Colombia. The District and the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín for Antioquia presented the Creative Industries Cluster initiative, which aims to promote the growth and professionalization of creative and cultural activities in the city.
This sector is represented by 5,928 companies, which constitute 5% of the business base of the District of Medellín, and contributes 4% of the added value, thus contributing to the economic production of the District.
"Medellín is increasingly becoming one of the best entertainment industries in Latin America and the world. If the city were considered by Spotify as a country, we would be the fifth with the highest number of plays, according to local artists in the world. It is not only the singer, it is also the composer, the one who makes the video, the sound engineer, the one who makes the costumes," said Mayor Federico Gutiérrez.
The creative industries are a constantly growing segment, which contribute more and more to the city's economy. In the last 10 years, companies dedicated to these industries have grown at an average rate of 7.1%. Sales related to creative and cultural activities amounted in 2023 to $4 trillion, with an average annual growth of 16.7% in the last decade.
Additionally, this expanding business base is connected to key activities to generate value, especially with other clusters such as Tourism, through the design of experiences and content that the creative and cultural ecosystem brings to visitors; the Digital Business Cluster in transmedia content, digital marketing and augmented reality that are relevant to the audiovisual, musical, gastronomic, theatrical and artistic worlds. Also, with the Fashion and Advanced Manufacturing Cluster in design, clothing, new trends and innovation, as well as in large-format events such as Colombiamoda and Colombiatex.
The cluster is a great opportunity for the various actors in the creative industries, such as artists, entrepreneurs and cultural organizations to access funding, participate in global markets, develop skills and establish collaborative networks – promote alliances with other sectors and regions.
Medellín is recognized as a Global Creative Capital and the Special District of Science, Technology and Innovation has been working on this purpose, articulating and strengthening the ecosystem to promote the creative economy as a key engine for cultural, social and economic development, promoting social participation and intersectoral cohesion.
"What the word cluster means is associativity, it is the interest of all companies and the public sector that are close to an industry to turn that industry into something visible internationally, that is why the initiative of Mayor Federico Gutiérrez when he started sought the Chamber of Commerce to create today the Cluster of Creative Industries, that means that the public and private sectors, and companies are going to make Medellín a benchmark as a supplier or service provider for the creative industries," explained the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín, Lina Vélez de Nicholls.
For this reason, initiatives such as the Creative Industries Cluster seek to strengthen the ecosystem and the installed capacities to improve the infrastructure and generate training tools, access to markets, financial incentives and promotion of internationalization for this sector.
