Brum’s marketing, media and creative sector thrives in lockdown - but hasn’t been without challenges
The marketing, media and creative industries in Birmingham have fared well during lockdown a recent survey has revealed, but it hasn’t been without its challenges.
The poll*, undertaken by the Birmingham Publicity Association throughout January 2021, reached out to businesses, employees and freelancers working within the region’s interconnected industries to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The survey revealed that every respondent’s organisation had managed to secure new business over the past 10 months, despite government restrictions and lockdown pressure. Alongside this positive result, 75% of those questioned said new technology had played a significant role in helping people adapt to the change in circumstances.
However, the period since March 202 had not been without its challenges, as 45% of responding organisations have had to reduce staff, and a huge 95% of people are felt increased levels of stress throughout this time.Despite increased stress, productivity levels increased, with 80% of respondents declaring they have been more productive while operating from their spare rooms and kitchen tables.
The survey also revealed a clear hint of optimism, as 65% expected to be back to pre-covid levels of work by the end of 2021.
With almost half of respondents (45%) wanting the BPA to address key challenges faced within the industry there will be a webinar on Thursday 28 January at 2pm to discuss the findings of the survey and how this will impact the coming year.
Mark McDonagh, chair of the BPA said: “Overall, it’s good to see that the industry is weathering the storm. However, it’s not been without its challenges, which have no doubt created levels of stress for almost everyone, but there are positives to look forward to.
“We have organised the discussion on Thursday (28 January) to canvas the opinion of thought-leaders from within the industry in Birmingham, and also give us the opportunity to engage with our business community”
Marc Reeves, Marketplace publisher for Reach PLC added: “The talk will be a great way to check the temperature of the industry at the start of the year. It will act as a barometer for what we believe will be coming over the next few months during such uncertain times.”
Panelists at the 2021 Vision Webinar include Marc Reeves; Dan Alcorn, Director of Birmingham Design Festival; Dan Rodrigues, Founder of CX2 Talent Solutions and Tara Tomes, Founder of East Village.
The hour long discussion, starting at 2pm, will pose questions such as:
How will COVID impact the sector both on a business and personal level?
What does the sector have to do to address the diversity challenge it faces?
How do we raise the region’s profile in the face of continued centralisation?