Ireland’s commercial creative services sector backed to grow in new global markets

Contributing over €1.2bn to the Irish economy each year and creating thousands of high value jobs, this innovative and broad sector also includes Irish-owned brand and creative agencies, event production companies, game design and content creation businesses, along with digital specialists in immersive technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

This exciting sector benefits from hugely positive international sentiment as the Irish creative sector is renowned and respected globally, and it now has the clear potential to deliver more jobs and economic growth for Ireland.

To support the Government’s Digital Creative Industries Roadmap 2024-2026, Enterprise Ireland is collaborating across Team Ireland (which includes other state agencies and government departments), by investing in initiatives to build skills and export capability in the sector.

The focus of this work is to support Irish-owned companies to achieve their global ambition and to scale internationally. For example, one initiative Team Ireland is undertaking is being on show for the first time at Cannes Lions in June, the advertising industry’s leading annual creative event.

Enterprise Ireland also supported a Team Ireland led ­Ireland House in the US last month, which involved 19 Irish creative companies. Ireland House was visited by almost 1,000 people over two days and put an international focus on a number of Irish agencies and creative companies, including Thinkhouse, Workhuman, Catapult, Cogs & Marvel, The Tenth Man, Windmill Lane and TVadSync.

Much of our work supporting the creative sector involves encouraging the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. ​

While shifts in technology can often cause concerns about job losses, it’s the creative innovators who learn how to use AI tools to deliver value who will survive and thrive. To promote the development of these skills Enterprise Ireland is partnering with industry bodies such as the Institute of Advertising ­Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI), the Institute of Designers in ­Ireland (IDI), Screen Ireland, Culture Ireland and more. In February we collaborated with IAPI and Google on an AI Connect event, where 300 marketing and advertising practitioners gathered to learn more about the transformative potential of AI.

We’re also keen to ensure creative entrepreneurs and innovators around the country have access to the support and facilities they need. Our research showed the sector was looking for support on skills, leadership development, sustainability and collaboration opportunities. ​

In recent weeks we saw the opening of the Crew Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Galway. Funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) through ­Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) initiative, Crew is a purpose-built facility dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurs.

It offers private offices, co-working spaces, meeting rooms and event space. Crucially, it also offers extensive training and mentoring programmes.​

Conor O’Donovan is head of marketing and commercial creative services sector, EI