Christmas at Kerrang! with Creative Republic

We’re all getting in the spirit of Christmas here in the Fierce office, although we haven’t dug out the tinsel just yet! But just to get you in the mood too…Creative Republic is having a Christmas ‘BASH’ at Kerrang! Radio on Tuesday 16th December 2008.

“From 6.30pm on Tuesday 16th December, we’re invited to partake of festive parlour games hosted by one of Kerrang’s presenters and suitably stylish entertainment. However, for any scrooges, humbuggers or serious networkers amongst us there’ll be space for those who want to escape the organised frivolity. There’s no formality, just a chance to chill out and chat to new Creative Republic friends you’ve made over the year and resolve to come to more Creative Republic events next year!”

The invite is open to all those who have signed the Charter…so to sign the Charter click here and to RSVP to the Christmas Bash click here.

All the details are on the site including a map to Kerrang! here in Brum!

Michael Wolff…the Masterclass!

The long awaited Masterclass with Michael Wolff took place at the NEW Fazeley Studios in Digbeth.

For those of you who have not heard of Michael Wolff, he is one of the leading brand experts in UK and co-founder of iconic brand consultants Wolff Olins. With an impressive back catalogue of corporate and political clients, Michael is far more interested in the future than the past and the Masterclass did just that…the future of Birmingham!

Introductions were given by Helga and Debra Davis, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Birmingham City Council announced the consultation stage of the Big City Plan will be in the not to distant future and Creative Republic will be a part of that.

Stef Lewandowski then introduced the concept of “Creative Director for Birmingham” and the awaited Michael Wolff.

After a short and inspirational speech from Michael, the true pragmatist had each table set to work on the future of Birmingham looking at the elderly, transport, healthcare, culture, housing, young people and brand (I think that was all of them?!). Asking us just one thing, “Take things to their limit, to the point when they really work”.

After 45minutes of discussing and brainstorming, each table had created a number of concepts and given accountability for making “things happen” in Birmingham. Then, to cap it off, the people on the table had to commit to making them happen. Some of the great ideas included:

- a congestion charge paid for by Brummies that got re-bated if you took part in certain “green” initiatives;
- learning in pubs for people of all ages;
- an “academy of experience” – a sort of of Radical alternative to the House of Lords; and
- designing houses around happiness;

The list goes on, and, as Michael said, if only one or two ideas in the room are carried out – we’ll have done a lot for the City.

A great evening had by all, in a very smart setting.

Photos available on the Creative Republic site…

Brummie of the Year – Vote Helga!

Last week nominations opened for the Brummie of the Year 2008 on Birmingham: it’s Not Shit and lots of people nominated Fierce’s very own Helga Henry!

Here are a couple of the nomination comments:

“not only is she a very motivated & motivational force behind the Fierce organisation, but she is the perfect ambassador for the Second City. She never fails to big up the many attractions of Brum, is key in attracting creatives to the city & combines this with a sound knowledge of how to produce successful, profitable & artistic events in the city.”

“She constantly strives to promote and improve Birmingham through her work at Fierce, Creative Republic, on various boards, but also in social and unusual ways – like WibWob (woman of Birmingham, Women in Birmingham) a simple meal between women that encourages women in the arts to get together, network, talk and have a straight forward good time!

Always pro-active, always smiling, and Birmingham-proud – she’d make a brilliant Brummie of the year!”

Click here to see all comments.

Voting is now open so from all of us at Fierce, we say: VOTE HELGA!!!

To add, Helga says: “A vote for her is a vote for the creative sector.”

Pogo Jewellery has a new look…

Helen Puxley award-winning designer and founder of Pogo Jewellery has recently given her website a new look!

Helen was a participant of one of our Metapod’s Fabulous Be Effective courses and another member of the Metapod family that is taking their creative business from strength to strength!

