Influx Insights Tag Feed: worldchanging

influx interview- sarah rich- worldchanging

Influx Insights — 2007-07-13T09:06:43Z

Sarah Rich is one of the speakers at our conference, Influx Ideas 07 held on October 19th in San Francisco. Sarah is currently the managing editor at Worldchanging; one of the most influencial "guides" to the issues surrounding the environment and sustainability.

Here's a short interview we recently did with Sarah.

1. How has the issue of the "environment" changed in the last 18 months?

Well obviously it's become the concern of a much wider swathe of the population, and has infused all aspects of culture and politics. This is a result of things like An Inconvenient Truth, scientific reports blowing previous assumptions out of the water and holding humans responsible for planetary destruction, and of course, actual weather disasters. It's become valuable from a marketing and a social perspective to demonstrate awareness of environmental problems. The "green theme" is ubiquitous everywhere -- fashion shows, music festivals, magazines. There's some sweet spot where environment as a cultural symbol and environment as an issue that motivates people to action are at their most effective, and I sometimes think we're in a somewhat precarious place near the peak of that; on the other hand, while that's a common perspective from deep inside the field, I think the public at large hasn't passed or gotten over the critical point of adopting and acting on environmental concern.

2. Do you feel most companies understand the importance of the issue?

I do. Many companies have had environmental statements for a while that enhance their brand value (at least for some consumers), but now not having one is a real reason for criticism or for choosing a different brand. Even those who've been "environmental" for a while have polished their statements and clarified their positions. The financial benefits for business are much clearer now, both in terms of actual savings from things like increased energy efficiency, and in terms of consumer preferences and priorities shifting.

3. What brand efforts stand out for you?

Wal-Mart (minus the negative social/community impacts they still cause), Nau, Interface, Tesla...I don't know enough to say with certaintly, but I read and hear a lot of interesting stuff about Nokia.

4. Do you think consumers are prepared to act?

I'd like to think so but I guess I'm somewhat cynical or skeptical about the power of consumers to take the lead in making change. Generally consumers follow trends and precedents set by brands they like or leaders they admire or simply advertising, which means that while consumers are capable of creating change because they are such a large population, I think it's harder for them to be mass catalysts. I hope I'm wrong, though.

Posted by Ed Cotton

influx ideas 07 and worldchanging

Influx Insights — 2007-05-20T15:53:53Z

The founder of Worldchanging, Alex Steffen, is profiled in this Sunday's New York Times magazine. Sarah Rich of Worldchanging will be one of the speakers at our Influx Ideas 07 conference on October 19th in San Francisco.

Conference information and registration details can be found here.

influx ideas 07-booking and registration details

Influx Insights — 2007-06-14T14:17:50Z

Influx Ideas 07 is a conference about the future of marketing and branding.

It's designed to be provocative, inspiring and entertaining.

This year's speaker line-up includes:

Sarah Rich-Managing Editor-Worldchanging.com

WorldChanging.com works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us. That plenty of people are working on tools for change, but the fields in which they work remain unconnected. That the motive, means and opportunity for profound positive change are already present. That another world is not just possible, it's here. We only need to put the pieces together.

Becky Saeger-Chief Marketing Officer- Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides securities brokerage and financial services to individual investors and the independent investment advisors who work with them. As one of the nation’s largest financial services firms, Schwab serves around 6.8 million client brokerage accounts, 584,000 corporate retirement plan participants, 150,000 banking accounts – all representing around $1.3 trillion in client assets.

Reuben Steiger-Founder-Millions of Us

Millions of Us is a company dedicated to helping businesses understand and harness the power of virtual worlds.

Once the stuff of science fiction, virtual worlds are becoming central to the future of marketing, technology, entertainment and brand-building. We believe this has to do with consumers' desire to be engaged in a dialogue by the companies they love. We also feel that in the future, wise companies will use virtual worlds as places to assemble active communities of their most passionate supporters.

Millions of Us is led by founder Reuben Steiger and President Christian Lassonde. Prior to founding Millions of Us, Steiger ran Business Development for Linden Lab, creator of Second Life. Lassonde was Linden Lab’s Director of Product Management.

The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Chas Edwards- Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer-Federated Media

At FM, our mission is to connect independent weblog authors, marketers and influential audiences in an ongoing conversation that feeds everyone involved.FM represents outstanding authors whose sites cater to cultural influencers, technology decision makers, early adopters and business leaders. Our first "federation," focused on digital business and culture, reaches millions and millions of unique readers every month. New federations in the small business, media/entertainment and parenting categories, representing millions of entrepreneurs, upscale consumers and families, are in the process of launching as well.

Kent Nichols- Creator-Ask a Ninja

Ask A Ninja is one of the largest independent video podcasts on the net today, with over 300,000 viewers for each new episode released. Technorati ranks it solidly among its Top 100 Blogs — more than 3,100 sites link to the Ninja. One of Forbes Magazine's top "Fictional Stars," the Ninja has been featured on CNN and ABC News, and praised in Ad Age, the New York Times Magazine, Wired Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, the Washington Post and on National Public Radio. It is also the recipient of two "Podcast Peer" awards, including one for favorite video podcast. Additionally, the show was recognized as "best series" in the inaugural YouTube video awards. Delivering its quirky wit at the speed of lightning, Ask A Ninja is redefining American humor.

Scott Wyatt- Partner- NBBJ Architects

For more than 60 years, NBBJ, a leading global architecture and design firm, has helped companies and organizations create innovative places. From top-performing world headquarters—including Reebok, Starbucks and Telenor—to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities—including collaboration on seven of the top 10 US News and World Report Honor Roll hospitals—NBBJ has designed communities, buildings, products, environments and digital experiences that enhance people’s lives. The firm has nine offices worldwide, including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Columbus, New York, London, Dubai, Beijing and Shanghai.

The event is being sponsored by AIGA SF

Early bird tickets are priced at $165 (iincluding breakfast and lunch), this pricing will be available until the 19th of August, when ticket price will be increased to $195.

You can now book and register for our conference Influx Ideas 07 at Eventbrite.