My name is Melodee and I’m a lyricist, an MC. I am the vocal part of a crew called La Melodia. Together with my producer I.N.T. we make soulful hip-hopmusic, and we perform all over the globe. Next to performing and MC-ing in the clubscene, I am also a radio host & editor. My radio show is called Future Vintage; we spin any kind of bordercrossing music. From hiphop to funk, from house to afrobeat, from new soul to dubstep and beyond. In 2004 I got my degree in Politics & Organizational Science. I am officially a Master of Arts.

What is a verbalizer according to you?

A verbalizer is someone who manages language and who is very creative in doing so. It is someone who can put thoughts into suitable words and sentences. Someone who knows how to describe vibes and ideas and puts it on paper in the correct formulation. A verbalizer is someone who understands and handles language, and who knows how to use it in order to help people out and to formulate their thoughts and ideas the best possible way, in a professional though understandable manner.

Where can verbalizers add value?

Verbalizers can add value when it comes to into giving concrete shape to ideas. They can help create understanding and clarification and get the right message across. It is the verbalizer’s task to find the right words and sentences, and even to help the inventor or the client to mold the idea to perfection to make sure the client’s goal is achieved.

In what way is language part of your work / creative process?

Since I am a lyricist or poet, language is essential for me. My rhymes and vocal expressions of what I feel and who I am are my main means of income. I therefor spend a lot of time being creative with language, discovering it, re-inventing it, expanding my vocabulary and thinking of new words and phrases myself. I can remember that even as a kid, language intrigued me. Different languages, different pronunciations, and being able to express myself in different kinds of groups and countries has always been a natural thing for me to do. Communication and language is of course important for any human being, but since it interested me so much it gradually turned into my work. It is how I express myself as an artist.

Put The New Verbalizers in the context of our time. Why do you think this ‘movement’ starts now?

Well, when I look at my generation for instance, I can honestly say that most of us are spoiled. Everything is taken care of, we have nothing to fight for. Gay marriage, abortion, differences between social classes and skin colour etc, all these issues have been taken care of legally. We all have the possibility to study and to make it in life. Our parents worked hard to make sure we wouldn’t miss out on anything.

That’s why we have always been satisfied and never felt the absolute need to to speak up or to form groups and criticize things. The government and legal system always enabled us to do the things we wanted in life. But these days it is becoming more and more obvious that the more the government gives, the more it also demands. These days the goverment is becoming more and more patronizing and controlling. To the extend that they even get involved in our personal life, health and even invade our privacy.

Luckily people are finally starting to realize that this is out of proportion. So it’s about time that we speak up and do this in a well thought, 21st century way. This, by using language as a a innovative and incontrovertible tool to get the message across.

My name is James Veenhoff, I am partner at Fronteer Strategy; I work on brand development and strategy consulting. (I am also the father of Jools Veenhoff)

What’s a verbalizer according to you?

A verbalizer is someone who creates meaning through words, much like how a visualiser does so through a drawing or illustration.

Where can verbalizers add value?

A picture can say more than a thousand words. But sometimes you don’t want a 1000. You want roughly 40, and they should be well-chosen. Especially in situations where concepts are handed over from one team or profession to another, a lot of semantic value and therefore focus and energy can be lost. Think of a strategy team handing over to a creative team, or a designer to a researcher. Many of these people know nothing about words and should not be let near them without the guidance of a verbalizer.

In what way is language part of your work / creative process?

Our mission at Fronteer Strategy is to create clarity and inspiration. Much of this process involves spreading ideas, caught in words.

Put the new verbalizers in the context of our time. why do you think this ‘movement’ starts now?

It’s not hard to see that we’re losing faith in numbers and getting bored with poorly worded crap on powerpoint slides. Much of our time is wasted on semantic discussions and effort spent backtracking or discussion what the objective was in the first place. We unconsciously yearn for well-worded concepts to create meaning for ourselves and partners/stakeholders.

Anything else you would like to add?

Wordsmiths, verbalisers and concept writers deserve more attention.

Any other reference(s) within the framework of The New Verbalizers?

