INDUSTRY DEFINITION - Greater New Orleans, Inc.

TARGET: CREATIVE MEDIA & DESIGN
INDUSTRY DEFINITION
The creative media and design industry is comprised of creative services focused on developing uniquely
designed products and services based on innate creativity and talent, such as software design, film production,
music recording, interior and graphic design, advertising, marketing, and commercial photography, as well as
architecture, urban design, and historic preservation. This industry is distinct from the related hotels and
entertainment industry through its focus on technical and professional services as opposed to direct
performance, art galleries, or entertainment, though the two industries are certainly linked together.
The creative media industry is highly concentrated in locations that are able to attract a creative workforce, as
companies in this industry are typically limited only by a lack of workforce. Considering that, the ultimate
recruitment target for this industry is not necessarily the creative companies, but rather the people that
constitute those companies. Businesses in these industries tend to cluster together not because of supplier
advantages or value chain synergies. Rather, these firms choose locations that will provide a high quality of life
and an environment in which creatively minded individuals can flourish. A supportive business climate, including
available incentives for film and video game production, adequate facilities for sound recording and film
production, and large festivals which celebrate and promote the work of local creative designers provides
opportunities for exposure and business growth for companies in this industry. Support services for small
businesses and entrepreneur is an important aspect of retaining these industries.
NATIONAL GROWTH TRENDS
The creative media and design industry is
comprised of several different subsectors,
including:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Film and TV recording and production
Music recording and production
Advertising and marketing
Graphic design
Architecture and interior design
Software and video gaming design
Other specialized design services, including
commercial photography and industrial
design.
CREATIVE MEDIA & DESIGN
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT & AVERAGE WAGE, 2001-2006
Employment
Avg. Annual Wage
(millions)
2.90
$65K $66,000
2.80
2.79
2.71
2.70
2.61
2.57
2.60
2.50
2.69
2.64
$64,000
$62,000
$60,000
$58,000
$56,000
$57K
$54,000
2.40
$52,000
2001
2002
2003 2004 2005 2006
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW
Creative industries continue to work their way
into all fabrics of American life. Industrial and
product design continues to expand through popular product lines such as Michael Graves’ line of home
products at Target. More of our day-to-day activities involve computers, and software designers keep these
systems efficient and user-friendly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationally, design occupations
are expected to grow by 21% to 35% over the next ten years. Advertising and marketing are expanding
industries, adding nearly 30,000 jobs nationwide since 2003 at average wages of more than $58,000 annually.
Film, television, and sound recording and production are large industries driven primarily by incentives. By
providing investment tax credits, job creation tax credits, and sales tax exemptions, regions around the country
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
53
and the world have been able to promote and build capacity in film recording and production. While on-location
shooting provides local jobs in creative media and design, a longer-term strategy for film production requires
investment in production facilities, recording studios, and essential high-tech equipment. Sound recording
studios have continued to lose employment as recording equipment and software becomes more readily
available to amateur users, and the music industry struggles to resolve its business model in the face of
downloadable music.
Software design shrank substantially over the past 6 years, losing almost 28,000 jobs, though most of this loss
occurred from 2001-2004, and has added 8,000 jobs nationally since then. With software design outsourcing,
an increasing focus is on more creative software design, including video gaming. Video game production has
expanded along with the market for video games, and this sub-industry requires both knowledge of computer
software production but also creative design, story writing, and other non-traditional software design skills.
Most people are familiar with occupations such as computer animation and graphic design, though many
overlook the more industrial applications. Commercial and industrial designers develop and design
manufacturing products, from cars, airplanes, and ships to biomedical lab equipment and consumer products.
Growing the creative media and design sectors in Greater New Orleans could have spin-off impact in some of
the region’s more traditional industries.
