Speaking at the Launch of CreativeD at the Digital Hub, Dr Chris Horn (Co-founder IONA Technologies) stated, "The key ethic of a smart economy is innovation, whether it be by new products, services, brands or business processes.
Innovation for the global marketplace leads to wealth creation and jobs."
CreativeD is a network-based business support programme designed for the creative industries. Its aim is to define, develop and promote creative businesses in Dublin.
The event, which coincided with Dublin Innovation Week, brought together the creative industries in Dublin as a sector for the first time. The event was opened by Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary, TD and included a panel debate on the development of the Creative Industries in Dublin with; Dr Chris Horn, Co-founder Iona Technologies and member of the Government Innovation Taskforce and Damini Kumar, European Ambassador of the Year of Creativity and Innovation. Click here to see an online video of the event.
A performance of Irish composer, Jonathan Nangle’s “(sighing): oh...but we were monsters, for 4-channel tape, 2 resonating snare drums and video” highlighted the potential for collaboration and innovation between different elements of the creative industries.
So far over 50 small Irish companies have signed up to be part of the CreativeD programme. Over the lifetime of the Programme they will be helped develop business skills, identify finance options and develop new product/service offerings through collaboration. The CreativeD website www.creatived.ie allows individuals and companies linked to the creative business sector to network and access information. The new Creative Industries network being established by CreativeD will provide invaluable assistance to people in Dublin who want to develop a business around a creative idea. Uniquely it will bring left and right brain thinking into harmony by drawing together and developing new business opportunities for creative entrepreneurs across the diverse fields of music and the arts, to technology and the sciences.
Peter Finnegan Director of International Relations & Research with Dublin City Council chaired the launch and commented: “International competitiveness is essential if we are to chart a path out of our current economic condition. That competitiveness must be built on the solid foundation of creativity and innovation. Dublin can only be a city of international excellence in the arena of creative businesses if we support the creative entrepreneurs among us. CreativeD is a practical support system born out of the partnership between City Council as City leader, the Enterprise Boards as business developer and the Digital Hub as the creative heart of the city. CreativeD is a shining beacon of hope and possibility for all our futures that breaks through the dark clouds of economic recession.”
CreativeD is part of a wider EU funded initiative which is being mirrored in a number of other locations. It is funded by Dublin City Council, The Digital Hub, the Dublin City and County Enterprise Boards. It is also part of a leadership initiative driven by the Creative Dublin Alliance to develop Dublin as an internationally acknowledged centre for innovation and sustainability. The Creative Dublin Alliance brings the City and County Councils in the Dublin Region together with the leaders of the Universities, business and State economic support agencies. Innovation Week is an initiative of the Creative Dublin Alliance.
Information Note:
CreativeD is specifically designed for those working in the creative industries sector including; Advertising, Architecture, Crafts, Cultural Tourism - Festivals & Events, Culinary Arts, Tours, Design, Designer Fashion, Digital Media, Film, Video and Photography, Publishing, Software Applications, Computer Games and Electronic Publishing, Television and Radio, The Arts - Music, Visual, Literary and Performing Arts.
To become a member of CreativeD log on to www.creatived.ie. The annual subscription to the programme is €100.00. For further information on membership contact our team at (01) 4293600 or email info@creatived.ie