Blog

The Best of the Creative Economy: Peter Molyneux on Little Big Planet

Nick | 15 Jan 2009, 10:43

In the second part of c&binet’s review of the creative economy in 2008, c&binet ambassador Peter Molyneux, the Creative Director of Lionhead Studios, has chosen LittleBigPlanet as the most important creative innovation of the last twelve months.

LittleBigPlanet was created by Media Molecule and has been one of the success stories of the critical Christmas sales period. Its innovative gaming environment uses handcrafted landscapes made from recognisable materials to build a unique gaming experience. Creativity and imagination coming to life.

“LittleBigPlanet has outstanding creative vision. It’s from a British start-up studio and is one of the defining titles on Japan’s Sony PS3.”

Lebedev plans to buy the London Evening Standard

Nick | 14 Jan 2009, 22:04

The Guardian is reporting that Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev is “poised to buy a controlling stake” in the Evening Standard from UK media group Daily Mail & General Trust:

“Under the terms of the deal Lebedev will purchase 76% of the newspaper, with the Associated Newspapers group retaining 24%.“

The billionnaire, who lives in London and whose other business interests include Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta claims that he is not expecting to make money from the venture, claiming it will be a “good way to lose money”.

The Best of the Creative Economy: Lucian Grainge on Amy Winehouse

Nick | 14 Jan 2009, 10:08

As part of c&binet’s creative business review of 2008, Lucian Grainge has nominated Amy Winehouse’s performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards as the most important creative innovation of the past year.

At the 2008 Grammy Awards, Amy Winehouse became the first British female singer in the event’s history to be honoured with five statuettes. 

“Unique artists so often pay a steep personal price for their gift. Creativity burns bright and dark; there are shadows, there is conflict. When she’s at her best, Amy Winehouse conquers the demons.”

You can watch Lucian discuss his nomination of Amy Winehouse at the first c&binet meeting.

C&binet nominates the best of the creative economy

Nick | 13 Jan 2009, 15:22

As 2009 kicks off, c&binet ambassadors have been talking about the creative projects that shone in 2008. From Amy Winehouse to Barack Obama, collectively the nominations capture the breadth and scale of creative innovation. Over the next few weeks we’ll be profiling the projects nominated by each of our ambassadors as the best creative landmarks of the past 12 months.

Kicking off the series will be Lucian Grainge.

Andy Burnham calls for a UK City of Culture

Nick | 12 Jan 2009, 22:58

UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, has called for the creation of a British city of culture that would redistribute the social and economic benefits of large-scale cultural events to the country’s regions.  He told Commentisfree that:

“I feel a huge sense of pride about the way Liverpool has shone in that spotlight.

“It’s not just that Liverpool organised great events and has beautiful new buildings to admire. What’s most striking is its renewed sense of pride and confidence. Culture has helped put the heart and soul back in one of Britain’s oldest and proudest cities.

“Liverpool has also proved something else: that world-class culture and entertainment do not end once you move outside the M25. Talent and a passion for quality culture are to be found in every British city.

“Any city could bid to host a slate of big-ticket events – such as the Turner prize, the Brits or the BBC Sports Personality of the Year – that normally take place in London. But the winning city would be one with the most ambitious plans – the one promising to take the coveted British city of culture tag and do most to inspire its people.“

Burnham has asked c&binet ambassador Phil Redmond to investigate the possibility of creating a UK capital of culture programme that would rotate around the country every four years.

C&binet is funded by the DCMS.

BBC Director General Mark Thompson backs merger between Channel 4 and Five

Nick | 12 Jan 2009, 14:12

The BBC Director General Mark Thompson has told The Financial Times that “broadcasting must restructure to survive” and backed a merger between UK media companies Channel 4 and Channel Five (owned by RTL).

“Consolidation could offer the prospect of both short and long-term benefits: immediate cost savings and an increase in scale in key markets from advertising sales to programme acquisition, but also the chance for a smaller number of larger players to focus on credible and affordable digital plans.

“What UK broadcasting needs is the same as the rest of the economy: simplification, consolidation and the right kind of public-private collaboration. Much of the solution will come from making sense of existing pieces not inventing new ones. This year I hope we see that solution take shape.“

The FT notes that Mr Thompson supported a merger in 2004, when he was Channel 4 CEO. Mark Thompson and Channel 4 CEO Andy Duncan were both present at the c&binet dinner in Liverpool.