Earlier this year, Bristol Surf Cinema launched its very first event – a night dedicated to celebrating surf storytelling on the big screen. What started as a small, DIY project to bring people together around meaningful surf films quickly grew into something bigger, with almost 250 people buying for the inaugural screening in April.

The idea was simple: create a space to showcase surf films that go beyond the highlight reels, beyond the big brand edits – stories that dig into the social, political, and environmental threads woven through surf culture.

As a camera assistant working in film and TV and a lifelong surfer, I (Theo) set out to build something that connected those two worlds. In a time when the industry was unusually quiet, Bristol Surf Cinema gave me a creative project to get stuck into and a chance to pour energy into something that mattered. It was also a way to genuinely support filmmakers, every film we screen is fully licensed and paid for, and £1 from every ticket is donated to The Wave Project to help fund surf therapy for young people in the UK.

But perhaps what stood out most from the first event was how the Bristol surf community (and the wider ocean-loving crowd) showed up. Feedback from the night wasn’t just about the films, it was about the feeling in the room. People supported the event and made it clear they would like to see more. They wanted a space where all surf stories could be told, with better representation, better balance, and an even stronger connection to the community.

The next wave: July 2025

That’s where our second event comes in. On Saturday 12th July at Watershed Bristol, Bristol Surf Cinema returns with a matinee screening of Point of Change, a powerful documentary by acclaimed director Rebecca Coley. The film tells the story of Nias, Indonesia – a surf paradise that was ‘discovered’ in the 1970s and the environmental and cultural impact that unfolded for the local community as surf tourism in that area grew.

It’s a film that makes you think about the consequences of surf tourism — and we’re lucky to have Rebecca joining us on the day for a Q&A to explore those themes in more depth. Rebecca will be answering questions on her filmmaking process, handling delicate themes within documentary and the impact of tourism on the earth and native communities.

Alongside the feature, we’ll also be screening two UK-made short films:

For those who can’t make the main event, we’ll also be running a catch-up screening on Wednesday 16th July — same films, just without the Q&A.

Both events will offer the opportunity for networking and drinks at the Watershed bar after the event so you can minglew with like-minded film or ocean enthusiasts.

Growing into something bigger

Bristol Surf Cinema was never meant to be a one-off. The ambition is to keep this platform going – to continue curating thoughtful, story-first surf films and to keep building a space where filmmakers feel supported and audiences feel connected.

Looking ahead, there are exciting plans for a national tour to bring these kinds of surf screenings to other UK cities and coastal towns. The vision is to grow Bristol Surf Cinema into a national platform, while always staying true to the ethos: supporting independent surf filmmaking, elevating underrepresented voices, and creating community-led spaces where ocean & surf centred stories, of all kinds, can be seen, heard, and shared.


Want to come along?

Tickets for the July screenings are available now via the Watershed website: https://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/13320/bristol-surf-cinema-point-of-change

To stay up to date with future screenings or to get involved, follow @bristolsurfcinema on Instagram.

Becoming a member of Bristol Creative Industries brings many benefits. We regularly add new opportunities so here is a guide to the latest benefits you can enjoy by signing up. This post is regularly updated.

Join Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month.

Appear in the member directory

Showcase your best work and attract new clients with a company profile in the Bristol Creative Industries member directory. The directory receives lots of visits every month from people looking for services from creative businesses.

Bristol Creative Industries membership

Self-publish content

Got some business advice or news to share? As a Bristol Creative Industries member you can self-publish content on our website and it will automatically appear on your member profile. We upgrade great content to the newsfeed and homepage, while four posts by members are included in our monthly email newsletter.

To get an idea of the content topics that do well, here are the top 30 most popular posts by members in 2024.

Bristol Creative Industries member Jessica Morgan from Carnsight Communications discussed the benefits of posting content in this interview.

Advertise jobs on the BCI jobs board

The Bristol Creative Industries jobs board attracts thousands of job hunters every month. As part of your membership, you can post unlimited free job adverts, saving you on average £3,500 per candidate.

Piers Tincknell, co-founder of Atomic Smash, is one of BCI’s longest serving members and he told us in a member profile interview how he regularly uses the jobs board to recruit new employees.

Attend members’ lunches

BCI’s monthly members’ lunches are a perfect opportunity for members to catch up with fellow members and the BCI team.

