Future By Design: The Future of Brand - North Bay

Attend a FREE live screening and interactive discussion of 'The Future of Brand', RGD's next Future By Design panel hosted by VS Group in North Bay. Panelists include Julia Beardwood, Ian Grais and Todd Simmons!

The media landscape has evolved significantly, with an ever-increasing number of outlets and options. In response, brands must create smart content which can be easily shared across a wide variety of channels—from websites, apps and social media to television, radio and print. How does a modern brand distinguish itself in the marketplace, engage consumers and maintain a competitive advantage? Does the content help them overcome the obstacles they will face? Does it provide guidance, support, or a framework which can be documented and shared in real time? Join our panelists as they discuss the designer’s role in focusing and amplifying the brand’s message and voice while creating content that will help reach target audiences.

Attendees can wear or bring their favorite brands! There will be an interactive competition where you will explain why you love your choice of brands. Attendees will vote for a winner, who will receive an RGD prize!



Moderator:
Robin Honey RGD, Chief Creative Officer at Arcane

Robin Honey founded the brand specialty firm HONEY Design in 1989, and over the firm’s 25-year tenure, its work was featured in prestigious graphic design books and publications, and was recognized with awards for both design and marketing. In 2014, HONEY merged with Arcane. As Chief Creative Officer of Arcane, Robin brings her more than 30-years experience including brand naming, strategy, creative direction and design thinking to the firm’s offices which span across Canada. Her ability to work at the intersection of words and images, with business strategy at the core, has generated compelling brands for both consumer and business-to-business clients. Robin is a graduate of H.B. Beal's post-secondary program in fine arts, Sheridan College's illustration program, and the Richard Ivey School of Business’s Strategic Marketing Program. Robin has served as a board member and past Vice President of RGD, and is the author of a primer on branding for start-ups –The Beebrand Manifesto, A Quest for Authenticity, available on Amazon.





Panelists:
Julia Beardwood, Founder and Partner at Beardwood&Co

Julia brings 25 years of brand strategy experience, making human connections for some of the world's biggest brands. Leaning in before it became trendy, Julia founded Beardwood&Co in 2004. Starting out with strategy and research projects, the company evolved as clients asked for help executing throughout the brand experience from naming to logos, packaging, print, web sites, ad campaigns, social media and in-store experiences. Julia started at P&G in Europe. For 7+ years, she was Executive Director, Brand Identity for Landor New York, working with over 100 brands including Smirnoff, Gatorade, Pizza Hut, LG, Lipitor and Clairol. At D'Arcy, she was Group Account Director, creating advertising for global consumer brands. In 2013, Julia was recognized by EY as one of the leading women entrepreneurs in the United States. Outside work, Julia loves running in Prospect Park, watching the Brooklyn Nets, and exploring the world with her husband and sons.


Ian Grais, Creative Director at Rethink

Ian Grais was born and raised in Western Canada. He studied economics at the University of British Columbia and then advertising and design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, prior to founding Rethink in 1999 with partners Tom Shepansky and Chris Staples. Ian has been ranked the number one art director and also the number one creative director (with Rethink co-creative director Chris Staples) in the country for the past decade. At Rethink Ian creates and directs a wide range of projects encompassing design, interactive, installation and advertising.
 Ian has served on the jury of many industry award show