their studies in fine art photography at an art school. Combining the offerings from both the Art and Photography Departments in the logical sequence prescribed will facilitate transferability of courses. This program leads to the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree for students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs or professional schools. (www.ccp.edu)

Photography programs are also offered at Tyler School of Art where students can receive a BFA or MFA. The primary objective of the program is to cultivate a blend of technical, conceptual, and critical skills so that one can enter the field as an artist on a professional level. The level of technical and conceptual sophistication in the photography and digital imaging programs at Tyler exposes the student to many career opportunities. (www.temple.edu/tyler/photography.html)

Photography, in the end, is about people, their talent, their skill, and their passion for their art. Photographers in Philadelphia understand this, and utilizing technology to optimize their art and their profession and making a place for our region in the international photographic community.

Get out of the office

blogadmin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:23:00 GMT

Gene Marks writes for the Philadelphia Business Journal. His recent article tells people to "get out of the office." He writes:

Here’s an idea: get out of the office.

That’s what Rob Bernstein does. Except he doesn’t do it alone. He brings along his key managers too. Once a month they leave the office and travel all the way … to a Hampton Inn about three miles down the road.

For a morning each month he sits there, shivering in an overly air-conditioned meeting room and talks about the business. With the people that are helping run the business. “It’s the most productive four hours of the month,” Rob told me. “And I really get a chance to catch up with Kenny G’s song collection.”

The whole morning, including the room, costs him about $300. But the return on investment is huge.

There’s no phones. No one’s poking their head in asking for “just a minute.” There are no overlapping meetings. There are no pictures of horsey-faced kids playing soccer or sunburnt bald guys from the last corporate golf outing. It’s just a plain old room where there’s nothing better to do than talk about … the company.

Some people like to get into the numbers at these meetings. But not Rob. He’s into gossip. He wants to talk to his production manager about what jobs are causing problems and what people are creating bottlenecks. He needs reminders from his office manager as to what each person in the office actually does all day. He asks his sales manager about the customers she’s speaking to. Are they happy? Any ideas for new products or services? Rob finds that going offsite opens people up. It makes them more comfortable to talk.

A good penny pincher like Rob knows how to get maximum productivity out of these offsite meetings.

He keeps them short. “No longer than a morning.” He hates those “corporate retreats” that last for days and cost a fortune. No one wants to be there. They want to be with their families. And besides, a typical business owner like Rob has the attention span of a 5 year old. Three or four hours is about all he can take, let alone his employees. I can relate to that.

He switches up the attendees. Different people are invited each time. Some managers don’t always get invited. His employees love to get a chance to leave the plant for a morning, drink coffee and hobnob with the execs. Fresh faces bring fresh ideas. It’s no fun to look at the same tired mugs each month. And management, knowing how the gossip flows at the Hampton Inn, gets nervous when they’re not attending too.

He has a specific agenda for each meeting. Everyone knows what’s going to be discussed in advance. There are no surprises. People have time to prepare. This isn’t some exercise to catch someone off guard. It’s not a game show. Rob needs information and answers to questions. It’s only fair that people can prepare beforehand.

Once a perky employee jumped to her feet and enthusiastically suggested that everyone agree on a list of “action items.” Bob fired her on the spot for being so annoying. But he does keep notes. He assigns follow-ups to people. He sends a written document to everyone so they know who’s responsible. Then he starts with the last meeting’s list at the next meeting. Everyone’s held accountable. Duh.

Are all your meetings in the office? Try something different. Get out. Penny pinchers know the value of a change of scenery. Try taking a deep breath, stepping back, and making sure the boat’s headed in the right direction. Rob’s approach is to do this at the Hampton Inn once a month. It ain’t the Four Seasons … but it’s a whole lot better than his office.

Gene Marks, CPA, is the author of “The Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists” and three other books on small business. He heads The Marks Group (www.pennypinchingtips.com), which provides technology and financial consulting in Bala Cynwyd. Marks was a senior manager with KPMG in Philadelphia for nine years.

Tell us what you think.

Creative Industry Careers Named in Yahoo's 'Six Flexible Careers That Pay $70k'

blogadmin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:01:00 GMT

Yahoo recently reported on six flexible careers that pay $70k. With the economy on the rocks in addition to balancing a life at home, Yahoo says that certain careers are more flexible than others (and pay well too).

Creative industry jobs software and interior designers made the list. Yahoo reports:

Software Designers

High tech and flex time. Software designers--including game design experts--often hire out on a per-contract basis, working intensive schedules to launch a new product and then enjoying time off between engagements. Some only work on an on-call basis. And job growth will be stupendous, rising by 38 percent during the 2006-2016 decade.

You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in software design or applications, and a master's degree if you hope to run a consultancy. The median 2007 annual wage was $83,130.

Interior Designers

Interior designers also lead the way in the number of self-employed, flexible career professionals with 26 percent running their own companies/consultancies. Train for the field through an associate degree program, but add a bachelor's degree in art or design to advance to the more flexible positions. Study fabrics, CAD design, ergonomics, color theory, and more. The top 50 percent in the field earned on average between $60,200 and $81,800 in 2007.

The Insider: Celebrating Entrepreneurs:Global Entrepreneurship Week Comes to Philadelphia

blogadmin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:06:00 GMT

With the goal to inspire people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to think big, to turn their ideas into reality, and to make their mark. From November 17-23, 2008, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Thousands of entrepreneurial activities are being planned in more than 75 countries around the world.

And much of the action is taking place in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has a long tradition of being a nurturing home to entrepreneurs starting with Ben Franklin, the first and most famous entrepreneur in the U.S. Today, Philadelphia is home to successful start-up businesses, growing companies, colleges and universities that educate budding entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who fund start-up companies. In addition, organizations such as Innovation Philadelphia, the Ben Franklin Technology Center, and the Science Center provide resources and expertise to entrepreneurs, which in turn grows the economy and creates jobs in the Philadelphia Region.

The Global Entrepreneurship event in Philadelphia, UNLEASHPHILLY, will take place on November 18th at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from 10: 00 am to 4:00 pm. This day-long event will include panel discussions, a networking lunch, and keynote speaker Richard Caruso, Ph.D, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Founder and Chairman of Integra LifeSciences Corporation. Panels at UnleashPhilly include a “Panel for Success”, “Music, Social Media, and Money” and “Impact of President Elects Policy’s on Eastern Pennsylvania Business.”

"The objective of UNLEASHPHILLY is to uncover and harness the potential of Eastern Pennsylvania's entrepreneurial assets, and to create meaningful sustainable connections amongst the participants from all walks of life," said Carmen Scott Dawson, State Director for Global Entrepreneurship Week and President of Advanz, LLC.

"UNLEASHPHILLY and Global Entrepreneurship Week will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, economists, serial entrepreneurs and venture groups from around the world in an effort to empower individuals to create and foster the entrepreneurial spirit,” Dawson added. “Philadelphia is the birthplace of American entrepreneurship and we will demonstrate that to the 76 countries participating in the Week through our collective creativity. Every entrepreneurship enthusiast is urged to attend, learn, interact and have lunch on us."

Entrepreneurship is much more than a business term. Entrepreneurs come in many forms and in many professions, from finance and marketing to design and education and social entrepreneurship. Many of these topics will be the focus of additional events taking place around the City throughout November and Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The Founder Factory
The 2008 Founder Factory is focused on the ecosystem that's needed in Philly to support entrepreneurs in the region. On Thursday, November 13, 2008, five entrepreneurs from all backgrounds will discuss their journeys as entrepreneurs and provide feedback to three new start ups. The Founder Factory will be held at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Speakers at the Founder Factory include accomplished technology CEO Lucinda Holt, seasoned entrepreneur turned venture capitalist Gil Beyda, partner in Morgan Lewis's Business and Finance Practice Stephen M. Goodman, active entrepreneur and investor in the Internet industry Josh Kopelman, and consultant Bob Bickel. Tickets are available online at www.founderfactory.com.

