Creative Industries News #4📰
Welcome back to the second Creative Industries News of 2023! There has been some really interesting things happening throughout the industries in the last couple weeks, and we're going to catch you up on all on all of it.
1) Newcastle based Arcus Studios has sealed a large investment to help boost client work
The £150,000 investment will come from the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, and Arcus says it will use the injection of investment to 'aid cashflow stability, staff team expansion, and value addition through enhanced financial governance'.
Michael Gandham, the co-director and creative producer of Arcus Studios Ltd said: “We’re really excited about the opportunity that this loan offers for Arcus Studios to reach its potential. It will enable us to hone our sales and marketing skills and employ the right talent to allow us to expand and diversify our offer and well as ease capacity issues within the core team"
Check out more on this story here
2) UCAS are ditching personal statements for entry into university
In a huge move by the admissions service, personal statements will no longer be the entry requirement for applying to universities. The change was made due to claims that personal statements favour middle-class students who may have better access to “high-quality advice and guidance”, (according to UCAS).
The essay will be replaced by a series of questions regarding the course that the applicant is submitting for.
The changes are said to be implemented beginning with those students applying for 2025 studies onwards.
Read more on this change here
3) Middlesbrough based vinyl plant 'Press On Vinyl' are doubling their capacity
The vinyl plant which opened in early 2022 is planning on increasing their capacity thanks to a successful first year in business.
Co-Founder David Todd said 'the continued resurgence of vinyl records was due to factors including collectability for fans and profit margins for labels'.
If you want to hear more about Press On Vinyl, click here
4) There are currently no women nominated for 'Artist of the Year 2023' at the Brit Awards
This has been a controversial news piece recently, with artists and fans across the UK hitting out at the BRIT awards for their lack of female nominations for the 'Artist of the Year 2023' award.
After an attempt to be more inclusive by removing best male and female categories in 2022, this is a blow for fans who were hoping for female artists to be empowered rather than overlooked in 2023.
Read this statement from Loud LDN about the story.
5) The gaming industry beat out Film, TV & Music for top sales in 2022
The gaming accounted for a whopping £4.7bn of sales in the UK in 2022, with digital sales accounting for almost nine out of every 10 video games sold. Only 10.5% of sales were actual physical copies.
Consumers are now much more likely to download games through their console or computer rather than waiting for a delivery or head to the shops.
Read more about the gaming industry in 2022 here
Keep up to date with all of the Creative Industries news right here - #5 coming 3rd Feb!