Creating a new roll of honour

Mar 18 2010 By David Coppock, The Journal

THE North East has long been known for its creativity in the manufacturing sector. Great innovators such as George Stephenson, Armstrong, Swann, Merz, Parsons and many others form a roll call that the region can be justly proud of.

But today the ‘Creative sector’ is starting to develop its own roll of honour as companies in areas such as computer games, music production and the performing arts lead the way to developing new products.

The creative sector accounts for about 5% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) – manufacturing accounts for 20%.

The sector is made up of a number of key sub-groups such as advertising, animation, film and TV production, architecture, computer games, design and fashion and music.

Most, if not all, are well represented in the North East and are starting to see growth in export sales.

The region is becoming a world- renowned centre for computer games design and the University of Teesside is helping to build this reputation.

Also at the cutting edge is Gateshead-based Eutechnyx. which has been designing video games for more than 20 years. Its latest stable of driving games has a world- wide following, with strong markets in Japan and the USA.

Another North East company that has had a major impact in the United States is Loft Music which produces music for TV, film, advertising and video games, and in the last year has won a major contract with the CSI series of programmes.

UK Trade & investment has also helped companies in the Performing Arts sector to get a foothold overseas.

Surface Area Dance Company, based at Newcastle’s Dance City and Houghton-le-Spring, has recently taken contemporary dance to Brazil. The company is looking to tour in Japan and market visits have helped them develop links and contacts.

For more information, call the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email: enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk.

David Coppock is international trade director, UK Trade & Investment