Bozeman Creative Firms Launch Area’s First Ultra-Disciplinary Design Organization; Famed Advertising Icon Alex Bogusky to Speak 9/27

Off the Grid Targets Students and Professionals Inspired by Exceptional Design

Off the Grid http://offthegridbozeman.com/ , Bozeman’s first ultra-disciplinary
professional group for the creative class, announces its launch party with guest speaker
Alex Bogusky. Bogusky, a partner with Miami-based advertising agency Crispin Porter +
Bogusky http://www.cpbgroup.com/ , is the creative force behind globally acclaimed ad campaigns such as Mini
Cooper, Burger King and Virgin Airlines. In his keynote speech, Bogusky will talk about
the road to great design and will demonstrate the importance of design to successful
businesses.

Off the Grid Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 27

Time: 5:30 – 8:15 p.m.

Location: Emerson Ballroom, Emerson Cultural Center

Details: Live music with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30

Alex Bodusky to speak at 6:30 followed by Q&A

Creative, interactive break-out sessions at 7:30

RSVP: RSVP to [email protected]

The event is free of charge with attendance open to anyone interested in and
inspired by great design
“Off the Grid is part concept, part catalyst, part community,” said Toni O’Berry, founder
and chief creative officer of O’Berry Cavanaugh. “We are in a unique place outside the
urban gridlock where we have the freedom to re-invent the role of design in business, art
and life.

For the first time we’ll begin to cross-functionally collaborate across the broad
field of design. It will be exciting to see the impact of this type of organization on
businesses, clients, consumers and the community. We are thrilled that Alex Bogusky
will be here to help inspire and initiate this new venture.”

Off the Grid was collaboratively created through the efforts of Mercury Advertising,
O’Berry Cavanaugh, Wantulok Design, Brock Anderson, Classic Ink, Chisel Industries
and Flying Horse Communications. The intent is to attract and inspire architects, film
makers, marketers, product designers, illustrators, professors/teachers, graphic
designers, students, and anyone inspired by great style and design. The group
embraces membership from a broad spectrum of experience levels to provide
professional development, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and offer
trade/topic-specific workshops and speakers.
Off the Grid plans to host speaking events, facilitate workshops, and provide networking
and professional development opportunities. Organizers encourage people to attend this
premier event to provide input that will help shape the future direction Off the Grid
activities.

Bogusky’s Tie to Bozeman

While a common name among the design industry, Bogusky really caught the eye of
Bozeman creatives when he was quoted in a 2006 issue of Adweek saying, “There are
no good advertising jobs in Montana.” Quickly approached and refuted by one of the
founding members of Off the Grid, Bogusky agreed to come to Bozeman to not only be
proven wrong in his statement, but to help promote the undervalued and unknown
design efforts taking place in Montana.

“This misperception is exactly the challenge that many of us in the creative arts
community have to overcome when we’re recruiting employees and prospecting clients
out of state,” said Jeff Welch of Mercury Advertising. “So, for Alex to come here and eat
a little crow and inspire us to bigger heights, it says a lot about the reality of the creative
talent here. Our creative community is quite strong, and there are many companies
doing great work. This is a chance for everyone in our field to collaborate, celebrate, and
put Bozeman on the map.”

More about Alex Bogusky

Bogusky started at Crispin and Porter Advertising in 1989 as an art director. He became
creative director of the agency five years later and was named a partner in 1997. Under
his direction, the agency has become arguably the world’s most awarded. Alex has been
profiled in Luerzer’s Archive, Communication Arts, Graphis, Adweek, Adage, Business
2.0, Fast Company and Business Week. His work has been featured in, The New York
Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, TIME, Wired, Advertising Age
and Creativity as well as on national television and radio. In 2002, Alex was inducted into
the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement.

# # #

Media Contact:

Bridget Cavanaugh

O’Berry Cavanaugh

522-8075

[email protected]

For more information about this event or Off the Grid, contact:
Jeff Welch Toni O’Berry Wendy Renner
Mercury Advertising O’Berry Cavanaugh Wantulok Design
586-2280 522-8075 587-4400
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]