Everyone has a slot of up to three minutes to tell the others a little about who they are and what they do and share any news and/or challenges. You don’t need to fill the full three minutes. We usually find some common themes emerge to discuss over the course of the session.  It’s all very informal with no need to stand up and present slides.

The events are free to attend for members, take place at The Square Club in Bristol and include a free buffet lunch.

Check the events section of details of the next lunches.

Drew Benvie, Battenhall, Social Media Trends 2024, Bristol Creative Industries keynote

Discounts for keynotes, workshops and other events

Our flagship keynote events and workshops feature world class speakers sharing their expertise. It’s a unique opportunity to access valuable insights for growing your business. Bristol Creative Industries members receive a ticket discount.

An example of a keynote event is the brilliant annual presentation on social media trends delivered by Drew Benvie, founder of global social media consultancy Battenhall, and Graham MacVoy telling the inspiring story of the Wake the Tiger immersive world of adventure in Bristol.

Our regular freelancer networking drinks are free with a free drink for members. Remaining events in 2025 take place at 5.30 – 8pm on 9 September and 11 November.

Keen an eye on the events section for the latest events. You can also sign up to the monthly BCI Bulletin to be notified of events.

Big thanks to everyone who joined us at @SquareClifton last night for the Bristol Creative Industries freelancer networking drinks ☀️ 🍷

Sign up to the BCI Bulletin to be notified of new events: https://t.co/5WgBWPoN1C#BristolCreativeIndustries #Bristol #freelancers pic.twitter.com/1BvT60KZFp

— Bristol Creative Industries (@Bristol_CI) June 21, 2023

Attend and host Wake Up Call

Wake Up Call is a member exclusive live webinar that takes place every other Friday at 8.30-9am. The content is delivered by members for members.

Attending the free event gives you access to valuable insights from your fellow members and if you host a Wake Up Call, you can share your expertise and attract potential new clients.

See details for upcoming Wake Up Call events in our events section.

If you’re a BCI member and you’d liked to deliver a presentation on a topic of your choice during Wake Up Call, email Dan Martin.

Equity, diversity and inclusion training

Research shows that diverse teams are more creative problem solvers, bringing fresh perspectives to solutions, against the echo-chamber effect that results when people in a business come from too-similar backgrounds. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, employees feel valued and that they belong.

To help Bristol Creative Industries members achieve this, we have partnered with The Hobbs Consultancy to provide on demand equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) e-learning.

The CPD certified online course consists of modules to help you bring about positive change in your business, understand the key challenges in the way for different groups, and explore your own biases and how to overcome them.

The training modules take an in-depth look at different diversity and inclusion topics: race, disability, LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, gender (split into female leadership, masculinity, gender identity), age and social mobility in the workplace.

The price of the training for BCI members is £120+VAT. All profits will be ploughed back into our youth engagement activity.

To access this brilliant training opportunity, log into your Bristol Creative Industries account and click on the ‘members’ training’ section.

Join outdoor networking events

The regular BCI Walk & Talk networking sessions are for a group of BCI members who don their walking boots and explore the stunning countryside around Bristol and Bath.

It’s a great opportunity for members to make some new connections whilst getting some much needed fresh air!

The next outdoor networking event is on 15 August and you can register here.

Bristol Creative Industries Walk & Talk outdoor networking

Attend exclusive roundtables

We host regular roundtables for agency leaders to discuss strategic challenges. These events are vital for us to hear from the member community about the key issues you are facing and how we can help. A roundtable on funding led to us creating this popular and regularly updated guide to the latest finance on offer to creative businesses.

If you are interested in getting involved with future roundtables, email Alli Nicholas.

Other benefits

We regularly deliver other member benefits:

Currently on offer is:

To stay updated on the latest benefits, sign up to the monthly BCI Bulletin.

Discounts on workspace, hotels and more

Reductions on co-working spaces, meeting rooms, hotel accommodation, a recruitment strategy review and a coffee subscription are just some of the many discounts and offers we’ve negotiated for members.

Join Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month.

If you have any questions about membership, email Alli Nicholas

We’re bringing our free, creative community focused event series ‘Gather Round Presents’ to Trinity Church for the first time this month.

It’s safe to say, the first half of 2025 has been anything but smooth sailing. Several turbulent political events have influenced the economy with noticeable shifts in where and how businesses are focusing their time and money. In times like this, it’s vital to build resilience to keep in the game.

