2006-08-18
Take creative industries seriously
In a globalised economy, creativity and intellectual property have emerged as the new building blocks of wealth generation and social inclusion. The countries of the global south, particularly the Caribbean, are in a unique position to generate wealth beyond their scale of economy and size based on the global appealing culture it has contributed to the world...
In determining a way forward for us as a people and as a region, it is critical to consider not only the strengths, issues, opportunities and threats we face, but to look beyond our own self-interest and see a collaborative strategy that takes us out of the box of colonial slavery to a space where we are comfortable in valuing our intellectual property.
Our journey as a people from being property to owning property to producing intellectual property has been a growth process, not only for the former slave but also for the former slave master.
As a people, we have organically established a brand that has become an international phenomenon.
Our music, fashion, food, art and other areas of creative expression are the bedrock of Brand Jamaica.
The global importance of the creative industries, including the core cultural areas and related areas of services, IT and media, represent a viable business opportunity for creative entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.
The fragmented short-term planning of the past must give way to an integrated long-term action plan that will consider the needs and strengths of the creators while addressing the significant role that government and capital must play if we are to realise the true potential of the brand.
The success of the region's creative capital has largely been due to the perserverance of the Caribbean entrepreneurial spirit which, despite the lack of cohesive public policy, and more importantly the lack of political will, the Caribbean creator has managed to develop brands and products that have demonstrated a global appeal.
Music brands whether Bob Marley, Sean Paul or Rihanna, fashion brands from Bridget sandals, Siim or Catch A Fire, to films such as The Harder They Come, caribbean creativity is diverse and dynamic.
The opportunities available to Brand Jamaica are limitless but without proper management, these remain lost opportunities.
The need for brand valuation, a process for proposal consideration and legal protection for Brand Jamaica is unquestionable - the case of Puma is a prime example of opportunity lost as Jamaica traded shoes for its brand rather than engage in a joint venture exploitation of the brand.
The lack of an enabling environment continues to impede the growth of this sector as a globally competitive element of our economic model.
Governments of the Caribbean and global south have a role to play in the protection of their people's intellectual products and the development of distribution and marketing mechanisms to assist in the brand extension and access to the market.
The partnerships required to drive change must be forged between the creative sector, the Government and financial sector in a mutually beneficial manner.
The paradigm shift must be lead by the creators, whose collective interests must be galvanised into an articulate vision for the sector on which governments must be informed and encouraged to act.
The dialogue has been ongoing and will continue, but the time is now for the stakeholders to unite and form a powerful coalition interested in the well-being and advancement of the creative industries.
We again call for the formalisation of a creative industries coalition representing private sector interests to lobby, consult and guide plans to develop, promote or distribute creative industries as an economic strategy for Jamaica and the Caribbean.
There are synergies and possibilities currently available to the Caribbean in the new economy where consumer-controlled distribution, driven by the technological advances of the internet and mobile carriers is creating a new distribution stream for music and audio visual products.
Culture is key, content is king, and knowledge is power. the game remains constant yesterday, today, tomorrow. the question is, how are we improving our game?
Excerpt from presentation by Andrea Davis At the recent IRD Creative Industries Forum at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
Our journey as a people from being property to owning property to producing intellectual property has been a growth process, not only for the former slave but also for the former slave master.
As a people, we have organically established a brand that has become an international phenomenon.
Our music, fashion, food, art and other areas of creative expression are the bedrock of Brand Jamaica.
The global importance of the creative industries, including the core cultural areas and related areas of services, IT and media, represent a viable business opportunity for creative entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.
The fragmented short-term planning of the past must give way to an integrated long-term action plan that will consider the needs and strengths of the creators while addressing the significant role that government and capital must play if we are to realise the true potential of the brand.
The success of the region's creative capital has largely been due to the perserverance of the Caribbean entrepreneurial spirit which, despite the lack of cohesive public policy, and more importantly the lack of political will, the Caribbean creator has managed to develop brands and products that have demonstrated a global appeal.
Music brands whether Bob Marley, Sean Paul or Rihanna, fashion brands from Bridget sandals, Siim or Catch A Fire, to films such as The Harder They Come, caribbean creativity is diverse and dynamic.
The opportunities available to Brand Jamaica are limitless but without proper management, these remain lost opportunities.
The need for brand valuation, a process for proposal consideration and legal protection for Brand Jamaica is unquestionable - the case of Puma is a prime example of opportunity lost as Jamaica traded shoes for its brand rather than engage in a joint venture exploitation of the brand.
The lack of an enabling environment continues to impede the growth of this sector as a globally competitive element of our economic model.
Governments of the Caribbean and global south have a role to play in the protection of their people's intellectual products and the development of distribution and marketing mechanisms to assist in the brand extension and access to the market.
The partnerships required to drive change must be forged between the creative sector, the Government and financial sector in a mutually beneficial manner.
The paradigm shift must be lead by the creators, whose collective interests must be galvanised into an articulate vision for the sector on which governments must be informed and encouraged to act.
The dialogue has been ongoing and will continue, but the time is now for the stakeholders to unite and form a powerful coalition interested in the well-being and advancement of the creative industries.
We again call for the formalisation of a creative industries coalition representing private sector interests to lobby, consult and guide plans to develop, promote or distribute creative industries as an economic strategy for Jamaica and the Caribbean.
There are synergies and possibilities currently available to the Caribbean in the new economy where consumer-controlled distribution, driven by the technological advances of the internet and mobile carriers is creating a new distribution stream for music and audio visual products.
Culture is key, content is king, and knowledge is power. the game remains constant yesterday, today, tomorrow. the question is, how are we improving our game?
Excerpt from presentation by Andrea Davis At the recent IRD Creative Industries Forum at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
The Jamaica Observer, August 16, 2006
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