Bozeman Creative Firms Launch Area’s First Ultra-Disciplinary Design Organization; Famed Advertising Icon Alex Bogusky to Speak 9/27
| September 22, 2007 |  View for printing |
Off the Grid Targets Students and Professionals Inspired by Exceptional Design
Off the Grid http://offthegridbozeman.com/ , Bozeman’s first ultra-disciplinary professional group for the creative class, announces its launch party with guest speaker Alex Bogusky. Bogusky, a partner with Miami-based advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky http://www.cpbgroup.com/ , is the creative force behind globally acclaimed ad campaigns such as Mini Cooper, Burger King and Virgin Airlines. In his keynote speech, Bogusky will talk about the road to great design and will demonstrate the importance of design to successful businesses.
Off the Grid Event Details
Date: Thursday, September 27
Time: 5:30 – 8:15 p.m.
Location: Emerson Ballroom, Emerson Cultural Center
Details: Live music with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30
Alex Bodusky to speak at 6:30 followed by Q&A
Creative, interactive break-out sessions at 7:30
RSVP: RSVP to info@offthegridbozeman.com
The event is free of charge with attendance open to anyone interested in and inspired by great design “Off the Grid is part concept, part catalyst, part community,” said Toni O’Berry, founder and chief creative officer of O’Berry Cavanaugh. “We are in a unique place outside the urban gridlock where we have the freedom to re-invent the role of design in business, art and life.
For the first time we’ll begin to cross-functionally collaborate across the broad field of design. It will be exciting to see the impact of this type of organization on businesses, clients, consumers and the community. We are thrilled that Alex Bogusky will be here to help inspire and initiate this new venture.”
Off the Grid was collaboratively created through the efforts of Mercury Advertising, O’Berry Cavanaugh, Wantulok Design, Brock Anderson, Classic Ink, Chisel Industries and Flying Horse Communications. The intent is to attract and inspire architects, film makers, marketers, product designers, illustrators, professors/teachers, graphic designers, students, and anyone inspired by great style and design. The group embraces membership from a broad spectrum of experience levels to provide professional development, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and offer trade/topic-specific workshops and speakers. Off the Grid plans to host speaking events, facilitate workshops, and provide networking and professional development opportunities. Organizers encourage people to attend this premier event to provide input that will help shape the future direction Off the Grid activities.
Bogusky’s Tie to Bozeman
While a common name among the design industry, Bogusky really caught the eye of Bozeman creatives when he was quoted in a 2006 issue of Adweek saying, “There are no good advertising jobs in Montana.” Quickly approached and refuted by one of the founding members of Off the Grid, Bogusky agreed to come to Bozeman to not only be proven wrong in his statement, but to help promote the undervalued and unknown design efforts taking place in Montana.
“This misperception is exactly the challenge that many of us in the creative arts community have to overcome when we’re recruiting employees and prospecting clients out of state,” said Jeff Welch of Mercury Advertising. “So, for Alex to come here and eat a little crow and inspire us to bigger heights, it says a lot about the reality of the creative talent here. Our creative community is quite strong, and there are many companies doing great work. This is a chance for everyone in our field to collaborate, celebrate, and put Bozeman on the map.”
More about Alex Bogusky
Bogusky started at Crispin and Porter Advertising in 1989 as an art director. He became creative director of the agency five years later and was named a partner in 1997. Under his direction, the agency has become arguably the world’s most awarded. Alex has been profiled in Luerzer’s Archive, Communication Arts, Graphis, Adweek, Adage, Business 2.0, Fast Company and Business Week. His work has been featured in, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, TIME, Wired, Advertising Age and Creativity as well as on national television and radio. In 2002, Alex was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement.
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Media Contact:
Bridget Cavanaugh
O’Berry Cavanaugh
522-8075
For more information about this event or Off the Grid, contact:
Jeff Welch Toni O’Berry Wendy Renner
Mercury Advertising O’Berry Cavanaugh Wantulok Design
586-2280 522-8075 587-4400
jeff.welch@mercuryads.com tob@oberrycavanaugh.com wendy@wantulokdesign.com 
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