Title : Play as Brand Strategy at SXSW with panel friends: Gregory Schram, Damon Guidry, and Nikki Martinez How can play revolutionize brand engagement? What role does playfulness have in fostering creativity and innovation in organizations? Today, let's welcome our panel of experts from South by Southwest: - Gregory Schramm, Creative Director at Cogs and Marvel - Nikki Martinez, Senior Brand Manager at Lyft - Damon Goodrie, Adobe representative focused on workplace playfulness - Sura Al-Naimi, our host and innovation specialist These industry leaders are known for their groundbreaking work in incorporating play into brand strategies, workplace cultures, and consumer experiences. They come together to explore the powerful role of play in building cultures of creativity and increasing brand engagement. Our panel highlights the unprecedented shift in how major brands, from airlines to insurance companies, are embracing playful strategies to connect with their audiences. They describe this trend as more significant than traditional marketing approaches, with brands across various sectors seeing remarkable results in consumer engagement and loyalty. The conversation also addresses the academic and practical perspectives on why play is crucial yet often undervalued in business. Our experts present compelling examples and evidence to support their view that play is a universal language that can connect people more deeply to brands across cultures. In this episode, you'll learn: - How to incorporate play into your brand strategy - How to balance playfulness with purpose in marketing - How to create playful environments that foster innovation - How to scale playful brand experiences across different markets - How to use play to address serious topics and advocate for causes - How to measure the impact of playful strategies on brand engagement - How to foster a culture of play within organizations Together, let's take a comprehensive look into the power of play in modern branding and marketing, and explore practical strategies for creating more engaging, creative, and meaningful brand experiences. With Curiosity and Creativity, Sura Al-Naimi Meet our panelists 👉 Our MC - Gregory Schramm Gregory Schramm is the Creative Director and Narrative Lead at Cogs & Marvel, bringing over a decade of experience from some of the most unconventional realms of advertising and marketing. His unique, play-driven approach was honed at vanguard agencies including Autofuss and Bot & Dolly, where he pushed the boundaries of creative storytelling. 👉Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/schram/ Damon Guidry Damon Guidry is a Senior Event Strategist at Adobe, bringing a wealth of experience in creating engaging, people-focused events. With a passion for innovative engagement strategies, Damon excels in strategic planning, logistics, and budget management for both in-person and virtual programs. His expertise lies in partnering with diverse groups to help organizations achieve their goals through carefully crafted experiences. 👉 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonguidry/ Nikki Martinez Nikki Martinez is a Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Lyft, known for her innovative approach to digital media and passion for purpose-driven marketing. With a keen eye for audience insights, Nikki has made significant contributions to Lyft's brand identity and strategy evolution. Her impressive career includes launching Adweek award-winning brand partnership programs and developing new tentpole sponsorship opportunities. 👉Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinezdominique/

In this episode, educational psychologist and innovation expert Karen Tilstra, PhD, shares her insights on fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation within organizations. With a doctorate in innovation and leadership, Karen has worked with diverse organizations, from healthcare systems and government agencies to universities and private businesses, to help people develop competencies in creative thinking and innovative practices. She's also the author of two recent books, "The Death-Line: Number One All-Time Killer of Human Potential" and "101 Activities to Ignite Collaboration, Boost Creativity and Fuel Innovation." Karen discusses the concept of a "death line," an imaginary line that holds people back from reaching their full potential, and how challenging it can lead to personal and professional growth. She also shares practical activities, like the "Stinky Fish," that teams can use to surface fears, assumptions, and opportunities for growth, ultimately leading to a more collaborative and innovative environment. 🔑Key Takeaways: Understanding and challenging your "death line" can help you grow and optimize your potential Engaging teams in shared experiences and reflection can foster collaboration and innovation Adopting a new vernacular, like "death line," can facilitate authentic conversations and create a more collaborative environment 🌈Resources: Karen Tilstra's books: "The Death-Line: Number One All-Time Killer of Human Potential" "101 Activities to Ignite Collaboration, Boost Creativity and Fuel Innovation" Website: www.creativityeffect.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Karen Tilstra Facebook: Karen Tilstra

