The Insider Archive
Olympics as Catalyst for Great Design
Innovation Matters, Volume 3, Issue 2 - February 10, 2010
The world is on the brink of Vancouver 2010, ready to watch more than 80 nations and 5,500 athletes compete for achievements that lifetimes have been dedicated to. The Olympics have always been more than incredible physical feats. They are a boom for the host city's economy, a unification of warring countries, and an education on sportsmanship. The Olympics have also been a catalyst for great design and new advancements in technology. Vancouver is no exception. Incredible design can be seen this year from the medals, to the Olympic website, and the torch.
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Creatives Embrace 2010 with New Strategies
Innovation Matters, Volume 3, Issue 1 - January 13, 2010
The new year always brings an opportunity for personal betterment, new business development and professional growth. As we begin 2010, Innovation Philadelphia has brainstormed a few strategies to offer creative entrepreneurs, creative job seekers and creative professionals looking to jump start the year and turn opportunities into realities. With 2009 behind us, this is the time to lay out a plan for achieving the business and personal goals you have for the next twelve months. We hope that you are able to use a few of these suggestions in your plan and wish you a prosperous, innovative and creative new year!
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2009: A YEAR OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 27 - December 16, 2009
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!
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The Creative Worker Toolbox
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 25 - November 18, 2009
October, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 10.2%. In Philadelphia, the rate has risen to an astounding 11%. A Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia survey of private economists this week did not offer much hope, “The job market looks weaker now than it did three months ago.†What does this general gloom and doom mean for the creative worker? Opportunity. Creatives are seeing new contracts for freelance work and increased resources to find creative work within a company.
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Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit ends, now the real work begins
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 24 - November 4, 2009
On Monday and Tuesday, October 5 & 6, 2009, the 2nd Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit took place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. There were approximately 900 participants at the Summit, including the people who registered and those who attended the free and open to the public events. 161 speakers took part in 30 panel discussions and10 workshops. The Summit also hosted 4 keynote speakers: Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love, Peter Shankman, Founder, Help A Reporter Out and Founder and CEO, the Geek Factory, Inc., Jane McGonigal, Director of Game Research and Development, Institute for the Future, and Randall Kempner, Executive Director, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs. Now that the Summit has ended, the real work begins and Innovation Philadelphia is busy compiling and synthesizing the content, participant reactions, and opinions on how to implement some of these ideas in the Philadelphia Region.
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Elizabeth Gilbert discusses "Creativity without Drama"
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 23 - September 23, 2009
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the New York Times #1 Best Seller Eat, Pray, Love, debuts as a keynote speaker at the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit on October 5, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Ms. Gilbert's speech on "Creativity without Drama"Â will challenge the idea that creative people must suffer for their artistry in order to be taken seriously, and will emphasize the importance of teaching and practicing creativity without embracing distracting dramas along the way.
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NxtUp Philly Launches
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 22 - September 101, 2009
NxtUp Philly's (www.nxtupphilly.com) is a two-week open calendar of events celebrating Philadelphia's creativity, commerce, and community. Running from October 5 to 16, 2009, NxtUp Philly will feature more than 150 creative events taking place throughout our region.
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How do you pronounce pecha kucha?
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 21 - August 26, 2009
During October's Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit, attendees will hear from some of the world's leading experts in the creative economy, entrepreneurship, placemaking and technology. There will be keynote presentations, panels and breakout sessions on a wide range of topics and this year, there will be a new addition to the conference.
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The Insider: Ben Franklin would be proud - Philadelphia ramps up as the next hotspot for the video game industry
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 20 - August 12, 2009
Philly is undoubtedly well known for its unrivaled cheese steaks, fanatical sport fans and of course, Trading Places. In the not too distant future, Philadelphia may be equally well known as the East Coast destination for the Interactive Software Entertainment Industry or in laymen's terms, video game production, in all shapes, sizes and applications.
