Not all tax spending is necessarily wasteful tax spending. ”Spending is also an investment. (Kitchener) Council needs to take the long view and support investment that leads to current and future prosperity,” says our very own Rebecca Short, MFX’s Operations Director, in her letter to the editor in today’s Record.

Believing in this community and the vision that investment will lead to further growth and employment, Rebecca and husband John recently made a serious investment, moving two businesses, MFX and 17Muscles to Kitchener’s Tannery and Digital Media HUB.

So what is your take? Do you believe that spending our tax dollars on the development of Kitchener is an investment in the future reputation and economic growth of our fair city? Have your say, weigh in on the issue now.

Well, the boxes are unpacked, the Internet is up and running, and the ‘Home Sweet Home’ sign is on the door. And amid all the chaos there was only one minor breakdown when the coffee machine wasn’t hooked up on Monday (sorry guys, I need my AM caffeine or I get a little cranky).

MFX has officially moved into the Tannery!

In our last post, where you can find our new mailing address, we hinted at “some very exciting news” to come this week. Well don’t get too excited just yet because, as our Lead Designer and friend James Bisch would say, “It needs to marinade in awesome sauce juuuuuuust a bit longer.”

So in other words, we’re making you wait until Friday.

But that’s OK, because Friday is not only the day where we dust off and spin tracks like ‘The Final Countdown’ and ‘Funky Cold Medina’ in the MFX house. We’ll also be spinning some MFX news that will change the world as we know it, for the better of course, ’cause that’s the way we roll.

It’s a fantastic freaking world (in my books) when good people get recognized for the great work they do. So when we got advanced copies of Waterloo Region’s 40 Under 40, an issue that shines a well-deserved spotlight on 40 outstanding young people who are making a difference in our region—well, I feel that humanity is doing just fine.

The greatest thing about Waterloo Region’s 40 Under 40 is that one of our most favorite people in the whole wide world is featured (among some other extraordinary friends of MFX).

Who, you might ask?

Well you’d best pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Record to find out

Keep checking back for updates!

So we’ve been sharing a little bit more information on our new space over at the Tannery in recent blog posts. We are not only psyched to move in because the space is absolutely gorgeous with loads of potential; the Tannery is also a good example of sustainable design, which as you know is right up our alley.

So why did we choose the Tannery as our new workspace?

The project transformed the defunct 480,000-square-foot Tannery into the heart of this region’s bustling tech sector. It’s an attractive mix of smart, leading edge office tenants—including Communitech, Google, Desire2Learn and US! Plus, it offers the right balance of commercial tenants—a health clinic, Balzacs Coffee Roasters, a salon, and even a workspace for local artisans.

But the most inspiring thing about the Tannery is that it bridges the gap between Kitchener’s industrial heritage and its new reputation as Ontario’s high-tech hub. Toronto-based architectural firm, RAWdesign, worked consciously to preserve the masonry shell, industrial heritage and the original steel structure, brickwork and rough-hewn wooden floors. And they topped it all off by creating an even flow throughout the building, streamlining all buildings together as one by removing the Tannery’s smaller structures and creating pathways of harmony throughout the block.

How perfect will it be to work in and be inspired by such a great example of sustainable design?

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes”… David Bowie sung it best! We alluded to the manychanges on the horizon for MFX Partners (or just MFX as our friends call us) in our last newsletter. Well, finally, we can tell you a little bit more, which is good cause we’re literally bursting at the seams.

First on the list of changes … We’re moving! That’s right, MFX will be leaving our nest at 72 Victoria Street South in Kitchener and moving right across the street. Well, we like the neighborhood, so what can we say. Our new, larger, shinier digs are based on the second floor of The Tannery, at 151 Charles Street West in downtown Kitchener. And, you know what’s so great about our move? Not only will we have a larger space to contain all of our creativity; we’ll most-definitely be having an open house to celebrate in early spring so you can come and check the new space out!

Next up, we figured brand new digs called for a facelift of the MFX brand. That’s right, we are currently brewing up a name that amalgamates and honours all of the passionate creative people and stuff going on at MFX. More on that to come …

And finally, along with the new space and a new brand, a new website was a must! The launch of the new MFX website is expected at the end of this month. So please bear with us during the transition and, as the other MFX’ers would collectively recommend, “Ride the wave of change and embrace all of the delightful surprises we have in store for you!” And of course, please share your impressions freely with us as we go.

Until next time … MFX

OK, it’s official! I found my new favorite website—Do The Green Thing, a web portal and not-for-profit public service that inspires people to lead a greener life with simple tips product ideas, and eco-shopping alternatives that do their part to conserve Mother Earth. You might remember way back in the summer when MFX Partners created The Good 50, a game that aimed to do some good in the world by inspiring new, positive behaviors (e.g., like overpaying a parking meter for a stranger or actually wishing a telemarketer a good day, and meaning it).

Well, Do The Green Thing is of this accord. So please, do your part (baby steps) by checking out their brilliant videos and inspiring stories from some very creative people from 207 countries around the world who doing their part to live greener, more genuine lives.

MFX Partners is thrilled to announce the promotion of Lesley Richardson to Intermediate Designer at MFX Partners and Lead of Design for Design Changes, a studio of MFX Partners.

Les will begin working in the Design Changes studio as the main point of contact, serving the design needs of small and non-profit sectors of Kitchener-Waterloo (and surrounding communities). Les will work alongside fellow designer Scott Lee in the studio, and report to Creative Director, Brock Hart, with added support from Alison De Muy, MFX Director of Client Partnerships.

Les has been with MFX Partners for 1-1/2 years, applying her clean and creative design talents to help customers solve their visual communication problems. Lesley is a graduate of the award-winning design program at Conestoga College, where she took home silver at the ADCC (Advertising and

Design Club of Canada) student competition. Since graduating, Les has enjoyed a diverse range of design experience—from trade show display development and advertising in Toronto, to being an integral part of the design department at one of Canada’s highest-ranking universities.

Congratulations Les from the team at MFX Partners and Design Changes!

MFX Partners is delighted to announce the promotion of James Bisch to
Senior Designer. James will take a formal lead role, working closely
with Copywriter, Anna Fleet, to guide MFX’s creative team under the
Creative Direction of Brock Hart.

James has been with MFX Partners for the past 2-1/2 years. He has 5 years of agency-level experience creating visual communications for a wide range of B2B brand print and digital projects—from the conceptual stage, to refinement and final production.

James graduated with distinction in Graphic Design from Conestoga College, one of Canada’s premier polytechnic institutes. His work has earned recognition by RGD Ontario’s Design at Work 2008, “A juried exhibition of professional graphic design, demonstrating how design creates value for business.” And we recently learned that he will be showcased in RGD Ontario’s inaugural Provisional Showcase newsletter to be seen by thousands of RGD members, sponsors and subscribers. We are fortunate to have James as part of the team!

Many congratulations go out to James from the team at MFX Partners!