Spotlights
Spotlight on Creativity December 2008
December’s spotlight on creativity is Malik Boyd, co-founder of Premiere Brand Marketing, a full-service brand marketing, strategy and communications firm located in Philadelphia. In his role as Creative Director at Premiere Brand, Malik oversees the creative vision of client projects, as well as strategic creative partnerships that enhance the capabilities of the company.
Rooted in the entertainment business, most notably as a music artist, Malik made a mark through his ability to navigate cross promotional opportunities, impressively founding and managing Philly Unplugged, one of the longest running weekly live music showcases in Philadelphia during its run.
Malik will be a panelist at Innovation Philadelphia’s next event, Running on Empty: Make a Little Go a Long Way, on December 17, 2008, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the PNC Center (1600 Market Street, Philadelphia). He will share his business experience and discuss strategies of how have your business thrive during challenging economic times.
Malik holds memberships with the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). He is also the founder of the American Society of African American Advertisers (ASAAA), a local organization designed to foster education and professional development for African Americans in advertising.
Your name:
Malik Boyd
Firm/company:
Premiere Brand Group
Occupation:
Managing Partner
Current Location:
Philadelphia
Hometown:
Philadelphia
Favorite Philadelphia neighborhood:
Chestnut Hill
Best advice you've ever been given:
Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond.
Your favorite thing about living in the Philadelphia Region:
The diversity and creativity of the people. I grew up in Philadelphia and no matter where I have traveled or lived, I find Philadelphia to have a warm, inviting energy all its own.
Your favorite thing about working in the Philadelphia Region:
The “blue collar”, “fingers to the bone” work ethic of the community. Even in white collar positions, you find an amazing amount of diligence in people towards achievement of their goals and passions.
How would you market the Philadelphia Region to professionals outside the region?
Philadelphia should be marketed as a creative hub. The Brotherly Love idea has been given the once over already. We should focus on the fact that we are a keystone state…holding ground between New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and DC. We are a keystone to your education…with solid institutions like The University of the Arts. We are a keystone to business development, with organizations like Innovation Philadelphia providing developmental platforms and resources. Musically, we are a keystone, providing the music industry with an abundance of musicians that travel with major artists on tour. We are the hand that feeds the nation creatively. Philadelphia is the key to our dreams realized; both mine and yours.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Philadelphia?
Count the costs. Make sure that you are well prepared not only in your discipline, but in your knowledge of your target market, and the resources that will help you sustain yourself while creating your footprint in the marketplace. Visualize success. Imagine yourself securing a major account and work through a plan of how you would service them. Enough cannot be said about proper planning. I once read a startling statement about business start-ups that noted that many start-ups do not fail because the idea or product wasn’t good; they failed because they weren’t prepared for success. Every day, plan for success.
Premiere Brand is a full-service brand marketing, strategy and communications firm located in Philadelphia. Their team brings nearly four decades of combined expertise in creative development, marketing, brand strategy consultation and program development. Clients include Cuervo Black, the National Black MBA Association, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, Campbell Soup Company and Proctor & Gamble, to name a few.
To learn more about Malik’s work in the region, visit www.pbmarketingllc.com/.