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The Insider: Summit Keynote Speakers
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 19 - July 29, 2009
Innovation Philadelphia is excited to bring high-caliber keynote speakers to Philadelphia for the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit. These speakers represent the cutting edge of innovation in interactive media, the creative process, and social entrepreneurship.
Innovation Philadelphia will host the 2009 Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, located in the heart of Philadelphia at 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Accommodations are available at the Summit's official hotel, the Lowes Philadelphia Hotel, conveniently located at 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Registration for the two-day Summit is $225. For more information about the Summit or to register online, please visit www.GCECS2009.com.
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The Insider: Ideation 2009
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 18 - July 15, 2009
On August 1st, Ideation 2009 comes to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. For one full day, Ideation 2009 will connect entrepreneurs, small businesses, venture capitalists, and anyone interested in networking and learning what it takes to start, grow or maintain a successful business. Ideation 2009 will feature five workshop sessions, a networking room full of companies looking to exchange ideas, and “the Ideation funding room†where start-ups will have the ability to pitch their ideas to potential investors. Entrepreneurs at all stages of their ventures are encouraged to attend this event.
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The Insider: Film in Philly
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 17 - July 1, 2009
Film in Pennsylvania is booming. With the Film Tax Credit Program, giving filmmakers a return on production, more and more filmmakers are coming to the Commonwealth to shoot their movies. This is creating a whirlwind of film- based events in and around the city. The Philadelphia Film Market (PFM) just completed its inaugural year. One of the sponsors of PFM, the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (PIFF), just completed its second successful year, closing the Philadelphia Film Market festivities with screenings on Sunday, June 28. Continuing the activity through the summer, one of PFM's other sponsors, Project Twenty1, hosts their film festival at the end of a 21 day competition, beginning August 1, 2009.
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The Insider: Interactive Idea-Starters: Innovation Philadelphia Sparks!
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 16 - June 17, 2009
Ideas: the latest economic currency needed to survive and thrive during these challenging times and beyond. Where do ideas come from? How exactly do you get that light bulb above your head to turn on, stay on, and translate into action? On June 1, 2009 at the Spark! Networking Conference, Innovation Philadelphia engaged attendees in an interactive exercise, simply posing the question, "What sparks your creativity?".
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The Insider: HigherEdCamp Philly
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 15 - June 03, 2009
On Saturday, June 6 at Huntsman Hall on the University of Pennsylvania campus, HigherEdCamp will commence. HigherEdCamp is an un-conference format open to event participants with no scheduled presentations or panels; nothing but a blank white board to start the idea generation for session topics.
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The Insider: Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy launches monthly Speaker Series
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 14 - May 20, 2009
On April 30, The Recording Academy in Philadelphia presented the first of a monthly speaker series entitled, "Your Online Brand." As part of the initiative to aid the arts and music scene in the Philadelphia region, this panel focused specifically on identity creation and online branding for emerging artists.
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The Insider: Innovation Philadelphia to Host Second Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit in Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 13 - May 6, 2009
On October 5-6, 2009, Innovation Philadelphia will host the second Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Over 1,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and creative industry professionals will converge for this two-day Summit to network, exchange ideas, and share information on emerging technology and initiatives that drive a successful creative economy.
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The Insider: Empowerment Group to Host Entrepreneurship Week 2009
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 12 - April 1, 2009
This spring the Empowerment Group will host their fourth annual Entrepreneurship Week. The week-long event, held from April 20 to April 25, will celebrate the achievements of community businesses, and the entrepreneurs behind them. Throughout Entrepreneurship Week 2009, the Empowerment Group will offer a myriad of programs that will aid entrepreneurs, whether they are starting or growing a business in the Philadelphia Region, by providing them with skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
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The Insider: Celebrate the Film Community and Filmmaking at The Philadelphia Film Festival/CineFest 2009
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 11 - March 19, 2009
This spring Philadelphia's film community will come together for 12 days to celebrate internationally acclaimed dramas, comedies, documentaries and shorts this spring for the Philadelphia Film Festival and CineFest 2009.
