Focus on Leadership A SPECI A L SERIES ON C A LG A RY ’ S BUSINESS VISION A RIES A special publication of the Calgary Herald sponsored by Calgary Economic Development RedPoint’s attention to detail scores with clients here is no known way to give “They have their pulse on the issues Tpeople what they want unless you of the city and connect with every vital actually know what they want. group that comes to mind,” says Graves. That is why RedPoint Media and Mar- “Being an Action Calgary partner keting Solutions’ highly successful business allows us to speak directly with many of strategy involves listening – really listening. the city’s top organizations in environ- “The people at RedPoint are incred- ments of trust, learning and collaboration. ible,” says the firm’s president, Pete I often speak of the relationship RedPoint Graves. “And while there are a great has with Calgary Economic Develop- number of things involving our people ment, and when I am talking with other that make RedPoint unique, differen- leaders, I encourage them to get their tiating us from others and ultimately organizations more involved with Calgary contributing to success, one particular Economic Development.” highlight is how, in all areas at RedPoint, The Life in Calgary project really was our team is great at actively listening.” a team effort for RedPoint and Calgary The Calgary-based publishing house Economic Development that leveraged and creative agency develops award-win- both organizations’ strengths. ning digital and print products, including RedPoint has extensive experience Calgary’s leading city and lifestyle maga- in producing high-quality, upscale zine, Avenue, and also provides custom magazines, and this year the firm’s flag- publishing and creative services to local, ship magazine, Avenue, will celebrate its national and international clients. 20th anniversary in Calgary. “We make award-winning magazines, “It’s a wonderful accomplishment to digital solutions and events, but ultimate- exist that long as a publication, let alone to ly, we are in the audience business, and we thrive,” says Graves. “Impressively, Avenue earn the trust of the audience by gaining From left, Anders Knudsen, Pete Graves, Joyce Byrne and Pritha Kalar of RedPoint Media and Marketing Solutions brainstorm by Calgary has never been stronger. The deep understanding of what is important looking through past publications. team behind it is outstanding. The size of to them and what it is not,” says Graves. the magazine is breaking records, and the “That continues to set us apart.” everyA aspect Top Employerof Calgary that makes it unique content including phoprovided quality of writing, photography and design The teams at RedPoint work with receive consistent praise. “Everyone who large corporations, small non-profit RedPoint Media & Marketing included in a category with so many works so hard on it each month — and groups, prolific institutions Solutions has been named one of truly impressive organizations,” says our advertising partners, without whom it and up-and-coming Canada’s Top Small and Medium company president Pete Graves. couldn’t exist — should be very proud of entrepreneurs. Employers for 2014 as well as one what Avenue does to celebrate and high- of Alberta’s Top Employers. It was the sixth consecutive year One of RedPoint’s the company has made Alberta’s light the quality of life in our great city.” most mutually ben- Canada’s Top Small and Medium Top Employers list. The firm’s leaders have big plans for eficial and long-standing Employers list turns the spotlight many of RedPoint’s clients — those relationships has been on companies that have fewer “Receiving this award is a credit to they have served for many years and with Calgary Economic than 500 employees and evaluates the people who make up the orga- those who have yet to walk through the Development. the workplaces based on specific cri- nization, as well as all the clients and company’s front door. Over the past year, the teria, including physical workspace, supporters who take an interest in “The future for RedPoint is bright,” team at RedPoint worked benefits, communications, time off, our work,” says Graves. “It inspires says Graves. “We will continue to grow alongside Calgary Economic employee engagement, training and us to raise our game and strive to do and improve our flagship offerings, and Development to develop and community involvement. even better, both individually and have big plans as WestJet’s partner for as a team. It’s a privilege to spend release a project called Life in “We were tremendously honoured every workday in a place where the up! brand. We have seen dramatic Calgary. to receive recognition at the people love what they do and take growth in our marketing solutions divi- Graves says the project, which was national level and humbled to be pride in doing it well.” sion where we work with organizations released nationally and internationally, was considering whether Cal- to