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UK City of Culture Festival will showcase Creative Industries

Andrew | 27 Feb 2010, 07:05

Birmingham, Derry/Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield left in contest to work with the BBC, C4, UK Film Council and other creatives on first ever UK City of Culture festival

C&binet comment: Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

I announced Birmingham, Derry/Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield earlier this week as the final four shortlisted candidates for the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013. If you’re a creative entrepreneur or part of a creative company, this is the ‘get set’ stage – get set for an explosion of opportunities to network, showcase your business and your skills, and bid for work.

Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 generated an £800m boost to the local economy – a good share going to creative industries in the region – and turned it into the third most popular weekend break destination in the UK.

I can well imagine how tough a task it is to untangle the benefits of Liverpool 08 from the consequences of the global downturn. But even a cautious-sounding document published last November by Impacts 08 has local creative businesses saying that European Capital of Culture enhanced their profile, grew their client base and improved long-term prospects.

That makes me hugely optimistic about what UK City of Culture can do for strengthening the profile of cities and encouraging the creative sector. The winning city will need hundreds of creative partners, advisers and suppliers capable of making their year in the cultural spotlight a critical as well as a financial success.

The BBC and C4 have already committed to matching the level of coverage they gave Liverpool, including the staging or hosting of media events such as Sports Personality of the Year, the Culture Show, Electric Proms, the Turner Prize and Grand Designs Live.

C4 will be looking at basing a major reality TV event in the winning city, or a major music concert and Sony will consider relocating the Brits to the City of Culture for that year.

Public bodies like the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Arts Council England and Visit Britain will look to stage ceremonies, events and promotions. The UK Film Council will stage a film festival and support local filmmaking. And the winning city will have committed to making full use of digital technology to get people fully involved locally.

Get set now. We say ‘go’ in the summer with the announcement of the successful bid.

C&binet ambassador Lucian Grainge appointed CEO of Universal Music Group

Nick | 11 Feb 2010, 11:46

Lucian Grainge, one of the driving forces behind the success of c&binet forum 2009, has been promoted to lead the world’s biggest music company.

A (Universal’s parent company) said:

Vivendi announced today the appointment of Lucian Grainge as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company. Mr. Grainge is promoted from his current role as Chairman and CEO of London-based Universal Music Group International (UMGI). He will take up the position on Jan. 1st 2011, succeeding Doug Morris, who will remain as Chairman. He will relocate to New York from July 1st 2010. During these six months, Doug Morris and Lucian Grainge will act as co-CEOs of UMG. Lucian Grainge will report to Jean-Bernard Levy and become a member of the Vivendi Management Board.

Under Lucian Grainge’s leadership since 2005, UMGI has grown its market share worldwide, broken global acts and led the music industry in developing a range of new digital services. He started his career with CBS/April Music in 1979, advancing to positions in Artists & Repertoire (A&R) and talent development, and rising to senior management positions at PolyGram UK and Universal Music internationally.

As a c&binet ambassador, Mr Grainge played a leading role in shaping the agenda and content for c&binet forum 2009.

Film Minister launches Pinewood apprenticeship scheme

Alastair | 05 Feb 2010, 11:01

Pinewood Studios – currently shooting Harry Potter 7 – has opened up a new career path into the film industry. Today the first 10 recruits to the Pinewood Studio Group Apprenticeship Scheme took their first steps to an NVQ Level 2&3 in 2012 when the scheme was launched by departing film minister, Siôn Simon.

At the launch Simon met Sam Healy, one of the ten apprentices, who will be spending the next two years becoming a drapesman – a specialist role with responsibility for all the fabrics and soft furnishings on the film set.

Pinewood’s scheme, with the local Amersham and Wycombe College providing the academic element, is part of a Creative Britain commitment by the creative industries to offer 5,000 apprenticeships a year by 2013.

Commitments so far amount to 1,400 places, with another 475 currently underway. A dozen of these are Set Craft Apprentices on an existing joint Skillset/Pinewood scheme now into its second year. The Set Craft Apprentices have been working on productions including Harry Potter, James Bond, Batman and the forthcoming John Carter of Mars.

Last month the influential House of Lords Communications Committee made a series of recommendations on boosting the range, depth and relevance of training and skills for the UK film and television industries.

Siôn Simon said, ‘the film industry can be incredibly tough to break into, but Pinewood’s apprenticeship scheme is a welcome route into this exciting and highly creative industry. Sam and the other apprentices I met today are employed for their ability and potential, and I am sure they will do extremely well. Pinewood Studios is working hard to address any skills gaps while providing a great start for some enthusiastic young people.’