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The Insider: Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise Conference to Spotlight Philadelphia's IT Community
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 10 - March 4, 2009
This spring the Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise Conference will allow entrepreneurs and professionals to share valuable insights and ideas with others in the Philadelphia Region. The conference will host world-class speakers who will cover a broad range of Information Technology-related topics.
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Philadelphia's Creative Industries still flourishing during tough economic times
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 9 - February 17, 2009
As the current economic climate is creating financial burdens and eliminating thousands of jobs, many industries have taken a large hit. However, the creative industries are weathering the storm during these tough economic times.
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The Insider: Innovation Philadelphia Announces Third Recipient of Creative Economy Investment Fund
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 8 - January 28, 2009
On January 22, 2009, Innovation Philadelphia announced the third recipient of its Creative Economy Investment Fund (CEIF) awards. CEIF provides pre-seed and early-stage investments to for-profit creative economy businesses based in the Philadelphia Region.
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The Insider: Innovation Philadelphia: 2008 in Review
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 7 - January 14, 2009
How many entrepreneurial programs would you guess Innovation Philadelphia hosted in 2008? How many times was the Entrepreneurs Resource Guide downloaded on our website? As 2008 has come to a close, Innovation Matters looks back at Innovation Philadelphia's year of programs and initiatives which have aided the growth of the Philadelphia Region's for-profit, creative economy. Read below as we run the numbers.
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The Insider: Getting Together: Unconferences Permit Increased Contact, Content and Communications
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 6 - December 18, 2008
In a world characterized by a challenging economic climate and financial cutbacks, conference attendance and travel is often one of the first items to be slashed from the budget. But the fact remains that getting together serves multiple and important purposes from knowledge-sharing to networking. The good news is that technology is having a dramatic and positive impact on how conferences and meetings are held, where they are held and who can attend.
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The Insider: Register Today for Running on Empty: Make a Little Go a Long Way
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 5 - December 3, 2008
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.
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The Insider: A Snapshot of the Philadelphia Photography Industry
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 4 - November 19, 2008
The photography industry, defined as “all industries/occupations involving photographic services, production and delivery/distribution,†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.
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The Insider: Celebrating Entrepreneurs: Global Entrepreneurship Week Comes to Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 3 - November 5, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Philadelphia Proves Phashion Phorward
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 2 - October 22, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Celebrate Design at DesignPhiladelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 1 - October 8, 2008
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.
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The Insider: The Sound of Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 24 - September 24, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Innovation Philadelphia and PhillyCreativeGuide.com to Host "createAdelphia: The Philly Creative Jobs Event"
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 23 - September 10, 2008
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).
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The Insider: New Arts and Culture Officer Excited to "Move the City Forward"
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 22 - August 13, 2008
"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.
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The Insider: Mayor Nutter Reopens Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 21 - July 30, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Go Green in Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 20 - July 16, 2008
"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!).
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The Insider: Film Tax Credit Attracting Hollywood to Pennsylvania
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 19 - July 2, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Entrepreneurial Education: Priming Students to 'Think Creatively and Innovate'
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 18 - June 18, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Funding for Entrepreneurs - Philly's Assets are the Numbers
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 17 - June 4, 2008
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.
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The Insider: Philadelphia: A Destination for a Strong Entrepreneurial Community
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 16 - May 21, 2008
Philadelphia's history is built on innovation, a culture of creative thinking and a spirit of entrepreneurism. From the city that Ben Franklin called home and the location of the first computer, Philadelphia is a destination for a strong entrepreneurial community.
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The Insider: Philadelphia City Council Hears the Importance of the Creative Economy
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 15 - May 8, 2008
City Councilwoman-at-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown, chair of City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and City Councilman-at-Large W. Wilson Goode, Jr., chair of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, held a public hearing yesterday on Philadelphia's non-profit and for-profit Creative Economy and how it impacts entrepreneurism, business development and the attraction and retention of young, educated professionals.
