Almost 1 year ago, I joined IPG to build an Emerging Media Lab in New York City. IPG Mediabrands' challenge was that with the evolution brought by digital media, planning had become more and more complex. Visualizing solutions was a necessity - it was the best way to show how we orchestrate thousands of touchpoints that can often feel intangible. We focused our energy on creating an experience that could show clients what was possible; to paint a picture of the strategic potential of using the most cutting edge media technologies. We were driven by the belief that by pairing consumer insight with imagination, software and data, could drive bottom-line results. Tonight, it's with total pride that we launch the result of that labor.
Since March, the Mediabrands website has been running a countdown clock, As we pop the corks, I thought I'd post some before and after photos. More importantly, I want to humbly thank everyone involved.
The Countdown had everyone biting their nails. Many all-nighters were pulled. ;-)
It was NOT easy going from floorplans to models to brick and mortar. . . . (Thank you John Bricklin, John Gunn and all the folks at Gensler as well as Jonathan Forster and all the rockstars at ICON. Also, Larry Murphy from Greensite Engineering - whenever we were in doubt, theree was his 4000 line Microsoft Project plan with hundreds of interdepencies nailed to the wall - it really saved our lives - as well as Donna Zimmer, Brian Foreman, Jeff Lupicanni and all the IPG folks. Also, the tireless Marie Fuer and Margherita Bonnano - their style infused the vision and Margherita literally stood side by side with us until she had her beautiful baby boy Teo).
This is where we "started" - what the space looked like in January.
For the virtual lab, a huge thanks to the whole Lab team and all the Media brands people who wrote content. Also to Shari Dennis, Jason Harrrison and Rett Wallace. Rett especially, your insights into the landscape of what's actually going on in startup-land for tech media are one of a kind.
Thanks of course to the leadership and their vision - Matt Freeman who hired me and handed me this in the first place. Brian Monahan who carried the Lab and has now graduated to being the fearless leader of the Magna Global Intelligence Group, Quentin George, Chief Innovation Officer of Mediabrands, Chad Stoller, Managing Partner and of course, Matt Seiler, Global CEO, without whose tireless sponsorship and vision, none of this would have happened.
Finally, a quick word about the underlying vision beneath the lab. As media continues to evolve, ever faster, it will continue to affect how we live and do business. The pace of change is dizzying, but we also are able to have a much clearer picture of what's actually going on, and based on that, delivered more valuable experiences to people in the right context at the right time. But, media remains the same as it's always been, a way of connecting us and bringing us closer. And that's a future I want to be part of.
Most importantly, thanks to my family. Matt Connors (family and co-worker - without you none of this would have happened - you are a true brother) - Hilary, Theo and Phoebe most of all.. Sorry for all the late nights - I love you all. Onwards and up!
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