LOCATION DECISION CRITERIA
For the creative media and design industry, location decision criteria are driven by a combination of incentives
for film and video game production, access to a well-educated, creative, and diverse workforce, and an
attractive quality of life for the workforce. Film and sound recording facilities are essential for those industries,
while industry showcase events focused on spotlighting local productions provide business growth
opportunities. The top five location decision criteria include:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Incentives: Tax incentives drive film production
“Cool Factor”: Excellent quality of life, good word of mouth among young professionals
Creative class workforce: Educational offerings and young professional workforce in this industry
Film and sound recording facilities: State of the art recording and production facilities
Industry showcase events: Music and film festivals, cultural festivals to showcase regional creativity
Structural Assets
The infrastructure needs of creative firms are not as critical as those in other industries. Typically, these firms
need access to telecommunication and electricity services, but cost and reliability concerns are not as crucial.
These firms are often small and prefer to locate in architecturally interesting spaces generally located in central,
downtown, and vibrant walkable locations. However, large film and sound recording facilities, including state of
the art production facilities, are required for long-term growth in film production. These facilities are large
employers, and provide video and television studio production, commercial filming, and film soundstages.
Costs of Doing Business
The primary costs of doing business in this industry come from wages for employees, though computer
equipment and other technical equipment is an additional expense. Film makers and other designers are
sensitive to incentives provided to incentivize local production of film and video games.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
54
Research & Development
While not overly reliant on R&D, the technically focused niches in this sector do require product development
and customization. Additionally, the industrial and commercial design segments require research and an
involved product development process. Other research and development occurs in industry-serving software,
and additional ways of streamlining software design processes.
Economic Conditions
Creative media and design firms tend to be small in size, consisting mainly of high-skilled workers and few
support staff. Roughly one third of all designers are self-employed. Thus, the entrepreneurial network of a
community is vital to the success of local creative firms. A large regional economy provides opportunities for
advertising and marketing firms and graphic designers. Architectural and interior design firms are more closely
tied to the health of the construction industry.
Workforce
The creative sector comprises a broad range of occupational categories, from computer-aided design, software
development and architecture, to graphic design and marketing. The workforce spans such varied industries as
motion pictures and industrial machinery. These jobs generally require advanced training using design software
and artistic techniques. Many of the occupations within this industry require specialized technical or computer
training on top of bachelor’s degrees.
GNO REGIONAL ASSESSMENT
GNO GROWTH TRENDS
CREATIVE MEDIA
GNO REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT & AVERAGE WAGE. 2003-2012
Employment
Avg. Annual Wage
The City of New Orleans
Projected
provides the ideal setting to
$60,000
20,000
draw creative media and design
$50,000
companies and individuals. The
15,000
region is home to an
$40,000
established sector of creative
employment in film production,
10,000
$30,000
advertising, software and
graphic design. Through
$20,000
5,000
continuing to attract creative
$10,000
young professionals to the City
of New Orleans to rebuild the
0
$0
historic areas of New Orleans
and retaining them for careers
'03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12
in creative media and design,
Source: Economy.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW
the region can create a base of
creative companies to build an industry around.
There are, however, few home-grown companies in the film or video gaming businesses, and most investments
in these industries tend to be by companies from outside the region seeking incentives for production within the
state. Without some more permanent local investment, Louisiana’s investment in some subsectors of the
creative media and design industry are destined to leave should other states institute more competitive
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
55
incentive programs. The Nims Center Studios in Jefferson Parish provides excellent local film production space,
though with the much-touted Louisiana Institute of Film Technology project in New Orleans tied up in legal
proceedings, the Greater New Orleans region still faces significant hurdles in this area.
Industry employment and wages are projected to rise fairly steadily over time, adding several thousand jobs to
the regional economy, with wages approaching $57,000 annually in 2012. The majority of employment in the
Greater New Orleans region is in the architecture and engineering services, advertising, and film industries,
with additional specializations in interior and graphic design and photography. Because of the lack of focus on
software design, the Greater New Orleans region has lower wages than the industry as a whole.
