Phil Phillips
"The Potential of the Cultural Industry for Job Creation
Culture can create art – And JOBS!"
Summary Of Presentation
Phil Philips’ presentation was well rounded and supported by quite a few statistics. He was able to capture the imagination of the audience and illustrate the ways that the Cultural Industries can create jobs and income for Barbados and the Caribbean provided that neccessary money is invested into it. He used comparisons with the money invested in Tourism (90 M) and Manufacturing in Barbados to drive home this point. Also, estimating that there could be some 1200 – 1700 persons employed in the Cultural Industries in the next 3 – 5 years if his 6 month plan is put in place.
He also makes the point that in Barbados we are seeing much of our talent being "discovered" by major labels and Barbados is not benefiting in a significant way from this. No jobs for locals or income is coming into Barbados as a result of these major label signings.
In this address he speaks directly to government, entrepeneurs and artistes & creative minds making several interesting suggestions to these players on how to develop the cultural Industries in Barbados. Using his background in the Music Industry he was able to describe the paradym shift in approach needed to be taken in business in Barbados and the wider Caribbean as it relates to this untapped resource.
The discussion afterwards certainly brought out several other points which I will give you the gift of discovering for yourself as you download and listen.
My Quote Of The Evening –
"…we have people who are thinking at that level(of Google and Facebook) but they do not have any opportunity to vent and to share how they are thinking. I think that we need to appreciate that ideas are not lodged in any one mind.That ideas are highly democratic in the way how they are fermented and created."
Who Should Listen?
This is not just for business people or people in the industry. I think that if you have a creative bone in your body whether it is from photography to writing to technology, I would strongly suggest you listen. You could be a computer programmer, designer, business thinker, marketer whoever. You need to take a listen as a member of the Caribbean Community.
How It Impacted Me?
Personally, this presentation made me truly appreciate that we are not yet free as a people. So many of us are scared to explore our creativity and use the unconventional way or the road less travelled. And that fear is fueled by the perspective that there "aint no money in that". I look forward to the day when we will no longer be scared. When our "day jobs" no longer prevent us from embracing our creativity. When we move to a Caribbean Community where all the necessary players interact and synergise creating viable Cultural Industries where it is ok for us to be …. us.
SLIDES FROM PRESENTATION
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LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION BELOW
[…] featured the interviews with influential persons including the Peter Gould, VP of Sales at RIM, Phil Philips and more. I also contribute to a few blogs including Nurse Karen's Soca Blog, Silicon Caribe, […]