Daily Business Report — June 20, 2011
Fine Art Society Becomes Art Pulse
The San Diego Fine Art Society has rebranded itself to appeal to a broader, younger and more hip audience than its name implied. It has become Art Pulse, a move prompted by a disconnect between the people it is trying to serve and the perception of the organization based on the old name and messaging. The organization hired Jacob Tyler, a branding communications firm, to create a new name, look and image that would make the arts more attractive to a wider and more diverse audience. “Art Pulse has a strong history of cultivating the arts in San Diego and beyond,” said April Game, Executive Director. “It became clear we needed to create a more fun, contemporary look in order to make the arts more appealing and accessible.”
The change underscores the troubling trend in the U.S. — that patrons of the arts are an average age of 45, and mostly Caucasian females, according to a study by the National Endowment of the Arts.
Game said the organization’s programs would embrace their goal of attracting younger and more diverse patrons with programs like its iPhone app and Art Pulse TV. “Art Pulse seeks to change people’s relationship to art from a formal, once-a-year occasion into an accessible and inspiring part of daily life,” she said.
“Jacob Tyler is passionate about branding and feels that the Art Pulse brand and image is now reflective of its mission; to draw a more diverse group of patrons to the incredible array of artistic works, events, and performances in San Diego,” said Les Kollegian, CEO of Jacob Tyler.
The organization said the move underscores the troubling trend in the U.S.: patrons of the arts are an average age of 45, and mostly Caucasian females, according to a study conducted by the National Endowment of the Arts.
“I applaud Art Pulse for its new approach to reaching diverse audiences,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Not only will the organization’s renewed focus attract a diverse base of support for San Diego’s many fine arts organizations, but it will also showcase and ultimately promote the city as a vibrant, creative, cultural center.”
Better Business Bureau Offers Torch Awards Workshops
Local nonprofit and for-profit companies interested in entering the San Diego Better Business Bureau’s 2011 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics can learn how to prepare their applications at two one-hour workshops at noon on July 13 and 19 at the BBB offices at 5050 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego. Admission to the Torch Award entry workshops is free and luncheon refreshments will be served at no cost. To reserve a seat, contact Sammie Bass, BBB marketing and special events assistant, at sbass@sandiego.bbb.org or call (858) 637-6199, Ext. 324. At the workshops, Bass will offer guidance and ideas on how to complete the entry form, review the judging criteria with entrants and present winning entries from years past. The annual BBB Torch Awards program honors outstanding local for‑profit companies and nonprofit charitable organizations that demonstrate a commitment to ethical business practices, both in operations and in terms of being ethical, reliable and responsive to employees, vendors and customers, according to Sheryl Bilbrey, San Diego BBB president and chief executive officer. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Companies will be judged based on number of employees. Entry fee is $25, which will be earmarked exclusively for scholarship grants for high school students who write winning essays on the importance of marketplace ethics. The 2011 Torch Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Dec. 6 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley. More information on the Torch Awards is available at sandiego.bbb.org.
Salk Institute Professor Receives Trio of Honors
Salk Institute professor Fred “Rusty” Gage has been honored with a trio of honors in recognizing his contributions to the knowledge of neurobiology. He is the recipient of Spain’s Cátedra Santiago Grisolía Award 2011, was presented an honorary doctorate in medicine from Lund University in Sweden and was appointed president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. Gage is a professor in the Salk Institute Laboratory of Genetics and holder of the Vi and John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. In a groundbreaking experiment in 1998, Gage’s lab showed that, contrary to decades of common wisdom, human brains grow new neurons throughout life, a discovery that forced scientists to rethink some of their most basic ideas about how the brain works. He and his team also showed that physical exercise can enhance the growth of new nerve cells in the brain, a process called neurogenesis.
“Rusty is a trailblazer in science. He has a brilliant mind, a creative style and is an inspiring leader who conducts cutting-edge research with clear human impact,” said Salk Institute president William R. Brody. Spain’s Cátedra Santiago Grisolía Prize is conferred annually on two internationally distinguished researchers in recognition of work that is of both high scientific and social interest. On May 27, Gage also received an honorary doctorate in medicine from Lund University in Sweden, where he served as an associate professor from 1981 to 1985. Gage’s appointment as president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research is due to his reputation as one of the leading experts on stem cell research.
Santarus Names Research and Development Executive V.P.
Santarus Inc., a San diego specialty biopharmaceutical company, has hired Wendell Wierenga as executive vice president of research and development, a newly created position. Wierenga will have the job of overseeing clinical research, regulatory affairs, quality assurance and medical affairs. Wierenga most recently served for four years as executive vice president, research and development of privately held Ambit Biosciences Corp., where he was responsible for all research and drug development activities including clinical, regulatory affairs and manufacturing. From 2003 to 2007, he was executive vice president, research and development of Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., where he led all research and drug development activities. From 2000 to 2003, Wierenga served as the chief executive officer of biotechnology company Syrrx Inc., a spinout from the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation. He served 10 years with Warner-Lambert, joining as senior vice president of research for Parke-Davis, the company’s pharmaceutical research division, and promoted in 1999 to senior vice president, worldwide pharmaceutical sciences, technologies and development. He began his career in 1974 as a research scientist at The Upjohn Co. and was director of cancer and viral diseases research when he left in 1990.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• June 21 – Financing Your Business – 9: 30 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• June 22 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
• June 28 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• June 29 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• June 30 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
