TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ – With revenues of US$2.250-trillion, cultural and creative industries account for 3 percent of world GDP and employ 29.5-million people, or about 1 percent of the world’s active population.
Cultural and creative industries (CCI) revenues exceed those of telecom services and employ more people than the car industry of Europe, Japan and the US combined (29.5-million vs. 25-million). This major contribution of CCI to the global economy is explained in a new study, jointly presented by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, France, and published by EY (formerly Ernst & Young).
The study concludes that, to unlock the full potential of CCI, creators must be fairly remunerated for the use of their creative works, so that they can continue contributing to culture and the economy. In particular in the digital market, policy makers need to address the transfer of value currently taking place in favour of Internet intermediaries, and ensure that creators and the creative industries are paid fairly for the exploitation of their works.
Creative works are a key driver of the digital economy
In 2013, creative content contributed US$200-billion to global digital sales, powering sales of digital devices and increasing demand for high-bandwidth telecom services. Sales of digital cultural goods generated US$65-billion and US$21.7-billion of advertising revenues for online media and free streaming websites.
The study
The study provides unique data, mapping out a colourful canvas of a multipolar creative world. It reflects the diversity that UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions stands for, and enhances UNESCO’s global effort for “more data and stronger indicators on the role of Culture for the development of societies.”
CISAC President and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Jean-Michel Jarre said:
“This unique and first global study of cultural and creative industries shows that creators around the world, in all artistic sectors, are a major contributor to the world economy, both in terms of revenues and jobs. They need to be able to work in an environment that protects their moral and economic rights, so that they can sustain their creative activity. We hope this study will be an eye opener for policy makers worldwide: protecting creators means fostering the economy. Our creative industries help build sustainable economies, provide local jobs, generate revenues and taxes and enable-millions of people, many of them young, to make a living from their talent.”
UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said:
“Cultural and creative industries are major drivers of the economies of developed as well as developing countries. Indeed, they are among the most rapidly growing sectors worldwide. It influences income generation, job creation, and export earnings. It can forge a better future for many countries around the globe.”
Cultural and Creative Industries at a Glance
The comprehensive study by EY, “Cultural Times – the First Global Map of Cultural and Creative Industries,” analyzes 11 sectors* of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. In each region, CCI have their own strengths.
About SOCAN
SOCAN is a member-based organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of more than four-million Canadian and international music creators and publishers. SOCAN is proud to play a leading role in supporting the long-term success of its more than 130,000 Canadian members, and the Canadian music ecosystem overall. SOCAN licenses more than 125,000 businesses in Canada, and distributes royalties to its members and music rights organizations around the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties to its members for the use of their music internationally in collaboration with its peer societies. www.socan.ca
About CISAC
CISAC – the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers – is the world’s leading network of authors’ societies (also referred to as Collective Management Organizations, or CMOs). With 230 member societies in 120 countries, CISAC represents four-million creators from all geographic areas and artistic repertoires; music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. CISAC is presided over by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and the organization’s four vice-presidents are: Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, Senegalese sculptor Ousmane Sow, Indian poet, scriptwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar and Argentinean film director Marcelo Piñeyro. CISAC protects the rights and promotes the interests of creators worldwide. We enable collective management organizations to seamlessly represent creators across the globe and ensure that royalties flow to authors for the use of their works anywhere in the world.
Founded in 1926, CISAC is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in France and regional offices in Africa (Burkina Faso), Latin America (Chile), Asia-Pacific (China) and Europe (Hungary). www.cisac.org | Twitter: @CISACNews | Facebook: CISACWorldwide.