Member Article

Digital Union Advisory Board holds first full meeting to boost the North East’s digital and creative future

Twenty of the region’s creative and digital businesses attended the first full Digital Union Advisory Board meeting last night in Newcastle city centre.

Having recently acquired the North East’s Creative & Digital networking outlet Digital Union, business support organisation Generator brought together some of the region’s digital players together in a bid to drive the Union forward.

Companies, including digital strategists Orange Bus and global digital art firm Atomhawk, were in attendance and the evening, according to Generator, has paved the way to a bright future for the region’s growing digital and creative economy.

Reflecting on the event, named Digital Union ReBoot, Generator CEO Jim Mawdsley, said: “Last night’s Digital Union ReBoot showed first class commitment from the companies we have initially spoken to. We now have a much better understanding of how we will take Digital Union forward and we’re excited about the prospect of many more joining.

“We want Digital Union to represent the region’s Creative and Digital sector and it is vital that we have developed an offer that represents and supports business needs.

“As Digital Union grows we need the correct advice and guidance from the member businesses and the event this week was a great start. We’ve approached a wide spread of companies from across the sector and they’re all experienced and growing businesses producing fantastic work for a global client base.”

Jim Mawdsley, added: “Digital Union ReBoot was vital for us as we wanted to start the process of taking an already well-known networking organisation like Digital Union in line with the ideas and know-how of some of the region’s most established digital and creative businesses.

“That applied to Generator’s strengths and experience will make it a much more efficient organisation and last night’s meeting of creative minds was an excellent opportunity to set our stall out to a broad partnership base.”

Meanwhile, Atomhawk, the digital art and design studio based in Gateshead - famed for its work on movies such as Guardian’s of the Galaxy, Thor II and the video game Mortal Kombat X - believes Digital Union ReBoot and Generator’s newly unveiled plans for the sector, was a bold step in the right direction.

On Digital Union ReBoot, Tim Wilson, Head of Operations at Atomhawk, said: I’m looking forward to a fresh injection of enthusiasm and thinking from the new Digital Union team and last night was a solid start. So far the balance has been good for creating a relaxed, informal atmosphere that is also aligned around the goal of getting stuff done.

“Generator has shown from their dealings with us so far that they are keen to listen to their members and push forward with new ideas. There has been a real spirit of collaboration from the initial meetings, so I’m looking forward to seeing that continue in the future.

“The North East digital and creative sector has proven that it can deliver and compete on an international stage.”

Julian Leighton, CEO of Newcastle Digital Agency, Orange Bus, added: “Orange Bus relishes these events because we feel it’s important that our region’s creative and digital sector meet to network, celebrate success, and ultimately support what Generator and Digital Union stand for.

“Generator gives the digital and creative sector the opportunity to debate how we can develop our city’s creative economy; exploring skills and talent, digital infrastructure and city branding.

“As a region, while we may not become ‘the’ leader, ‘a’ leader is obtainable, with low-cost living, quality education and - let’s not forget - hard working, talented people. We need to continue to engage with the talent, keeping it in our region, and shout louder about our successes.”