What trail of hares taught me about building Suffolk | Mars El Brogy | TEDxUniversity of Suffolk

The arts and creative sector can help build a better Suffolk, according to this TEDx talk by journalist and multimedia producer Mars El Brogy. Using the Hop to It trail of painted hares as an example, the talk looks at how creative initiatives can change places, support local economies and bring communities together. The speaker draws on nearly three decades in the creative sector and a lifelong link to Suffolk to argue that "building better" means more than construction. It also includes what people create, share and experience together. The talk was given at an independently organized TEDx event.

• The Hop to It trail of painted hares as a case study
• How creative projects can increase footfall and support independent businesses
• Arts as a source of shared experience, pride and belonging

The arts and creative sector play a vital role in building a better Suffolk. Through the lens of the Hop to It trail, this talk explores how creative initiatives can transform places, strengthen local economies, and bring communities together. What may appear to be a simple trail of painted hares is a powerful example of how creativity can increase footfall, support independent businesses, showcase emerging artists, and encourage people to connect with their surroundings. Beyond the economic impact, the arts create shared experiences that build pride, belonging, and a stronger sense of place. Drawing on nearly three decades in the creative sector and a lifelong connection to Suffolk, this talk challenges us to rethink what “building better” means — not just through what we construct, but through what we create, share, and experience together. Mars El Brogy is a journalist and an award-winning multimedia executive producer. She started in independent television production and has worked for All3Media-owned Maverick TV, the BBC and BBC Worldwide. She was part of the launch team of ESI Media's London Live and moved on to become Group Head of Video Production for the Evening Standard and The Independent. She writes for Good Food and has contributed to The Telegraph. Passionate about fostering new talent, she is a patron of the National Student Television Association and established the Mars Elkins - El Brogy Award for Multimedia Content. A former Royal Television Society Midlands Hon Sec, Mars is a member of the ITV Anglia Inclusion and Diversity (East) and is Hon Sec of the RTS East committee. Currently online publication Hyphen's Managing editor, Mars is in the first cohort of the BBC | YouTube | NFTS Create x Connect Digital news training programme. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx