Live chat: thinking like a creative startup

Join us from 12pm on Friday 13 April as we look at startups in the creative industries – what can we learn from them and how might you go about making your startup dream a reality?

Matthew Caines

Guardian Professional, Thursday 12 April 2012 12.33 BST

Article from The Guardian

Social network giant Facebook – once a startup itself – recently purchased Instagram for a reported $1bn.

It took the two founders of Instagram only two years to turn their photo-sharing social app into $1bn – not bad for a company that has 13 employees and doesn't make a single penny. Founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have made a pretty packet from the app, but more than anything they've shown the world how powerful an entrepreneurial spirit and startup mentality can be in this digital age.

And where culture and the arts are concerned there's certainly reason to start thinking of, or like, a startup. They share a lot more than you might think: the need for outside investment, the focus on collaboration, a strong audience connection and big thinking around small budgets.

With digital innovation evolving so rapidly and with new tools and platforms popping up all over our social, local, mobile and online channels, starting up has never been so accessible. And for those organisations already established or looking at their next project, there's certainly something to learn from a startup mentality.

Anne-Marie Imafidon made a call to arms this week when she explained why arts organisations should act more like startups. "If you make what you do replicable, and empower others to do it, you'll be meeting more than just your own objectives," she said. "If you're providing a service, there's a chance that someone somewhere will pay for it – even if it's not the person receiving the service."

If there's not an opportunity to start something new yourself, there's certainly plenty to learn from those who do. So whether you're looking to realise your creative idea as a new product or take some of that entrepreneurial thought back to the boardroom, join our live chat this Friday 13 April from 12pm to 2pm to share insights, ideas and advice around starting up.

Panel (more to follow)

Estela Oliva, founder & director, Alpha-ville (http://www.alpha-ville.co.uk/)

Estela is a digital entrepreneur currently running her own digital consultancy as well as Alpha-ville, a not for profit startup dedicated to the development of digital culture. The organisation presents a post-digital festival where technology meets art and creativity – she previously worked at Google. @estelaoliva @alphavillefest

Patricia van den Akker, director, The Design Trust (http://www.thedesigntrust.co.uk/)

Patricia has worked for nearly 15 years in creative business development, specialising in design and crafts. She has worked at the Crafts Council, Studio Levien, CIDA and Pembridge & Partners. In 2011 she took over The Design Trust to help people start, run and grow their design and craft businesses. @thedesigntrust

Laura Wellington & James Abbott-Donnelly, directors, Duke Studios (http://www.duke-studios.com/)

Laura and James are co-founders of Duke Studios in Leeds. When not transforming 7,500 square feet into a creative co-working space Laura also runs her own design practice supplying both the UK and international markets. James also runs a photography business. @Dukestudioleeds @laurawelli @jamesadphoto

Marie-Anne Leonard, founder/director, Art on the Street CIC (http://www.maidenheadartmarket.org/)

Founded by four friends in 2009, Art on the Street provides artists with affordable ways to sell their work and develop as independent businesses, creating artspaces where there are none, offering advice and support as well as enabling networking and collaboration opportunities. @artonthestreet

To join this live chat as a panellist, email Matthew Caines (matthew.caines@guardian.co.uk)

Article from The Guardian

Social media a driving force in small business marketing

Posted: 4/6/2012

By: Mark Nolan

Article from Amsterdam Printing

According to a recent Creative Group survey of 500 advertising and marketing executives, 53 percent said they plan to increase their business advertising efforts by investing in Facebook more this year.

However, other social networks were also viewed as viable recipients of company funds. Forty-three percent expect to increase their budget for Twitter usage, 41 percent for Google+, 38 percent for LinkedIn and 36 percent for YouTube.

On the flip side, no more than 5 percent of recipients expected their investment in any of the social media platforms mentioned above to decrease in 2012.

"Companies recognize the powerful role social media can play in brand building, and they are willing to invest in initiatives that can help them increase customer engagement," said Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group. "As platforms like Facebook continue to evolve, it's especially important for businesses to keep pace."

The Los Angeles Times reports that Facebook is expected to top a $100 billion valuation after its initial public offering becomes complete. The social network made $3.7 million in revenue from online ads last year, and more brands are buying ads on Facebook than ever before, given its massive user base (845 million).

Social media remains a popular advertising option for small businesses that are limited in terms of budget allocation. According to the sixth annual Staples National Small Business Survey, 67 percent of small business owners only plan to spend around $2,000 on advertising and marketing in 2012. This has led a fair amount of respondents - 35 percent - to increase their reliance on social media over the past year.

What's more, traditional marketing and advertising is becoming a thing of the past, as viral marketing is cheaper and can generally reach a wider audience.

