A new group which aims to promote Aberdeen as a flagship hub for the creative industries officially launched in the city on Tuesday.
Creative Aberdeen was initially formed by a number of agencies working in digital marketing, design and PR, but has generated so much interest that it has already extended its reach to include artists, actors, musicians and other makers.
The group wants to celebrate the creativity, skills, expertise and talent here in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and to promote it to future talent, educators and the wider community, as well as clients.
Its strapline of ‘Make It Here’ aims to showcase the many opportunities that exist in Aberdeen for creative work and to encourage people who come to the city to stay here and build their careers and businesses in the Granite City.
It is also hoped the group will foster opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion.
More than 250 people attended the official launch event last night (Tuesday, November 25) at The Priory on Belmont Street, which was sponsored by Balmoral Group and supported by Repro as print sponsor.
Early work carried out by the group has included developing close links with local colleges and universities to offer students real world opportunities in mentoring and work experience.
From left are Creative Aberdeen members Mike Wilson, Gina Urquhart and Marcus McLernon from RGU.
Among the steering group members is Mike Wilson, of creative marketing and events agency Mearns & Gill.
“We have been blown away by the reaction to the launch of Creative Aberdeen and the turnout at the event,” he said. “We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve as a group, which is celebrate the creativity and talent we know exists in the North-east and to promote it more widely.
“Those of us who work in this exciting and fast-paced sector already know the incredible work that is being done locally for everyone from small start-ups to major international brands, as well as makers who are creating amazing products which are being exported to the rest of Scotland and beyond.
“We want Aberdeen to be rightly recognised as a centre of excellence for the creative industries and positioned as an exciting city with opportunities for growth and collaboration.”
Fellow member Gina Urquhart, from design, brand and digital agency FortyTwo Studio, said the direction of the group would be shaped by its members.
She added: “We have already done some initial work to develop the Creative Aberdeen brand and identity but we want everyone involved in a creative role to come together and share their thoughts on the kind of things they’d like to see us championing. To be representative it’s important to have voices from all areas of the sector.”
The launch has been sponsored by Aberdeen-headquartered Balmoral Group, which was established in 1980 by chairman and managing director Sir James Milne CBE.
Kevin Binnie from Balmoral Group said: “As a proud local company, Balmoral is deeply committed to its community through our work with local schools, universities, charities and cultural events.
“The positive ethos of Creative Aberdeen and its mission to celebrate the city as a shining example of creativity closely aligns with our own values and we are proud to be supporting the official launch. We look forward to seeing what can happen as the group grows and evolves.”
Creative Aberdeen is open to everyone in a creative role.
Anyone who would like to get involved should email launch@creativeaberdeen.com to register their interest.