Spotlight Innovators Serendipity

Last week I was invited to write about editoria33 and myself for the inaugural spotlight of the Innovators Serendipity Academy .

Short Version:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/innovators-serendipity-academyinnovators-serendipity-academy-spotlight-activity-7165298995966210048-vBxF/

LONG Version/Article
https://innovators-serendipity-academy.circle.so/c/announcements/welcome-to-the-inaugural-academy-spotlight-of-the-innovators-serendipity-academy-volume-1

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My name is Marc D’Arrigo and I started my own creative communication agency editoria33 Two Years ago.

From my childhood days swapping stories with my Italian grandparents to capturing the world through classic Polaroids and disposable cameras, I've always been drawn to the art of storytelling. My first-ever photographs featured fishing boats on sandbanks, a visual aesthetic inspired by the maritime tales of my Nonno about our seafaring ancestors. 'We have saltwater in our veins,' he repeated, almost like a mantra, a sentiment that continues to resonate with me to this day.

Fast forward to the 2000s, I immersed myself in collecting vinyl, DJing, street culture and graphic design. Crafting unique concepts became my signature, redefining storytelling through interactive campaigns and unexpected strategies for clients in media and publishing. I transitioned to producing educational video campaigns and later joined the Future Audience team at NZZ – Neue Zürcher Zeitung, creating new strategies for a younger target audience.

Later I discovered the startup world and delved into mobile apps ecosystems at Bring! Labs and later Too Good To Go, where I contributed to the global fight against food waste, solidifying my commitment to meaningful storytelling and impactful initiatives.

Armed with a comprehensive understanding of communication, advertising, visual content and marketing, I've started my own entrepreneurial journey and excited to share my passion for innovative storytelling, I've founded my own agency.

editoria33

editoria33 is a hybrid between brand consulting, storytelling and publishing. It serves as my creative base, where I craft stories, innovative concepts, strategic plans, and identities for brands, institutions, and products; or myself.

The Role of AI & My Passion for Web3

Web3 is all about experimenting, creating, and building. I'm particularly fascinated by the idea (/dream/potential) of blockchain technology and decentralized networks to serve humanity – not merely as a tool for wealth creation but as a force for positive global change.  It's not just another cool trend; it should be a chance and commitment to building a better world – a harmonious coexistence between the new technologies, people, and our planet.

As an example, I was invited to write a keynote speech about humanity and the role of AI for an avatar representing the ambassador for planet earth, dedicated to raising awareness about its well-being and the necessary changes we need to embrace. The speech, presented at the Volkswagen Innovation Stage of the IAA fair in Munich, was delivered by the avatar itself, helping to spread the message to a diverse audience.  AI fascinates me primarily as a tool for creating visual content, offering the freedom to construct atmospheres and visual languages that I see in front of my inner eye. It supports me creatively in my credo and my forever quest to tell stories in unique and aesthetic ways, like they have not been told before, tapping into the unconscious and evoking emotions.

For me It is not only about generating single pictures who look good, but creating entire atmospheres and narratives. With mare33 for example, I developed a comprehensive story set in a fictional fishing village, complete with characters, locations, and purpose. AI played a crucial role in building up the whole visual universe and developing an innovative Web3 based platform that spreads awareness through various mediums such as interactive storytelling, gaming, a sustainable product marketplace, educational literature, and an NFT-based experience. It's a holistic ecosystem designed to engage users on multiple levels.
Currently, I'm seeking the necessary funding to bring this ambitious project to fruition.

Are NFTs Dead?

I look at NFTs less through the lens of a financial asset, investment & speculation and more as a technology with creative potential. While the hype surrounding NFTs may have cooled off, their underlying value and utility remains significant.

PA is an example of a multifaceted Web3 ecosystem that deeply resonates with my interests.

Psychedelics Anonymous (PA) stands out for me as a project at this intersection of technology, creativity, and community. I have written a long blog article on my website but in essence, for me Psychedelics Anonymous embodies the spirit of Web3, bringing in a new era of community connection, creativity, and positive change.

It’s a vibrant community of creators and collectors sharing similar values and pushing the boundaries of Web3 innovation and mental health advancements.