Wharton Small Business Development Center
The First Step Workshop at the Wharton SBDC will assist entrepreneurs in starting down the path to successful business ownership by helping to evaluate business ideas, develop a business plan, and explore financing options. The workshop, taking place at the Jon Huntsman Hall (3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) on November 18, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will address the key areas to consider in successfully starting and managing a small business and provides entrepreneurs with the tools to assess and minimize risk through research and planning.

Entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the First Step workshop can schedule one-on-one meetings with business consultants to help turn their business ideas into a reality. To register for the First Step workshop contact the Wharton SBDC at (215) 898-4861 or visit http://whartonsbdc.wharton.upenn.edu/.

Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship
The Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship at Drexel University will also be holding events for entrepreneurs in all stages of the business life cycle. Events being held throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week include “What It Means To Be An Entrepreneur”, “Open Innovation - Sharing Intellectual Capital Innovations for the Aging Baby Boomer Market”, “The Meaning and Value of Entrepreneurship Globally” and webcasts for students on innovation and entrepreneurship.

For a full list of Baiada Center events, please visit www.lebow.drexel.edu/centers/baiada/GEW/schedule.php.

While in a tough economic environment, it is seemingly more difficult for entrepreneurs to gain financial support for their ideas and innovations, these events will help entrepreneurs to connect with other entrepreneurs and with organizations that provide resources to assist in making their dreams of owning their own business a reality. A strong entrepreneurial community is essential to any region’s economic growth. Get involved this month to learn about the entrepreneurial community in the Philadelphia Region. For more information about additional events, times and locations of Global Entrepreneurship Week, please visit www.unleashphilly.org.

Tell us what you think.

The Insider: Philadelphia Proves Phashion Phorward

blogadmin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:01:00 GMT

Philadelphia may be thousands of miles from Paris runways but when it comes to fashion, we may be a lot closer than we think. The fashion industry in the Philadelphia region is active and flourishing, with strong academic programs, fashion celebrations, and new, innovative designers making a splash.

For those interested in fashion as a career, Philadelphia has many great options. Moore College of Art & Design, for instance, the first and only women's art college in the nation, has strong ties to the fashion industry that date back to 1848. Moore’s founder Sarah Peter was the wife of Philadelphia's British Consul and an advocate of women's education and advancement.

Today, Moore fashion graduates can be found in top fashion houses such as Diane von Furstenberg and Walter Baker.

Drexel's Fashion Design program, part of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, is nationally recognized as a top-flight program featuring a unique six-month Co-op experience that complements coursework in conceptual design, presentation skills, CAD, and manufacturing procedures. The curriculum covers all facets of fashion design, from men's, women's, and children's wear, to swimwear and couture and prepares students for careers in fashion design, styling, advertising, and computer-aided and technical design.

A study abroad program at the London College of Fashion during sophomore year offers an international perspective of the fashion world. And what would a fashion education be without a fashion show? Students conclude their studies senior year with the presentation of their collection in the Drexel Fashion Show, a high-caliber event featuring professional models and prominent local media coverage.

An Antoinette Westhphal student was the first American to win the 2005 International Competition for Young Fashion Designers in Paris.

“Philadelphia University’s Fashion Design program has been receiving international recognition since the early 1990s,” according to Clara Henry, Director of Philadelphia University’s Fashion Design Program. And it’s growing due to its program, its reputation, and the media. “Philadelphia University’s Fashion Design program is one of the largest and most successful in the country. In recent years, because of increased exposure in popular culture – through television shows such as Project Runway and coverage of the entertainment industry and awards shows -- more and more students are interested in a career in the fashion industry,” said Henry.

“Philadelphia is definitely an innovative place for fashion. In fact, many of our graduates have remained in the city and some have started their own companies, such as Os Os clothing, started by Bethany Santos and Carly Franks. This is an environmentally conscious firm that individualizes each garment through the use of fabrication,” Henry adds.

Local fashion designers and Smak Parlour shop owners, Abby Kessler and Katie Loftus, credit Philadelphia as being a creative, accessible, and affordable city to live and own a business in.

Fashion is fun but designers have to be technologically astute as well. Moore, for instance, offers a certificate in Fashion Technology. “Technological advances in the industry have improved speed-to-market of products, reducing lag time and turnaround time,” said Henry. “At Philadelphia University, cross-disciplinary work among the programs results in a cooperative design process. This unique collaborative experience emphasizes and results in innovative concepts and products. At the same time, University scientists are doing cutting-edge research on the safety of apparel and textiles and designing the next generation of protective apparel for the military, so science and design go hand-in-hand.”

“New programs and software such as U4ria and Gerber Technology have improved the fashion design industry tremendously from pattern grading to industrial cutting. These programs allow companies to create designs quicker and easier-what was once completed by hand can now be completed digitally -thus improving production, accuracy and cutting cost making all companies more efficient. In the world of fashion today there is an enormous promotion to support green products and fabrics, which influence a lot of designers-such as safer dye treatments, organic fabrics and so forth. All of these concepts add more options for material selection along with the standard natural and synthetic fabric,” explains Crystal Shamblee, Academic Director of Fashion Design for The Art Institute of Philadelphia.

In Celebration of Fashion

Philadelphia not only teaches fashion, educating many of the best in the business, but as a region, it also celebrates this thriving industry.

According to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, “In the last half-century Philadelphia has produced a number of exceptional talents in the field of fashion design. James Galanos, Gustave (Gus) Tassell and Ralph Rucci are three Philadelphia natives who have achieved international stature.” The work of these artists was celebrated in an exhibit titled A Passion for Perfection, which opened in September of 2007. “Our inaugural exhibition in the Spain Gallery will highlight the work of three remarkable artists with Philadelphia connections,” Curator of Costume and Textiles Dilys Blum said. “We hope this new gallery and the adjacent study center will become a resource and a destination for future generations of designers, and for all those with an interest in textile and costume history.”

Earlier this year, Casey Saccomanno, a senior fashion design major at the Philadelphia University, was awarded one of the first $25,000 Geoffrey Beene National Scholarships at the YMA Geoffrey Beene Fashion Scholarship Dinner in New York.

And then there are Philadelphia shows, growing in attendance and reputation.

Another event showcasing Philadelphia fashion, entering its 15th year, is the Philadelphia Phashion Phest. The event dates back to 1994 when modeling agency maven Sharon Phillips Waxman decided to put together a show to showcase fashion retailers from across the Delaware Valley. Dubbed Phashion Phest, its mission is to showcase upscale fall fashion and beauty for both women and men that are accessible to them in the Delaware Valley region. Each year more than 20 retailers participate.

Through the years this fashion event has seen steady growth. In 1994 the city of Philadelphia created the “Phashion Phest Philadelphia Award” which is presented to the outstanding individual who has made a tremendous contribution to the Philadelphia Area fashion industry. (www.thisweekinphilly.com)

Philadelphia is truly becoming a fashion force, nationally and globally. Schools boast increased interest in their programs, a growing student body, and greater number of graduates who stay in the region to live and work. It is their passion and talent that will ensure Philadelphia’s place as an international design and fashion center. New York and Paris – here comes Philadelphia!

Tell us what you think.

The Insider: Celebrate Design at DesignPhiladelphia

blogadmin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:52:00 GMT

“In many industries, the number of businesses that have turned their attention to the value of design has approached a tipping point. Mainstream business media such as Business Week and Fast Company have declared design strategy ‘the new black,’ moving away from Six Sigma and other respected methodologies upon which many corporations have built their operational practices. The conversation about why design is increasingly important for product differentiation, business problem solving, and global competitive advantage is a lively international one - weaving through the agendas of everything from the World Economic Forum in Davos to design conferences in Singapore, Boston, Aspen, Toronto and Shanghai.”
-- Dr. Larry Thompson, President, Ringling School of Art & Design

And perhaps nowhere is this more true than in the Philadelphia region - especially from October 16th to October 22nd, when design leaders and innovators will meet at DesignPhiladelphia to celebrate our vibrant and growing design community.

DesignPhiladelphia began in 2005 with a single goal: to create an exhibition to show off the work of students from the city’s seven colleges with design departments — Penn, Drexel, Temple, University of the Arts, Moore College, the Art Institute and Philadelphia University. The intent was to bring together the seven schools of design with the professional world and strategically promote the world of design that exists in Philadelphia.

