Auraworks - Chronicles

5th Annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:26:29 -0400

Global Economic Recovery: Cities Lead the Way

I just registered for the 2009 Richard J. Daley Urban Forum here in Chicago and the panels look great!

Panel 1: Economic Recovery & Urban Reinvestment

Economic recovery is dependent on a commitment to reinvesting in cities. Participants will discuss the impact of national stimulus plans and regional and local initiatives on urban areas. They will identify the key obstacles to these recovery efforts and will explore the leadership strategies by which cities can enhance job creation, manage the housing crisis, and reinvigorate urban institutions.

(I geek about urban reinvestment)

Panel 2: Economic Revitalization: Education and Healthcare

Cities are at the center of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, all of which are necessary elements in our ability to climb out of today’s growing world recession. Focusing on education and healthcare, panelists will discuss the most imaginative steps to reinvest in a sustainable future for cities and how those steps can have an impact that reaches far beyond urban areas.

(Creativity and entrepreneurship are two of my favorite things!)

Participants in the Forum will explore two key questions: What are the key obstacles to recovery? And what are the most imaginative steps we are taking to reinvest in a new and sustainable future?

And to top it off, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will deliver the keynote address at 5th Annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum

A friend of mine Scott VanDenPlas attended the 2007 forum and has a great writeup of the recap here.

See you all there!

"Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it."

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:16:00 -0400

“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”

- Mark Twain

Brand Utopia in Chicago

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 16:37:00 -0500

I was lucky enough to attend a lecture recently at Columbia College here in Chicago by brand consultants / evangelists Josh Spear and Aaron Dignan. I frequent JoshSpear.com and it was there I learned of the Brand Utopia lecture.

The presentation itself cut right to the point. That the design and branding of a company not only defines the brand, but the culture of that company. Today companies need to become transparent to their audience. After-all, a transparent company has nothing to hide. By doing so, their brand becomes more than a product or service, rather, it takes on a life of its own, becoming an avatar of that company… representing a guiding concept, or spiritual experience the consumer chooses to become a part of. With many consumers now taking their buying power well beyond the actual product itself, that becomes an important key to success.

Today’s generation of brand-consumer identifies with certain values a company chooses to champion, as well as the style and outward appearance of the product. They allow the products they buy and services they choose to help define them as individuals and they choose carefully how they spend their hard earned money. Combined with emerging technology, media and social networking; their combined will and buying power is transforming the brand landscape in ways we’ve only begun to see.