INTERNATIONAL TRADE
HELPING COMPANIES EXPLOIT OVERSEAS TRADE OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Mark Sankey T: 0121 450 4205
Barry is making music in USA
O
ne of the West Midlands’ leading media entrepreneurs has filmed a documentary about his work in the USA – and it features UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) advisers who have helped him gain success. Barry Tomes, founder of Barry Tomes Media Group, said that overseas
trade at the Gotham Records arm of his business had increased by 60 per cent over the past ten years, since he first engaged with UKTI through its director of international trade, Jonathan Webber. Thanks to UKTI’s expert help, he is now aiming to increase that figure to
90 per cent after a series of successful UKTI supported market visits to the USA, including to SXSW, the annual music, film and interactive conference, and the Sync Festival, a music, film and video festival that takes place in Los Angeles.
‘UKTI has been an invaluable help to us as we look to grow our business in the USA and other countries’
Barry has been so impressed with the help that he has received from UKTI over the past few years that he asked to interview Carlo Cavagna and Tim Crouch – trade experts based in the UKTI at the British Consulate in Los Angeles – as part of a short documentary he made about the work that the organisation is doing there and the artists it is working with. The film also features musical artists, business professionals and Sync
Mission licensing, and gives the viewer an insight into how money is now made from music. Barry said: “UKTI has been an invaluable help to us as we look to grow
our business in the USA and other countries, including Japan. We’ve also gained access to the British Consulate, which has been very helpful. Having
Barry Tomes with Beach Boy legend Brian Wilson
funding for industry-leading events such as SXSW and Sync Festival is always very helpful but actually, it’s not just about eligibility for money. The most important thing is having that infrastructure in place so I can get the back up and expertise I need to help my business grow.” Mark Sankey, Head of the UKTI team in at Greater Birmingham Chambers
of Commerce, said: “UKTI works with a huge range of West Midlands businesses in many different sectors and also provides a variety of support and expertise to ensure that companies get the right kind of help they need to start exporting and succeed.”
For more information on how UKTI could help your business attract a new market, contact the West Midlands International Trade Hotline on
enquiries@uktiwm.co.uk or +44(0) 345 222 0159. You can follow UKTI West Midlands on Twitter @wm_ukti
Head way out west for creative event BY FRED BROMWICH
One of the world’s most important events in the creative industries calendar takes place in the US in March – and sector professionals from the Midlands with an eye on developing international business links will be taking part. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is pinpointing
South by Southwest (SXSW), which is being held in Austin,Texas from 11-20 March, as a major opportunity for companies engaged in what is regarded as one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors. Cheryl Boxall, a Birmingham-based
international adviser with UKTI, who has specialist knowledge of the digital and creative sector, said: “The influx of international talent each year transforms Austin into a global epicentre for creative professionals. As a hotbed for launching new tech products, musical careers and independent films, SXSW certainly presents a major opportunity for our region’s representatives to put themselves in the spotlight.” As part of UKTI’s presence at SXSW, it will be supporting a Northern Power House mission, which will include showcasing bands from the region at the British Music Embassy promotion. SXSW, which first started in 1987, has been
26 CHAMBERLINK FEBRUARY 2016 The event is the single most profitable event
for Austin’s hospitality industry and last year sucked £202m into the city’s economy. Cheryl, who will be visiting SXSW, said that
any West Midlands companies interesting in attending should either telephone her on 0121 607 1821 or alternatively e-mail
cheryl.boxall@
mobile.ukti.gov.uk for further information. Meanwhile, as the US remains a vital and long-
standing export market for UK companies, it is often the case that some business and cultural differences continue to be entry barriers. So with that in mind, UKTI is holding a USA Culture Masterclass targeted at small and medium-sized businesses. The workshop takes place at the NMC Venue, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich (B70 6PY) on 16 February from 9 am until 1 pm. It is aimed at helping companies to
Cheryl Boxall
held in the Austin Convention Center since 1993, staging festivals and conferences for the film, interactive media and music industries. It is regarded as a launching pad for new creative content and its Interactive Festival in particular is focused on emerging technology.
understand and overcome the “barriers,” to expand their existing skills – and to give them increased confidence when communicating with customers and business partners.
For further information on the workshop, or support with language and culture, contact Gerti Willis on 0121 607 1942 or alternatively email
Gerti.willis@mobile.ukti.gov.uk
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