Now in its 4th year, DesignPhiladelphia has evolved into the largest annual celebration of design to be found anywhere across the U.S., featuring 90 events, 85 participating organizations and showcasing the work of more than 500 designers. Innovation Philadelphia is proud to be a Champion sponsor of this world-class event.

“Design affects everyone and everything every moment of every day. It is architecture, product design, graphic design, urban planning, fashion, landscape architecture, industrial design, and multimedia,” said Beth Van Why, Project Manager for DesignPhiladelphia and an adjunct professor in the industrial design department at The University of the Arts. “Design affects society, work, life, interactions, commutes, education – it is really in every form of our lives – the poster we look at while waiting for the bus that takes us to a building where we use computers to communicate and produce; it helps us decide what box of cereal to buy, which coat to wear, how we carry food home from the store, and so on.”

In addition to enhancing our lives, the economic impact of design is impressive as well.

Of the 11,700 degrees awarded during the 2005-2006 academic year in for-profit creative economy fields, 16.1% were in design. (National Center for Education Statistics; 2006)
The Philadelphia Region boasts nearly 56,000 for-profit, creative economy firms and 766,000 creative industry workers. Of these, 18% are in design, with a direct output of $2.7 billion. (Creative Footprint, 2008)
The design fields account for regional employment of almost 75,000 workers, or approximately 16.8 of the creative occupation sector employment in the Philadelphia MSA. (Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, (2005))

National publications from the New York Times and Modernism Magazine to regional publications including the Inquirer and Philadelphia Magazine have recognized this event and its growing reputation. For instance, when describing the event, the New York Times says that the printed program of events “looks more like a book than a pamphlet – a reflection, no doubt, of Phillys’ expanding creative economy. The local design culture is springing up in previously untrodden fringes of the city, while the mushrooming of design studios, boutiques, and galleries and the recent reinvention of several venerable cultural institutions attest to the spirit of optimism ushered in by a new mayor and his commitment to the arts.”

“Even for Philadelphians oblivious to design, the festival will be hard to miss,” said Philadelphia Magazine

“We’re four years old,” says Hilary Jay, Director, DesignPhiladelphia and Executive Director of The Design Center at Philadelphia University. “Our goal was to get as many people from as many design disciplines as possible engaged in helping to tell the story of design.” And by all accounts, they have been successful, with attendance expected to double – even triple, last year’s 140,000. The theme this year is ‘Down to Earth: Evolving Design in the 21st Century’ and so”, says Jay, “(Many) of the 90+ events address the global need for change and what designers can [do] and are going [to do] to help us all think about where we’re going.”

True to its original goal, the participating schools and the specific design disciplines represented in this exhibition include Art Institute of Philadelphia (multi-media design), Drexel University (interior design), Moore College of Art and Design (fashion design), Philadelphia University (textile design), Temple University/Tyler School of Art (graphic design), University of the Arts (industrial design) and University of Pennsylvania/Penn Praxis (architecture and urban design).

DesignPhiladelphia is an opportunity for anyone and everyone – whether they are designers, design students, individuals interested in design, or general citizens in the region – to experience the world of design. Open studios showcase how design happens and where it takes place; exhibitions showcase the work of designers in, for, and around the city; lectures and symposia create conversations about design; events create new venues and moments to launch products, talk to designers, create new design, and workshops provide hands-on experiences within design. “DesignPhiladelphia 2008 will reach more than one million people through advertising and press, and hopes to have more than 200,000 people attend the 90+ events,” added Van Why.

Program highlights include:

The Challenge of Interior Design
A Clean Break: Pop up Neighborhood
Designers Breakfast @ USArtists
Nature, Form, and Spirit
Organic Mechanics
PRODUCT DESIGN: Surpriseutility
STARE: a live model installation of permanent body design
Hard Hat and Finished Tour of Green Affordable Philadelphia
Art Buggy Derby 3.0
Art for Lunch: Film Screening of "The Powers of Ten"
Terror Behind the Walls, Halloween at Eastern State Penitentiary
Creative Entrepreneur Expo, part of the Closing Reception of DesignPhiladelphia

Highlights also include the eight installment of the silent auction party of the year, the first Philadelphia Emerging Architecture Prize, and the [Spot] awards, where Philadelphia artists and designers claim the urban parking spot—an idle space between the bustling streets and sidewalks of the city – for a series of outdoor interventions that explore the potential dynamics of this momentary urban space.

And much, much more.

New this year, Innovation Philadelphia is turning the table on the traditional job fair. At the Creative Entrepreneur Expo, design entrepreneurs and freelancers will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and portfolios for business professionals to preview and contract their services. The closing reception will follow, to celebrate the success of this year’s week-long celebration.

“The Creative Entrepreneur Expo is one of the only events providing business opportunities for design entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region,” said Kelly Lee, Executive Vice President of Innovation Philadelphia. “We wanted to participate to provide the opportunity for these freelancers and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in the region.”

Admission for the event is free but pre-registration required. For more information or to pre-register, visit www.innovationphiladelphia.com.

“Philadelphia historically has been a center for design and continues to be home for internationally-recognized designers and firms,” adds Van Why. DesignPhiladelphia is the place to be.
So no matter what your design interest, DesignPhiladelphia offers the opportunity to explore the city, be enriched and enlightened, talk shop, and bask in the atmosphere of creativity. To view DesignPhiladelphia’s complete and most up-to-date schedule or to register, please visit www.designphiladlephia.org.

The Insider: The Sound of Philadelphia

blogadmin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:43:00 GMT

While the goals and aspirations of our founding fathers were lofty and far-sighted, it seems unlikely that even Ben Franklin could have foreseen the impact of the music industry in his city. From classical to hip-hop, Philadelphia is the home of composers, performers, and production professionals in every genre. And not only that, music fans in Philly enjoy a reputation as being one of the “most dependable audiences on the planet” according to music author Richie Unterberger.

According to Econsult, the music industry cluster is a significant player in the Philadelphia economy with an annual impact of nearly $1.9 billion for the City and over $4.9 billion for the region (“Potential Economic Impacts of Universal Companies’ Proposed Entertainment and Economic Development Strategy”). In 2005, the music, film and video production industries employed 7,000 people in the region, earning $.3 billion, with an average wage of $43,100. (Creative Economy Economic Impact Study: 2007 conducted by Econsult) Music is clearly big business – and getting bigger.

There’s no question that from composition to performance and from the Kimmel Center to the World Cafe Live, from *** Clark to the Philadelphia Opera Company, and from The Khyber to the Philly Fringe, Philadelphia is a great place for music lovers – whatever your taste.

On the performance side, major music festivals in Philadelphia include the summer concert series and ethnic festivals at Penn’s Landing, the concerts Under the Stars, the Bach Festival, the long-standing Philadelphia Folk Festival, the XPoNential Music Festival, and venues from large to small that feature Irish music, folk music, chamber music, an abundance of jazz, and yes, string bands. Original music makers too can find a home in Philadelphia through the Original Music Association of Philadelphia, dedicated to the advancement of the original music scene and the Indie artist in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Artists like Philly too. Singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata, whose songs have been used in a host of TV shows including ER, The O.C., Nip/Tuck, Brothers & Sisters, Men in Trees and How I Met Your Mother, recently told David Hiltbrand of the Inquirer (posted Sept. 23, 2008) “I love Philly because it's very sweet and laid back and yet metropolitan. And the music scene here is very cool and interesting."

Philadelphia’s musical reputation extends far beyond our borders but recent, regional awards are worth noting.

This month, the Rhythm ‘n Blues Foundation announced their 15th Pioneer Award winners at a gala hosted by music legends Dionne Warwick, Bonnie Raitt and Jerry Butler. Winners included Chaka Khan who received the Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award; Bill Withers, Teena Marie and Sugar Pie DeSanto received the Foundation’s Individual Artist Award; The Whispers and Kool & the Gang received the Foundation’s Sidemen Award.

And recently, the The Philadelphia Music Project awarded almost $1 million to 19 local music organizations in support of 141 concerts and residency programs.