tell their unique stories. showcased both RedPoint’s and Cal- gary would be a good place for his only “In this past year we have developed gary Economic Development’s abilities son,” he says. regular frequency magazines like Spur and leadership. “A remarkable success, it demon- vibrant and inherently liveable, includ- unique content including photos and for The Calgary Foundation, and we “Life in Calgary speaks to those indi- strates what is possible when you have ing the city’s many amenities, culinary statistics, and made consistent recom- have worked with all kinds of partners viduals across the country and around a strong idea and great partners all culture, shopping, recreation opportu- mendations and adjustments as the from the Calgary Flames to Brown the world who are considering Calgary working so well together.” nities and real estate. project developed. Bagging for Calgary’s Kids. Our clients as a place to work and live,” says Graves. Life in Calgary was launched in 2014 RedPoint was responsible for the Graves says the team at RedPoint has are large and small as well as private, “The collaboration between our team to support new and prospective Calgar- initial strategy, content, advertising and always had a great relationship with public and not-for-profit. We know and the great people at Calgary Eco- ians as they settled into the region, with circulation, while Calgary Economic the development agency and the firm how vital it is for an organization to tell nomic Development brought brought the goal of attracting skilled workers. Development set specifics for the mag- participates in as many of its initiatives its story to the world, and we work with tears of joy to a father in Ireland who The magazine focused on virtually azine’s audience and strategy, provided as possible. each of our clients to do that in the best GlobalFest goes beyond explosive fireworks he most explosive event between nia, is the first artist to compose for the TVancouver and Ottawa is disman- fireworks festival, and designers will be What is GlobalFest tling divides and reinforcing the bonds required to incorporate his score as well that unite the many communities as music from their home nation into The Trico Homes International within Calgary. their displays. Fireworks Festival presents an GlobalFest, an epic event that incor- “This not only adds a new artistic ele- orchestra of light and sound porates the Trico Homes International ment to the festival, but also an Alberta featuring presentations by Fireworks Festival, the OneWorld mul- stamp,” says Goosen. world-renowned pyro-musical ticultural festival, a human rights forum The goal has always been to make the artists from Japan, Thailand, and an urban arts and youth forum, plays event accessible to as many Calgarians Vietnam and France as well as host to about 100,000 people each year. as possible. Corporate and community GlobalFest’s finale presentation. The event has support has helped organizers keep In the OneWorld Festival, received tremen- ticket prices low and enabled them to Calgary’s cultural communi- dous support also give away about 4,500 tickets to ties showcase their heritage from the com- agencies and organizations that serve dress, music, artistic excel- munity since it the multitude of cultural and ethnic lence and food, with displays, was launched in groups represented in Calgary. performances and interactive 2003, and busi- Now audiences and participants alike activities. OneWorld includes nesses in Calgary are eager to see the festival grow as the a citizenship ceremony on-site have taken a current venue at Elliston Park in southeast at Elliston Park, a night market leadership role The GlobaFest fireworks and cultural festival brings approximately 20,000 people a Calgary provides a magnificent backdrop and performance stages. in building an night to Elliston Park in southeast Calgary. but increasingly insufficient space. Ken Goosen of internationally it grows and evolves, has always been two new nations have joined. Thailand “We attract approximately 20,000 A Human Rights Forum is being GlobalFest recognized award- to celebrate and showcase cultural and Vietnam will each bring their spec- people a night and everyone who staged this week, with guest winning event. diversity and artistic excellence, and the tacular fireworks displays to the event comes knows we are at capacity,” says speakers and events to promote equality and understanding. “Our biggest support is corporate fireworks presentations bring a sense of that begins Thursday. Goosen. “We actually have a waiting list Calgary and 65 per cent of our budget unity and community to the event. “The festival has really gained interna- of cultural communities that want to Urban arts programming is supported by businesses in this city,” “Fireworks is the great equalizer,” says tional appreciation and interest and we participate with pavilions and we just encourages students to seek says GlobalFest producer Ken Goosen.