Some of you may notice we are revisiting a topic for this one, but it truly feels more poignant than ever. We launched Gather Round Presents back in 2024 with Building Creative Resilience and as things have shifted in 2025, we still have questions. With nervous clients wanting to spend less, do we pitch for free? How do we retain creative power? Do we need to diversify our output?

If you’ve got questions like this, we’ve got an incredible panel joining us this month who are sure to know the answers…

Trinity_Events_Gather_Round

Jamie Ellul – Supple Studio

Jamie’s a creative powerhouse with many strings to his bow (or bass guitar, see his involvement in The SuperColours and The Mystery Callers). In the game for over 20 years, Jamie’s an award-winning graphic designer who champions the small agency set up. “With a passion for design education and promoting diversity in an industry full of white middle class blokes with beards” we can’t wait to hear Jamie’s take on this month’s topic.

Tim Miness – Osborne Pike

A 6ft 9in tower of ideas and doodles, Tim leads Osborne Pike as Creative Director from up on high. Having worked with a myriad of global brands across pretty much every aspect of the creative spectrum including illustration, experiential, packaging and even music videos – Tim’s faced a fair few challenges in his 20-year career and he’s ready to share his most useful tips & tricks.

Steven Hore – Film Director

An irrepressible film maker with an impressive list of achievements under his belt since the 00’s, Steven believes film is the most powerful medium to move people and affect change. Before striking out to make commercials and documentaries for the likes of Disney and HBO, Steven was a creative director for a large London agency. We’re excited to hear how he’s built creative resilience during the last 15 years as a freelancer in the industry.

Robin Worrall – Rednine

An OG Trinity Church member who you’ll never see absent from one of our events – Robin is an experienced Creative Director driven by people making a real difference, with an authentic and powerful story at their heart. In his own words “Change doesn’t scare me; it excites me. I thrive on exploring uncharted territory and lighting the way forward, especially in times of rapid transformation.” Get your questions ready everyone!

Kate Southerby – Creative & Leadership Coach

Our in-house creative coach and neuroscience expert, Kate can give you the tools to help you overcome mistakes, make better decisions and connect more deeply with yourself to realise your true potential. In trying times like this, having self-belief nailed before anything else, your ability to withstand hardship only grows. With a career spanning more than two decades and impactful transformations under her belt with brands such as Topshop, Greene King and Just Eat, Kate’s input to the conversation is sure to stick.

Vestry_Bar_Trinity

Following the success of our previous events, we’re expecting tickets to fly out for this one.

We’ve partnered with local legends Bosco to bring you delicious, fresh free pizzas straight to you from their wood-fired oven. Plus, we’ll kick things off with a free glass of prosecco on arrival, an open bar all night plus plenty of time for networking and sharing your own stories.

Don’t think twice on getting your ticket – we’re expecting them to fly out. See you there Bath, we can’t wait.

 

We are delighted to announce an amazing new benefit for Bristol Creative Industries members this summer. You can enjoy free access to the brilliant Origin Workspace in Berkeley Square, Bristol.

Here are all the details direct from Origin:

This summer, we’re opening our doors to Bristol’s creative minds — for free!

Every Friday throughout June, July, and August 2025, Origin Workspace invites members of Bristol Creative Industries to enjoy a complimentary, inspiring, and productive workspace in the heart of the city.

Whether you’re a designer, writer, artist, or innovator, this is more than just a free desk – it’s a chance to thrive with no strings attached. Our lounge and lobby provide the ideal setting to focus, connect, and create, with unlimited coffee, reliable Wi-Fi, and a welcoming atmosphere designed to support your productivity and wellbeing.

We know many creatives are navigating the challenges of securing consistent work. That’s why we’re offering more than just space, we’re a community, offering solidarity, and creating a space where local talent can connect and collaborate.

Surrounded by like-minded professionals, you’ll have the chance to be part of a vibrant network that values support and shared success. As a proudly independent Bristol business, nurturing our Bristol ecosystem is at the heart of what we do. Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery, a spark of inspiration, or simply a place to get things done, Creative Fridays is your opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Want to join us?

Spaces are limited, so fill in this form to secure your spot and make Fridays your most creative day of the week. We can’t wait to welcome you to the space. Terms and conditions apply.

Not a Bristol Creative Industries member and want to take advantage of this brilliant offer? Join today.

