Neil McKenzie Photographer WP AboutNeil McKenzie

Neil is a visiting professor at the Center forInnovation (Metropolitan State College Denver) where he developed and teaches the course “Artrepreneurship” – business for artists and other creatives. Artrepreneurship is a cutting edge course where students learn the basics of starting, running and marketing a successful art business – this is not another “how to get into a gallery” course but more like a mini MBA for creative people.

Neil is also a columnist for ColoradoBiz Magazine where he writes the popular column on Colorado’s creative economy. His book The Artist’s Business and Marketing ToolBox is an evolution of his work with his Artrepreneurship students and writing his blog www.creativesandbusiness.com. Neil is an advocate for the arts and creative economy in Colorado and is a frequent speaker, seminar presenter and consultant to artists and arts organizations.

Neil McKenzie has over thirty years experience as a management consultant and marketing executive working with small companies to large international brands. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master of Science in Business Administration in Economics.

As a management consultant Neil has worked with hundreds of companies from startup to very large. In the early 1980’s Neil was asked to be a founding faculty member of the Regis College MBA program in Denver, Colorado. In his consulting career he specialized in corporate strategic planning and marketing where he developed business and marketing plans.

In addition to his consulting career Neil spent a dozen years as a corporate marketing executive in the area of marketing research. He developed the first ever Marketing Research Department for one of the top financial brands in the world where he tested advertising concepts and advertising effectiveness. His research programs were conducted worldwide in a multitude of languages and cultures.

In 2005 Neil left corporate life to pursue a lifelong goal to become a commercial photographer. His firm Neil McKenzie Photography specializes in “People Photography with Impact” for client’s advertising, editorial, public relations and social media needs.

About Creatives and Business

This site is about helping creatives become more successful in the world of business.  I will provide you with tools and techniques to help make your creative enterprise more successful and sustainable.  I will also let you know about new ideas and resources in the creative business sector so you can learn about what other successful creatives are doing.

This site is for artists, arts organizations, creative professionals, creative enterprises and those who want to turn their creative talent into a business or improve their existing organization.  This site is designed individuals, companies and students in:

• Design – Architects, Architectural Landscape, Interior Design, Media Representatives, Advertising Agencies, Graphic Design, Display Advertising, Media Buying Agencies, Public Relations, Website Design, Marketing Firms, Furniture Design, Fashion

• Film and Media – Film/Video Production, Sound, Lighting, Digital Art, Animation, Sets & Studios, Broadcasting, Music Production, Radio, Cable, Internet and Motion Picture Theaters

• Heritage and Education – Museums, Zoos, Historical Sites, Botanical Gardens, Wildlife/Nature Attractions, Schools

• Literary and Publishing – Authors, Poets, Writers, Editors, Publishers, Printers, Libraries, Bookstores, Newsstands.

• Performing Arts – Actors, Musicians, Promoters, Producers, Directors, Performing Arts Venues

• Visual Arts and Crafts – Artists, Sketchers, Painters, Photographers, Sculptors, Potters, Glassblowers, Metal Artists, Jewelers, Carvers, Crafts, Galleries and Shops Who Sell Visual Arts and Crafts.

• Culinary Arts and Craft Beverages -  Winemaking, Craft Breweries, Chefs, Bakeries, Local Based Restaurants, Specialty Foods

I look forward to having you as a regular reader as we embark on making your creative enterprise a roaring success!

© 2010 Neil McKenzie – www.creativesandbusiness.com