The Insider: 2009: A YEAR OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
The creative economy has weathered the storm of the many challenges of 2009 with our chin up and with optimistic cheers. As local, national and international economies continue to shift, Innovation Philadelphia isn’t the first to enthusiastically welcome 2010. The local creative economy has been hit hard with layoffs, stagnate business, and halted innovation, leaving the question “Did anything good come out of this year?” Yes!
Although many Creatives found themselves filing for unemployment, many also left constricting jobs behind to start their own business, birthing a new general of entrepreneurs. Companies in all industries were challenged to “do what they do” better, as well as be innovative with internal business processes. These companies looked to Creatives to be idea makers and thought leaders. In many ways, the creative economy gained new respect.
The Philadelphia creative economy found unity within its community through multiple programs and events connecting previously disparate groups. Numerous major reports ranked Philadelphia top of their list for innovation and entrepreneurism (check out the reports section below for details). Hopefully, we enter 2010 as a community with strong ties, blossoming talent and ambitious goals to showcase Philadelphia as a center of cutting edge, quality creative professionals.
So…Welcome 2010! Philadelphia Creatives are ready for you – stronger and smarter than ever.
WHAT HAPPENED? CREATIVE WORKFORCE
Immense discussion surrounded developing, supporting and cultivating the creative workforce in Philadelphia. Several of Innovation Philadelphia’s partners focus on workforce issues. With our partner, PhillyCreativeGuide.com, PhillyCreativeJobs.com was launched as a job resource for creative workers and freelancers. Over 552 regional companies and organizations were contacted to post positions on PhillyCreativeJobs.com and partnerships were created with IdeaBlob, ICN and Adecco to promote the website. To date, there have been over 100 jobs and freelance positions posted on the website. “More intensive outreach and promotion is planned for 2010,” says Bill Haley of PhillyCreativeGuide.com.
In September, Innovation Philadelphia teamed up with The BOSS Group to host CreativeConnects. CreativeConnects is a free networking and business card exchange event for creative, marketing, communications, advertising and web professionals. This program offers the opportunity for professionals to connect with colleagues, meet new people, keep up with industry news and get leads on jobs and business opportunities. This networking session provided Innovation Philadelphia with a forum to talk about the PhillyCreativeJobs website and to promote our job and freelance resources to regional creative industry professionals.
WHAT HAPPENED? CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
During the past year, many members of Philadelphia’s creative community tapped into their entrepreneurial spirit by deciding to take the plunge and to start their own businesses. Some new entrepreneurs were a result of being laid off from their jobs and taking the opportunity to venture out on their own. Seasoned entrepreneurs remained steadfast in their determination to find new opportunities and to deliver quality products and services. Innovation Philadelphia is committed to supporting the entrepreneurial community at each step and in 2009 hosted a number of panels, workshops and networking sessions to connect entrepreneurs and freelancers with new business opportunities and with other entrepreneurs. These are some of the highlights: Read More…
Spotlight Questionnaire
Your name: Christopher David Cera
Your brief bio: Chris began his professional career as a software developer and later co-founded Vuzit, a software company that provides an online document sharing, control, and analytics platform. Chris also played a significant role in the co-founding of Philly Startup Leaders, the largest and most active community of startup entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region. Prior to co-founding Vuzit, Chris managed all R&D, customer relationships, and IT operations at another startup, Drakontas. Previously Chris was employed at Traffic.com, where he co-developed the first real-time 3D traffic reporting system used by FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC at over 70 TV stations in the top 25 US markets. Chris has also held development positions at GlaxoSmithKline, submitted 6 patent applications, and published over 15 peer-reviewed publications. Chris holds a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science from Drexel University. Read More…
TOP BLOG POSTINGS OF 2009
Will and Dain: Creative Entrepreneurship in Practice
Ben Franklin would be proud - Philadelphia ramps up as the next hotspot for the video game industry
YIP in the News: The Creative Class in Philadelphia
10 Tips for the Creative Entrepreneur
TOP NEWS OF 2009
MovieMaker Magazine names Philly as one of Best Places to Live in 2009 (February 25, 2009 - MovieMaker Magazine) -
Nutter envisions 'green city' by 2015 (April 29, 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer) -
Comcast will by controlling stake at NBC Universal (December 3, 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer) -
IN THE RANKS
Innovation Cities Global Analysis Report – Philadelphia placed 4th in the USA, 5th in North America behind Toronto, and 32nd globally. Read article.
Lowest Entrepreneurial Activity Rate according to Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. Read Kauffman Report. Read article.
Entrepreneur.com’s Top Programs for Graduates – Drexel and Temple topped the list! Read article.
Small Business Survival Index – Pennsylvania is 27th among states for the Friendliest Environments for Entrepreneurship. Report.
|
You are receiving this newsletter because you opted-in on our website or at one of our events. To ensure delivery of our emails, please add enews@innovationphiladelphia.com to your address book.
|
| 