Get your networking hat on in May, June and July! We have some brilliant networking opportunities over the next few months. They are free or discounted for Bristol Creative Industries members.

22 May: Screen industries meetup, Nine Tree Studios in Bristol

Our second screen industries meetup focuses on skills and opportunities for people in the industry, and the challenges for finding work or moving to different sectors.

The event is £5+VAT for BCI members, £8+VAT for non-members. Tickets include food and drinks. Register here.

22 May: BCI members’ lunch at The Square Club in Bristol

BCI’s free members’ lunches are the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow members and the BCI team which enjoying a delicious Mediterranean buffet lunch too.

Register here.

10 June: Freelancer networking drinks at The Square Club

Open to freelancers and those who engage with freelancers, join this event to widen networks, make new connections, discuss common problems, and discover potential opportunities for collaboration.

The event is free with a free drink for BCI members, or £5+VAT for non-members.

Register here.

13 June: Walk & Talk outdoor networking in the Cotswolds

A great opportunity for members to make new connections whilst getting some much needed fresh air! This event is for BCI members only and costs £10+VAT.

Register here.

26 June: BCI members’ lunch at The Square Club in Bristol

Register here.

24 July: BCI members’ lunch at The Square Club in Bristol

Register here.

LinkedIn remains a mystery and a challenge to so many people, including those in our sectors (marketing, PR, social media, digital, events, communications and creative)

Moxie and Mettle place candidates into permanent and freelance roles in these roles and disciplines, and we work in the UK. Personally, I’ve been using LinkedIn since it was launched in 2003, and I have nearly 17,000 connections and 14500 followers. But then I’m a recruiter, so you’d expect me to be visible and active on LinkedIn.

Moxie and Mettle has a business page with around 3700 followers, a minimal amount compared to mine and Rebecca Hodgson‘s connections and followers. However, company pages on LinkedIn are not as well used as individual pages, and we are still delighted and grateful for all our followers, wherever they may be.

In 2025, we have only a few freelance roles, as clients are tending to go directly to the candidates rather than using a recruiter at the moment, which is understandable.  This is what happens when you send a CV to a client, whether directly or through a recruiter.

So, 99% of the time, when we send a CV to a client for a candidate’s application for a role, the client will go straight to LinkedIn to review the profile, it’s standard practice. They are looking for additional information about the candidate, maybe to find out more about the company that the candidate works for, and to fill in any gaps that there may be on the CV (which there shouldn’t be) or if there is different information on the LinkedIn profile to that on the CV.

Likewise, when a candidate applies for a job with a particular person and organisation, the candidate will generally go to LinkedIn as one of the places to look for information, make connections, find out about recent news at the company. LinkedIn often offers much more information on people and businesses than websites do and is a massive source of information for all.

There are 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide – here are some statistics.

So I’ve pulled together some observations, hints ,and tips about how to get the most out of LinkedIn, whether you are searching for a new job, or more freelance opportunities, want to promote your brand or business, or just want to expand your professional network.

LinkedIn works as well for product-based businesses as it does for service-based; look at what Adam Joe Parker has achieved in promoting Ocean Savers, for example.

If you want to find out even more and get my expertise on creating the best LinkedIn profile possible, to go alongside your CV if you are looking for a job, or to complement your website if you are promoting your brand or business or as a freelancer, please visit here.

This Social Shepherd article gives loads of interesting facts and figures if you like to know the numbers!

LinkedIn – information, hints and tips

Here are some ways you can enhance and improve your profile on LinkedIn, whether you are promoting yourself as a job seeker or freelancer or are employed within a business.

LinkedIn is an excellent source of leads and customers, whether you sell a service or a product. Obviously, it’s super helpful in sharing all your content and for personal brand promotion for business owners and leaders. One of the most important areas for the creative sectors is our freelance community, which can be well served by LinkedIn and find new projects and clients.

Here are some ideas of the best ways to get the most visibility and get the platform working for you.

The banner at the top, above your photo (which should be a professional headshot by the way) is the first thing anyone sees when they click on your profile.

You can use Canva to quickly create a banner appliable to your circumstances, which could be promoting your brand or business, or could be a few words about your skills and experience or special area of interest, or why you are on LinkedIn.

Don’t just leave it blank, as that’s a waste of opportunity to create impact and show off your talents or the brilliance of your business or service.

