Liz Gibbons

After 70 years of broadcasting, ITV found themselves in a familiar but uncomfortable spot – they’d grown so much that their own brand had become difficult to navigate. Multiple sub-channels, streaming platforms and an increasingly complex visual identity meant that one of Britain’s most established broadcasters was, ironically, struggling to clearly communicate who they were. The problem wasn’t unique, but it was urgent. In an entertainment landscape where Netflix and Disney+ communicate with razor-sharp brand clarity, ITV’s identity had become what Tom Houser, Executive Creative Director at ITV Creative, describes as “timid and difficult to use.” Seven different typefaces were in circulation. Sub-channel colours created confusion rather than clarity. The masterbrand – the thing that actually mattered – was getting lost. Enter Studio Kiln, the Cornwall-based creative practice whose approach to this challenge would prove rather direct. Rather than adding more elements to an already complex system, they stripped everything back to find what actually mattered. Read the complete case study → t-bi.link/itv

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Brilliant to see announced that the WMCA will accelerate support for our world class creative industries through new funding for the region - following just a couple of weeks on from news of our renewed MOU with the BBC bringing investment to the regional screen sector. Thanks to Rachael Wadsworth and Eleanor G. for your work to bring this to life in DCMS and to the many colleagues who have supported us in making the collective case for creativity in the West Midlands. The West Midlands Combined Authority is one of six UK regions with strengths in creative industries that have been awarded £25 million as part of the Government’s Creative Places Growth Fund. This funding will grow the already booming creative industries of the West Midlands - including film and TV, video games, createch, music and performing arts and design. The region is home to over 15,000 creative enterprises, including Digbeth Loc Studios and BBC StudioWorks, while Birmingham, the biggest city in the region, has World Craft City status. The fund was announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan in June, as part of Industrial Strategy, where the Government shared their intention to invest £150 million in the creative industries of six regions outside of London - Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, West of England, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy revealed that the fund will be split equally across these regions to drive growth, innovation and investment.The fund will empower local Mayors to support creative professionals, businesses and young people in their communities with access to finance, mentoring and networking opportunities to help them connect with investors and skills programmes. Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, said: “Creativity has no postcode - whether it’s a musician in Birmingham, a filmmaker in Coventry, or a video games developer in Wolverhampton. “We know that it is not one size fits all. That’s why we are committed to growing our creative industries in every corner of the nation as part of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, and hope that this devolved funding will be just what these regions need to make their creative industries the best that they can be.” Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our region is well known for its grit and graft as the manufacturing heart of Britain. But our film and TV sets, gaming studios, music venues, theatre stages, and digital workshops are also fast becoming a major part of our regional economy. “We have the talent, the locations and now the government’s backing to write a new chapter of growth - one that turns more of our stories into exciting jobs and new opportunities. This is about putting our people and places centre stage in the UK’s fast growing creative sector.”

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Culture Minister Ian Murray carried out his first official visit since being appointed, opening Pinewood Studios’ new Independent  Indie Film Hub. The hub will provide sound stages, production offices and workshop spaces to support independent filmmakers, backed by the Government’s new Independent Film Tax Credit. Minister Ian Murray said: “Pinewood's Independent  Indie Film Hub is a striking example of the innovation and investment that the Government is championing across the creative industries. This world-class facility gives independent filmmakers the tools they need to bring their visions to life, and it was a pleasure to open it today.” This builds on the Government’s wider £380 million Creative Industries Sector Plan, which is boosting local jobs, driving economic growth and ensuring the UK remains a world leader in creativity and culture

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As the TV industry convenes at the Edinburgh TV Festival this week, our new research has exposed the scale of the crisis facing freelance television workers 🎬 The Big Bectu Survey 2025 with more than 3,600 respondents across TV drama, unscripted and factual television, broadcasting and commercials paints a stark picture of a workforce battered by instability, poor conditions and toxic workplace cultures. Nearly half of those surveyed reported being out of work in March, with 45% of drama crew, 46% of unscripted workers and 45% of commercials staff unemployed. The effects of the 2023 US industrial action continue to be felt, with fewer than one in five saying employment levels have returned to pre-strike norms. Financial insecurity is widespread: 68% of respondents said they are struggling to make ends meet, while one in three is considering leaving the industry within five years. Our findings also reveal the uneven impact of the downturn. Workers from Global Majority backgrounds, disabled freelancers and those from working-class backgrounds all reported higher levels of unemployment than their counterparts, raising concerns that the crisis is driving diversity out of the sector. Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said the findings laid bare the devastating consequences of insecure employment and entrenched poor practice: “Behind every statistic is a skilled professional who is critical to our world-class TV industry, but is being driven out by unstable work, poor conditions and toxic cultures. Without urgent action from broadcasters, streamers and production companies, we risk losing a generation of talent and further entrenching inequality in the industry. This is a wake-up call.” Bectu is urging government and industry leaders to act swiftly to stabilise employment, improve protections for freelancers, tackle bullying and harassment, and commit to supporting the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority. https://lnkd.in/exC-NeZD

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We’re calling on UK and EU policymakers to break down the post-Brexit barriers holding back the next generation of touring artists. Our data shows a 27% reduction in live performance claims by PRS members for small and medium sized European events and festivals between 2019 and 2023, mirroring the findings of the Best for Britain research into the decline of British acts on European festival line-ups. Live music isn’t just a show, it’s a lifeline for artists, songwriters, venues and the entire creative ecosystem. We're working with industry partners to campaign for practical solutions that help musicians get back on the road and keep the live industry thriving across Europe. Read the Best for Britain article: https://lnkd.in/e-bagKrk

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