Sagrado Stepped up to Moperc

In 2014 I visited Montreal for the International Conference on Cultural Economics. On one of my walks through the city I went to a musical store and came across a brand of solid tumbadoras, with great projection and a barrel style that reminded me of the Timbas Ismael drums that were discontinued at the beginning of 1990’s. I was surprised by two things in particular: that the brand was originally from Canada, and that they were available in a store beyond the option of buying directly from the artisan. Michel Oulet founded Moperc in 1990. Then in 2018, Francis Mercier took over the company, inserting it into the digital world, creating a new customer experience and positioning as a top brand globally.

Set of congas and bongo donated to the Music program by Dave Perlowski and moperc.

A few years ago, I noticed the digital presence of Moperc. Someone was doing something right. In general, businesses that depend solely on the artisan have the challenge of doing everything without support, from the purchase of materials, design, production, distribution, and marketing, and almost always, that last component is the most that suffers. Francis had achieved what very few have: turning the work of an artisan into a "craft manufacturing" operation, systematizing processes, achieving efficiencies, brand visibility, and all of this without losing the artisan experience. In my mind, Moperc was already a perfect case of cultural entrepreneurship.

After having gone through my customer experience with a trio of Custom Cubanos in Ash wood in dark brown with 5 bands, which arrived unplanned on my birthday, Francis puts me in touch with Dave Perlowski, a musician and sales professional with a clear sense of social commitment. Dave, a great contributor to Moperc, along with Francis, were interested in making an instrument donation to an entity in Puerto Rico. Best scenario: impossible. Just at that moment we had approved the creation of a new School of Arts, Design and Creative Industries at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón that I have the honor to found and lead. In the middle of the School launch the donation was made: a trio of Tropical model tumbadoras in 11”, 11.75” and 12.5 ”, in natural color and a Salsa Club model bongo with an enviable projection. For the youngest Music program in Puerto Rico, which in turn is part of the first School that brings together most of the creative disciplines, including Dance, Theater, Music, Visual Arts, Animation, Photography, Experience Design and Creative Writing, this collaboration is incredibly valuable. It is no coincidence that a School with a great focus on entrepreneurship is associated with entrepreneurial brands.

Javier J. Hernández Acosta, Director of the School of Arts, Design and Creative Industries at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

If something characterizes the academic project of the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, it is innovation and entrepreneurship, always framed in ethics and sustainability. Moperc represents a true example of innovation, but not the clichéd approach of the “absolutely new” things, but on how ancestral knowledge and traditions of drum making can be tied to experimentation to achieve quality objects with great sense of aesthetics and design, but above all, from the centrality in its reason for existing: its sound. Moperc is also very entrepreneurial. It represents is the identification of opportunities and the execution of good practices to take advantage of those opportunities. And all of this framed in ethical and sustainable practices of a whole supply chain where everyone wins.

Jorge Flynn, Leader of the Music program with a group of students

It is no accident that a person like Dave Perlowski is part of the Moperc family. When a brand communicates your same values, it is easy to create a community. At Sagrado we take care of every detail of our relationships. That’s why we are very grateful for this important donation from Moperc. After all, part of the Sagrado experience is that since day one our students have contact with the highest quality standards in their industries. Thanks to Dave and Francis for making it possible.

For more info on Moperc please visit: http://www.moperc.com.