Member Article

North West firms on creative industries Brazil mission

Two North West music companies are set to fly the flag for the UK, as they visit Brazil on a UKTI trade mission.

Burnley-based professional audio equipment company AMS Neve and Liverpool digital distribution company Ditto Music will join a delegation comprising some of the UK’s most promising companies in film, music and TV.

They will meet the Secretary of Culture for the State of São paulo, Marcelo Mattos, along with some of Brazil’s leading media conglomerates, such as Globo Editora Abril.

Both companies have been working with UKTI North West’s Creative Industries Adviser Karen Holden, and are signed up to the Gateway to Global Growth service, which helps more experienced exporters to diversify into new and difficult markets.

This week’s report from the Economist Intelligent Unit, ‘Content Disruptors: Structural change in the media and entertainment industries,’ suggests that Brazil’s media and entertainment industry is fast developing, as the country’s growing middle class has an appetite for content.

The report was commissioned by UKTI and cities PwC research, which indicates Brazil’s total spend on media and entertainment grew by 56% between 2006 and 2010, compared to just 7% in Germany and 8% in the UK.

Dominic Coll, business development manager at AMS Neve Ltd, said: “This rapidly developing country has a strong musical culture, and AMS Neve’s new range of studio outboard is a perfect match for new and existing talent across Brazil.

“We hope to bring fresh, no compromise, high quality and audio recording and mixing products into the broadcast, music recording, post production and live sound markets.”

Brazil is the world’s 12th largest music market, and between 2010 and 2011, the recording industry grew by 8.5%.

Ditto Music’s founder, Lee Parsons, said: “Ditto Music is a directly artist related business. With such a high number of artists in Brazil, all needing distribution, it makes a great choice for a new worldwide location.”

UK Trade & Investment chief executive Nick Baird said: “Brazil creates huge opportunities for British businesses. The UK has one of the world’s largest and most successful creative industries sectors.

“Exports of UK creative services total just under £9 billion and British creative influence, including in Brazil, is highly regarded. The international success for TV series such as Downton Abbey, to films like the Harry Potter series and the popularity of British music overseas is proof of this.

“This year the eyes of the world have been on the UK for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and our creative industries, showcased so brilliantly by Danny Boyle at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, are generating an even greater buzz. The time is right to trade with our international partners. “

Karen Holden, International Trade Adviser specialising in Creative Industries for UKTI North West’s international trade team, is also joining the delegation to Brazil and added: “Brazil is a market which holds great potential for creative companies, and we are very proud to have a wealth of creative talent in the North West. UKTI North West has been working with both Ditto Music and AMS Neve Ltd to help them to increase their global reach and we are delighted that they are able to join us on this exciting mission.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .