All You Need Is … Reflections from TEDx

WOW!

How fantastic it was to attend the inaugural TEDx Brisbane event on Saturday.  I knew something of TED, but had no expectations except that the day was sure to be interesting.

Interesting it was.  Also:  Inspirational. Thought provoking.  Exciting.  Emotional

With the theme ‘All you need is’ ..’  ..to see’ ..’,    to listen’..,  ‘to dream’ and ‘to act’, twelve speakers each presented for 18 minutes – except for Nigel Brennan, the final speaker, for whom the clock was switched off.

Nigel received a standing ovation at one of his first public engagements since being released from Somalia only 100 days ago.

In addition to the twelve we heard  a number of ‘brain bursts’, 3 minute concise and thought provoking snippets, on a range of topics.

Inspiration

Several recorded TED talks were featured . My favourites were by best selling author (‘Eat, Pray, Love)  Elizabeth Gilbert who spoke on creative genius and UK Prime Minister,  Gordon Brown who spoke passionately about marrying morality to the world’s new interconnectedness. Foreign policy, he says, is  now consumer driven, with new media making it so easy for consumers to comment.   The New Rules of Marketing & PR apply to modern day foreign policy too it seems.

Dr Joel Gilmore, Physicist provided a balanced account of climate change policy and nuclear energy, calling for more discussion, not political debate.

Creativity

As a marketer I was excited by the creativity and innovation of Designer Kevin Finn,  publisher of the Open Manifesto, who left the high powered corporate advertising world of Saatchi’s to live in Kununurra, a remote area of the Kimberleys in Western Australia. Kevin spoke of using the land’s red dirt as the visual language for some of his design work there. The dirt represented the Indigineous relationship with the land and a motif of the rich resources of the mining companies.  Kevin had the unenviable job of kicking off the day’s presentations .. but his talk, creative work and Irish sense of humour were a perfect start to the day.

On the design – creativity and innovation side – further inspiration  was furnished by Hamish Cairns, photographer, who provided a 3 minute insight into some of his photo journalism adventures in Northern Pakistan. Hamish spoke of his current pursuit of growing a  long beard which will compliment the flowing robe which he must wear when he returns to the area.  His photos are beautiful.

Sheldon Lieberman of Bigfish.tv, was wonderful – so funny, unique and creative, whilst Anthea Edam provided haunting poetry and Michael Doneman told us about developing the ’seeing muscle’.

Overwhelming Need

It was also a day which reminded of the tremendous problems which exist in our society. Dr Chris Sarra, Executive Director of the Stronger Smarter Institute spoke of the importance of providing positive messages to all young children whilst Bronwyn Sheehan, mother of three, recounted statistics and stories of the liberating power of literacy and how the Pyjama Foundation she established five years ago, has helped change so many lives through reading to foster children.

Friends & Food

Old friendships were discovered and new ones commenced. Yummy food provided by Food Connect, a social business which works with farmers surrounding Brisbane.

What does all this have to do with marketing strategy?

Design, creativity and innovation are probably most closely associated with the main theme of this blog.  However TEDx provided so much food for thought, information on topics previously not studied, a vehicle to open our minds, to  challenge, think and appreciate other situations and lives.

Personally,  I can’t wait until the next one. If you get the chance to attend TED or a TEDx event near where you live, don’t miss it!