Vision+Media chief executive responds to Gordon Young's leader
Vision+Media chief executive Paul Taylor has issued a statement in response to The Drum’s leader column, published today, to agree that the private sector creative industry should not rely on public sector funding.
Questioning the amount that has been spent by public funded initiatives to promote the creative sector across the UK, Gordon Young, editor of The Drum wrote: “Now would be a good juncture to ask if the countless £millions invested in such projects has been well spent.”
Taylor said in response: “Having read the draft leader comment – I can’t help but agree with the core sentiment. The private sector shouldn’t rely on public sector funding - ‘By the industry, for the industry’ is the best solution of all. If businesses can overcome every hurdle on their own, great. If they need - and get some support along the way, then great too. I’m not sure it’s either/ or.”
He continued: “The important thing here is that if there are genuine problems or issues for businesses, whether they be a difficulty in raising cash for growth, or a shortage of certain skills then these are addressed. An intelligent debate about how best to address them is healthy and useful.”
The leader was written in response to the cutbacks being made at the organisation which has also seen funding for its training and development dry up following budget cuts to key public sector funded contributor, the North West Development Agency.
Vision+Media has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks following the release of its ‘Resign London’ campaign.
The campaign met with a vitriolic response from the north west of England creative sector, having aimed to attract creative talent to leave the capital city to head north.
Following this, emails leaked to The Drum from members of the Steering Committee, who were meant to advise on the campaign, showed that their input had not been fully valued, leading to Enda Carey, head of games, digital and creative services at the organisation apologising for its handling of the campaign.
Steering group member Rob Morrice, managing director of IAS B2B Marketing also announced that he would no longer work with Vision+Media, and said that the industry should begin to help themselves.