UK creative industriesTopic 1: UK creative industries’ commercial successThe creative industries have become one of the UK’s great strengths in overseas trade over the last few decades, helping to cement the UK’s reputation as a centre for creative businesses.The annual two-week London Design Festival is a major event for the UK design industry (c) London Design FestivalGrowing sector of the economyCreative businesses are one of the fastest-growing sectors of the UK economy, growing at an average of six per cent each year between 1997 and 2002, compared with an average of three per cent for the UK economy as a whole.The sector also accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of the UK workforce, employing around 1.8 million people according to figures for 2004.Design, music and filmThe UK is particularly strong in the design, music and film industries, which have a large impact on the impression that overseas buyers and consumers have of the country.UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is using the success of these creative businesses to support its new strategy, which places a great emphasis on marketing the UK more effectively overseas. Exporting the UK’s design industryUKTI and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have produced an export strategy for the UK design industry, which covers disciplines ranging from crafts and packaging to graphics and branding.The strategy is aimed at supporting two elements of the design industry – consultants in fields such as branding, multimedia and commercial interiors; and furniture, lighting and textiles manufacturers.London Design FestivalThe annual two-week London Design Festival is a major event for the industry. UKTI supported a record number of national groups at this year’s festival, with part icular emphasis placed on the Chinese market.Cutting edge of the music industryEver since the glory days of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the 1960s, the UK has been at the cutting-edge of the music industry.The UK is a major player in the world music businessUKTI and its partners have developed a strategy that focuses on the four countries that give the British music industry the best chance of building on this tradition: the USA, Japan, China and India.Promoting UK musicMajor trade events are a key part of the international music business. Midem –held every January in Cannes – is one of the most important and the UK is always well represented.UKTI teams up with the music trade associations and other partners such as MTV at the SXSW event, which is held every March. Events like this provide a platform for UK artists and give them the best possible chance of international success.Taking British music overseasA number of music trade missions also target overseas markets. For example, the Association of Independent Music recently took three of the top five UK independent record labels to China.The British Phonographic Industry is scheduled to take a mission to Los Angeles in December, with the aim of getting more British music used in TV and film production in the United States. World leader in TV and filmThe UK is already a major exporter in the television market, with figures for 2005 showing sales worth £632 million, an increase of 21 per cent on 2004.Recent changes in the Communications Act allow independent television producers to retain copyright for their programmes. This, along with the Passport to Export programme designed to help novice exporters, will ensure that UK programmes continue to be seen around the world. Film, performing arts, architecture and computer gamesUKTI’s support for the creative industries also extends to film, performing arts, architecture and computer games.With the help of this support, the reputation of the UK’s creative companies looks set to grow in both developed and emerging international markets.Topic 2: The London Design Festival( )The London Design Festival was conceived by Sir John Sorrell and Ben Evans. Building on London's existing design activity, their concept was to create an annual event that would promote the city's creativity, drawing in the country's greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to a deliver an unmissable celebration of design.The launch of the first Festival took place at Bloomberg on 25 March 2003, with a huge show of support from design, education, government and London organisations.Since the first London Design Festival in 2003 we've been celebrating every form of pioneering design; read more about each year's Festival by navigating the menu on the left.First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world's most important annual design events. The Festival programme is made up of over 300 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world.The London Design Festival is a nine-day celebration of design in the world’s creative capital. The Festival is a platform for the widest spectrum of design disciplines, brought together as a unique and accessible programme. The festival provides a platform for the creative talent at work and creates a unique opportunity to visit over 200 specific events and activities reflecting the diversity of world-class design talent in the capital.⏹About the London Design Festival⏹Visit the London Design Festival⏹Frequently asked questions⏹London Design Festival: the story⏹Sign up to the e-Bulletin⏹Buy a copy of The GuideOver ten days in September, the London Design Festival featured hundreds of events which took place across London, showcasing the city's pivotal role in global design.Save the date: London Design Festival 2013 will take place on the 14th - 22nd September 2013.A centerpiece of the Festival is our commissions, the Landmark Projects, created with the help of our generous supporters. For the Landmark Projects we commission some of the world's greatest architects and designers to create pieces of work in some of London's best-loved public spaces.And then there are the Partner events; if anything is evidence of this city's vitality, it's the sheer scope and quality of the Festival events programmed by our Partners. From established businesses to emerging practies, from entrepreneurs to educators, from manufacturers to retailers, our Partners represent the heart of London's design culture.The Festival is both a cultural and a commercial event. The programme ranges from major international exhibitions to trade events, installations to talks and seminars, from product launches to receptions, private views and parties. The majority of events are freeof charge - enabling visitors to participate, listen, learn, commission and make purchases. The Festival is funded through a combination of public and private sources. The MayorOf London's office provides grant funding for the Festival; Arts Council England have been long term supporters of the Festival. Private funding (approx 60%) is raised through sponsorship of Festival projects alongside a small range of London Design Festival products and services delivered throughout the year.Festival audiences are significant, with an estimated audience of over 350,000 people, from over 60 countries with a wider audience of over 1m people coming into contact with the major public commissions in 2012. Audiences at the V&A totaled 111,538 – which is the highest ten day figure recorded in the museum’s history. The Festival had a programme of 304 projects and events staged by 295 partner organisations including media partners. The Festival also attracts substantial press coverage, with 1,969 articles about the Festival appearing worldwide.