Academic institutions are on board as well. The Curtiss Institute of Music is world-renowned. Temple University’s Boyer School of Music has a national reputation and Drexel University’s Music Industry Program and its MAD Dragon enterprise have grown exponentially. Hundreds of students apply for only 54 class seats in a program that is among the University’s most selective. Music Industry’s enterprise now includes the only student-run record label with national distribution through Rykodisc, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and a host of related activities related to music publishing, promotion and video productions.

Speaking of production, the region is home to some of the nation’s top production facilities, many of which owe their start to the historic foundation laid by Sigma Sound Studios, who opened their doors in 1967 and was famous for their role in creating the “The Sound Of Philadelphia.” According to their web site, “You know the sound; you hear it in the recordings of the OJays, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, the Stylistics, the Spinners, MFSB, Grover Washington Jr. and Patti LaBelle, it’s “The Sound of Philadelphia”.

According to Xponential Music Blog, Sigma Sound Studio was the first sound studio in the country to use console automation, and the second studio in the country to offer 24-track recording. In the 1970s, SSS was associated with Philadelphia soul and the sound of Philadelphia International records. The Philadelphia Sound orchestrated by writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were recorded in Sigma Sounds Studios.

There’s no question that technology has changed the business dramatically in recent years, allowing bands and record labels to produce at a level that they could not have achieved a decade ago, the regional industry has real clout on a national level.

For instance, MilkBoy Studios in Ardmore has hosted top names such as Dave Matthews, Gomez, Ashanti and many more. MilkBoy also runs MilkBoy Coffee, a venue for local artists as well as national names. Philly, says Jamie Lokoff, owner of MilkBoy, is one of the country’s top five markets for production. “I think our reputation has preceded us,” he says. “Through the years, there have been big artists that have broken out,” he added, citing Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff.

And The Studio, located in Philadelphia, has worked with top names that include The Roots, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliot, James Poyser, Erykah Badu, Scott Storch, along with many other world-class artists and producers.

To find out more about the music scene in Philadelphia:

Read Music critic Dan DeLuca’s blog "In the Mix," at http://go.philly.com/inthemix.

The Philadelphia Music Scene; Then and Now

http://www.gophila.com/Go/PressRoom/factsheets/backgrounders1/The_Philadelphia_Music_Scene_Then_And_Now_Backgrounder.aspx

Princeton University Named One of MSN's Beautiful College Campuses

blogadmin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:41:00 GMT

MSN Travel recently named Princeton University one of the 15 Beautiful College Campuses.

Noted for the school's prime location to NYC and Philadelphia, it was also praised for the scenery and notable for speaker series, with ecent lecturers including Jon Stewart and Colin Powell.

Check out the top schools.

Tell us what you think!

The Insider: Innovation Philadelphia and PhillyCreativeGuide.com to Host “createAdelphia: The Philly Creative Jobs Event”

blogadmin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:45:00 GMT

Innovation Philadelphia and PhillyCreativeGuide.com will host “createAdelphia: the Philly Creative Jobs Event,” a creative industries career fair on Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at World Cafe Live. Job seekers with 3-5 years experience will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential employers, as well as access the first-ever regional, interactive web site where creative industry jobs will be posted along with industry requests for proposals (RFPs).

“createAdelphia is about connecting creative talent in this region with companies who need for-profit, creative industry services, such as graphic and web design, communications and marketing and information technology services,” said Kelly Lee, Executive Vice President of Innovation Philadelphia. “We are opening doors and starting conversations at the event and then strengthening business relationships over the long term online. It is all part of establishing the Greater Philadelphia Region as a leader and world-class destination for for-profit, creative economy industries.”

“We developed Philly Creative Jobs with one thing in mind: to serve the region's creative community,” added Bill Haley, Evangelist for PhillyCreativeGuide.com. “We want to help create opportunities, fill needs and help grow the creative community that we're so proud to be a part of.”

Jobs in the following industries will be offered at createAdelphia: Architecture, Engineering and Planning; Communications and Marketing; Digital Media and Programming; Fashion Design, Graphic and Visual Arts and Multimedia Design; Information Technology; Interior and Industrial Design; Music, Film and Video Production; Photography; Product and Merchandising Design; and Software Development.

Employers in Attendance

Employers looking to hire creative talent will have hundreds of jobs available in person and online at createAdelphia. In addition, job seekers can access a first-ever regional, interactive web site, Philly Creative Jobs, to find creative industry jobs and creative industry requests for proposals (RFPs).

Comcast Interactive Media (CIM), a division of Comcast Corporation, will be in attendance at createAdelphia. CIM develops and operates Internet businesses focused on entertainment, information and communication, including Comcast.net, and products include Fandango.com, Fancast.com, Ziddio.com, GameInvasion.net, and thePlatform, the industry-leading provider of digital media publishing solutions over broadband and wireless networks. They will be recruiting for positions in marketing, graphic arts, information technology, digital media, film and video production and multimedia design.

Local architecture firm TJD Architects P.C., located in New Jersey, will be recruiting at createAdelphia for experienced project architects with at least three years experience. IEI Group, an interior design/architectural firm offering a broad range of architecture, interior design, facilities planning services, project management, and procurement services, will also be recruiting at createAdelphia.

In addition, there will be plenty of career opportunities for job seekers specializing in graphic and visual arts and multimedia design. Among employers recruiting these kinds of creative positions are Disc Makers, PointRoll and the BOSS Group.

Additional employers attending createAdelphia include: Marketing Capital Management, FRONTIER2, Liberty Personnel Services, Inc., Cadient Group, Inc., Environmental Tectonics Corporation, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, Digitas Health, AXIS HEALTHCARE, IEI Group, Brownstein Group, Advanta Bank Corp., Blue Plate Minds, GSI Interactive, Phlare Magazine and Aquent.

There is still time to register your company at createAdelphia, to recruit the best and the brightest creative talent in the Philadelphia Region. To date, 350 job seekers have registered for createAdelphia. Don’t miss the opportunity to tap into the tremendous creative talent looking for jobs in the region. Click here to register.

createAdelphia is one of Innovation Philadelphia’s many initiatives to grow the region’s for-profit, creative economy. The purpose of createAdelphia is to not only help employers find experienced creative professionals, but to also help retain creative talent in the region.

createAdelphia is being sponsored by Aquent, the world’s leading marketing and design staffing agency. createAdelphia is also being supported by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and Phlare Magazine.

World Cafe Live is located at 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Admission is free for job seekers and only $100 for employers. Pre-registration is required at www.innovationphiladelphia.com.

Tell us what you think.

Unisys sign rejected

blogadmin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

The Inquirer reports that Unisys Corp. cannot put up its sign on Philadelphia's Two Liberty Place skyscraper, the Zoning Board of Adjustments voted unanimously this morning.

Unisys spokesman James Kerr said the company is "disappointed by the decision." The computer software company said it would now have to make a decision on whether to continue with its plans to move its world headquarters and 225 employees into the city.

Zoning board chairman Susan Jaffe said that "we recognize and support" the city's efforts to attract businesses to Philadelphia. But, she said, the board has to enforce the zoning code as written.

The zoning code does not permit signs larger than 100 square feet and higher than the bottom of the second floor unless the applicant can prove a hardship, the Inquirer said.

Tell us what you think.

The Insider: New Arts and Culture Officer Excited to “Move the City Forward”

blogadmin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:09:00 GMT

“I’ve been an admirer of the cultural sector [in Philadelphia] for many years, the last 15 years or so,” Gary Steuer says. Come October, Steuer will take office as the Chief Cultural Officer for the city of Philadelphia.

Steuer currently serves as Vice President for Private Sector Affairs at Americans for the Arts, as well as Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts. In this capacity, he has worked with the Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia as well as the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, so he is no stranger to the arts community in Philadelphia.

Steuer says that there is tremendous energy, excitement and creativity in Philadelphia, which is what excites him about his new position come October. This is an opportunity to help continue to move the city forward, he says. Part of the appeal of the position was adding a larger scope to the office – by broadening the focus beyond non-profit arts and culture.

“At this point, there is a lot of work that remains to be done [within the new office],” Steuer says. The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy will have to examine the role that the arts play in virtually every aspect of civic life in the city, he says. The newly restored office must determine what they can do to support the arts and the creative economy, an important component of what makes the city a great place to live and work, Steuer adds.

