This virtual "do-gooder" series is attracting a surprising audience

A virtual series for “do-gooder” professionals is also attracting curious community members who want to learn more about different industries.

"Ignite More" is a free, virtual panel discussion series for “do-gooders” hosted by Memphis and Washington DC-based marketing company Three(i) Creative Communications. Each session is geared toward professionals and leaders in a particular industry who want to increase positive community engagement with their organizations.

The next session is May 19 at 1:00 p.m. Panel members will discuss how financial institutions can reconnect with the communities they serve as the economy begins to recover from the pandemic.

Keep an eye on the Eventbrite page for registration information and to see details about past events. 

Guests of all backgrounds have been attending these chats, even though each discussion is tailored for a specific set of professionals. Targeted industries include the nonprofit sector, government, corporate social responsibility, health care, and education.

“I thought the majority of people that would attend would be industry focused,” said Three(i) President and Creative Director Kenneth Worles. “But what we’ve seen is that people that aren't necessarily in the [targeted] industry have a really high turnout to these events because they're actually interested in learning more about that industry. And so we have some people that attend all of them.”

The "Ignite More" virtual chats aren’t just lectures, they’re interactive discussions. The moderator of each event has a selection of questions written for the panelists, and also chooses some questions submitted by attendees. There are polls that go out to attendees during the event to get real-time feedback that is used to shape the discussion as it continues. 
Three(i) Creative Communications President and Creative Director Kenneth Worles. (Submitted)
Three(i) has hosted three "Ignite More" sessions to-date in September and December of 2020 and February of this year. Worles said the average attendance has been about 50 people and most were those non-industry community members who are curious about the topic.

According to Worles, panel members are chosen mainly by their expertise in a given field, with diverse representation also top of mind.

“We like to have panel members with experience, [which is] what makes leadership super strong. We look into diversity, not only as in color, but as in age, as in location, career level,” said Worles. “We really try to get different ideas, different conversations flowing in these events. That will make us stronger when we all come together, and bring something new to the table.”

Worles said last year, Three(i)'s clients began asking for help connecting to their clients in the "new normal" virtual world. That need led them to develop the "Ignite More" series to help businesses navigate the shift to digital and virtual interactions with the communities they serve.

“All of these things were coming up, and businesses and organizations were having to do a full 180 on how they engage people,” he said. “What we wanted to do was bring the smartest people in the room together to help support brands and organizations as they transition and move forward in this new normal—where they think about having conversations towards engaging communities, engaging clients, and things of that nature.”

Worles said Three(i) plans to expand the selection of panelists for the "Ignite More" series, bring in some “bigger names” from across the country, and keep adding value for the attendees. Since the events are all virtual, it will be easier for the company to book panelists from influential companies based in other cities.

In addition to the "Ignite More" series, Three(i) is planning a workshop series for Black high school and college students who want to pursue careers as creatives.

“African Americans, creatively, don't get the same representation when it comes to turning art into a career, turning graphic design into a career, or writing into a career. We wanted to help,” said Worles. 

“We’ll collaborate with minority agencies throughout the city of Memphis, put together a workshop that gives [students] access to people that look like them in the industry. Give them advice and give them tips on how to transform an idea or hobby into a long-lasting career in this space.”