September 22, 2006

Return to Meeting Notes Next Steps

Attendees:

Frank Mills - architect/planner

Karen Lash - payroll systems

Mark Nead - marketing/branding

Mark Zust - marketing/branding

Jocelyn Eickenberg - writter

Michael Nilsson - renewable energy/biomedical devices

Moussa Traore - design/textiles

Susan Altshuler - economic development

Kevin Cronin - law/biking

Dennis Coughlin - economic development

Betsey Merkel - economic development

WE'RE BUILDING STORIES FROM MIDTOWN !

Participate in an awesome story telling adventure about your experiences in Midtown! This initiative will create detailed stories about personal experiences by people who work, live and play in the Midtown area. Stories can be contributed by people who are connected to Midtown Mornings, Midtown Brews or any other activity helping to advance urban and economic development in Northeast Ohio.

Stories contain meaning for entrepreneurs in an innovation economy. Passionate stories are the connecting piece for people to make sense out of a complex world. Stories provide opportunity for anyone willing to grasp it in a flat, networked world. How we tell our stories is the foundation for building exciting, innovative and sustainable regions capable of thriving in global markets today.

Nead Brand Partners is working with the Midtown Morning Network to produce a series of stories about individual experiences in Midtown. These will be presented in conjunction with Martini's Over Midtown, a new networking event to support Midtown businesses and entrepreneurs.

The intent is to produce real stories anchored in personal experiences that describe a place of mind anchored in Quality, Connected Places. This initiative is different from a traditional marketing campaign. It is more effective.

Your story is the price of admission for the inaugural Martini's Over Midtown. The first event is scheduled for mid to late October.

SERVICES GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED BY THESE TOP MIDTOWN PARTNER COMPANIES:

• NEAD BRAND PARTNERS, the Marketing Branding Firm leading this initiative
• GENIE REPROS, finished stories will appear as beautiful printed posters published by Genie Repros
• KALMAN PABST PHOTO GROUP, will provide photography

Story Guides:

1. Include an object that you can reference, if appropriate. For instance, if your experience is focused on exploring asian food in Midtown, suggest chopsticks, a decorated china plate or even a specific treat (ie: milk buns from Koko Bakery). If it's a specific object, please plan to bring this with you when your portrait photography session is scheduled (more on this later).

2. Write in the first person ("I"), since the success story includes a picture of you! The goal is to celebrate the people who appreciate Midtown and who provide the spirit and energy.

3. Keep your story from 75 to 300 words. The goal is to be honest, real and sincere. And it's ok to be funny or serious.

4. Consider what your story says about Midtown.

5. Focus on possibilities. In your story, try to connect your experience to what Midtown is today and, just as importantly, what you think it can BECOME. We are all trying to envision a better Midtown, one poised for amazing growth and development as a viable "hot spot" for entrepreneurship, innovation, hip living, and as a unique Cleveland destiination.

6. Forget boundaries. Don't worry if your story covers areas "outside" of Midtown. Keep in mind that "Midtown, My Town" encompasses Midtown as an idea, a state of mind. If your story includes downtown, or walking the streets of Chinatown along St. Clair, or driving to University Circle, that's fine. Think about your urban experiences and include Midtown, if it's not already the focal point.

7. Have fun! Look at it as an opportunity to speak out for your city. The idea is to educate others who have never thought about Midtown or who haven't gotten involved yet. Encourage your reader to explore and make a difference.

SCHEDULE FOR PRODUCTION:

Stories due by October 1. Send to mzust@neadbrandpartners.com. It will be formatted and sent back to you for approval prior to the Martinis Over Midtown unveiling.

LINKS to BOOKMARK:

http://urbanrepair.blogspot.com/

http://www.mymidtown.com

http://www.clevelandbikes.org

http://www.midtownwednesdays.pbwiki.com

Forum ideas:

Bring Frank Mills to tell the story of the urban development models he and others are building in general, nationally