Then, the headline, which is immediately below your name.

220 characters, which you can create yourself and which can clearly state your skills and what your service offering is.

If you don’t change this, LinkedIn will use your current job title and company, which is okay, but better to use the characters available in a more impactful way

e.g marketing manager with 10+ years experience in financial services specialising in mortgages and investments.

is better than

Marketing Manager, XYZ Insurance

When your content is shown in the feed on LinkedIn, your name and this headline are the two parts of your profile that people see.

About You

2600 characters to showcase your talents, or the services of your business or a mixture of both. The best way to use this space is to describe your skills and experience and how that benefits your audience, and you can really use the available characters to make that work for you.

Avoid using “I”, “me”, and “my” too much and instead use first person implied as the tense for the description. Although this section of LinkedIn is called “About” it’s not about you except for how your skills and experience can benefit your clients or your next employer, or the customers/stakeholders of your employer if that’s how you are using your LinkedIn profile currently.

Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your own; it doesn’t belong to your employer; although you might have a clause in your contract relating to the use of social media or how you represent yourself online while you are employed or on contract, do check!

Experience

This is your CV, but within LinkedIn. But it’s not a cut-and-paste of your job description per role! Just like in your CV, the profile on LinkedIn should tell the story of your career, your accomplishments, successes, outcomes and results as well as your skills and experience. LinkedIn asks for months and years for each record within the experience section. Your CV and your LinkedIn profile need to match in terms of where you’ve worked and/or your career history to date.

Hope that’s helpful, do let me know if you have any queries.

Thanks for reading!

Take care,

Liz

Liz Gadd
0117 301 8223
liz@moxieandmettle.co.uk
www.moxieandmettle.co.uk

 

Chemistry, trust and authenticity are key ingredients in agencies winning new clients.

That’s the finding of jfdi and Opinium‘s annual New Business Barometer, a comprehensive survey of agency business development professionals, across disciplines including creative, digital, experiential, content and social. 

The report, of which Bristol Creative Industries is a partner, found that generating strong chemistry with the client is the most important factor in converting prospects. It was cited by 74% of respondents, up 5% on last year’s report.

The study said:

“Chasing an increased number of opportunities coupled with hybrid working practice and pitch team stretch is making agency chemistry harder to sustain.”

Trust also plays a key role with connections and referrals the most popular prospecting strategies, highlighted by 86% and 74% of respondents.

jfdi said:

“Trust and authenticity has become a superpower in an anxious world fuelled by misinformation and uncertainty.”

When asked about the key internal challenges, time was the most popular highlighted factor, The report said time saving AI tools are one solution, with “speed of adoption over the next 12 months” potentially leading to “a significant competitive advantage for your agency”.

Five and a half months is the average lifecycle of a new business project from initial contact from pitch to client billing, the study said, and the “ghost pitch” continues to rise with 45% stating budget withdrawal as the reason for pitch loss, a 2% increase on last year.

“Agencies can safeguard their interests by activating tighter qualification of budget ‘status’ within client organisations: is it real, speculative or ‘tbc’?,” the report advised.

Additional findings from the report:

Jon Goulding, CEO at Atomic, said:

“The industry has never been more dynamic than it is today. With so many brands reviewing agency relationships and looking for such a diverse mix of specialisms, your new business strategy and approach is arguably the most important ingredient for modern agency success.

“Over nearly eight years, the New Business Barometer has become the go-to insight resource for the new business community. It always offers a fascinating snapshot into the new business community and this year is no different. While automation and AI may be improving the efficiency of new business processes, the continued importance of trust, personal connections, and chemistry really stands out.”

For a full summary of the report, email camilla@jfdi.uk.com

Advice related to the report’s findings

Event in Bristol on 13 March: How to retain your clients

Don’t lose sight of your new business pipeline

10 top tips for getting the pitch over the line

How Bristol Creative Industries members are using AI

What we’ve learned about AI in agencies: Insights from 30 creative leaders

How to prospect for new business without losing your soul

How creative businesses can write the perfect positioning statement

The photo above shows the Bristol WordPress team at WordCamp Bristol in 2019 – a moment when the community was thriving. By less than a year later the World had changed and, despite best efforts, Bristol WordPress People had ceased to operate. There has been a void in the city’s WordPress community since.