The new look site comes just in time for Christmas, so if you’re struggling for Christmas present ideas or are looking for a treat for yourself take a peak at her site! You’ll be in good company…Fierce’s very own Mark Ball has a pair of cuff-links!

Fast Forward to a Creative Future

This week sees the delivery of the first Metapod Fast Forward!

Metapod Fast Forward is a four day residential course that will focus on the challenges of growing your business, undertaking bigger, bolder and more ambitious projects and making your business “future proof” – or at least as fit as it can be in an increasingly challenging climate.

Twelve places have been taken by a range of Creative Businesses from the West Midlands from Performing and Visual Arts, Design, Web, Music, Photography and Publishing covering the diverse spectrum of creativity in the region.

The course kicked off on Tuesday and our speakers are/have been:

Jonathan Hall FSI (Dip) - Director, Howard Denton International, and Chief Executive, HDI Capital Partners LLP

Jonathan has over twenty years experience in the City, as investment banker, venture capitalist and corporate adviser. Before establishing HDI’s corporate advisory practice in 2003 he was Regional Director of Tenon Group in Birmingham and a principal in its corporate finance business Tenon Livingstone Guarantee.

HDI Capital Partners LLP provides independent strategic advice for corporate clients (especially those owned by owner-managers and high net worth individuals) and assists them with the execution of mergers, acquisitions and disposals, including management buyouts and buy-ins.

Ed Hart – Your Financial Business Support

Ed Hart has worked for, and with, a wide range of organisations including:

• Arts and Media Training
• Birmingham Hippodrome
• Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
• Fierce Earth
• Garden Organic
• Midlands Arts Centre (mac)

Ed is an experienced finance director and senior manager who specialises in the development and implementation of financial strategy, procedures and systems.

Ed has excellent general, financial, personnel, and administration experience, and has had extensive responsibility for the delivery of strategy and operations, particularly in organisations undergoing or planning change and growth. Ed has a track record of rapidly identifying financial performance problems and providing solutions to increase efficiency and profitability.

Jean Pickles BED. HGV BHS

Jean Pickles is a motivational speaker who will share with us her work on delegation and team building. Nationally and Internationally renowned Human Communications and management Guru jean Pickles joins us fresh from trouble shooting at Radio 2. Other clients include:

• Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – Professional Update Day
• Dudley General Practice Ancillary Staff Association – Annual Conference
• City Hospital Trust, Birmingham
• Royal College of Nursing – Annual Conference
• St Paul’s Development Trust – Annual Staff Conference
• North Birmingham PCT – Conference
• Birmingham Children’s Fund – Annual Staff Conference

Jean`s expertise in cultural change and her high profile client list prove that you can live in Solihull and still be a player on the World Stage.

Andy Bass PhD – BassClusker Consulting

Andrew is co-founder of BassClusker Consulting, assisting ambitious growing businesses particularly in the professional service and creative sectors. As well as working throughout the UK, Andrew has experience in Europe and the CIS. He has worked with Fierce! for a number of years and is an experienced Metapod presenter.

Before founding BassClusker, Andrew lectured at Aston Business School, where he was director of the Psychology & Management programme. He left the Business School in 2000 in order to apply his work to client issues, and has continued to contribute to the school’s MBA and Executive Education programmes. In addition to numerous scholarly and conference papers, Andrew has had articles published in Career Development International, Legal Week and Managing Partner magazine. He has a doctorate in Software Engineering from the University of Aston.

Evening Speakers:

Christian Ahlert – Open Business

Timothy Cumming – Wowi Digital

Paul Cockle – Generating Company

A residential course jam packed with practical advice for creative businesses who want to grow, step-on to the next rung of the business ladder and stay there!

Heard…and Not Seen at the Mailbox

Our friend and past Momentum participant Mitra Memarzia and Sandra Hall have had a major new commission of ‘Heard…and not Seen’ exhibiting in the Mailbox, Birmingham from Friday 7th November until 28th November 2008.

All details are on the flyer below but please click the image to be directed to the website.