Keep Creative jobs in Cumbria

After reading news on 'in-Cumbria' and seeing local press it really frustrated me that yet again a major contract to help develop local tourism in Cumbria whilst creating local economy growth has been contracted out to an agency in Manchester.  WEST Cumbria Tourism has announced the appointment of Creative Concern from Manchester, as the preferred partner to deliver its marketing and promotions campaign for the next 15 months and possibly beyond. After what I would imagine was another lengthy and mostly 'suspicious' process of asking a number of creative marketing businesses in and around Cumbria to tender for this project. After spending many years in this county and working with some award winning and very experienced businesses and individuals here, who deliver quality communications online, in print, through PR and other media streams. It's really sad to see that a local business was not chosen. This could be for a number of reasons, but surely it can't be for the lack of talent, experience and local passion from the many creative agencies or individuals and partnerships we have here. I'm not sure there are many Manchester, London and even Newcastle businesses/organisations that use creative agencies in Cumbria for boosting tourism for them, so why do we give our projects away to them? And then to rub salt in the wound, we bragg about it in the local press.  For me personally that's not 'Good Marketing'. 

Yes I agree the West Coast of Cumbria needs help to deliver sustainable long-term ideas that are innovative and can bring economic growth to the area (don't most places want this). But surely to help economic growth we should be developing what is on our doorstep and encouraging the creative industry in Cumbria that there is work to be done in our County from our own crop of talent. I fear the message that this type of news from Katie Read and her team at West Cumbria Tourism give's out, is once again demoralising and damaging to the economy of the Creative Industry in Cumbria and a big 'NO JOBS HERE' sign to many creative students in Universities throughout Cumbria, who love to study here and would possibly stay in this county if there were jobs in their chosen fields. The future of the Cumbria economy, especially the West Coast is in our own hands. Instead of letting all the local potential and growth fall through our fingers, we must grab opportunities like this with both hands and hold onto what creative talent is in our County. Support what is here and work together for a collective goal.

There are many networking organisations, cluster groups and business forums in Cumbria and they all continue to demand generating economy for the county on a local level.

Let's hope the appointment of a business in Manchester delivers the true hopes and aspirations of people around the West Coast of Cumbria and that of all the partners involved.

I would be very interested to hear any comments from organisations in the County and from the many creative agencies in Cumbria regarding projects they know of, or have been involved with (or not) that have been passed outside of the County.  Some transparent reasons why this is happening may also be a useful insight for all concerned.

Lovemarks Book signed by Kevin. Neat!

 

Happy New year to everyone. My Christmas present was a signed book by Kevin. The interview went well and I've just seen the first draft of the video. A few changes to be done in the editing suite, but shouldn't take too long.  Hopefully I will have it ready to post on this blog and my website in the coming days. Cheers Paul