"This is a smart strategy if, like the majority of survey respondents, you don't have a big budget," the Huffington Post explains.

Article from Amsterdam Printing

Creative thinking is boosting Plymouth economy

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Article from This is Plymouth

PLYMOUTH'S creative industries sector has expanded rapidly into a £250million-a-year success story for the city's economy – with potential for more growth and jobs over the next decade.

An estimated 4,400 people are now employed in what has been targeted by Plymouth City Council as a priority sector for the future, with about half of these creative businesses established in just the past five years.

Plymouth is now seeing young talented creatives and university graduates, who may previously have taken their ideas to Bristol or London, choosing to stay in Plymouth to turn ideas into businesses.

The result is a growing cluster of expertise with a network of support, facilities, office accommodation and research capacity in place.

Much of this now falls within the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN), set up by Plymouth University, Plymouth City Council and Tamar Science Park, to accelerate growth and investment in high-quality businesses and ideas to create wealth and jobs in the South West.

With Plymouth University's Faculty of Arts and Plymouth College of Art drawing creative talent to the city, the challenge for has been in capturing this talent and nurturing it to create commercial ventures.

The council's economic development team has been identifying where facilities and support are needed and working with partners to delivering this, including supporting the establishment of the Plymouth Creative Network.

So, alongside well-established creative companies such as Twofour media, Silverstream TV, Bluestone360 and Goss Interactive, new businesses are being established covering areas such as graphic design, marketing, outdoor advertising and mobile phone app design.

The Formation Zone, at Plymouth University, provides space for the development of creative businesses with fully serviced office space and business support for up to two years.

It has produced several creative success stories, including online game and mobile app designers Mutant Labs, digital marketing agency Fuel Communications and marketing and design companies 51 Studio, Altitude and Actuate.

Eleanor Butland, Formation Zone programme manager, said: "We can aid businesses with everything from leadership and management coaching to peer-to-peer support while they focus on growing the business.

"When they are ready to move on, we can help by liaising with other office and studio space providers to find them what they need, whether that's a short-term lease or a location that has the 'wow' factor to impress clients.

"The creative industry is definitely a lot stronger than it was two or three years ago, and Plymouth is now being viewed as a much more viable place to operate.

"In the past, students graduating from Plymouth University often either went to Bristol or London, but now many more are choosing to stay here and create high value jobs through setting up creative businesses."

A focal point for GAIN is ensuring facilities, space and support are available to keep young businesses in Plymouth.

The city has facilities at Tamar Science Park where recent creative additions to its portfolio include start-up software and net development firm Carbon Pixel Ltd and web-casting and software specialists Vualto Ltd.

There is also an emerging "creative corridor" with the development of workspaces at Studio 5-11 on Millbay Road by the Architects Design Group (ADG), and the redevelopment of studio space Residence Two at Royal William Yard, by Urban Splash.

Both are becoming hubs for creative businesses. Residence 2 sprung from work done by the council's economic development team and Plymouth Creative Network members in identifying a pent-up demand for such facilities.

Thanks to links with the Formation Zone, Royal William Yard's first Residence 2 tenants – 51 Studio, Altitude and Actuate – relocated to the Yard in February.

Miles Noble, managing director of Altitude said: "Royal William Yard is an amazing, trendy, creative space. When the opportunity to move there arose it was at just the right time for us."

Nathan Cornish, director at Urban Splash, added: "It's no coincidence the first three businesses to move in all came from the Formation Zone, as the graduates and embryonic businesses currently based there are exactly the type of companies we refurbished Residence 2 for."

Former 1970s social security office Studio 5-11 was given a complete makeover in 2010 by ADG, which now occupies the fifth floor.

Ian Potts, ADG managing director, said: "Tenants instantly become part of a creative, collaborative business community."

GAIN seeks to bring the ability to connect investment opportunities, business support and facilities for creative businesses in Plymouth.

Professor Julian Beer, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Plymouth University, said: "Creative industries is a key sector for Plymouth, and the high growth it is experiencing is a fantastic example of what the infrastructure provided by GAIN and other partners in the city can help achieve.

"With the support framework in place, I have no doubt Plymouth can become one of the leading cities in the UK for creative industries, attracting further outside investment and boosting the economy."

Councillor Ted Fry, the council's Cabinet member for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Growth, said: "Our local economic strategy identified the creative sector as one of the city's key strengths. I'm thrilled to see these dynamic companies are doing so well.

"This important sector helps the city retain talent nurtured at the university, and provides exciting job and skills opportunities for young people, in particular.

"Support for sectors such as the creative industries is further enhanced by the work to increase the take-up of super-fast broadband in the city. This is an area we are focusing on."

Article from This is Plymouth