The new office will also examine ways to stimulate the for- and non-profit creative industries in Philadelphia. “We need to look at how we can foster arts and culture and the creative economy,” Steuer says. The new office must tap into Philadelphia’s creative workforce and arts education in Philadelphia.

All of his previous work experiences prepare him to take office as Chief Cultural Office in October. “They all add up to where I am now, in terms of what I know and the experiences that I have,” Steuer says. His previous job experiences have allowed him to work on fostering creativity and innovation, as well as cultural tourism.

As Vice President for Private Sector Affairs at Americans for the Arts, Steuer leads the effort to stimulate private sector support for the arts, including promoting partnerships between the arts and business, as well as overseeing services to the national network of Arts & Business Councils and the United Arts Funds. He also oversees the National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP), MetLife Forums, and the Arts & Business Council of New York, which operates as a division of Americans for the Arts.

Prior to working at the Arts & Business Council Steuer ran National Actors Theatre on Broadway, was a program director at the New York State Council on the Arts, served as managing director of the Vineyard Theatre, and produced several commercial theatrical productions. He has written, lectured and taught extensively on arts management and policy issues.

Karen Davis, President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, was a member of the search committee for the Chief Cultural Officer. “Gary has a breadth of skills and knowledge of the arts,” Davis says. In addition, his involvement in creative economy work, within private sectors and foundations, gave him an edge as an applicant. “[He] comes with an understanding of how to cultivate support of arts and culture,” she says.

“Clearly the city benefits from a strong economy and strong creative economy,” Steuer says. “[It is] in the city’s interest to do whatever it can to foster the for-profit, creative economy.”

This positive change for the city will have a tremendous impact on the for-profit, creative economy, a $60 billion industry in the Philadelphia Region. The city’s attention to the importance of the creative economy by re-establishing this office reiterates the great importance of the creative industries to the City of Philadelphia and to the City's economic prosperity.

We want to hear from you.

Fuel prices, commute causing employees to consider job changes

blogadmin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:24:00 GMT

MyPartTimePro reports that fuel prices and worsening traffic are driving 26% of employees to consider changing jobs to improve their commutes.

“The Impact of Commuting on Employees,” a survey conducted by BusinessWeek Research Services and commissioned by TransitCenter, Inc., found that:

48% of employees say their commute is getting worse.
24% of respondents say they are late to work at least three times a month because of traffic.
31% of people who live in the suburbs or rural areas and travel to jobs in the city are willing to take a different job to improve their commute.
46% of employees who live in the city and reverse commute would consider taking a new job for a better commute.
The increased frustration is building a bigger appetite for commuter-focused relief in the workforce.

When asked what commuter-related benefits would be most attractive in their new jobs, employees cited:

Flextime (79%)
Telecommuting (72%)
Pre-tax commuter benefits (54%)
Subsidies for pre-tax commuter benefits (47%)

Employer Responses

MyPartTimePRO.com also reported that employers are finding different ways to help employees hold down the cost and aggravation of commuting. Here are some creative examples:

The Principal Financial Group arranges free bus rides with the local transit authority for its employees.
The New Belgium Brewing Company in Ft. Collins, CO provides employees with new bicycles on their one-year anniversary as an enticement to ride to work rather than drive.
At Kent State University in Ohio, 78 of 94 custodial staffers took up the university’s offer to work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.
Offering alternative work programs that lessen the cost and struggle of commuting build good will among employees and show your commitment to retaining them.

About MyPartTimePRO.com

MyPartTimePRO.com is the job search Web site that connects educated and accomplished individuals with employers who hire flexible, professional-level staff. They specialize in the following areas:

Engineering, pharmaceutical and insurance giants seeking part-time or telecommuting staff.
Recruiters, law firms and non-profit agencies in need of temporary or project-based employees.
Public relations/marketing, IT and accounting firms in search of freelance or seasonal staff.
Healthcare facilities, educational institutions and consulting practices who hire short-term or job-sharing employees. And many more!

The Insider: Mayor Nutter Reopens Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

blogadmin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:22:00 GMT

On July 18, 2008, Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed an order creating the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. In addition, Mayor Nutter announced Gary Steuer as Chief Cultural Officer, who will begin his term in October.

The re-establishment of this office fulfills a promise that Mayor Nutter emphasized during his campaign; to restore an office that was cut from the City’s budget four years ago. Mayor Nutter also re-established the Cultural Advisory Council, which will advise his administration on issues related to arts and culture, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. Joe Kluger, associate principal at the arts-consulting firm WolfBrown, will head the council.

“We are very serious about arts and culture and the creative economy here in Philadelphia," said Mayor Nutter, who was given a standing ovation by the packed room of arts community members who attended the announcement. "Art and culture are not just about pretty pictures and performances. . . . They are also an economic development tool, a tremendous asset for the city."

The City of Philadelphia reports that the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy will be housed in the Mayor’s office. Responsibilities of the office include: improving access to the arts for both residents and visitors; expanding arts education for young people; overseeing all of the City’s arts programs; supporting the growth and development of the City’s arts, culture and creative economy sector, by promoting public and private investment in the creative economy sector; coordinating with relevant City agencies to unify the City’s art efforts; and serving as a liaison between the City’s many cultural institutions.

This positive change for the city will have a tremendous impact on the for-profit, creative economy, a $60 billion industry in the Philadelphia Region. Mayor Nutter’s attention to the importance of the creative economy by re-establishing this office reiterates the great importance of the creative industries to the City of Philadelphia and to the City’s economic prosperity.

Members of the for-profit, creative economy are excited about this proactive step to enhance Philadelphia’s creative economy. “The mayor gets it. He knows that a serious commitment to the [creative economy] is essential for attracting young people to Philadelphia,” said David Fish, Executive Director of Assembly, a newly-opened production and post-production company based in Manayunk. “A youthful, vibrant population that both creates and seeks out arts and culture can have a huge impact on the Philadelphia's overall economy. It's a great move.”

Matthew Fisher, President of Night Kitchen Interactive, says that the reopening of the office is a great move for the City. “It’s a sign that our city is serious about embracing the next generation of Philadelphians. It’s a generation that’s creative, tech-savvy and enthusiastic about putting Philly on the map. They want our city to be recognized not just for its magnificent heritage, but for the creative contributions that they are making, online and on the town. The city’s new office can be a great connector, facilitator and promoter. Creatives need a voice, and a platform.”

Fisher adds that the administration is starting to understand the importance of the creative economy. “Mayor Nutter didn’t just open re-open the old office, he’s clearly re-envisioned it by both including the term ‘creative economy’ in the title and in his selection of Gary Steuer, a top-tier expert in how arts and business benefit each other,” Fisher says.

Hilary Jay, Executive Director of the Design Center at Philadelphia University, adds that the addition of the creative economy to the new office means that the Mayor must value both the financial strength and citywide enrichment that innovative institutions and businesses bring to Philadelphia and the region.

According to Fisher, when art thrives, so does the creative economy – and everything else that goes with it. “But it’s not just about dollars and contracts and the here and now. It’s about engaging that next generation of audiences and benefactors, and showcasing Philadelphia’s cultural riches to a young, talented pool of employees, artists and citizens,” he says.

The Art Czar

Gary Steuer, former vice president of Americans for the Arts, a New York-based non-profit, will be the first chief cultural office of the Office of the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

“After an exhaustive national search, I am tremendously pleased to have Gary Steuer join my Administration,” Mayor Nutter said at a press conference. He commends Steuer for his experiences as an arts manager and advocate and said that his unique perspective will help grow the arts community. “[This is] an important step to creating a healthier more vibrant Philadelphia,” Mayor Nutter said.

“I am thrilled by the opportunity the Mayor has provided me to work with him, his team and the great arts and civic leaders of Philadelphia to serve this city,” Steuer said at a press conference. Steuer also stressed the importance to integrate the arts in City programs and policies, for there is a growing recognition of the important of the arts in workforce development, business attraction and retention, community revitalization, civic engagement and tourism. “Mayor Nutter understands this and I look forward to serving him and the people of Philadelphia,” he added.

