Studio Sessions
Covering topics from creative execution to customer satisfaction to risk-taking, the 99U master classes bring best-practice sharing into a more intimate and interactive setting. All master classes take place simultaneously on Thursday afternoon in different locations in the Times Center (Auditorium, Hall, Lobby). Advance registration is required.
Alexis Ohanian
The Auditorium /// @ The Times Center 242 West 41st Street
Thu 5/3 (4:35 pm – 5:50 pm)
Creating A Product People Love
You've made something people want. Great - that's required before graduating to creating something people love. This master class will provide guidelines for creating an enthusiastic following, examining the cult-like obsession with brands like Apple, as well as the instructor's own success growing Reddit into the largest yet tightest community online, with 35M uniques a month. Ohanian is currently doing the same with Hipmunk and Breadpig - neither of which are inherently social - so the course will offer lessons for both types of startup.
About Alexis Ohanian
Alexis is the co-founder of Reddit (now on the Board of Directors) and presently founder of Breadpig. A year after helping launch Hipmunk.com (doing all those things to make people love it) in 2010, he's now an advisor. Today he's an active startup advisor and investor (Das Kapital Capital), writing a book, and playing with his cat.
About Alexis Ohanian
Alexis is the co-founder of Reddit (now on the Board of Directors) and presently founder of Breadpig. A year after helping launch Hipmunk.com (doing all those things to make people love it) in 2010, he's now an advisor. Today he's an active startup advisor and investor (Das Kapital Capital), writing a book, and playing with his cat.
Scott Belsky
The Downstairs Hall /// @ The Times Center 242 West 41st Street
Thu 5/3 (4:35 pm – 5:50 pm)
Key Insights on Creative Execution
Drawing on the research in his national bestseller Making Ideas Happen, Behance CEO Scott Belsky will present key insights on productivity and pushing ideas forward for this intensive master class. Scott will introduce attendees to the three crucial components of creative execution: (1) Organization - working with a bias-toward-action and prioritizing amidst the creative process, (2) Communal Forces - leveraging your community for feedback, resources, and the exposure essential for gaining traction with your ideas, and (3) Leadership Capability - keeping great ideas alive by seeking constraints, short-circuiting our rewards systems, and more.
Note: If you attended one of Scott's workshops at last year's conference, or elsewhere, you may already be familiar with some of the content that will be presented here.
About Scott Belsky
Scott Belsky has committed his professional life to helping organize creative individuals, teams, and networks. He is the author of the national bestseller "Making Ideas Happen" and is the CEO of Behance, a company that develops products and services for the creative industries.
Note: If you attended one of Scott's workshops at last year's conference, or elsewhere, you may already be familiar with some of the content that will be presented here.
About Scott Belsky
Scott Belsky has committed his professional life to helping organize creative individuals, teams, and networks. He is the author of the national bestseller "Making Ideas Happen" and is the CEO of Behance, a company that develops products and services for the creative industries.
Charlie Todd
The Lobby /// @ The Times Center 242 West 41st Street
Thu 5/3 (4:35 pm – 5:50 pm)
Learning To Embrace Risk & Take Action Quickly
This workshop will introduce you to the basics of long form improv comedy with an emphasis on acting on ideas quickly. Participants will learn the methods behind a good improv scene, which can easily be applied to increase productivity in brainstorming and other collaborative endeavors. The master class will be participatory, giving everyone a chance to engage in quick, fun improv scenes. Motivated participants will also have the chance to work on longer scenes in front of the class.
About Charlie Todd
Charlie Todd is the founder of Improv Everywhere, as well as a teacher and performer of improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Since 2001, Improv Everywhere has executed over 100 missions involving thousands of undercover agents, including the Grand Central Freeze and the infamous No Pants! Subway Ride. Their videos have received over 225 million views online.
About Charlie Todd
Charlie Todd is the founder of Improv Everywhere, as well as a teacher and performer of improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Since 2001, Improv Everywhere has executed over 100 missions involving thousands of undercover agents, including the Grand Central Freeze and the infamous No Pants! Subway Ride. Their videos have received over 225 million views online.
