For a small town of insanely creative people, Portland has its fair share of silos. Not intentionally, I don’t think. Just lots of creative folks who don’t venture very far beyond their own thoughtful flocks. And that’s why I’m always happy to see projects that break down some of those walls. For collaboration among groups. And one of those was just revealed.
Tonight was the big unveil for a collaboration among digital storytelling accelerator Oregon Story Board, mobile/digital agency Citizen, and the Portland Development Commision (PDC) that visualized the Portland Athletic & Outdoor industry.
Look at all of those silos being broken down! Digital agencies, startups, apparel, and economic development agencies all working together. Awesome.
In 2010, the first comprehensive study on the industry was unveiled. The study showed that Portland had a competitive advantage in this creative and innovative industry cluster. Using company research compiled by Heike Mayer of the University of Bern, Switzerland, an infographic poster was also unveiled to visually show the evolution of the industry over time and the companies that comprise the ecosystem.
Five years later, our industry has continued to grow exponentially, with new companies being created every year. We’ve used the original data in partnership with Oregon Story Board and Citizen, Inc. to bring the data to life in a new interactive visualization that can travel far beyond the reaches of Oregon.
And now? You can use it too.
The visualization allows you to travel through time, seeing the industry from its inception through modern day. And seeing the players who have had significant impact on the athletic and apparel industry in Portland.
Okay. You may be able to guess some of them. But I bet you’ll find some surprises when you start mucking around with this.
And suddenly I find myself wondering what would happen if we were to plow some Portland tech startup scene data in here…?
For more information or to dig into the interactive infographic, visit Portland Athletic & Outdoor ecosystem.
(Full disclosure: I am the cofounder and remain a board member for Oregon Story Board. Yes, I’m on the Oregon Story Board Board. Laugh it up, fuzzball.)
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Excited to see @MathysPotestio represented. We’ve placed over 2,000 folks into jobs in the industry. Thanks for the recognition!
I don’t think I’m in any danger of getting Board Board bored 😉
“Yes, I’m on the Oregon Story Board Board. Laugh it up, fuzzball.” That’s great as long as you don’t get bored on the board board, eh? 😉