As a whole, this industry is extremely fragmented, with little emphasis on the integrative effects of combining
efforts across the industry. Industry groups play a large role in the development of this industry, and those in the
Greater New Orleans region is no exception. The following industry groups provide GNO, Inc. with an excellent
opportunity to leverage existing networks of organization to further organize and strengthen this industry:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
American Institute of Architects – New Orleans
American Institute of Graphic Artists – New Orleans
Ad Club of New Orleans
Cutting Edge Music Business Conference
COMPETITIVE COSTS AND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Competitive costs in the creative media and design industry favor the Greater New Orleans region, as wages
are substantially lower than in competitor areas, though without a focus to the industry, it may never gain a
foothold as a primary industry driving the economy of the Greater New Orleans region. New Orleans primary
competitor for creative media and design companies will depend primarily on the type of company being
discussed. Greater New Orleans does, however, provide excellent incentives for location of these types of
companies in the region through the Louisiana Digital Media Act, which provides tax credits equivalent to 15%
of qualified investments over 6 years, the Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit, which provides tax credits of
between 10% and 20% for investment in recording studios and equipment, and the “Broadway South” tax
credits, which help New Orleans attract live “Broadway bound” productions, including theater, opera, ballet,
jazz, comedy revues and variety entertainment through a 25% state tax credit on their base investment, and
construction costs, and a 10% tax credit on payroll for Louisiana residents.
For film production, New Orleans competes primarily with New York, California, New Mexico, and other areas
within Louisiana to capture productions. These areas provide excellent film incentive packages, though
Louisiana’s package is recognized as the most permissive of any state in the U.S. Louisiana provides a
transferable investment tax credit equal to 25% of expenditures for motion picture production, with an additional
10% tax credit for Louisiana labor costs, and a 40% tax credit for infrastructure development. Texas recently
increased its tax credits to provide grants equal to 5% of expenses in Texas, provided they spend at least $1
million, shoot 80% of the project in Texas, and hire 70% of the actors, crew, and extras locally.
Austin and Nashville provide primary competition for music production, and a report conducted by Economic
Research Associates in December 2006 notes that the music production industry in Louisiana is
underdeveloped, with little production activity despite a recognized jazz and blues music scene. Both Austin
and Nashville have recognized, activist organizations promoting both the music performance industry and
music production and distribution. Austin’s notable South by Southwest Conference provides local, national,
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
56
COMPETITIVE COSTS ANALYSIS- ENERGY, PETROCHEMICALS, AND PLASTICS
Criteria
(2)
Average Annual Wage (5 year growth)
GNO, LA
Austin, TX
Nashville, TN
San Francisco, CA
15.4%
22.8%
17.8%
8.7%
2007
$70,022
$57,838
$97,530
$46,714
2006
$66,572
$53,151
$91,684
$48,220
2005
$61,790
$50,697
$87,350
$41,599
2004
$62,286
$47,360
$85,045
$42,876
$60,686
$47,090
$82,807
2003
(3)
Real estate prices
$42,990
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Office park (per acre)
$65,000
$218,000
$65,000
$400,000
$900,000
$1,500,000
$174,000
$871,000
Industrial park (per acre)
$65,000
$152,000
$75,000
$125,000
$1,200,000
$1,450,000
$131,000
$610,000
$44,000
$131,000
$65,000
$100,000
$950,000
$1,100,000
$44,000
$348,000
Land (non-park) (per acre)
(4,5,6)
Taxes
State income tax rate
Sales tax rate
(4)
Average real and personal property tax rate
Real and personal property tax rate range
(8)
Airport connections
(5)
(6)
6.5%
8.84%
4.0% - 8.0%
8.25%
9.75%
8.50%
16.64 mills
7.46 mills
5.68 mills
Up to 9.5%
4.26 mills
9.84 - 21.94 mills
4.79 - 11.57 mills
3.20 - 10.56 mills
0.99 - 9.72 mills
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
44
1
47
2
60
29
37
0
Nonstop destinations
Quality of Life Rankings
Urban Area Superlatives
NONE
Money Best Places to
Live, Best Cities for
Best Cities for
Relocating Singles and Relocating Singles and
Forbes Best Cities for
Top 2007 International
Singles, Money Best
Families, National
Families, Forbes Best
Travel Destination, Best
Places to Retire,
Cities for Relocating
Geographic Best Little
U.S. Cities for Jobs,
City in America, Forbes BusinessWeek Best BusinessWeek Best Places Families, Top Cities for
Seniors,
Best U.S. Cities for Jobs
for Artists
Places for Artists
(1) Source: Energy Information Agency, 2007
(5) Source: AngelouEconomics, 2006
(2) Source: Economy.com, 2007
(6) Source: AngelouEconomics, 2006
(3) Source: NAI/CIP, 2007
(7) Source: U.S. EPA, 2007
(4) Source: Federation of Tax Administrators, 2006
(8) Source: AngelouEconomics, 2007
and international bands recognition and a venue for exposing their talents to the world, while also adding an
industry trade show in music, film, and interactive digital media. Other creative competitors include San
Francisco, a hotbed for software and video game design. Wages in San Francisco are roughly double those of
New Orleans, though this is due primarily to the extensive software development in the region.
