Who We Are

Our mission is to create more innovative, inclusive and resilient cities

Building Better Cities

The Creative Class Group (CCG) is a strategy firm comprised of leading researchers, thinkers, and business experts. Drawing on our own proprietary datasets, we advise corporations, governments, non-profits, and universities on topics ranging from economic development and growth, competitiveness, talent attraction and retention, real estate investment and locational strategy, and inclusivity and sustainability.

Our approach centers on the proven research of urban theorist and CCG founder Richard Florida, author of the seminal book The Rise of the Creative Class. Making up about one-third of the U.S. work force (much more in some cities), the Creative Class collects half of all wages, and accounts for 70 percent of discretionary spending. No company, organization, or economy can afford to overlook it.

From Jerusalem to New York, CCG has helped cities small and large on five continents develop economic development strategies. We assisted BMW with its Ideas Class advertising campaign and advised Audi on its Urban Future Initiative, supported Art Basel’s introduction of Art Basel Cities, and  launched CityLab with The Atlantic. Cirque du Soleil hails CCG’s research as its number one indicator for ticket sales. Starwood Hotels collaborated with the leadership team on real estate expansion, marketing and branding.  We have also helped Philips, Converse, Kraft and many other companies target the Creative Class in their marketing.

Meta (Facebook, Instagram)

Author a white paper study on the rise of the Creator Economy. Lead all pr and marketing efforts with Facebook and Instagram senior communications team to release the findings.

Pinewood Studios Ltd.

Advised one of the world’s largest film and television production facilities on the impact of the UK’s creative clusters to the regional economy.

Microsoft

Contribute data and narrative for Microsoft’s reigniting shared productivity initiative

WeWork

Serving as advisors and experts on the We Work Future of Work and Cities Global Initative.

BMW

Ideas don’t have airbags to protect them. Collaborated with GSD&M agency executives and senior members of the BMW team to build the “Idea Class” campaign, which was hailed by the agency as “one of its most successful ad campaigns for BMW.” Click to watch video.

Cirque Du Soleil

Advised Cirque du Soleil on target city market selection in the U.S. and Canada.

Starwood

Provided key insights and findings on location and regional creativity measures for more than 15 global locations while developing and curating content for the creative class consumer.

Edens’ Union Market

Advised one of North America's largest retail developers on creative placemaking and retail diversity for Union Market in Washington, DC.

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The Creativity index appeared to be one of the best metrics to understand sales performance at Cirque. And correlation are strong, therefor we will be now using this metric to anticipate sales performance and better forecast.

Alexandre AlleMarket Insight Advisor, Cirque du Soleil