Thought Provokers: Six must-see keynote speakers at Vivid Ideas 2014

Speakers from around the globe will feature in an exclusive keynote program at Vivid Ideas 2014.
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Guests atVivid Ideas 2013. Image courtesy Destination NSW.

World leading artists, marketing gurus and business experts will share their knowledge and insights in an exclusive keynote program at Vivid Ideas 2014, commencing on 23 May in Sydney.

Vivid Ideas festival director Jess Scully said that she is excited to announce that a diverse mix of speakers would be attending the annual event to provoke, entertain and enlighten audiences.

‘What’s really exciting for me is seeing the incredible level of imagination and dedication from practitioners across the board,’ she said.

‘Every day I get to meet people who are doing amazing projects and taking them out to the world’.

As the Asia Pacific’s annual celebration of innovation, creativity and community, Vivid Ideas builds markets for the creative industries and offers an all-inclusive program of professional development opportunities across the sector.

Over 200 events feature across a program of industry conferences, networking sessions and hands-on workshops, which bring together leaders from 16 creative industries.

As a centrepiece to the program, the keynote presentations are to be held at the Vivid Ideas Exchange, located on the sixth floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art.

A festival motif of collaboration and conversation across the creative mediums is reflected strongly within an exciting line up of speakers.

Highlights include an evening with Upworthy Editorial Director Sara Critchfield, who will travel from New York City to cover all things journalism in Sara Critchfield: On Media, Marketing and Making People Care on Tuesday 27 May.

Heralded by Fast Company as the woman behind “fastest-growing media company of all time,” Critchfield will discuss the power of meaningful content in a must see seminar for all journalists, media producers, community managers and marketers.

In a collaboration between street art and street wear, entrepreneur Joshy D and cult global art icon Mike Grant will present Joshy D and Mike Grant (REBEL8): On collaboration, commerce and credibility in youth culture on Wednesday 28 May.

The LA based tattoo artist, Mike Giant, who met business brain Joshy D in the late 1990s will share their journey from humble beginnings to the internationally recognised street wear company, REBEL8. .

Best-selling author Ryan Holiday, who penned Trust Me I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator is also the marketing director at American Apparel.

In his keynote, Ryan Holiday: Marketing, Media and Manipulation on 6 June, he will discuss brand positioning, blogging, unconventional marketing strategies and role these play in formulating strategies and creating viral news online.

Technology wiz Gadi Amit, renowned as a leader in wearable technology will explore ways that new products integrate into everyday life in Gadi Amit: On Designing Devices We Love on 4 June. 

The San Francisco based designer is inviting developers, inventors and designers to join this discussion around the future of object design and the possibilities being created through science, creativity and innovation.

Boston research scientist Skylar Tibbits is a pioneer of 4D technology using programmable ‘smart’ matter to prototype objects that transform over time.

His presentation Skylar Tibbits: On shaping future manufacturing, to be held on 2 June, is an essential session for industrial designers and business specialists concerned about the future of the manufacturing industry.

New Zealand designer Karen Walker has established herself in the fashion world for her original, optimistic and unpretentious works, which feature in 30 countries and 200 cities worldwide.

Walker will present On Building a Brand that Transcends Categories to reveal the ways to build a brand with character and integrity. With unique insights of establishing relationships with key business stakeholders across the globe, this session is essential for fashion enthusiasts, designers, and clothing manufacturers.         

Vivid Ideas, the creative professional development segment of Vivid Sydney runs from 23 May to 9 June 2014.

Take advantage of the Early Bird ticket prices and Group Buy offers that are available until 4 May 2014.

For an advanced copy of the indispensable A5 Vivid Ideas guide posted to you, please click the link and subscribe.

For more information including tickets and full list of keynote speakers visit the Vivid Ideas website.

Troy Nankervis
About the Author
Troy Nankervis is an ArtsHub journalist from Melbourne. Follow him on twitter @troynankervis