This industry sector will thrive and locate in an area that has a young, educated populace. The workforce is
largely mobile and usually is attracted to an emerging sector in their desired area of expertise. With both artistic
and commercial appeal, occupations can be found in a broad spectrum of industries. AngelouEconomics
recommends the fast growing and high paying targets of digital media content creation, graphic design, and film
and visual media production as a primary sector in which the City of New Orleans in particular can find a
differentiating niche compared to other communities.
The Greater New Orleans region’s primary concern in competitive analysis is its ability to attract and
retain a creative, educated workforce in these industries. With several large universities in the region,
and a trend toward attracting young, urban professionals focused on rebuilding (or YURPs, as they
have identified themselves), Greater New Orleans must engage these communities, along with
extending business startup and entrepreneurial assistance services to support the creative media and
design industries and aid their expansion into a larger, more robust creative industry.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
57
WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT
While the Greater New Orleans region continues to experience skilled labor shortages in most other industries,
the labor supply for the nascent creative media and design industry seems to be in line with expected demand.
Orleans Parish, in particular, has little problem attracting creative talent, especially from within Louisiana.
Wages within the sector are significantly below national averages, which would be a boon for any large
companies seeking to expand operations here.
Key positions with regional shortages identified in the occupational analysis include surveying and mapping
technicians and media and communications equipment workers. Neither of these seems to be in high demand,
and therefore poses little problem for the industry. Searching through regional business websites revealed an
additional need for film production helpers, including videographers, assistant directors, and sound mixers, as
Key Occupations in the Creative Media & Design Industry
Occupation
Average Wage
New
Orleans
MSA*
10-year U.S.
Growth
Projection
US
New
Orleans
MSA*
Architects, except landscape and naval
370
17.3%
$69,760
$58,060
Architectural and civil drafters
Surveyors
450
4.6%
$43,900
300
15.9%
$51,390
Surveying and mapping technicians
140
9.6%
$34,590
Photographers
290
12.3%
Landscape architects
30
19.4%
Interior designers
170
15.5%
Advertising sales agents
440
16.3%
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
340
10.6%
Producers and directors
120
16.6%
Graphic designers
320
15.2%
Drafters, all other
**
14.0%
Title
Occupational Information
Wage
Differential
% with
Bachelor's
Degree+
Education
-20.2%
86%
Bachelor's degree
$44,640
1.7%
22%
Postsecondary vocational award
$38,240
-34.4%
82%
Bachelor's degree
$41,740
17.1%
11%
Moderate-term on-the-job training
$31,830
$23,890
-33.2%
49%
Long-term on-the-job training
$60,480
$50,540
-19.7%
86%
Bachelor's degree
$48,000
$42,860
-12.0%
54%
Associate degree
$51,370
$46,520
-10.4%
55%
Moderate-term on-the-job training
$17,500
$15,150
-15.5%
7%
Short-term on-the-job training
$72,210
$40,110
-80.0%
73%
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus experience
$43,830
$38,020
-15.3%
54%
Bachelor's degree
$45,480
$37,710
-20.6%
22%
Postsecondary vocational award
Writers and authors
90
17.7%
$58,080
$51,150
-13.5%
83%
Bachelor's degree
Audio and video equipment technicians
90
18.1%
$38,710
$42,020
7.9%
38%
Long-term on-the-job training
Advertising and promotions managers
100
20.3%
$85,140
$53,300
-59.7%
78%
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus experience
Media and communication equipment workers, all other
40
17.0%
$53,230
$70,580
24.6%
46%
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Demonstrators and product promoters
400
16.5%
$25,770
$23,170
-11.2%
36%
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Technical writers
40
23.2%
$60,850
$51,140
-19.0%
73%
Bachelor's degree
Public relations specialists
340
22.9%
$53,760
