“hello, We are
, a marketing strategy, branding
and design agency based in Nassau, Bahamas. We speak business and design and we’ve started a conversation that we think you should join.
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What is the power of an idea? It can change perspectives. As a marketing strategy and multidisciplinary design agency with a focus on branding , our big idea is to make Nassau a more liveable city by providing a forum for intelligent, engaging and diverse thinking while bringing together buyers and sellers. With your support, we can do it together. Last year, we started tmg* talks, a 3-series panel discussion on architecture, design, the Bahamian narrative and the creative economy. The panellists included the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Charles Maynard, educators Dr. Nicolette Bethel and Olivia Saunders, artist John Cox, writer Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, businessperson Vaughn Roberts, architect Michael Diggiss and Tyrone Sawyer, Director of Sports Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism. This year we’re focussing on sustain+ability, but not just in the green sense. The ability to sustain involves a strategic design process. tmg* talks will explore this from a national economic, human and physical development perspective. That’s why we’ve put together an amazing group of panellists who are changing business paradigms and creative ecosystems.
Read more to learn about tmg* and how you can join the conversation at tmg* talks. Sincerely,
Principal tmg*
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Get to know us better by understanding us. Our core values are what we believe in and are the DNA of tmg*. They are what make us different.
1. GOOD DESIGN = GOOD BUSINESS Design is not a four letter word. Good design contributes to better products, better services and better ways of doing business. It adds business value, creates a competitive advantage and increases profits. How? Design makes things look good and function more efficiently. It makes services and processes easier to understand and follow.
When we all think alike then no one is thinking. - Walter Lippman
You’ve probably never met an Apple © that product you didn’t like. Think about it…
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2. BRANDING, BRANDING, BRANDING A brand is more than a logo. Consumers connect to brands on an emotional level. The design and quality of the product or service, the physical appearance where the product or service is produced and consumed all make consumers love or hate the brand. If you believe that a brand’s message and story are authentic then you identify with it. You become loyal to it, tell your friends about it and often will pay a premium for products or services from that brand.
3. CREATIVITY IS A COMMODITY Creativity is about looking at things differently and coming up with new ideas. It applies to art, science and commerce. Ultimately, creativity can create value for businesses. It’s an asset for any business that’s in the business of growth and its value should be recognised as such. tmginnovates.com
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4. CREATIVE BUSINESSES SHOULD COLLABORATE Creative businesses in networks should be networked organizations, not just organizations within networks. These connections allow companies to use multidisciplinary expertise beyond their own organisation. It diversifies thinking and creates better solutions.
We should recognise that creative activities will draw people into urban spaces, generating interaction and business opportunities
Julian Dobson
5. THE CREATIVE CLASS NEEDS A LIVEABLE CITY The creative class is made up of people don’t believe in doing the status quo.
work
They come from all industries – business, journalism, law, medicine, art, design, science…People in the creative class are always looking for ways to improve how things are done, they are individuals and critical thinkers. Liveability is about economic, social, and strategic value. The creative class thrives in liveable cities because there are places where one can socialise, work and network. There is diversity and a sense of openness where ideas can be discussed and evaluated on merit. What does a liveable city look like?
Exchanging ideas across related industries
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Sustain + Ability June // Built Environment Sustainability Architecture, Design and Sustainable Development National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) June 21st, 6:30PM – 8:30PM Panellists: Franon Wilson, President, Arawak Homes // Carlos Hepburn, Principal, TDG Architects // Nick Dean, Principal, Integrated Building Services
create value
Last year, we talked about how architecture and design display a city’s character and inform our behaviour in a space. This year, we’re talking about the importance of holistic design and sustainable architecture and development in planning the built environment, especially on islands with an expanding population. Is this type of design thinking happening? Are there policies in place to support it? If not, what can we do about it?
Adding economic, social and strategic value
tmg* talks 2011 Architecture and Design panellists (l to r): Marcus Laing, TDG Architects and InSitu Magazine, Michael Diggiss, Michael Diggiss & Associates Architects, Royann Dean, tmg* , Vaughn Roberts, Downtown Nassau Partnership
Equating liveability with sustainability
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July and August // Economic Sustainability Creativity is used in art, commerce and science and it is the key to developing thriving cities. Economist Richard Florida credits the creative class with driving economic and cultural growth in a liveable city. The creative class are thought to value meritocracy, critical thinking and aesthetics. The last two sessions address issues affecting our creative class.