It’s time to reignite the spark

The exciting news is that a small group of us have been meeting to discuss how we can reignite this once-thriving group. I’m happy to announce that Janice Tye, one of the original organisers of Bristol WordPress People has re-instated the official Meetup and scheduled some networking events at the King William Alehouse, 20 King St, Bristol BS1 4EF. Whether you’re an old friend or a new face, you’re invited to join us:

Tuesday, February 4th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday, March 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Tuesday, April 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

At its peak, Bristol WordPress People was a hub of inspiration – hosting expert talks, lively networking sessions, and delicious food thanks to sponsors like Atomic Smash and 34SP. This was more than just a meetup; it was a friendly, creative community where people shared knowledge, learned new skills, and helped each other thrive.

Now, we need your help to bring it back to life.

Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress pro, someone curious to learn, a website owner in search of advice, or someone with tips and stories to share, we need your help to revive our once-loved group.

Let’s rebuild this community together. Join us at the King William Alehouse and help shape the future of Bristol WordPress People.

See you soon!

 

 

Halo has launched it’s event series – Halo Revelations.

Hosted by Nick Clarkson, the first Halo Revelations event, “Putting AI to Work,” was eye-opening to the many possibilities Artificial Intelligence brings to branding and marketing. The event promised to reshape approaches to these crucial aspects of business, and it did not disappoint.

Kerry Harrison (Content Generation with AI, Essential Toolkit Strategies)

Kicking off the talks, Kerry Harrison, shared insights into the groundbreaking tools shaping the future. From creating the world’s first AI gin to utilising tools like ChatGPT Bard, Bing, and Claude Co-Pilot for writing, Kerry emphasised the role of AI in saving time on research and planning. AI, according to Kerry, is a powerful ally that generates ideas and information quickly, allowing for the creation of first drafts and structures.

One key takeaway was the importance of understanding what AI can and cannot do. Kerry stressed that while AI is a valuable tool, human intelligence is essential for strategy, creative thinking, and research. The message was clear:

“AI is a Collaborator, not a Successor.” – Kerry Harrison

Neil Collard (Adopting AI, A Mindset Revolution)

Neil Collard delved into the adoption of AI, citing Moore’s Law and Martec’s Law as foundations for understanding the rapid evolution of technology. His presentation centered on the AI Maturity Model, emphasising the importance of alignment, commitment, and ambition.

Neil urged businesses to be ahead of the curve, stating that delays in adopting AI could result in being left behind. He presented a thought-provoking idea: the alignment-adoption-ambition framework, encouraging businesses to sacrifice the sacrosanct and be open to change for success.

Tanya Sharma (Enhancing the customer experience with AI)

During her talk, Tanya Sharma focused on the transformation of customer experience through AI. She emphasised the importance of the client and customer relationship:

“Customer is King.” – Tanya Sharma

AI, when used, introduces new opportunities in customer experience, offering personalised interactions at scale, enhancing customer support through chatbots, and optimising marketing strategies through data analysis and predictive modelling.

Hannah Strickland and Paul Bailey (Navigating the Intersection of AI and Brand Dynamics)

Stepping in for Nick EllisHannah Strickland, and Paul Bailey demystified the hype around AI integration. They revealed that Halo has seamlessly integrated AI into their workflow. During the talk, they gave a case study on a recent branding project they completed for a client, in which they used AI-generated images for the brand. The pair emphasised how AI can provide longevity and quick delivery for a client when on-brand images are created, through the use of AI and specific image prompts

AI can be used in agencies for numerous areas from social content to strategy planning. In practice image prompts can be used as a distinctive asset for a brand. ChatGPT was praised as a valuable collaborator, a partner in ideation that provides a fresh perspective.

“Think of AI as the other person in the room you are bouncing ideas off.” – Paul Bailey

Both Hannah and Paul encouraged a simplified approach, suggesting that AI is like having a parent with infinite patience, allowing strategists to think freely.

From content creation to customer experience, the event showcased AI as a catalyst for unlocking success. The key takeaway was clear: AI is not here to replace but to empower, and adopting it responsibly is the key to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and creativity. Don’t be left behind – It is time to Integrate and experiment with AI.


Article was written by Kayjay McDonald-Ferguson (ex-intern at Halo)
Find original article here

The UK has experienced profound economic change over recent years which has brought challenges and new opportunities to the creative sector. As a result, many individuals have set out on the freelance and small business path for the first time.

