Business Boost For South East Interactive Media And Games Companies

A new Company Development Scheme for South East based Interactive Media and Computer Games businesses was announced today by Skillset, Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The industry-led scheme, to support the employment base in the sector which has seen substantial growth in recent years, focuses on business, management and leadership issues as well as creative ideas and technical skills. Small and medium sized companies in the region will benefit from a tailored package of support to add business skills and commercial awareness to their creative and entrepreneurial talent.

Ian Livingstone, Creative Director at Eidos, and Chair of Skillset's Computer Games Skills Forum, said:

'The initiative will ultimately improve the competitiveness of the sector as a whole through demonstrating the benefits of business orientated thinking to the games industry'

Andrew Chitty, Managing Director of Illumina Digital, and Chair of Skillset's Interactive Media Industry Forum, said:

'The scheme aims to address the need to combine both entrepreneurship and creative talent with business development and management skills and highlight the importance of this blend to the future of the interactive media industry'

In the South East the Interactive Media and Computer Games sectors have seen substantial employment growth in recent years with research showing them to be the largest sub-sectors in the region. Including all their sub-sectors, they now make up 60% of all audio visual employment in the area, playing a significant role in the South East's economic development and productivity.

The scheme, which is funded by SEEDA, South East Media Network, the Department of Trade and Industry and industry investment via Skillset, includes expert business consultancy advice and will focus on developing companies, when and how to invest in technology, raise necessary capital, plan projects properly and be aware of new markets and available resources that can help businesses. Delivered for Skillset by Wired Sussex, the support involves bespoke suite of individual mentor sessions, workshops, masterclasses, networking events and online resources developed specifically for participants.

There are two separate strands within the scheme recognising the specific differences and needs of both interactive media companies and those specialising in computer games, but both will enable the participating companies to receive a tailored package of support which may include skills development in the following areas:

• Business Management and company development
• Asset exploitation and Management
• Problem solving and understanding concepts
• User awareness and understanding the different audiences and marketplaces for products
• Marketing and Brand awareness
• Pitching and preparing/making presentations
• Risk Management
• Outsourcing and Partnership Management
• Change and growth management
• Human resources and training expertise
• Collaborative working and team building
• Mergers and acquisitions and legal awareness
• Technical expertise in digital security, anti-piracy technologies and ability for companies to build systems that seamlessly integrate these functions
• Availability of resources from Government in relation to training skills and company development

For more information visit: www.skillset.org/businesssupport