In this episode, Bruce Griffiths, a seasoned industrial-organizational psychologist and founder of OSI, shares his wealth of knowledge on leadership development and competency modeling. With over 40 years of experience working with diverse organizations, from the Walt Disney Company to Nike, Bruce breaks down the complexities of leadership into key competencies that can be learned and developed. What you'll learn from this episode: The essential competencies of effective leadership, such as inspiration, communication, problem-solving, organizing, and emotional intelligence. How the hybrid workplace has necessitated a shift in leadership competencies, requiring a greater emphasis on communication, relationship building, and emotional intelligence to effectively lead remote teams. The importance of embracing AI and adopting a growth mindset for leaders in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. About Bruce Griffiths:Bruce Griffiths is a seasoned leadership development consultant and the founder of Organization Systems International (OSI), a company that provides management and organizational development services and products that capture the right talent and develop leadership abilities. With over 40 years of experience in the field, Bruce has helped hundreds of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, to improve their recruitment, retention, team dynamics, and employee performance using his award-winning Polaris Competency Model. Bruce's expertise in competency modeling stems from his diverse and rich background, which includes a 30-year career as an officer in the US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, teaching leadership in San Diego's universities, and designing and implementing assessment centers, 360-degree assessments, executive coaching, leadership training, and business simulations. He is also a prolific author and speaker, having published multiple articles and books on leadership and organization development, and delivered keynote presentations at various conferences and events. Bruce's mission is to provide a common language for talent management and the integrating criteria needed in a complete HR system. His passion for leadership was sparked during his time in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he experienced firsthand the impact of effective leadership on mission accomplishment and team engagement. 🌈Resources: Organization Systems International (OSI) website: www.orgsisinc.com 📕Books by Bruce Griffiths: 👉 Competencies at Work 👉 Competency-Based Education 👉 LinkedIn: Bruce Griffiths 👉 Email: [email protected] 👉www.orgsysint.com 👉 Connect with Bruce Griffiths and OSI to learn more about developing leadership competencies and creating a common language for talent management in your organization.

Join us for the finale of our three-part series on the importance of human-centered design for innovation and creativity. In this episode, we'll be speaking with Kathryn and David Eastlake, innovators and residents of United Church homes. They will be sharing their unique perspectives on the impact of human-centered design and how it has led to more innovation and creativity in their community. But that's not all! We'll also be exploring the secrets of blue zone living and how to find purpose using the purpose equation. Kathryn and David will share their own experiences and insights on how to live a fulfilling life in retirement. 👉About Kathryn & David Eastlake Kathryn taught 7-12 year olds at public school, in business and technology for over 30 years. David worked for IBM for 38 years as a service technician and sang in the Barbershop Harmony Qurtets for 45 years. They now both sing in the local community chorus and are committed to living out their purpose. ✍️ References on the show Bluezone living : https://www.bluezones.com Discovering and living into your purpose:  https://thepurposeequation.com

Join us for the HiHelloSura podcast where we delve into the importance of human-centered design for innovation and creativity. In the second part of our three-part series, we are joined by Dan Miller, a Senior Executive Director in the post-acute healthcare industry with over 32 years of experience. Dan will be sharing insights on the impact of an innovation project and how putting consumers at the heart of creation has led to more innovative and creative solutions. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert in the field. Listen now and be inspired to bring a human-centered approach to your own work. Subscribe to the HiHelloSura podcast and be a part of the conversation on the importance of human-centered design for innovation and creativity. ✨About Dan Miller Dan’s current role is the Senior Executive Director of the Northern Region of United Church Homes and have direct oversight of the Parkvue Community. 32 years of experience in the post-acute healthcare industry with roles as Administrator, Executive Director and CEO. B.S. in Business Administration from Heidelberg University. Have served on various boards for Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Wyandot Memorial Hospital Foundation, NAHCA National Board of Advisors, Pioneer Joint Vocational School advisory board. 🙌Get in touch with Dan Miller @[email protected] and on Linkedin

Today, we have a very special episode for you all. We are joined by Maxim Gelmann and Caroline Hobkinson, two experts in their respective fields. Caroline is a Behavioral Anthropologist and Food Multisensory Expert who has been exploring the connections between technology, food, art, and our senses. If you're a fan of our show, you might remember her from previous episodes. And, Maxim is the Chief Stroodle at Stroodles Eco Tableware, a company that is on a mission to make our everyday items as eco-friendly as possible. Together, they've just launched Stroodled, a Sustainable Mindset Audit that aims to close the "Joy Gap" in sustainability. Maxim and Caroline will talk about conscious consumerism, the challenges of changing habits, and how the Stroodled audit measures your positive impact. They'll also delve into how companies can use the audit to show their commitment to sustainability and the environment, and how we as consumers can make small changes to live our best lives in a more sustainable way. In this episode, you'll discover: -The "Joy Gap" in sustainability and how Stroodled is closing it by measuring your positive impact. -The importance of conscious consumerism and how small changes can make a big difference. -How companies can show their commitment to sustainability and the environment through the Stroodled audit. -The role of positive reinforcement in promoting sustainable living, and how to manifest sustainability in your daily life. -The connection between happiness and sustainability, and how you can live your best life while being mindful of the planet. So, get ready to learn, be inspired, and discover the joy of sustainability with Maxim and Caroline on the Hihellosura Show So, grab your coffee cup, sit back, and get ready to learn about the modern approaches to happiness and sustainability. Who knows, before you know it, you might just be reading Shakespeare with a Stroodles top hat on! Get in touch with Maxim Gelmann and Caroline Hobkinson on Linkedin, and on instagram.