Entrepreneurism and the Creative Class Custom Computers, Harbour Bay July 19th, 6:30PM – 8:30PM Panellists: Edward Rolle, Fund Administrator, Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund // Jaime Lewis, Owner, Islandz and Recipient of IDB entrepreneurial funding // Chester Cooper, Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation // via Skype: Dr. Basil Springer, Project Manager, Barbados Business Enterprise Corp., Barbados Business Entrepreneur
collaborate
Small businesses are generally the engines of a nation’s economy yet despite organisations such as the Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund Ltd and BAIC, it’s still difficult for entrepreneurs to get started in The Bahamas. Are we developing a nation of entrepreneurs? Is entrepreneurism helped or hindered in our culture?
It’s more than just talk, it’s an experience... Thanks to Custom Computers, the Bahamas’ leading technology store, we’re making tmg* talks interactive. Post comments on Facebook or Tweet live from tmg* talks on the latest devices from Custom Computers. Create your own experience and keep the conversation going. The audience’s conversation continues after the tmg* talks panel is over (l to r): Stephanie Cleare, insurance executive, Erin A. Ferguson, entrepreneur and television host, Kishan Munroe, artist and entrepreneur
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Economic Diversification and the Creative Class National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) August 23rd, 6:30PM – 8:30PM The characteristics of the creative class such as critical thinking, problem solving, and meritocracy are thought to be needed for a country to compete in the new economy which requires innovation and imagination. How can these people help to build our economy? What makes people who think this way want to live in The Bahamas? How are we encouraging these kinds of people to return to The Bahamas or to immigrate here?
Panellists: Pam Burnside , Co-Founder Doongalik Studios and Creative Nassau // Frank Comito, Board Member, Downtown Nassau Partnership // Winston Rolle, Chief Executive Officer, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation // Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor, Caribbean Journal // Amanda Coulson, Director, NAGB // via Skype: Pamela Coke-Hamilton , Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency
Because real change often happens from the bottom up. People get involved, find a voice and seeds of action get planted.
People who attend are diverse thinkers, environmentally aware and want to participate in a discourse about the creativity, culture and the economy.
Position your brand as a thought leader innovative, and creative
Our audience has something to say. Here’s who you’ll generally find at
Why support tmg* talks?
Connect your products or services to the ideal target market for your brand Provide a forum for innovators to discuss and find answers and take action on important issues.
sustain
You probably want details. We’re on it.
tmg* talks: College educated women and men 20-50 years old
Who attends tmg* talks?
Interested in national issues on regarding the economy, culture, design and sustainability
tmg* talks attracts a cross section of people who have a common interest in stimulating and relevant conversation.
Entrepreneurs and professionals from business and creative industries College students and educators tmginnovates.com
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We’re out and about in the media. online news / social media / e-mail networks / newsletters / apps tmginnovates.com / @tmginnovates caribbeanjournal.com businessbarbados.com Nassau Guardian Custom Computers Newsletter bahamasb2b.com In Situ Arch Magazine National Art Gallery of the Bahamas Newsletter
bahamaslocal.com bahamaislandsinfo.com Architects Association Bahamas Arts Weekly Newsletter ARC magazine Facebook Bahamasweekly.com
print ARC Caribbean Art magazine In Situ Arch Magazine The Nassau Guardian
radio Making It with Margot Bethel Bush Tea with Erica Wells Blank Canvas television Citizen’s Review with Erin Ferguson
Our coverage expands even more this year!
The Caribbean’s first regional digital newspaper, covering business, culture and politics across 25 countries and territories including, the US, UK, Canada and Europe. CJ advertisers reach an elite, international readership of. 30,000 people monthly through unmatched original content. CJ will include a special feature on tmg* talks, as well as panellist interviews and videos. Contact us at tmgtalks@tmginnovates.com for CJ advertising rates.
Caribbean art and culture magazine dedicated building awareness through dialogues and opportunities that expand creative culture while cultivating a deeper understanding of the value and need for artists’ works. ARC will feature articles by tmg* talks panellists on creativity, the creative economy and The Caribbean.