⏹British fashion brands:Giorgio Armani博柏利尊尼获加帝舵登喜路索爱(索尼爱立信)锐步茵宝芝华士联合利华555香烟和路雪多乐士立顿嘉士伯杜蕾斯芝华仕宾利劳斯莱斯Gieves&Hawkes斯柯达捷豹B&W BP金巴斯凡士林玮致活彼得·詹森美体小铺葛兰素史克诗恩碧宾奴宝丽金DTC帝亚吉欧斐梵GONNA保罗·史密斯公主游艇力士周仰杰肯迪文英杰华集团滴露BMG唱片奥妙Agent Provocateur夏士莲Events in LondonWith over 200 events, the majority of which are free, the London Design Festival programme reflects the widest possible range of design interestsPartner surgeryNext Wednesday (28 April) we'll be hosting our next Partner surgery at The Cube, 155 Commercial Street E1 6BJ. Taking place 6-7.30pm, the surgery provides a chance to meet the Festival team, discuss ideas and opportunities and to network with other partners in your area. This particular surgery is aimed at people either based or planning activity in east London during the Festival. It is, of course, open to all, so if you'd like to attend, please email Ailie - we'd love to see you there.Somerset House'Pick Me Up', opening 23 April at Somerset House, is the first contemporary graphic design fair in the UK, showcasing excellent graphic design from across the country. With daily openings, interactive workshops, and a special "not-working" event with Glug, we defy any graphic designers not to be completely overcome with excitement. More'This Bell Will Ring' by Rob Ryan, who will have an open studio at Pick Me Up rafts CouncilCollect is back! From 14-17 May, the Saatchi Gallery will be hosting this annual event for contemporary craft, featuring the very best of new and established international applied artists. There will also be an election of events and talks. Book your tickets in advance to save £5. MoreEmotions Brooch, Red by Zoe Arnold, Contemporary Applied ArtsBeyond the ValleyOne of our favourite London stores, Beyond the Valley (Newburgh Street) is opening its new exhibition "Fluorescent Monkeys" tomorrow (23 April). Featuring drawings, clothing and jewellery by French artist/designer Blandine Bardeau, visitors can expect items to feature "colourful mixtures of semi-human / semi-animal creatures". Consider us there. MoreDrawing by Blandine Bardeau, part of 'Fluorescent Monkeys' at Beyond the Valley MintRespected design store, Mint, is embracing international work in a big way this month by staging a retrospective of Czech designer Maxim Velcovsky. The exhibition, which runs throughout April, will also display works from other notable Czech designers. We love Velcovsky's 'Catastrophe Vase', which was recently featured as part of the V&A's Telling Tales exhibition. MoreMaxim Velcovsky's Catastrophe vase BFI GalleryMat Collishaw's new commission 'Retrospectre' in the BFI Gallery is well worth a visit,especially given the series of talks and lectures surrounding it. One talk we're looking forward to on 5 May features Gareth Williams, Senior Tutor of Design Products at the RCA, exploring fairy stories and myths in contemporary culture. More'Retrospectre' at BFI GalleryTopic 3: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)Type British GovernmentFounded May 1999 (as British Trade International) Founder(s)FCO and DTIHeadquarters London and Glasgow Key people Sir Andrew Cahn (CEO), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Special Representative) Products Export advice and Inward Investment support Website UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the British Government organisation that helpsBritish-based companies succeed in the global economy. Its range of services are tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximise their international success. It provides companies with knowledge, advice and practical support.HistoryUKTI was formed in May 1999 as British Trade International, comprising two parts: Trade Partners UK (for export) and Invest UK (for inward investment - FDI). In October 2003, the former department name and two inner departments merged and became UK Trade & Investment to simplify the outward recognition of the organisation, and possibly to reduce confusion with the two departments. UKTI reports jointly to the Foreign Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.AimsTo support its aim to "enhance the competitiveness of companies in Britain through overseas trade and investments; and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment". UK Trade & Investment offers services to British based firms wanting to gain access to global markets through export, and foreign based firms wanting to use Britain as a base to expand globally.Knowledge EconomyThe overlying aim of the organization is to enhance the knowledge economy of Britain, and capitalise on Britain's intellectual assets via the export market. This is done by sourcing international markets for products developed through British intellectual property. Suppliers of British high-technology products receive commercial assistance from UKTI to sell their products in overseas markets they are unfamiliar with. The six commercial areas it is most interested in are Financial Services, Creative Industries, Life Sciences, ICT, Energy, and Advanced Engineering. It is not dissimilar to what knowledge transfer achieves except on a more global scale.StructureUK Trade & Investment is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow. Across its network UK Trade & Investment employs around 2,300 staff and advisers, including overseas in British Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions.Business and University leaders work with UKTI as "Business Ambassadors". They promote the UK internationally and highlight trade and investment opportunities. They focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which sometimes face greater barriers to accessing global markets than larger businesses.UK Trade & Investment brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It draws staff and associated administration funding from both parent departments, but has its own stream of programme funding, for which the Chief Executive is directly responsible as accounting officer.PeopleLord Davies of Abersoch CBE is its Minister of State for Trade & Investment.Sir Andrew Cahn was appointed Chief Executive in March 2006.UKTI: Defence & Security OrganisationThe three UKTI Defence & Security Organisation Regional Directorates (RD) offer assistance and advice on specific markets and prospects, co-ordinate Government support and provide a single point of contact for customer countries.∙RD Central covers the Middle East, South and Central Asia and Africa∙RD East covers the Far East and Australasia∙RD West covers Europe, the Americas and RussiaThe Business Development Directorate includes a team which carries out market analysis of the global defence export market, a team which provides specialised support for Small and Medium sized Enterprises and a team which co-ordinates participation in UK and overseas defence and security exhibitions.There is also a team responsible for implementing MoD's Industrial Participation policy.The Security Directorate provides support for defence and civil companies in the security sector. Military AdviceUKTI Defence & Sec urity Organisation’s military staff provide advice and support on military doctrine, equipment and services. All have experience gained in operational environments.。