Challenge:

Honor outgoing President Miguel Angel Corzo at The University of the Arts (UArts), a 130 year-old institution, and focus on the future by announcing a significant investment in the Creative Economy movement

Fresh Perspective:

  • Create an event to:
    • Acknowledge the university’s significant growth under the president
    • Announce the creation of the Corzo Center for the Creative Economy, an initiative to explore and expose the impact creativity has on economic growth
  • Use news of the record enrollment and a landmark endowment to spark broader interest in the university
the university of the arts

Authentic Approach

HOST A MEMORABLE EVENT

  • Secured a compelling keynote speaker: Richard Florida, author of the Rise of the Creative Class, the go-to book on the intersection of creativity and business
  • Infused the evening with a dramatic reveal of the center’s new graphic identity
  • Invited key influencers – press and members of the Philadelphia business and creative elite

GENERATE NEWS COVERAGE

  • Maximized news value with key story elements:
    • Creation of the center
    • Naming of the center + unveiling of graphic identity
    • Announcement of a multi-million dollar gift
    • Release of the university’s economic impact data
the university of the arts

Meaningful Impact

  • Drew 200+ prominent members of the arts and business communities (also potential funders) to the event
  • Secured coverage in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Business Journal, and The City Paper, among others, including an op-ed penned by Corzo
  • Positioned the university as a thought leader on the creative economy and fostered an exchange between creative people and business leaders

“It was a flawless event and a spectacular one at that! Congratulations on a job well done.”

– Saba Rodriquez, Chief Advancement Officer, The University of the Arts