Vision+Media exists to help grow the digital and creative industry in England's Northwest

Who is Vision+Media?

• It is funded by the UK Film Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, European Funds, Skillset, local, city and council authorities across the region.
• Vision+Media started out as a regional screen agency (TV and Film) before merging with Media Training Northwest in 2008.
• Vision+Media is made up of 40 staff. The head office is 100 Broadway, MediaCity, Salford Quays, M50 2UW

What is Vision+Media's objective?

• To grow a world class creative and digital economy in the North West.

What does Vision+Media do?

• It works on behalf of the digital and creative industries in the North West, providing strategic leadership, helping to build businesses and developing skills and talent.
• Skills team: deliver training and personal development programmes, grants, placements and apprenticeships across all sectors.
• Sector teams (Games, Digital, Film, Radio, Music, Creative & Digital Services, Publishing, TV): deliver events, initiatives, award funding and support businesses.
• Film offices & Production: cultivate the North West as a production base/location.
• Audience development: supporting activity that is creatively/culturally significant.

Key stats for financial year 2009/10 

• 2009/10 Vision+Media invested £9.2m in the North West’s digital and creative economy. We used this money to support and encourage successfully businesses and individuals across the spectrum of our remit including; TV, film, radio, digital, games, music, publishing, ICT and digital and creative services.
• £48m of inward investment was generated in the North West by production supported by our Film Office, which facilitated 540 productions and 2,200 filming days
• We have invested £500,000 into North West creative businesses through the Regional attraction Fund, returning £7.5 million into the local economy
• 850 individuals benefited from our Digital Media Skills Programme (DMSP) and we helped 150 companies through training funds, placement schemes and cutting edge industry training
• Secured £450k of private investment into DMSP
• 75% of new entrants went on to employment after their DMSP Training Placement
• Our team of experts have directly supported 350 businesses and over 500 individuals
• Over 600 industry professionals attended our 17 Visionary Sessions, cutting edge events with global thought leaders and experts
• We created 19 and saved 35 jobs in the region, created five companies and trained 928 people

Other points of interest

• Vision+Media has invested over £400,000 into independent TV companies in the North West since March 2009.
• iStudio, the placement-based training and development scheme, achieved a 100% success rate, getting entry level digital designers, developers and project/account managers into employment.
• The 'Get In The Game’ initiative saw 5 companies being awarded a £10,000 grant to develop concepts, receive mentoring and get the opportunity to pitch ideas to Sony’s XDev Studio Europe.
• By the end of 2009, Vision+Media had invested £100,000 in regional film festivals.
• Vision+Media manages two free online film databases, providing access to over 30,000 locations and 3,000 crew and facilities.  
• Since Regional Attraction Fund was established, Vision+Media has assisted 211 companies and helped create 225 jobs.