Influx Insights Tag Feed: culturalhubs http://www.influxinsights.com/blog/ 2008-12-04T01:08:49Z creative brands create cultural hubs for their communities http://www.influxinsights.com/blog/article/1533/creative-brands-create-cultural-hubs-for-their-communities.html Web-based brands understand something that their more traditional brothers often find harder to grasp. <br><br>Being born on the web, they acknowledge the importance and value of community. <br><br>They open themselves up to real conversations and end up better understanding user needs. <br><br>So, when it comes to shift their brands from virtual spaces, to real ones, they are making sure they include their community in their plans. <br><br>Earlier this year, <b>Etsy</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.springwise.com/retail/etsy_labs/">established a creative lab</a> in their headquarters, that&#8217;s accessible to its members. &nbsp;<br><br>Now <b>Threadless</b> is getting in on the act. The online t-shirt giant is now opening its first retail store in Chicago and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.threadless.com/news/249824/Chicago_Store_Sneak_Peak_3_Learn_Something_Upstairs_in_the_Gallery">plans to include a space where customers can learn creative endeavors such as photography and graphic design. </a><br><br>These moves also highlight the importance of brands &#8220;doing&#8221;, instead of just talking and selling. <br><br><br><br>Posted by Ed Cotton Influx Insights 2007-08-21T01:09:40Z