Join us with our guest Michael Hughes, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in aging, technology and health. As the first Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer at United Church Homes, Michael is leading the organization's digital transformation efforts and is always on the lookout for new ways to engage and co-create offerings with residents. With a passion for reducing health and wellness risks, Michael has teamed up with AARP and later HiHelloSura to put residents at the heart of innovation. Tune in as we explore Michael's journey and learn about the impact that human-centered design has had on innovation for the residents of United Church Homes. 👉About Micheal Hughes SEVP and Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer, United Church Homes. Michael joined United Church Homes in November 2021 as its first Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer. His work centers on leading UCH’s digital transformation efforts which includes developing its online platforms, evaluating promising technologies and finding new ways to engage and co-create offerings with its customers. Michael has over 20 years of experience in aging, technology and health. He has held leadership roles at AARP, Surescripts and Senior Helpers and has particular interest in measuring and reducing health and wellness risks associated with social determinants of health. He is also active in the AgeTech space and has advised a number of startups on market entry strategy, UX development and business sustainability through volunteer work with AgeTech accelerators like TechStars. 📣 Get in touch on Linkedin searching for Michael Hughes.

Join us for a thought-provoking episode of the hihellosura show as we welcome Tisse Mallon, the founder of the How of Happy! Tisse, a quirky queer with a passion for human behavior, will challenge your traditional views on power and fulfillment. We'll discuss how the traditional skill set taught to us often leads to tension and manipulation, and how we need to focus on the "slow skills" like empathy, compassion, and listening to truly connect with others. Say goodbye to the fear-based, productivity-driven culture and hello to Tisse's game-changing strategies for emotional intelligence and global citizenship. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in emotional intelligence, who has presented at TEDx and other high-profile events. Get ready to expand your perspective and learn the art of connection. 👉About Tisse Mallon A quirky queer with a wild passion for understanding what makes humans tick. Tisse is the Founder/Director of the Elar Institute, a school focused on the science of connection and the primary instructor of their flagship program, the How of Happy. For the past 16 years, Tisse has been producing events and teaching classes centered on emotional intelligence, applied neuroscience, and mindfulness. Tisse proudly promotes the ideology of Global Citizenship which involves a broader perspective of human rights, sustainability, and commonality. They believe emotional intelligence is at the core of peaceful humanity; realizing we are all connected – part of an organism that either thrives or suffers as a whole. Tisse has presented at TEDx Orlando, TEDx Poynter Institute, Pecha Kucha Orlando, Orlando Story Club, and AIGA’s Wellness By Design event among others. Visit: https://howofhappy.com and when you sign up put in HIHELLO , for a discount.

There's a lot of jargon around net zero, but what does it actually mean? And how can you make your organization net zero? It might seem like a daunting task, but there are under-the-radar factors that could be negatively affecting your sustainability efforts. For example, did you know that your pension fund could be killing people? Join Andrew Griffiths, Director of Community and Partnerships of PlanetMark to: 👉Debunk the jargon around net zero  👉The basics of sustainability like forming a green team to catapult your organization to being net zero. 👉 Creating a win-win for both the planet and your bottom line profit.  👉 Spot the under the radar factors that negatively effect sustainability i.e. potentially your pension.  📣About Andrew  Andrew Griffiths, Director of Community and Partnerships, Planet Mark, a sustainability certification that supports organisations and real estate to measure and continually reduce carbon emissions, and increase their social impact. Andrew, chairs the Institute of Directors National Sustainability Taskforce and was a member of the UK Government’s COP26 Small Business Taskforce, as well as the Advisory Board for the Global Sustainability Film Awards.He thrives at the intersection between technology and sustainability and remains stubbornly  optimistic about how these themes will align to influence and improve the future of our workplaces, planet, and wider society. 🧁Connect:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewthomasgriffiths/ https://www.planetmark.com https://tedxsydney.com/contributor/bronwyn-king/ https://makemymoneymatter.co.u

In this episode, we'll be exploring what it takes to scale from a team of 10 people to a team of over 300,000. We'll hear from Esteban Garcia, serial entrepreneur who has been through the process and learn about the challenges and lessons he’s acquired along the way. We'll also find out how unexpected life experiences can help us to focus our energy and structure our lives in a way that feels meaningful and successful for us. About Esteban Garcia Esteban Garcia is a technology entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the industry.  As of July 1st, Esteban is the CEO of Xpirit USA – a Microsoft Cloud consulting firm helping customers with their Cloud adoption by building Engineering Cultures. Esteban has been in an entrepreneurial journey since 2007, having been part of several startups, with the most recent being Nebbia Technology, started in  2014, with an exit in 2019 and a second exit in 2020. Esteban has a passion for helping transform organizations through the use of technology, enabling teams to do amazing things while solving their business problems. He does this through mentoring, training, and working closely with teams to help them realize their potential. Esteban is a frequent speaker at technical conferences throughout the world, he is a Microsoft Regional Director, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional. You can  follow him on Twitter at @estebanfgarcia.