New York is a great arts town, Steuer told the Inquirer. "But Philadelphia is on a scale somewhat smaller, which makes it an exciting place to implement change."

“Choosing to include the for-profit creative industry is important for the City of Philadelphia,” said Kelly Lee, Executive Vice President of Innovation Philadelphia. “Combined, the for-profit and non-profit creative economy is one of the largest economic generators in the region. This can establish a unique identity for the region to stand out from its competitors, attract new residents and businesses, grow the population and increase the tax base of Philadelphia.”

Chester County Town named one of Relocate-America's™ Top 100 Places to Live

blogadmin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:22:00 GMT

Relocate-America™ recently named their Top 100 Places to Live in 2008. 2008 marks their 10th year compiling the list of the best places to live in the United States. Their list is the only that is determined by stats and feedback of people that live, work and play in those communities.

Phoenixville, PA, located in Chester County, made the list. Noted for its close location to Philadelphia and historic history, there are plenty of outdoor activities to partake in along with quaint bed and breakfasts.

The site says that as a place to live, Phoenixville has an exceptional hospital and has become the medical center of Northern Chester County. In addition, the Phoenixville Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Healthcare System. Phoenixville's population has grown to 15,000 and residents still enjoy the countryside and suburban lifestyle, but with the amenities of a new million-dollar YMCA facility.

We want to hear from you.

Philly named #5 most walkable city in America

blogadmin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Walkscore.com recently named Philadelphia the fifth most walkable city in America.

Walk Score ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities to help consumers find a walkable place to live.

The site rated Philly a 74 out of 100 "walk score," noting the top areas in Philadelphia include Center City East and West, the Riverfront and Fishtown.

Do you think Philadelphia is a walkable city? We want to hear from you.

The Insider: Go Green in Philadelphia

blogadmin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:06:00 GMT

“Going green” has been the new trend in recent months as businesses are altering their business plans to incorporate a green component. While the complexity of green strategies can vary, even small changes in your business and daily routine can make an impact on the environment (and your wallet!).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a mind-boggling rate, and it is estimated that the population will swell to over 9 billion by 2050. So if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita than people had in 1950, the Go Green Initiative reports.

Go Green

So how can businesses and professionals do their part to go green? Businesses of all sizes and representing all industry sectors are being innovative and creative in their green efforts. Entrepreneur.com reports that more businesses are encouraging employees to use alternate forms of transportation to get to and from work, such as taking mass transit or carpooling with colleagues.

In addition to carpooling and taking mass transit, walking or biking to work or run errands is an easy way to go green and save money on gas. Instead of driving to client meetings, utilize video and phone conference calls. And be sure to utilize e-mail, an easy and eco-friendly communication tool.

In addition, choosing an energy efficient bulb could drastically help lower energy costs, for it can consume up to 45% of a building’s energy, reports Gersil Kay of Conservation Lighting International Ltd. Lighting has made strides in energy conservation, offering alternate lighting tools such as glass fibre optics lighting, a long lasting, energy-efficient alternative that is sophisticated and requires minimal maintenance.

Fluorescent light bulbs can replace traditional light bulbs in your home or office. “Compact fluorescent light bulbs used to be $20 a piece. Now they are competitively priced with regular bulbs, especially when you consider they last nearly 10 times as long and reduce energy use,” says Diane MacEachern, founder of BigGreenPurse.com, a website devoted to helping consumers go green. Businesses, big or small, can benefit from lighting changes to conserve energy.

Nationwide, green office space now totals 500,000,000 square feet and the building market was valued at about $7 billion in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington-based coalition of industry professionals.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) reports that changing the way we design, build and operate our buildings and infrastructure is the most powerful way we can address the environmental challenges facing the city and the planet. Green buildings have value in today’s market, with a 20 to 1 return on investment, according to the PEC. Green real estate commands higher rent and green homes seller faster than conventional homes.

Businesses that go green are seeing increased savings in terms of utility costs and reducing their impact on the natural environment while benefiting on the bottom line, the Economic Development Administration reports in a recent newsletter. By using innovative forward thinking to go green, businesses and professionals alike will learn how going green is both environmentally and economically beneficial.

Product Design of Green Products

Companies such as Wal-mart and Costco have taken the initiative to go green through the product design of their goods. The superstores designed a square gallon milk jug which is cheaper to ship, the milk is fresher when it arrives in stores and it costs less.

Experts say the redesign of the gallon milk jug is an example of the changes likely to play out in the American economy over the next two decades, the New York Times reports. With higher costs for energy and materials, many products must be redesigned for greater efficiency.

Philadelphia University offers a Master of Science in sustainable design, featuring special lab and design-build courses focusing on green materials. Students will be take part in real-world, funded research projects, allowing them to connect their course knowledge with environmental and energy-efficiency challenges. Innovative degrees such as this will help lead green product design of the future.

Businesses can get help with designing green products and a company in the Philadelphia Region is helping businesses do so. MIO is a design company dedicated to creating the most sustainable and innovative design experiences in the market. Founded by brothers Jaime and Isaac Salm, MIO encourages their customers to grow into a greener, healthier, happier and more profitable future. Their design focuses on the needs of people today and aims towards the technologically advanced and responsible product experiences of tomorrow.

Jaime, Creative Director of MIO, is also serving as a judge for the “Make Some Green Competition” sponsored by Keesh Studio, a design studio in Rhode Island.

The goal of the competition is to promote upcycling by encouraging the use of wasted materials to generate innovative designs and redefine the standards of environmental sustainability by fostering balance between conservation and development. The competition will provide a stepping stone to help educate viewers of the vast opportunities and future development of environmentally friendly processes, materials and products. All entries must be sent digitally or by mail by October 1, 2008, and three entries will win media coverage of their product or process and one will win a cash prize of $1,000.

We encourage design firms within the Philadelphia Region to participate in this competition, to showcase your design ideas on how to go green.

We want to hear from you.

The Insider: Film Tax Credit Attracting Hollywood to Pennsylvania

blogadmin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:37:00 GMT

Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan first put Pennsylvania on Hollywood’s radar screen with his 1997 blockbuster ‘‘The Sixth Sense.” In recent months, a $75 million tax credit Pennsylvania passed last summer has attracted even more Hollywood big wigs to the area.

Act 55 of 2007, Creativity in Focus: the new Film Production Tax Credit Initiative provides a 25% Film Production Tax Credit for film production expenses incurred in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Film Office reports. First available in the summer of 2007, feature films, TV shows and series and commercials intended for national audiences are eligible for this tax break. In order to qualify for the tax credit, 60 percent of the total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania. No more than $75 million per year can be awarded.

The Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit Program allows the Philadelphia Region to be “competitive in the film industry,” says Nicole Shiner, Director of Operations & Government Affairs at the Philadelphia Film Office. “It keeps us at the top of the heap and we can compete with the best.”

The Film Office is delighted to announce that the budget for the tax credit was renewed for 2009. “It was a very exciting day to hear that we will be renewing the funding for the next year. Movies go where the money is. This program is built to be sustainable, we are very proud of it,” Shiner says.

Productions that took advantage of the tax incentive since the launch in July 2007 include: M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening,” “The Lovely Bones,” staring Mark Wahlberg, “Happy Tears,” staring Demi Moore, Parker Posey and Rip Torn, and “The Dream of the Romans,” staring Lauren Graham and Jeff Daniels.

The tax credit has resulted in more than $300 million in direct economic activity in Pennsylvania, which has created an estimated 4,355 jobs and generated nearly $20 million of new tax revenue, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development reports.

Numerous industries benefit when productions film in the Philadelphia Region. Industries impacted include hotels, restaurants, car rentals, florists, travel agents, craft services, furniture rentals, just to name a few. “Fresh money comes into our economy because they are here,” Shiner says. In addition, productions often hire local behind-the-scenes talent as well.

Shooters Post & Transfer, an Academy Award-nominated production company based in Philadelphia, reports that their business “has soared” since the tax incentives were put in place, noting that they now handle six to eight projects at a time, which was their total number of projects the year before.