Psychedelics Anonymous is additionally revolutionizing the NFT space by offering a trait marketplace, where users can customize their digital assets to reflect their unique identity, taste and preferences – A digital platform for personalization and self-expression in the digital age. (Think ESG Pin on your avatar)

One standout feature of PA is its Forest Bars, full-spectrum bioactive chocolates infused with medicinal mushrooms, crafted for human enhancement and backed by scientific analysis. Owning an NFT from Psychedelics Anonymous grants access and profit participation, adding an extra dimension to the project's utilities.

Blending technology and tradition for a sustainable future

I'm intrigued by the integration of ancient traditions with modern technology to create tangible, real-life products that support human enhancement and serve the planet.

For instance HiveBits, with its upcoming NFTs offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of beekeeping practices and make a positive impact on the environment.

As an advisor for HiveBits, I'm thrilled to be part of a project that's using an innovative approach to traditional beekeeping. HiveBits uses the power of new technologies to revolutionize beekeeping methods and create a sustainable future for our global ecosystem.

By providing cutting-edge tools and insights, HiveBits gives the opportunity to both individuals but also businesses to start with beekeeping in a way that's accessible, rewarding, and beneficial for the ecosystem.

This aligns perfectly with my mission at editoria33, where I am constantly seeking innovative ways to tell stories that drive positive change and make a meaningful impact. Being involved with HiveBits allows me to leverage my expertise to support a cause I'm truly passionate about — protecting our environment and preserving the vital role that bees play in it.

One of my proudest achievements on my past path before editoria33 was spearheading a partnership with the Swiss Farmers Union during my role as B2B lead at Too Good To Go Switzerland. This initiative effectively combined technology with the mission of reducing food waste in agriculture.

Another groundbreaking project in Web3 that fascinates me is Hen House, which tokenizes real-life assets such as chickens and eggs, reshaping agriculture and ensuring fair compensation for local farmers and their communities.

Holding a Hen House NFT offers ownership and opens doors to dynamic staking and exclusive airdrops. The creativity and sentiment within the community are very entertaining and fun.
But what again inspires me the most is its dedication to building a transparent ecosystem where technology, sustainability, and community redefine new practices in the example of mentioned agriculture.

Modern Workplaces between Biohacking & Circular Economy

A project that integrates ancient wisdom and modern technology in a most exciting way is the team behind BE LIGHT, a partnership that is close to my heart. It brings together so many values and innovations. BE LIGHT integrates neuroscience-backed breathwork, meditation, and light and sound frequencies to create a truly immersive and beneficial experience.

I find it exciting since it’s not only for individuals and private settings, but also beneficial for a modern workplace, – it boosts productivity, improves workplace stress or the team dynamics with more mindfulness and overall better focus. In today's fast-paced business environment, I find it an highly innovative new path to corporate mental wellness.

Another facet of BE LIGHT is its community-building approach, hosting sessions at events both in real life and also virtually in the Metaverse. I had the pleasure of meeting them at the Blockchance fair in Hamburg last year and experiencing their Relax & Flow room, which left me instantly impressed by its effectiveness. Collaborating with them to tell stories is an absolute pleasure.

Speaking of a modern workplace, EcoNation, a project I am deeply involved with, is now ready to offer a transparent B2B solution for the topic around ESG reports for companies, which, much like BE LIGHT, supports team building and purpose.

EcoNation is a mobile app and an all-in-one tracking system focused on waste management, designed to track and quantify ESG activities within your company. All in a simple, fun and most importantly, transparent manner. From CleanUp events to recycling activity tracking, EcoNation offers new and fun possibilities to simplify CSRD compliance (corporate sustainability reporting) and company certification.

By creating an EcoNation group, you may invite all employees into a team and monitor the positive impact of the company. We assist in activation and communication within the organization, provide a monitoring dashboard for the leadership to transparently track all impact activities and offer monthly challenges and reward systems for employees.

The platform offers numerous benefits, including quantification and certification of ESG impact, CO2 savings calculation, great content for communication, classic gamification and the highest level of transparency through geolocation of every impact activity.

Ready to explore how editoria33 can help drive positive change and innovation in your industry? Visit my website to learn more or reach out to me directly. Let's collaborate to discover and showcase your unique stories, making a meaningful impact together!