Think London, Think Creativity
Aug 22, 2008
Some of the leading figures from creative industry companies around the
world will be in Beijing as part of a roundtable and panel discussion organised by Think London,
the foreign direct investment agency for London.
The event being held on 22nd August 2008, at Beijing’s London House will be attended by a range of Chinese companies who work in the creative industries sector, and who are looking to see what London and the UK market has to offer.
The “Creative Industries and London 2012” fireside chat will provide a forum for Chinese companies from the creative industries sector to debate and question the experts about the potential business opportunities that London’s and the run up to 2012 will offer.
Michael Charlton, Chief Executive of Think London said: “London is a hub
of creativity, and with more than half a million people employed in the creative industries sector,
this will increase. From film to fashion the city’s creative sector is growing 9 per cent a year
and we expect this trend to continue as London’s economy is predicted to grow $80 billion over the
next four years, with $8 billion generated from opportunities created through the 2012 Games. As
Beijing has already shown, an Olympic event is one of the greatest platforms to demonstrate
creativity, artistry and visual skills, and we want Chinese companies to help 2012 to be as
successful as 2008.“
The panel will include high profile names from China and the UK, Zhang Xin, Chief Executive and Co-founder, SOHO China; Lu Zhenggang, President, Crystal Digital; Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP; Chris Thompson, Head of Enterprise and Innovation, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication; as well as Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and Ian Barlow, Chairman, Think London. The fireside chat will be moderated by Mr. Chen Weihong of CCTV.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “London has always attracted some of the best creative talent from around the world. There are many reasons for its popularity but what makes London so attractive is its rich and vibrant cultural and social scene.
“Beijing blew us away with their fantastic opening ceremony setting the scene for a spectacularly successful 2008 Games but I am confident that London has the creative energy and talent to put on an equally impressive display in four years time. I want the expanding creative industries of Beijing and China to look to London’s huge pool of creative skills and the most comprehensive range of creative services of any city in the West."
Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, said: "In a less
differentiated world, it becomes increasingly important for companies especially those of the
creative industry to stand out through the quality and responsiveness of their people. London, with
its abundant pool of talents and culture of encouraging creativity, will play an pivotal role in
leading the world's creative industries. And I applaud Think London for drawing the attention of
business leaders to this critical consideration for our industry."
Crystal is the official computer graphics (CG) provider for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Its President Lu Zhenggang said: “Crystal strives to be a pioneer in the CG industry by rigorously enhancing its technologies and services. Our involvement with the Beijing Olympic Games sets a ‘ first’ in the Olympic history that a computer graphics supplier is included as part of the Olympic Games. We are pleased to learn that London also appreciates the huge potentials of creative industry in which CG is one of its key sectors.”
The event will be a unique opportunity to showcase London as a global centre for the creative sector to Chinese companies as:
- One in eight jobs in London are in the creative industries sector
- London has the highest concentration of creative firms in any city or region in the world
- London has the world’s third largest music market with $5.7 billion in consumer spending
- The city’s architects generate $1.1 billion of revenue per annum
- London sits alongside Milan, Paris and New York as one of the big four fashion centres
- The UK’s capital has over 100 film production studios
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