The Program:
If you ran the Boston Marathon this year or have used a bike rack on Granby Street, you want to thank our guest speaker, Drew Ungvarsky, Chief Executive and Executive Creative Director of Grow, who described his company, saying, “We create innovative, digital experiences for the world’s biggest brands,” including Nike, Google, Spotify, and HBO. Rotarian of the Day Steve Schultz said that Grow has been recognized by The New York Times, and said that Ungvarksy is a member of the Downtown Norfolk Council board of directors and will receive the 2019 Harvey Lindsay Change Maker Award.
That citation led into Ungvarsky’s presentation, “Change Agents: How We Discovered Our Role in Driving Community Transformation.” Ungvarsky started by talking about the RFID chips Grow created for Adidas for its 25th year of sponsoring the Boston Marathon. The chips, embedded in the runners’ numbers, enabled Grow to present all participants with a personalized highlight film delivered by e-mail two hours after the race. Grow’s campaign was designed to increase brand loyalty for Adidas. “That’s what brands around the world hire us to do,” Ungvarksy said.
Ungvarsky said his staff of 50 works in creative development and strategic thinking, which led them from trying to install one bike rack in front of the shop to placing 50 bike racks across Norfolk. At first, installing one bike rack appeared to be a complicated, six-month enterprise costing $2,500 because of regulations, Ungvarsky said. Grow decided to try to “figure out where the inefficiency was in the process.” Their findings were relayed to city officials, who responded, “We love this. You buy these, we’ll install them,” resulting in the installation of 50 bike racks. Ungvarsky described this as “a great little moment of change for us that was driven by practical need.”
Ungvarsky went on to talk about the Maersk Plot that Grow helped develop. It was located on the site of the Main has been relocated to the Neon District across from Commune, according to Ungvarsky’s associate, Whitney. “We’re able to make changes in our community,” Unvarsky said. “You just have to get out there and do it.”
Ungvarsky said that such initiatives inform Grow’s Vision Statement, “We can create the place we work and live."
“Our greatest challenge is keeping the best employees and attracting talent from around the world.”
He went on to describe three Grow projects, starting with Transparent Seas, a 40-foot mural outside the Virginia Furniture Company. The mural includes four profiles of women that take on different appearances under multicolored lights after nightfall. Ungvarsky said that the mural was created to show people that the area is safer than might be thought after dark, and that he almost always sees someone there taking a selfie as he drives home.
Next was Selden Market, where Ungvarksy cited the Vibrant Spaces discount rental program. He said that merchants were offered $20,000 grants to establish street-level stores, and that 87 businesses applied for six spaces. He also said that the program has led to 11 storefronts, including incubated and mentored businesses with short-term leases, which are good for start-ups.
The third was Enjoy, located in the former home of Field Guide next to Grow on Granby Street. Enjoy hosts “curated experiences in art, food, and culture” supporting local charities.
Ungvarsky concluded by citing the Elizabeth River Trail, where President Pam said that Rotary is already involved.
The Meeting:
Bob Heely started us off with “Jingle Bells” and “America,” having us use are car keys for the former and invoking the name of George H.W. Bush for the latter.
Diane Wallach gave the invocation, reading from Robert Frost.
Visitation Report:
President Pam Tubbs reported on Jane Dembert, asking us to keep her in our thoughts and prayers and to pray for complete healing, concluding, “this is a season of miracles.”
Introduction of Guests:
Guests included David Rosenthal of the Hampton Roads Club and Scott Bateman, a potential member.
Club Business
- Wayne Shank was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow Plus Five
- Lisa Chandler reminded us about the holiday party Dec. 13 at the Mambo Room.
- President elect Lorna Cochrane talked about Rotary Charity grants applications.
- Pam had holiday checks for Frank Whitman and for our servers, Kenny, Bernadine, Cory, and Arthur.
- Bob Heely about Career Visitation Day, citing an e-mail he’d sent out, encouraging members to have high-school students spend a day at work with them.
Happy Bucks and Fines:
1. Pam called up Gary Boswick and showed an article about him on her phone. She added up the fees involved, saying, “It’s going to be very lucrative.” The total was $25.
2. Jeff Wells paid a fine for his “Happy Pants”; Lisa Chandler also made a donation in honor of Jeff, and for appearing in a Suffolk Bridges article on the ForKids Center for Families and Children.
3. Shep Miller gave Happy Bucks in honor of his grandson, William Shepard Miller V, born Dec. 7, and weighing 9 lbs, 5 oz.
4. Jim Kitz gave in honor of Army’s third consecutive win over Navy; Pam added $7 in honor of the margin of victory
5. Steve Schultz gave Happy Bucks in honor of his 43rd anniversary.
A book was donated to Crossroads Elementary School in honor of Ungvarsky. Pam said that the book was purchased when Ungvarksy was first scheduled to speak at a meeting cancelled by Hurricane Florence.
Pam closed, saying our next meeting is Jan. 8.