Big Omaha Backstage Pass – Marc Eckō: The role of authenticity

“The journey that I’ve managed to kind of go on,” Eckō said, “in building the businesses I’ve been in has been one where I’ve been very self reflective over the last three years. And I’ve really, deeply thought about the role of authenticity and what that means and how to attempt to — even though…

This summer, you heard their speeches in our Big Omaha Video Series. Now, in partnership with our photography and moving images partner Malone & Company, we’re giving you exclusive access to backstage interviews with the entrepreneurs and innovators who presented at our Big Omaha event in May.

For one week only, the Big Omaha Backstage Pass will feature 10 of our Big Omaha speakers in 15 previously unreleased video interviews. We hope these interviews, with topics ranging from the importance of mentoring to the quest to change the world, will engage, encourage, enlighten and excite you to follow your passion, a message at the core of Big Omaha. 

Our third backstage interview is with Marc Eckō, the founder and chief creative officer of Marc Eckō Enterprises, founder of Artists & Instigators and a partner at SeventySix Capital.

The role of authenticity

Transcript:

The journey that I’ve managed to kind of go on in building the businesses I’ve been in has been one where I’ve been very self reflective over the last three years. And I’ve really, deeply thought about the role of authenticity and what that means and how to attempt to — even though you can’t mathematically, you know, define it — but how do you attempt to model it and create best practices? Cause I think it’s just so critical in everything that you do and being, you know, kind of as actualized or self-aware as possible.

And then, from that, hopefully you’ll see how that has informed the new platform I’m trying to build, Artists & Instigators, which is really a composite of like 20 years of brand-building, consumer-facing products for, really, young people around the world. Coupled with a passion around education, education reform and kind of a sense of urgency that I have that’s just like in my stomach that keeps me kind of up at night — not for me as much as for my kids. Maybe it’s like a legacy thing or something in my life. I don’t know what it is that’s provoking me here, exactly.

But hopefully by taking folks through this story, they’ll see the logic as to why Artists & Instigators and what that brand platform intends to do and how it intends to, you know, make the CO2 emission of my work and the folks around me and the groups that we will be working with be good for others, rather than this kind of extracurricular activity that you hope to get to at the end of the day if your schedule permits.

To watch Eckō’s Big Omaha presentation, see our post: “Big Omaha Video Series: Marc Eckō of Artists & Instigators.”

About Big Omaha and Thinc Iowa, our two premier events:

Big Omaha, a Silicon Prairie News premier event, is held each May to inspire, educate and connect entrepreneurs, especially those with an interest in the tech industry. Visit BigOmaha.com to learn more.

Thinc Iowa, a Silicon Prairie News premier event, will take place for the first time October 20-21 in Des Moines, Iowa. Its mission: Provide a common ground for startups and corporations to explore partnerships, examine innovation and share lessons learned. Visit ThincIowa.com to learn more (tickets still available).

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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