Creative Industries Styria

As a networking organization, Creative Industries Styria acts as a bridge builder and mediator between companies in the traditional economy and creative professionals, with the aim of improving and expanding market efficiency and performance for all involved.

The organization creates awareness for the creative sector on a regional and international level and is an essential part of the growth and innovation that drives Styria. Thus, CIS understands creativity as a valuable raw material for intelligent change – after all, the diversity of a vibrant creative economy offers a significant advantage for cross-innovative cooperation within the Styrian cluster landscape.

Creative Industries is active in three strategic areas: Awareness & Location, Impulses & Projects, and Networking & Service. CIS is working in two directions: First, towards sensitizing traditional companies to the achievements of the creative economy, and second, towards connecting the creative sector with traditional companies in the best possible way. Hence, Creative Industries Styria aims to build bridges to the other respective area at two central interfaces. These interfaces can be found between the areas of creation and production on the one hand and between production and distribution on the other.

At the first interface – creation and production – Creative Industries Styria accompanies the exchange between the creative and traditional economy. Projects are developed primarily utilizing the innovative and transformative power of the creative industries. They can fully develop their potential by transforming various areas of the traditional economy, specifically those areas which are primary strong points of the Styrian economy, i.e. mobility, health and green tech. Creative Industries Styria provides important innovation support to further develop this area.

At the second interface – production and distribution – Creative Industries Styria focuses on the worldwide marketing of Styrian products. CIS uses its international network of people, media and locations to actively support companies in sales using creativity as the competitive advantage that secures a company's unique selling proposition and clearly positions it against the international competition.

Successful collaborations between the creative industries and the traditional economy also serve as best practice examples to promote further networking and to anchor the "raw material creativity" in the entire Styrian economy. Work at both interfaces follows the guiding principle: Created in Styria – Produced in Styria – Sold Worldwide.

Came to stay

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the development of a variety of new formats, which were not only successfully introduced at the time, but are now becoming successful new fixtures that are here to stay. These include the video format "Creative Voice,” from which the Creative Industries Styria podcast spun off. At these "Discus- sions about Design, Creativity and Business", the who-is-who of the Styrian creative scene talk about their work, about trends and topics in the industry and about challenges and solutions in their respective areas of responsibility. By the end of 2022, twelve episodes of the podcast were aired and made available on all well-established podcast platforms.

Design Transfer

Cleverly interconnecting design and corporate culture: That is the goal of Design Transfer, a three-stage consulting program and flagship project of Creative Industries Styria. Targeted and solution-oriented design is the be-all and end-all for modern companies to shine with innovative concepts and to be able to prevail over the competition in the future. Design Transfer not only connects creative professionals and companies, the integration of design also gives companies significant advantages, allowing them to unlock their full potential, acquire new customer bases and improve their positioning on the market. In close cooperation with company management, Creative Industries

Styria develops individual Design Transfer guidelines and specifically filters out which services are needed in order to optimize strategic decision-making and achieve company goals. Design is becoming an important concept that helps to highlight new perspectives on classic design processes and thus to ensure long-term corporate success.

Styrian Products

Styrian Products is a collection focused on design and products Made in Styria, raising awareness for good, and therefore internationally successful design. This ever-growing product selection now includes over 100 exhibits from around 60 Styrian manufacturing companies that have mastered the interplay between the creative and traditional economy. These products come from a wide variety of areas such as furniture and fashion, accessories and tableware, industrial machines and solid wood prefabricated houses, consumer goods and capital goods, both in small and large series productions.

The development of the Styrian creative economy is a success story. Thanks to the commitment of Creative Industries Styria, the region is visible far beyond our national borders and is considered a hotspot of the creative sector both within Austria and outside of it.

We owe this success to the many innovative minds and highly qualified specialists here. In this dynamic environment, Creative Industries Styria assumes the important role of a networking organization that connects all players in the creative sector with those from other industries, taking many initiatives along the way.

It is remarkable that the creative sector is becoming increasingly shaped by women. Around a quarter of all creative companies in Styria are headed by a woman. The proportion of women among employ-ees is 43 %, in the areas of design, advertising, books and publishing even 60 %. As a Member of the Government of Styria responsible for Economics and Innovation, it is important to me to continue to support this development.

The creative sector has become an indispensable part of the Styrian economy and I am convinced that it will only continue to do so in the years to come. Creative Industries Styria will play a key role in this development and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire CIS team, especially General Manager Eberhard Schrempf, for their extraordinary commitment.

Sincerely,

Barbara Eibinger-Miedl Member of the Government of Styria responsible for Economic Affairs

With Styrian Products, the design process is realized from the initial idea to the finished product. “Good” design, however, not only adds value to the company itself, but can also lead to international success. This is why every product included in the collection must be developed and produced in Styria and sold worldwide. Clearly, Styrian Products are the best ambassadors for quality Made in Styria and innovative spirit – for good design and active creativity – regionally, nationally and internationally. The 2022 exhibition was held at Steiner1888 in Schladming.

Experience Economy

Experience Economy has been welcoming visitors for exclusive looks behind the scenes of successful Styrian companies since 2009. Experience tours through the more than 50 participating companies have so far attracted over 4 million visitors to explore production halls, workshops and machine rooms. Creative Industries Styria acts as a project manager, building bridges between creative professionals and businesses, thereby initiating sustainable cooperation.

Their steadily growing network enables cooperation partnerships and synergies for the benefit of everyone involved. In addition, Creative Industries Styria accompanies the project process, from first contact on the part of the company to the conception and design, continuous quality assurance and advertising of the tours. It is particularly important to ensure the high quality of the tours as this is what ultimately creates the added value equally relevant for the creative industries, for businesses, for the general public and for Styria as a business location. The result is an appreciation for domestic production and respect for the people in the company plus the establishing of a strong connection between the creative, the innovative and traditional branches of the economy.

An evaluation confirmed the high relevance and benefit of the flagship project Experience Economy. The adjustments suggested therein will be taken into account in the further development of the project.

Membership

Membership of Creative Industries

Styria is organized on 3 levels: Free Members are part of the Creative Industries Styria network and are entered into the member directory at no additional cost. They also have access to a wide range of information on events, calls and competitions.

Full Members are active members in the network and have access to additional services ranging from free lectures and events to participation in calls and competitions as well as reduced costs for network trips, excursions or conferences. Premium Members are medium and long-term strategic partners of Creative Industries Styria receiving an individually composed premium package consisting of basic and special services.

Creative Industries Styria had 1,208 members at the end of 2022, including 1,303 free members, 206 full members (117 individual memberships, 89 company memberships) and 11 premium members. They all benefit from stronger networking with the traditional economy, higher visibility of their services and a high degree of internationalization.

Organization of Creative Industries Styria

Partners of Creative Industries

Styria GmbH include the Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsges.m.b.H.

SFG (Styrian Economic Promotion Agency), the city of Graz and the Chamber of Commerce of Styria. In addition to these partners, funding is provided through grants from the State of Styria (SFG), the city of Graz and membership fees, project partners, project partnerships and sponsors.

The shareholders of Creative Industries Styria GmbH hold the following shares:

51 % SFG

39 % City of Graz

10 % Chamber of Commerce of Styria

The core team of employees consists of 10 people: Managing director, assistant to the managing director, office management, controlling, and 6 project managers.