Beirut Creative Cluster launched

Media industry will get international exposure

Berytech has officially launched the Beirut Creative Cluster (BCC), a group of local media firms offering screen-based media products and marketing solutions. 25 web and apps developers, advertising firms, and other companies are now involved in the BCC. The group will soon increase the number of its members to 35. Salim Tannous, Director of the BCC, said all firms working in the field of screen based media are invited to join.

The BCC, which will be based in the Beirut Digital District, aims at promoting local media services in regional and international markets. “This agglomeration of experts in the creative industries aims to give international exposure to local innovation,” said Tannous.

The BCC is partially funded by the European Union and other sponsors. Hani Asfour, founder of the design firm Polypod, is the BCC’s Chairman, and Fadi Sabbagha of Born Interactive is the Deputy Chairman. Institutional partners include Mirada Madrid, the British Council, MENA Cristal Festival, the Lebanese Cinema Foundation (FLC), and CINE JAM.

The cluster will participate in the development of training facilities in all media industries. It will act to promote research and development, and support business development and job creation in the sector. “In clusters, players in the same industry gather to develop their business and increase productivity without sacrificing competition,” Tannous said. “Clusters are now a global trend: Their agenda is different from syndicates' as they focus more on innovation techniques and media exposure,” he said.

The BCC has already partnered with a number of events, most notably Beirut Service Jam, an event promoting the service-design concept. It will be working closely with the Beirut Design Week, an exhibition dedicated to featuring the products of Lebanese designers.