These heavy hitters often retweet posts by @tmginnovates.
Richard Florida 138, 756 followers Professor at Rotman Business School, University of Toronto, speaker and author of multiple books on the creative economy and the creative class, credited with starting the conversation on this topic. Caribbean Journal 1020 followers Online regional business, politics and culture. Creative Class 1826 followers Creative economy and creative class consultant. Clients include General Electric. Based in the United States. PPS 9140 followers Downtown Nassau Partnership placemaking consultant based in New York. ARC Magazine 918 followers Regional publication on modern Caribbean art and creative industries.
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How to Support It’s simple. Just choose the investment level from the choices below that’s right for your organisation, fill out the attached sponsorship form and reply via e-mail.
Steve Jobs, Entrepreneur $1000.00 + Impeccable style and business smarts. You complete us.
•Logo placement in event video and promotional material •Live mention in other media •Live mention at the event •Signage and product placement and POS distribution at the event
Damian Hirst, Artist $500.00 - $1000.00 Being good in business is the best kind of art. You had us at “hello”.
• Logo placement in event video and promotional material • Live mention in media coverage • Live mention at the event
Sidney Poitier, Actor $250.00 - $500.00 Smart conversation and a killer sense of wit. To sir, with love.
• Logo placement in promotional material • Live mention in media coverage • Live mention at the event
Zaha Hadid, Architect up to $250.00 Cutting edge, contemporary and changing the game. Stay thirsty, my friend.
• Logo placement in promotional material • Live mention at the event
IMPORTANT STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW: Cheques should be made payable to The Method Group. Please send logos in 300 dpi resolution in JPEG or GIFF files by the requested deadline in the attached sponsorship form. Contact us at tmgtalks@tmginnovates.com for more information.
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Our conversations impact innovative thinkers everywhere. “The creative sectors represent the greatest driver of economic growth and new value creation both now and in the foreseeable future, and the communities and nations that can best internalize this will be at the forefront of development. tmg*, as an internationally respected strategy and design agency, are doing the Caribbean a great service by spearheading this change. The tmg* talks represent a critically important engagement with one of the most challenging questions in modern value creation – how to change our mindset from traditionalism to disruptive and game-changing creativity.” Professor Alf Rehn Professor of Management and Organization , Åbo Akademi University, Finland Chairman of the Board ,Satumaa Advertising Ltd Author of Dangerous Ideas Guru Radar pick on the Thinkers50 list of the world's leading business thinkers “I have been thrilled to see the cross-sectoral, lively and interesting tmg talks and conversation that has bubbled around development of creative industries and economies in the Bahamas. I can hardly imagine the vast possibilities and themes that could be developed in the Bahamas. They certainly don’t limit themselves to cultural tourism, arts and crafts, music – they hardly begin there! So I am definitely keeping my eye out on the tmg talks and looking forward to seeing what all the future has in store!” Silja Suntola Project Director ,Creative Industries Finland “tmg* talks is innovative and timely for getting in on the ground floor of the new wave of global thinking about the economy. When one considers the richness of The Bahamas in terms of talent, raw material and untapped human resources, it seems inconceivable that such an opportunity would be ignored. The buzz word in network and industry is INTERDEPENDENCE and tmg* talks is the place to make things happen.” Davidson L. Hepburn President of the 35th General Conference of UNESCO “tmg*talks promote an important dialogue on design, the creative economy and the built environment. Last year’s series caused participants to think about the story of the Bahamas, its people and its future in ways that challenged us as individuals to take responsibility and action. Taken as a whole the talks could fuel new energy toward making our Nassau a more dynamic and livable city. I was particularly drawn to participate in the panel about architecture and design in the Bahamas. In my view some of the richest design and architecture can be found in and around historic Nassau. It is quite surprising then the apparent neglect that we as residents of the Bahamas have demonstrated towards Nassau. Our creative class can really only flourish in a place like historic Nassau.” Vaughn Roberts Board Member, Downtown Nassau Partnership
Support tmg*talks to be a part of an innovative event, build your brand and make Nassau a more liveable city. Contact us at tmgtalks@tmginnovates.com to find out how. For articles and more on tmg* talks, the creative economy, branding, and design visit www.tmginnovates.com. themethodgroup
@tmginnovates