In addition, Hollywood directors have taken notice to the new incentive. “I’ve always believed the most talented people in the business are from Pennsylvania,” Lee Daniels, Producer/Director of "Shadow Boxers," "The Woodsman" and Academy Award Winning "Monster’s Ball." Daniels admits that he originally wanted to shoot Monster’s Ball in Pennsylvania but at the time it was too expensive. He applauds Governor Rendell for instituting the tax rebate in Pennsylvania. “It’s a no-brainer to invest in a film that’s made in Philadelphia.”

Additional Assets of Filming in the Region

The website of the Philadelphia Film Office details additional incentives of filming in the Philadelphia Region. Filmmakers may be able to use properties owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia for locations filming for free if the property can be made available during the filmmaker’s schedule. Philadelphia also offers productions to use the Navy Yard Soundstage, the only municipally-owned sound stage in the country. In addition, visitors staying 30 days or more in a hotel are not obliged to pay the 14% hotel tax and the city of Philadelphia may provide up to two free police officers for traffic control and security as needed for filming activity.

The vast landscapes of the Philadelphia Region are a marketable asset for filmmakers. “Unless a movie is based in the desert or on the moon, we have all the neighborhoods to back up movie plots,” Shiner says. From the streets in Center City to the suburbs to historic landmarks, the Philadelphia Region has vast scenery to offer.

"When we field phone calls from producers, it's important that we sell the things we have that others don't: the vast landscapes, the cities, Lancaster County, the natural assets. You can do country, urban, suburban,” Jane Saul, Pennsylvania Film Office Director, told Variety in 2006.

These additional assets of the Philadelphia Region have lured big-studio productions, such as “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, to the area. The Film Office reports that the production liked the scenery of the region and filmed scenes in Bethlehem, Philadelphia and Princeton. Blockbuster movies such as “Transformers” bring a buzz about the town and also allowed locals to audition as extras for the film.

As more productions are filmed in the Philadelphia Region, the film economy will continue to grow and creative more jobs for creative individuals. With the tax credit program continuing for a second year, this will aid in establishing Philadelphia's Creative Economy as a global hub for creative enterprises, services and talent.

Lights! Camera! ACTION!

Tell us what you think.

The Insider: Entrepreneurial Education: Priming Students to ‘Think Creatively and Innovate’

blogadmin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:02:00 GMT

A vibrant, successful, entrepreneurial community is essential to regional growth. Three issues of Innovation Matters are exploring key aspects that allow entrepreneurs to flourish within the Philadelphia Region: an entrepreneurial community, funding opportunities and entrepreneurial education.

The Philadelphia Region is home to more than 85 colleges and universities which awarded 55,700 degrees during the 2005 -2006 academic year. As entrepreneurism is on the rise, colleges and universities throughout the Philadelphia Region offer entrepreneurial programs which provide students with hands-on learning and the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs on real-time projects.

Temple University houses an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute through the university’s Fox School of Business. Currently, Temple offers an entrepreneurship major and minor. At the undergraduate level, certificate programs in non-business disciplines have been successfully piloted at the College of Engineering, College of Science and Technology and College of Health Professions. “This year, we created an MBA concentration in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Design which we anticipate offering in the fall,” says Monica Zimmerman Treichel, Academic Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at Temple University.

“We are here to inspire, support, encourage, foster and mentor entrepreneurship throughout the University,” said Chris Pavlides, Executive Director of Temple’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute. Temple students are empowered to start their own businesses through classes such as entrepreneurial marketing, cost accounting, global strategic management, business society and ethics, to name a few.

Students in the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania can also take part in entrepreneurial classes. Classes are offered within the “management” discipline, with students being able to learn about important topics such as technical innovation and entrepreneurship, legal issues for growth companies, societal wealth venturing, strategies and practices of family-controlled companies, entrepreneurial marketing and new product development, and many more.

Drexel University recently launched an entrepreneurial online resource for students, which is unique to the Philadelphia Region. According to Drexel’s website, New Venture Projects Online! pairs entrepreneurs who submit specific problems with their technology-related business ventures with MBA students who have the enthusiasm, drive and skill set to create effective solutions. With this program, students take the initiative and self-select projects based on what interests them and can then work with the entrepreneur to find a solution under the guidance of a mentor.

Donna Marie De Carolis, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Management and Academic Director of the Baiada Center, says the new online portal “enables the development of entrepreneurial skills in our students by immersing them in experiential challenges and assists young and growing companies through the infusion of talented students and ideas."

The University of the Arts is creating entrepreneurship courses for its students to pair with their creative coursework. As part of its curriculum development, the College of Media & Communication, within The University of the Arts, is extending its capacity to offer students an education that prepares them to be designers, media makers, performers and artists, as well as designer/media/artist entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“Our University will invite creative entrepreneurs who will make new enterprises here. Our students will learn from these experiences—but also through an expanded curriculum in entrepreneurship—what it means to make and sustain an enterprise or a career,” said Sean Buffington, President of The University of the Arts, at his inaugural address in April 2008.

This university-wide minor in entrepreneurship will be directed to undergraduates in media, communication and the arts and could possibly become a new university-wide graduate program in media/communication/art and business.

Preparing students for graduation

Real-life experience beyond the classroom is invaluable to students and entrepreneurship programs in the region are allowing students to work on real-time projects and be mentored by entrepreneurs.

Temple University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute hosts “Be Your Own Boss Bowl,” a competition for students, faculty, staff and alumni from across Temple University to develop business innovations. Over the course of an academic year, participants develop businesses, products, services or technologies, and learn from the process. At each stage, there are opportunities for technical assistance, critique, networking, mentoring, learning and cash prizes.

The Baida Center for Entrepreneurship at Drexel University also holds entrepreneurial competitions to create business concepts, business plans and business incubators to win cash prizes. Mentors are available on a weekly basis to consult and aid students and students can participate in numerous entrepreneurial events sponsored by the Center.

“Entrepreneurship education prepares students not only to start a business but also to think creatively and to innovate,” Treichel says. Creativity and innovation are necessary in all established businesses, for the economy is making innovation a necessity for businesses, their management and their employees. These entrepreneurial competitions allow students to learn the real-world skills that are needed as an entrepreneur, and learn throughout the process, thus preparing them for life after graduation.

National recognition

This past fall, Temple University was ranked among top entrepreneurship programs for undergraduates in the United States by three separate ranking entities: Fortune Small Business magazine, Entrepreneur magazine with the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Since Entrepreneur magazine started its ranking surveys five years ago, Temple University has been included each year, and is the only school in the region to do so.

“It’s rewarding to see our entrepreneurship programs recognized nationally in the company of prestigious schools,” M. Moshe Porat, Dean of the Fox School, says. “Entrepreneurial thinking is a cornerstone of Temple, and our programs continue to expand and strengthen each year in both in the academic and the applied sectors. Our mission is for students to think and act like entrepreneurs no matter where their career paths take them.”

With the growing opportunity for entrepreneurial education available in the Philadelphia Region, students graduating with entrepreneurial-based degrees can create successful businesses when paired with the entrepreneurial community and funding opportunities.

We want to hear from you!

Massachusetts Appoints Nation's First Creative Economy Director

blogadmin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:54:00 GMT

Massachusetts Governor Patrick Devall appointed the nation's first Creative Economy Director this month. Jason Schupbach, 32, makes U.S. history by being the first to be appointed in such as post. AHN news reports that his main task is to widen a diverse sector that includes individual artists to high-tech video game developers. AHN news reports:

"Prior to his appointment, Schupbach was connected with various cultural and economic development institutions in Boston, New York and Chicago. His last employment was director of ArtistLink in Boston, which finds and preserves affordable space for state artists.

Schupbach's appointment was hailed by the art community. Anne L'Ecuyer, associate vice president of field services for the American for the Arts, told the Boston Globe, "What's noticeable about this is it's statewide and at a high-priority level... This is big news for our industry."

Part of the new creative economy director's task is to make Massachusetts artists realize they too are businessmen entitled to assistance from the state, ranging from tax breaks to training programs. "A strong creative economy translates into a strong overall economy... These are innovators, the cutting edge," Schupbach explained to the Boston Globe."