Reasons include the natural result of redundancies due to the pandemic, new working relationships with employers following Covid-19 and a desire to achieve a better work/life balance.

Whatever the reason to go it alone, Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) is here to give freelancers, startups and small businesses the perfect platform to share skills and build connections.

There are many benefits of a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership. See what some members have to say below.

To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.

Essential to the creative community

Heather Wright, co-chair of Bristol Creative Industries, said:

“The trend in the creative sector is to have small and agile agencies relying on a bank of specialist freelance talent. We have seen the freelance sector grow year on year in the last decade.

“The benefits are that, here in Bristol, we have a huge pool of freelancers covering a spectrum of creative disciplines, from coding, filmmaking, music composition, animation, illustration, copywriting to recording and directing podcasts, to name just a few. Name a niche creative service you need for your business and, chances are, there will be someone to help right here on your doorstep.

“And these freelancers and startups are key to Bristol’s vibrant creative community; it means small businesses can use a wide range of professional creative talent. Freelancers are providing the resource of a conglomerate for the SME and Bristol Creative Industries can really help with these connections.

“All individual, freelance and startup members get a profile in our online member directory where you can showcase your work. Freelancers can also take advantage of discounted tickets to BCI events, plus the opportunity to self-publish content on our newsfeed. And don’t forget the membership perks, including restaurant offers and money off business support. The real value however is in the business connections you can make.

“But don’t take my word for it, here are a few comments from our members on their experiences.”

Carys Tait, independent illustrator and designer

“I’ve been a member of Bristol Creative Industries for a good number of years now. I joined mainly to be included in the directory, for which I think the cost as an individual is very affordable. It makes absolute sense to be listed in a directory where clients search for creatives, outside of their own sector or network.

“In terms of other benefits of membership, I have attended various events and they have been very good. These include evening drinks meet-ups and the members’ lunch.

“I’d say that as a creative freelancer in any field, joining BCI is a great thing to do if you have the chance. Additionally, the team at BCI have always been very friendly and supportive!”

View Carys Tait’s profile.

Lara Candido Porter, copywriter

“When I worked in an agency, we used the BCI member directory to find the best regional talent. I always felt that I could trust the freelancers we found there – they had an added credibility, took their specialism seriously, and added value to projects. So when I started out as a freelance copywriter I knew I had to be listed as a member myself!

“The events are also really insightful and enjoyable – members’ lunch, sketchnoting workshop, and the ‘simple tips, smart ideas’ talk with Erica Wolfe-Murray to name a few. Plus, still to this day it’s a lovely feeling to receive an email that starts with: ‘Hi Lara, I found your details via Bristol Creative Industries and…’.

“What would I say to freelancers thinking of joining BCI? To quote one of my favourite taglines: Just do it.”

View Lara Candido Porter’s profile.

Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

Oliver Edwards, photographer

“I joined Bristol Creative Industries many years ago looking for a list of potential new clients. In my first year I got two new clients, one a national charity. Every year I regularly get new jobs via the website and these mostly turn into long term relationships. I now work with many of the major agencies in Bristol who are also members and actively involved with BCI. The work I generate covers my BCI freelance membership costs so joining was a no-brainer.”

View Oliver Edwards’ profile.

Luke Maitland, Animated Magic

“I initially joined Bristol Creative Industries as a way to network and get to know other creatives in the Bristol area. Regular members’ lunches allow members to meet, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect. The team running BCI are passionate about helping to support the creative community; always friendly, and they have been a great help in connecting my business with potential creative partners and business contacts.

“I believe just being part of BCI has provided my animation studio with additional credibility.

“Overall, Bristol Creative Industries is extremely well run, positive and a joy to be a part of; the membership offers amazing value for money.”

View Animated Magic’s profile.

Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

Jenny Johnson, freelance designer

“Within two weeks of signing up I had my first enquiry from a new client”

“I regularly get contacted by new clients thanks to my listing in BCI’s member directory.  Freelance membership is great value for money!”

View Jenny Johnson’s profile.

Get noticed with a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

If you’re a freelancer or startup business owner and want to raise your profile to get the work you want, find out more about a individual and startup membership to Bristol Creative Industries

You have the option of paying a one-off annual fee of £45+VAT or a rolling subscription of £4.50+VAT per month. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and be a real part of Bristol’s creative network.

To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.