$42,610
-26.2%
81%
Bachelor's degree
Media and communication workers, all other
120
15.7%
$46,310
$30,410
-52.3%
39%
Long-term on-the-job training
Artists and related workers, all other
Public relations managers
**
10.0%
$48,890
$40,680
-20.2%
55%
Long-term on-the-job training
170
21.7%
$92,250
$52,400
-76.0%
71%
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus experience
Computer software engineers, systems software
300
43.0%
$87,250
$78,680
-10.9%
83%
Bachelor's degree
Computer software engineers, applications
530
48.4%
$82,000
$69,760
-17.5%
83%
Bachelor's degree
Market research analysts
280
19.6%
$65,930
$43,520
-51.5%
79%
Bachelor's degree
Marketing managers
250
20.8%
$107,610
$79,840
-34.8%
66%
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus experience
Computer programmers
1,130
2.0%
$69,500
$58,690
-18.4%
72%
Bachelor's degree
140
9.7%
$82,820
$80,660
-2.7%
83%
Bachelor's degree
Editors
190
14.8%
$53,220
$46,910
-13.5%
84%
Bachelor's degree
Broadcast technicians
120
9.8%
$35,540
$23,130
-53.7%
38%
Associate degree
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
240
10.3%
$26,550
$19,970
-32.9%
54%
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus experience
Electronics engineers, except computer
Computer and information systems managers
Computer support specialists
Desktop publishers
Network and computer systems administrators
520
25.9%
$107,250
$81,650
-31.4%
70%
1,380
23.0%
$44,350
$39,400
-12.6%
41%
Associate degree
**
23.2%
$36,120
$32,880
-9.9%
42%
Postsecondary vocational award
520
38.4%
$65,260
$59,880
-9.0%
51%
Bachelor's degree
Source: BLS Occupational & Employment Statistics; *New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner MSA only
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
58
well as producers.
While some of these occupations do not require bachelor’s degrees or higher, the vast majority of the most
sought-after occupations within the industry require a four-year degree. The programs, primarily in graphic
design, architecture, and advertising and marketing, are available from regional universities, although many
graduates choose to leave for other, higher-paying regions. Between retaining employees after the destruction
of their homes and the lack of systematic training, particularly for film production, Greater New Orleans faces
some small workforce shortages in important sub-areas.
SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS
To further refine the focus of economic development efforts, AngelouEconomics undertook a supply chain
analysis of the creative media and design industry using IMPLAN. This data reveals the source and amount of
purchases among many different industries. By identifying the areas where creative media and design
companies purchased goods and services from outside the regional economy, we can help to identify niche
sectors to target for recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts. The chart below shows the flows of trade by
industry both within the region and from outside of the Greater New Orleans region. Niche sectors to target for
expansion appear as imports from outside the region, but still within the industry.
In this case, movie and video production, advertising, sound recording, and software were identified as gaps in
the services supply chain for the industry, with over $70 million in purchases from the industry outside of the
Greater New Orleans region. Less than $10 million annually was purchased from other primary target industries
in the region, as the creative media and design industry shares little in common with these manufacturing
industries. The largest purchases within the New Orleans economy came from consulting, telecommunications,
insurance, accounting, and related services, such as employment services, administrative services, and
building management services, comprising $311.6 million in purchases in 2006.
In addition, other related products were purchased from outside of the region, including information services,
commercial printing, computer systems, data processing, and office supplies ($253.9 million), in addition to
various film chemicals and adhesives ($8.3 million), and air freight and truck transportation ($3.5 million).