What does this mean for the Creative Economy? Should Philadelphia consider appointing a qualified candidate for this position? Tell us what you think.

Entrepreneurs: How are you managing energy costs?

blogadmin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:04:00 GMT

The Philadelphia Business Journal published an article this week about rising gas costs and how this affects businesses. Gene Marks said that the high price of gas will bring on a fundamental, “good” change in our economy, in “Penny Pincher's Almanac: High gasoline prices? Bring it ON!”

Marks heads The Marks Group, which provides technology and financial consulting in Bala Cynwyd. He is also the author of "The Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists" and three other books on small business.

Marks details ways for “penny pinchers” to manage energy costs. His recommendations include:

Make the best use of technology by exploring technology tools/sites such as Citrix, Windows Terminal Server, Freeconferencecall.com and video conference tools. Plan to have in-office meetings, utilize the web and cut down on traveling. “Your customers will understand. If you're good enough, you'll still accomplish the same,” Marks says.
Pool your office resources. Employees can carpool to work, or work from home. Encourage employees to use public transportation and turn the thermostat down a bit. Marks encourages businesses to “be nimble and focus on anything that will cut a few dollars from the gas bill.”
Raise your prices. “You're in business to make money,” Marks says. Fuel expenses are affecting many businesses, including yours. You might not want to raise prices, but your competition will likely be doing the same.

Do you think Marks’ recommendations will work for your business? Is it easier for small businesses/start-ups to try and cut costs?

We want to hear from you, tell us what you think.

The Insider: Funding for Entrepreneurs – Philly’s Assets are the Numbers

blogadmin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:40:00 GMT

In 2007 venture-capital investing reached a six-year high of $661.8 million in the Philadelphia area and $29.4 billion nationally, Linda Loyd of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in January 2008. Loyd also reported that investing was “led by strong interest in life sciences, so-called clean technology and Internet-related businesses.”

The for-profit, creative industry is making a big splash in venture capital. Loyd reported internet-related business as one of the top three strongest interests for investments. Deepak Kamra of the Canaan Partners venture-capital firm told the Inquirer "there's a lot going on in the digital-media and Internet space."

So what is the funding landscape for start-up business owners in the Philadelphia Region? Several recent polls on our website have indicated the following about entrepreneurs’ need for funding:

When asked what resource is most important to your business’ growth – 85% responded funding
When asked what is easier for entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region to access – 64% responded mezzanine funding to grow a business from the start-up phase to the next level over 29% responded to seed funding to start a business

“Venture capital funding for entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region has steadily grown in the last several years,” said Glenn Rieger, General Partner of NewSpring Capital and Member of Innovation Philadelphia’s Board of Directors. “Entrepreneurs looking to start and grow a business in the region have numerous funding opportunities that can substantial take their business ideas to the next level.”

According to Select Greater Philadelphia’s 2008 Regional Report, “Venture capital is an important indicator of a region’s growth and ability to support new and innovative entrepreneurial endeavors. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, in 2007, the 19-county Philadelphia Region as they define it, ranked 11th among all 18 U.S. regions based on the value of VC investments made here.”

The report further adds venture capital facts for the Philadelphia Region in 2007 include:

125 venture capital deals
$7.4 million average value per deal
Total of $862 million in venture capital investments

There are numerous funding opportunities for entrepreneurs starting up in the Philadelphia Region. Loyd also reported that seed and early-stage investments were up 18 percent, to $6.3 billion in 2007.

“Entrepreneurs looking to start and grow their businesses in the Philadelphia Region have substantial venture capital investment opportunities here,” said Chris Starr of Innovation Philadelphia’s Investment Committee. “With a diverse amount of venture capital firms, entrepreneurs in all industries and at every stage of their business can find the financial backing they seek right here in Philadelphia.”

The 2008 Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Book of Lists” listed the largest venture capital firms in the Philadelphia Region. The following firms invest in pre-seed, early and expansion companies: TL Ventures, SCP Partners, LLR Partners Inc., Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Edison Venture Fund, Quaker BioVentures, NewSpring Capital, EnerTech Capital, Argosy Partners, PA Early Stage Partners, TDH, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SE Pa., BioAdvance and ETF Venture Funds.

Innovation Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur’s Resource Guide also lists investment capital companies within the Philadelphia Region. The Guide lists 20 firms/organizations provide funding opportunities to entrepreneurs in the region.

Starr notes that in addition to venture capital firms, there are numerous organized angel investment groups and economic development organizations serving the regions entrepreneurs.

Funding the Region’s For-Profit, Creative Economy
A strong for-profit creative economy is vital to the economic growth of the Philadelphia Region. Innovation Philadelphia created the Creative Economy Investment Fund (CEIF) in October 2007 to support the growth of the Region's for-profit creative economy businesses by providing pre-seed and early-stage investments.

Innovation Philadelphia made its first two investments within the CEIF in late May to two local start-ups, Brown Partners and DreamIt Ventures. Brown Partners, a minority-owned and operated communications and advertising firm founded and owned by David Brown, received $50,000. DreamIt Ventures, a three-month business boot camp for start-up companies in the Philadelphia area founded by David Bookspan, Michael Levinson and Steve Welch, received $100,000.

A new investment model for Philadelphia
DreamIt Ventures offers a new, unique opportunity for entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region. This start-up organization provides pre-seed and seed funding to budding entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region. In addition, DreamIt Ventures provides experienced mentors and advisors, free legal, accounting and administrative help to form a company and introductions to funding sources. The DreamIt team consists of five groups working together to provide a platform for starting exciting, new companies. The groups include their founders, business partners, speakers, Gurus (mentors) and funding partners.

David Bookspan, Michael Levinson and Steve Welch, the founders of DreamIt, are three entrepreneurs. They each founded, built and successfully sold one or more business. With backgrounds in technology, finance, sales and marketing, and law, they all are currently angel investors and have invested in software/SaaS, chip, pharmaceutical, medical device, and many other startup companies.

After the “boot camp” process, participants have a chance to pitch their company/product to Venture Capital firms, angel investors, private investors, economic development groups, and other funding sources.

With a great opportunity to receive funding as an entrepreneur - combined with education and a supportive entrepreneurial community – the Philadelphia Region is an ideal place to start a business.

Tell us what you think.

DreamIt Ventures and BrownPartners Receive First Creative Economy Investment Fund

blogadmin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:48:00 GMT

Innovation Philadelphia announced its first two recipients of the Creative Economy Investment Fund on Thursday, May 22 at the Creative Movement Conference. Along with the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce representative Josh Sevin, Kelly Lee, Executive Vice President of Innovation Philadelphia, and Chris Starr, Creative Economy Investment Fund Committee Member, awarded David Bookspan, co-founder of DreamIt Ventures, and David Brown, founder and CEO of BrownPartners, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

DreamIt Ventures
DreamIt Ventures is a start-up organization with the intent of providing pre-seed and seed funding to budding entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia Region. The company aims to help great people with great ideas build great companies. They provide seed funding, experienced mentors and advisors, free legal, accounting and administrative help to form a company and introductions to funding sources. The DreamIt team consists of five groups working together to provide a platform for starting exciting, new companies. The groups include their founders, business partners, speakers, Gurus (mentors) and funding partners.

David Bookspan, Michael Levinson and Steve Welch, the founders of DreamIt are three entrepreneurs. They each founded, built and successfully sold one or more business. With backgrounds in technology, finance, sales and marketing, and law, they all are currently angel investors and have invested in software/SaaS, chip, pharmaceutical, medical device, and many other startup companies.

Brown Partners
BrownPartners was established in 2002 as a full-service multicultural marketing firm focusing on reaching, influencing and motivating consumers of color. Located in Center City, the small company - with nine people on staff - surpassed $1 million in revenues in 2005 and each year after. BrownPartners conducts business primarily in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but has also served clients in New Jersey and Maryland.

David Brown, President of BrownPartners, has 20 years of public relations and advertising experience. He was recently inducted into the Public Relations Hall of Fame by the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Mr. Brown is also one of the few communications professionals to have ever served as Chairman of the Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the Philadelphia Advertising Club.