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The Insider: The Philadelphia Region's Information Technology Sector - 'An Outstanding Competitor in IT and Improving Its Game'
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 14 - April 23, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's information technology industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $2.1 billion annually. This creative occupation employs 44,000 workers with average annual wages of $70,600. Information technology firms comprise nearly 8% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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The Insider: Product Design and Merchandising – 'It's a Good Time to be a Designer in Philadelphia'
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 13 - April 9, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's product design and merchandising industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $2.7 billion annually. This creative industry sector employs nearly 26,000 workers with average annual wages of $51,600. Product design and merchandising firms comprise nearly 8% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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The Insider: Philadelphia's Graphic and Visual Arts and Multimedia Design Industry - A 'Down-to-Earth, Authentic Approach'
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 12 - March 26, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's graphic and visual arts and multimedia design industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $1.8 billion annually. This creative industry sector employs 36,700 workers with average annual wages of $33,400. Graphic and visual arts and multimedia design firms comprise nearly 12% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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The Insider: Philadelphia's Architecture, Engineering and Planning Industry - A City's Unique Landscape, A Sizable Economic Generator
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 11 - March 12, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's architecture, engineering and planning industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $3.5 billion annually. This creative industry sector employs 41,400 workers with average annual wages of $59,300. Architecture, engineering and planning firms comprise nearly 14% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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The Insider: Philadelphia: "Home to the Country's Most Talented Communications and Marketing Professionals"
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 10 - February 27, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's communications and marketing industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $5.4 billion annually. Communications and marketing is the largest for-profit, creative industry in the Philadelphia Region, employing 67,300 workers with average annual wages of $55,800. Communications and marketing firms comprise nearly 25% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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Software Development, ‘Philadelphia Puts a Premium on Superstar Talent'
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 9 - February 13, 2008
The Philadelphia Region's software development industry sector economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $5.9 billion annually. Software development, as an industry, employs 64,600 workers with average annual wages of $77,500. Software development firms comprise 21 % of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.
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Creative Footprint Report Available Next Week
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 7 - January 16, 2008
The findings of Innovation Philadelphia's new study, Creative Footprint, will be available next Tuesday, January 22.
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Philadelphia Region’s For-Profit Creative Economy = Nearly $60 Billion Industry
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 6 - December 19, 2007
Innovation Philadelphia today unveiled preliminary findings from its new study, Creative Footprint, that measures the size, scope and impact of the for-profit creative economy.
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Connecting the Employment Disconnect
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 5 - December 6, 2007
The hunt is on for a new position. Whether you are an employer looking to fill an open position or a job seeker looking to make your next career move, one thing is for sure: finding the right fit is no easy process.
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MiND: Media Independence, a Movement to Re-Invent TV
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 4 - November 21, 2007
MiND: Media Independence is re-inventing the way TV and Internet production works. MiND's innovative way of reaching audiences through Internet TV is the newest initiative of Independence Media, the non-profit organization owned and operated by WYBE Channel 35 in Philadelphia.
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'Independents Hall' Offers Creative Co-Working in Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 3 - November 7, 2007
Entrepreneurs, freelancers and independent creative professionals no longer need to call their living rooms the office. With the co-working movement landing in Philadelphia, 'Independents Hall' offers creative workers a place to not only work, but more importantly share concepts and ideas with other people.
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The New Center for Architecture in Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 1, Issue 2 - October 24, 2007
As unique as the Philadelphia Region's culture, history, innovation and people, Philadelphia's architecture is a distinct symmetry of historic, colonial-style buildings and modern, towering skyscrapers. Philadelphia's architectural façade is a rare blend of distinguished landscaping unique to a select few cities in America.
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