Each Friday in The Wrap, one of the North’s leading media and creative figures will be giving us their take on the news covered by Prolific North over the last seven days.
This week it’s Jamie McMullan, co-founder of Manchester agency Silverchip.
As Silverchip are based at The Sharp Project, perhaps I have a predisposition towards enjoy seeing disused buildings getting a new lease of life (Granada’s Historic studios will produce entertainment shows again). It’s a great attraction for the city, as we get an ever-increasing wealth of facilities to offer and attract, plus it’s great for the people who get to work in and enjoy these buildings. I look forward to seeing how this progresses.
I think it’s a real shame that Business Rocks has been cancelled. Attracting big names to Manchester is important and helps put the city at the forefront of tech and to encourage investment. I don’t know the ins and outs of Business Rocks or the exact reasons behind the cancellation but I think there’s an opportunity here, to learn lessons and think about how we can all work together to attract big names to Manchester and cement our tech nous.
I have to mention the Top 50 Digital Agencies, what a list, congratulations to everyone who’s included, we hope to be included ourselves next year. A special shout-out to Leeds, who I’ve spotted grasped five of the top 10 spots. Silverchip are Manchester-based, so whilst I’d love to see Manchester come out on top, to me this feels like a great opportunity to reach out across the M62 and encourage more collaboration between our cities.
As co-owner of Silverchip, I’m both gutted and poorer because of the new ‘white van man’ budget. Increases in National Insurance affect me on a personal level, but discouraging people from setting up their own business is bad news for everyone. Less new business means fewer jobs, simple. However, I was encouraged to see specialists Jumpstart highlight the silver lining, suggesting that this increase in tax could perhaps be redirected to R&D budget. But let’s not forget, that’s for the creative agencies, what about the actual white van people. New business is good, let’s never forget that.
To put somebody forward for The Wrap, please email david@prolificnorth.co.uk
