a c&binet unconference

So while all of the main programme was going on at c&binet, there were some fringe sessions that were being run on particular topics. And then there was some beyond-the-fringe activity that we as a group labelled an unconference to address the issues that had fallen down between the cracks of all the topics being discussed at the conference over those few days.

I guess it was attended by a number of us relative up-starts (i.e. *not* the majors represented on that incredibly glittering list of delegates) along with the uber-cool, very switched on editor from Wired UK), David Rowan, and a very sound bloke from Edelman (PR company running the show for the c&binet folks). Between us we determined that there were two topics of we wanted to discuss and make some points on.

The first one was grouped under collaborations (how we find ways of working together to do some really cool stuff), and the other was what did we want out of both c&binet in the future and also in terms of government support.

I took barely legible notes for the latter group discussion and so here I am reporting back as promised, and will blog it on both our site and also c&binet, for the record.

Ok so the specific question was: "what do we want out of the government and or c&binet in terms of support for creative industries?"


1) Funding: heh ok. So yes, everyone wants funding and wants it now (it would certainly help cover base costs as the recession sets in). When we dig further however (i.e. beyond that obvious desire), it's probably fair to say that we want the processes for finding it, applying for it and getting it to be easier. We're not accountants, and in many instances we need to be to fight the damn paperwork..

2) Partnerships, collaborations and facilitations: that old adage "it ain't what you know but who you know too" springs to mind. It's all very well having big names at conferences like these but for the shy little company in the corner (and in some instances those corners could get rather crowded) sometimes it's enough to just do a bit of a loaded introduction within the context of potential work together. After all, the government has influence over all those who want to have influence on the government (i.e. the majors). Why not use it??

3) Legal support: this is a very interesting one. Some recurring themes and words came up throughout the formal part of the conference, like "copyright", "rights management", "P2P" (which incidentally was branded an evil technology by some at the conference - P2Pilia?? or perhaps P2Pillage), carrots and sticks. With all of this baggage it has become evident that if you're creating content in any way, you probably need a legal team in order to protect it or at least protect your right to distribute it the way you want to. So yes, legal support. Good, comprehensive legal support sympathetic and knowledgeable about creative industries and issues facing them.

4) More regional support: that's basically anyone not within the London area :-)

5) Courses in Leadership: now this came up because apparently Ashridge had run something like that for creatives before. Access to that would be very nice, thanks!

6) PR support: no good having a great idea if no-one knows about it. And some of us just simply have no resource to devote to PR activity. I think some of this activity is taken care of by cluster groups around the country, but I think some specialist PR support is what might be needed.


7) Business Links need educating about the value of the creative sector and an understanding of the technologies. Perhaps that's one for membership bodies like PACT?

8) As for c&binet itself, the next event should have access to plug points (having been cut off mid-tweet myself I think they'd have had alot more interaction and engagement had the venue thought of this). The physical layout of the event was also not conducive to intimacy (in terms of quality of conversations, questions from the floor etc). Cheaper accomodation options would have also been handy (though as I understand it, £280 a night *was* cheap for the venue!!)

9) We want to think of c&binet not just as an event or a forum but a network/partnership. Also want more workshop activity to enable discourse between the majors and the minors(?).

10) beyond c&binet there needs to be more opportunities for showcasing new business ideas, new models, new innovations and technologies coming out of creative industries.

11) specifically aimed at the Technology Strategy Board (Alex Stanhope was in our circle), we wanted to know how to take a project forward after a scheme like Fast Track for example i.e. what happens next to the IP that is created - what are the options and pathways? (I'd actually like more support for actually getting that sort of funding in the first place!)


That's quite a list and there are probably loads more we could add.

I also personally wanted there to be meta-data for every delegate distributed so that we can find people based on interests (likes/dislikes/technologies/business interests etc). So much more could have been made of the network had we known this stuff, and also what everyone is up to. That sort of contextual information instantly adds value, which means that you don't have to read peoples' bios in order to get a feel for what they'd be interested in chatting about.


The lovely chap from Edelman was very open to suggestions, especially this is the first conference of its sort and that they needed companies/people to support them or want to become involved in order to make the next one even better. There was also a suggestion that the next one could be in Bristol (*no* idea who made that suggestion lol).

If I've missed anything then please say so. In the mean time I'll post this to the c&binet blog. A brilliant bloke called Evan took the business cards of everyone who attended our little unconference and so if you want to know who else attended, just ask :-).

cheers,

Jaya (in need of more caffeine in order to make more sense!)

nameless


P.S. You can also take a look at Clare Reddington's summary of the other discussion on collaboration going on in the unconference