Though high end services, such as management consulting, telecommunications and legal services are all
purchased locally, these services are broadly required to support industry across the region, and not specific to
the creative media and design industry. This analysis indicates the large role played by the film industry in the
creative media and design industry. Additionally, advertising, graphic design, and digital media. This high-end
industry should be a focus of expansion efforts within the region, and the knowledge contained regionally in
providing these high-wage services should be the focus of retention and expansion efforts within the Greater
New Orleans area.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
59
CREATIVE MEDIA & DESIGN INDUSTRY – GNO REGIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MAP
Imports
(Outside of GNO
Regional Economy)
movie/video production,
advertising, sound recording,
photography, software ($69.6M)
$300M
Regional
$150M
Imports
Creative
Media &
Design
$ 0M
LEGEND: Arrow Size
Proportional to Purchase Flows
mo
s plasti
housin
g ($
, ware
rtation
transp
o
M)
llaneou
cs ($3.6
Truck
.1
($0
rts
pa
icle
l, misce
Advanced
Advanced
Aerospace
Aerospace &&
Defense
Defense Mfg.
Mfg.
M)
GNO
Regional
Economy
International Trade,
Logistics, &
Distribution
h
ve
4.2M)
tor
, diese
All Other
Industries
e
gasolin
co
ad nsult
mi i n g
ns ,
vcs tele
. , a c om
cc
ou , em
nti plo
n g ym
,b
l dg e n t
. s svc
vcs s.
. ($ , ins
31 ura
1 . 6 nc
M) e ,
Internal purchases: movie/video
production, advertising, special
design svcs. ($219.0M)
Energy,
Petrochemicals,
& Plastics
Source: Minnesota Implan Group, AngelouEconomics
NICHE SECTORS
The Greater New Orleans region has several natural advantages in the creative media and design industry: a
longstanding base of artist and creative professionals, excellent film and video game production incentives, an
irreplaceable infrastructure of buildings and culture that inspire creativity, and a recent surge of young, urban
rebuilding professionals (YURPs) who can be retained in the region for innovative job creation. The following
niche sectors help to exploit these strengths of the Greater New Orleans economy.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
60
Film and TV Production
Film production is Greater New Orleans’ major entry into this expanding market. With excellent film incentives
at the state level, Greater New Orleans can continue to build this industry through encouragement of facility
construction, ensuring that local technical programs train a workforce for future film productions, and continuing
to encourage film production in the region’s soundstages.
Digital Media & Graphic Design
Graphic design, digital media, and film production all involve the design and creation of digital, media, or visual
content. More and more, this content is being created through the use of advanced computing and software
technologies.
Video Gaming
The global video gaming industry was worth $33.2 billion in 2003 and is projected to reach $52 billion in 2007.
Though video gaming firms do not have a large presence in the Greater New Orleans region, Louisiana
provides excellent tax incentives for video game production in the state. The primary opportunity for the Greater
New Orleans region lies in video game developers, who produce video games for major producers.
Music Production
Music production provides New Orleans with a major opportunity to add value to its jazz and blues
performances. While music production costs have come down, specialized spaces, computer systems, and
experience are required to be successful in this niche sector. By tapping into the creative performances of
regional performers, music production can help build New Orleans reputation as a creative region.
Industrial Design and Modeling
Industrial design and modeling taps into the same design-focused skill sets that workers throughout the creative
media and design industry, including knowledge of advanced computer modeling software, graphic and
computer-aided design, and aesthetically pleasing design. This industry, however, provides value-added
services to other key industries in the Greater New Orleans region, including the ship and boat building
industries and energy exploration companies. Services related to other target industries range from actual
design of ships, boats, and offshore oil rigs to three-dimensional modeling of offshore oil deposits.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
61
REGIONAL LOCATIONS
CREATIVE MEDIA & DESIGN LOCATIONS
Because of the emphasis in this industry on quality
of life and “coolness,” the ideal location for this
industry is in the City of New Orleans and nearby
Jefferson Parish. This location selection also
recognizes the existing resources in place for this
industry, including the Nims Center Soundstages
and existing creative media, advertising, and
graphic design firms in the region.
New Orleans
Jefferson Parish
CREATIVE MEDIA & DESIGN OVERVIEW:
Greater New Orleans has existing assets in film production and excellent investment and job
tax credits to incentivize film and digital media production in the region. Building on the assets
of young urban professionals moving into the region after Katrina, as well as on the existing
base of architectural, film production, advertising, and graphic and industrial design
knowledge bases in the region, Greater New Orleans could leverage its assets to build a
knowledge-based industry that builds provides opportunities to retain young professionals.
GNO REGIONAL
TARGET INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
62