Read on Twitter
1/ Hey #MarketingTwitter!
Last week I applied to be a Community Manager at @Pexels ( @canva).
It got my mind racing about how much potential this brings for arts communities, regardless of who fills the role.
So, a
about a Wikipedia-sized opportunity (tl;dr at the end):
Last week I applied to be a Community Manager at @Pexels ( @canva).
It got my mind racing about how much potential this brings for arts communities, regardless of who fills the role.
So, a
about a Wikipedia-sized opportunity (tl;dr at the end):
2/ Growth and sustainability rarely correlate.
Many well-intentioned 'purpose-driven' orgs unravel when you look at what their business models incentivize/demand.
This example is now a bit dated but, Ikea:
Many well-intentioned 'purpose-driven' orgs unravel when you look at what their business models incentivize/demand.
This example is now a bit dated but, Ikea:
3/ Under capitalism anything considered a charitable cause (ie. the environment or the arts) is also ultimately considered optional and therefor always at risk.
4/ We need businesses where growth and social impact are positively correlated (as in more of one creates more of the other)
No easy task, but some companies are doing it. Ex. @Shopify @MorningBrew and of course @Canva.
No easy task, but some companies are doing it. Ex. @Shopify @MorningBrew and of course @Canva.
5/ @Canva acquired @Pexels + @pixabay to solidify their market position as the most holistic and accessible design tool on the planet. But these photo-sharing platforms only function if there's a @Wikipedia -esque community fueling them.
6/ Speaking of @Wikipedia , only about 26% of contributors have more than a bachelors degree. The community includes professional/retired academics, but the weight is largely carried by properly supported enthusiasts.
7/ Despite being the thing we turn to in hard times, the arts quickly lose their support at the first sign of economic uncertainty. https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/art-during-the-time-of-coronavirus/
8/ I've been part of local art communities & professional creative industries my entire life. In that time, anxiety about the future has been an inescapable and exhausting constant.
9/ 
There's a line between making creativity accessible then inviting ppl to share their work for the good of the creative commons vs. lowering the societal value of creativity so much that it ought to be free. Amplifying this distinction will be part of Canva's responsibility
There's a line between making creativity accessible then inviting ppl to share their work for the good of the creative commons vs. lowering the societal value of creativity so much that it ought to be free. Amplifying this distinction will be part of Canva's responsibility
10/ This is focused on local arts communities (the future of how creatives get paid will take another) but frankly, established industry gatekeepers profiting from community talent while upholding dated and expensive barriers to entry is a significant part of the problem.
is focused on local arts communities (the future of how creatives get paid will take another) but frankly, established industry gatekeepers profiting from community talent while upholding dated and expensive barriers to entry is a significant part of the problem.
11/ Our challenges evolve but our support systems don't. There's need for disruption.
That's where the private sector thrives and @Canva is both positioned and financially incentivized to do it.
That's where the private sector thrives and @Canva is both positioned and financially incentivized to do it.
12/ There's no silver bullet here. I have a million ideas and I'd be fascinated to hear what ideas other folks could dream up, but the point is: rarely do creatives get to dream about anything other than survival, yet alone what to do with a platform the size of @Canva.
13/ Imagine a fraction of the impact @Canva has had on democratizing design, directed towards disrupting how our society values art and how we nurture creativity.
It could become the most accessible creative ecosystem there's ever seen.
It could become the most accessible creative ecosystem there's ever seen.
14/ Tl;dr @Canva acquired @pexels & @pixabay, 2 platforms that only work with a strong creative community. We now have a rare opportunity where a critical social need is directly aligned with a company's business need.
15/ Regardless of who gets this role, I'm excited it's happening and anyone interested in the arts should have it on their radar.
This is the posting (but promise me if someone else gets it, we can have coffee): http://t.ly/U5lM
This is the posting (but promise me if someone else gets it, we can have coffee): http://t.ly/U5lM
