Strengthening Ontario's Creative Industries

McGuinty Government Supports Innovative And Creative Economy

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario is supporting 15 projects that will help drive innovation and increase partnerships among the entertainment and creative sector while ensuring our place as a leader in the creative economy.

Through the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund, Ontario is helping promote capacity building, marketing, innovation and skills development in the book and magazine publishing, film and television, music, interactive digital media and commercial theatre industries. This support encourages new industry collaborations, leverages partnerships and will help strengthen these industries across the province.

Supporting Ontario's creative industries is part of the McGuinty government's plan to strengthen the economy and create good jobs for families.

QUOTES

"The McGuinty government is committed to strengthening Ontario's economy through job creation and positive partnerships. With our support, Ontario's creative and entertainment sectors continue to innovate, collaborate and compete globally, ensuring the province's place as a forerunner in new and evolving markets."
— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

"The Partnerships Fund encourages innovation and fosters new business partnerships that encourage growth across Ontario's creative media industries and academic institutions. By supporting the cluster, we are helping to ensure that Ontario plays a leading role on the competitive world stage."
— Karen Thorne-Stone, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Media Development Corporation

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario's entertainment and creative cluster employs almost 300,000 people in highly skilled jobs that contribute $12.2 billion annually to the province's GDP.
• Since 2003, creative-industry jobs have increased by 12 per cent — representing 23,000 new jobs.
• Since its inception in 2006, the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund has supported 94 projects involving 576 partners with total budgets of $38.3 million.
• The Fund is administered by the Ontario Media Development Corporation on behalf of the government.

LEARN MORE

The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport that facilitates economic development opportunities for Ontario's cultural media industries including book and magazine publishing, film and television, music and interactive digital media industries.

BE PART OF IT

Ontario is a global hub for content creation and distribution. From digital innovation to literature, Ontario's cultural sectors contribute billions of dollars to the economy, employ hundreds of thousands of people and power some of the world's most innovative content.

For investors and creators, businesses and consumers, OMDC's investment funds and programs help bring a wealth of opportunity to Ontario. Be part of it and visit www.OMDC.on.ca to learn more.