There’s something to think about. when operating in international environments, the meaning of words can be quite complicated territory – let’s say you’re an architect working for a Dubai developer in Malta… The creation of reality requires establishing a shared semantic framework. That’s a challenge for verbalizers. So, an extra skill required is sensitivity to such underlying differences. Great book called ‘The Social Construction of Reality’ – part of my anthropology background could be useful input for thinking about this – if you have the energy:)

But besides that, I feel that given the context here, we’re talking about those who are capable of identifying the core in a certain issue or matter and have the ability to convey the message that he or she thinks is the core of the issue at hand.

Where can verbalizers add value?

I think -or feel more so, that the meaning of value in our current time is changing. Value is a reasonably subjective term in general, just as quality would be, I mean, try and identify quality.

The value a verbalizer might wish to add to a process is to (within the limited possibility of linguistics), find and identify the core of something in order to make this the center-point of the message that is to be conveyed. This of course can be perceived from a variety of viewpoints. In terms of problem solving, but also in the development of new concepts. In whatever field that might be.

I think the biggest value a verbalizer could add is to guide the conversation back to being and remaining constructive. We find a lot of limiting use of language in our meetings, in our social settings. A more conscious use of language, and the constructive part thereof, could be used to avoid a lot of limitations we, as a societal whole, have put upon ourselves. By using language to enable and support creative processes we can open up a whole new plain of possibilities.

In what way is language part of your work / creative process?

In my life, language is the single most important thing. Although my company focuses on graphic design, language in briefings and concept development is the single most important factor when it comes to being ‘valuable’ for your clients.

Next to that; I love writing, prose, and opinion pieces and (besides Cradle of Design) I do freelance concept development and business strategy. In both cases, language is the tool I have to work with.

Put The New Verbalizers in the context of our time.

When we look at today’s world, the amount of importance that is given to information has never been as big and ever increasing as now.  At the same time, the quantity of this cloud of information is growing rapidly. Using language as a tool (as a part of the whole, as ‘visual communication’ is often ‘faster’) it needs to be able to convey the message fast, sufficient and has to trigger one’s desire to want to know more.

When language does this it’s great, and also, the use of language can make or break the attention span of your audience. Therefore, using language correctly is one of the more important factors of brand-strategy. Especially when looking at the grand scheme of things.

As a creative writer and independent strategic consultant I have worked on digital marketing, advertising projects and design assignments. Please take a look at my Portfolio.

I’m a passionate real-life observer, always on the lookout for inspiration and an understanding of the way people do things. I feel completely at ease in the 21st century and I’d like to share, connect, meet and greet nice people online & offline. I get excited about art, language, new skool thoughts, lifestyle, tourist traps, technology, design and cities.

Just a few wishes for the next couple of years:

1_ Developing more great concepts, stories and ideas.
2_ Starting a new form of education where ‘verbalizers’ are learning to apply language as ‘problem solver’. Because you have to learn to describe a problem first before you can fix it. It’s a solution driven eduction with a bigger picture view on entrepreneurship.
3_ Taking the initiative and providing inspiration to entrepreneurs to define their identity.
4_ Being part of product development projects where strategic and creative language is needed to completely understand the outcome/goal.

Photo: Tessa Posthuma de Boer

After receiving her MA and MPhil in English, American Studies and Cultural Analysis, Miss van Gaalen started writing for a wide variety of international publications including Wired Magazine, Dazed & Confused, ID Magazine and Surface. She also worked as editor-in-chief of LE COOL magazine Amsterdam.

A published author, Miss van Gaalen has written several books on (street) art, design, fashion, advertising, branding, new media and travel.

Miss van Gaalen has produced several museum shows. She co-curated Dutch Masters, the first ever museum exhibition on street art and urban painting in the Netherlands.

She also curated French street artist and photographer JR’s first exhibition in The Netherlands, JR and guest curator Miss van Gaalen showed work in Foam Photography Museum, as well as in the streets of Amsterdam.

An experienced television and media professional, Miss van Gaalen has worked for a great number of broadcast companies, advertising agencies, brands and festivals. She also served as the associate producer on the award-winning documentary  Faces.