Creative industries receive Government backing

The advertising industry has welcomed a Government report that aims to support the creative industries. The report reveals that advertising is now the third largest creative industry in the UK.

The strategy document, which was unveiled by culture secretary Andy Burnham (pictured) today (February 22), vows to give all children a creative education; support research and innovation; help creative businesses grow and access finance; and promote Britain as the world’s creative hub.

It follows lobbying by industry bodies including the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA). Burnham says: “The argument about the importance of the creative industries has been won in Whitehall. What we have to do is provide the right environment for you to thrive.”

The report, entitled Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy, marks the moment government “acknowledged that Creative Britain will provide our future competitive edge”, according to IPA president Moray MacLennan.

He adds: “It’s up to us as practitioners to seize the opportunity to be the creative hub for the world. The IPA is fully supportive of this programme and keen to play its part in bringing it to fruition.”

Chief executive of the Advertising Association Peta Buscombe says that the importance of the industry can only be set to grow in the coming years as London prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

“The advertising industry is a healthy, important and vibrant one that has a reputation for acting with responsibility and restraint,” adds Buscombe.