An initiative to tackle the shortage of enterprising companies in the North-East is starting to pay dividends.
Creativitiworks was set up by the University of Sunderland in 2004 to help graduates from the arts, design and media wanting to set up businesses in the region.
The latest company to emerge from the project is Kino Media, created by Sunderland graduates Matt Smith and David Jones.
Matt, from Great Ayton, North Yorkshire and David, from Birmingham, specialise in promotional films and DVDs for public sector organisations.
Despite only being operational for five months the pair, who have a lot of experience this area, have already created an impressive client base.
They recently completed an interactive DVD for Sunderland, North Tyneside and Gateshead councils, which can be used as a teaching aid in schools for students aged 14-19 with learning difficulties.
The DVD aims to inspire the students to use public transport in an effort to become more independent. The work has been submitted for a Royal Television Society award.
Tony Davey, principal finance officer at Sunderland City Council who commissioned the work on behalf of the three councils, said he was impressed by the pair’s professionalism.
He said: “I was very impressed with the fact that they immediately understood what we were trying to achieve. They are a very efficient team who have played an important role in what we anticipate will be a successful project.
“The resulting DVD is a quality product, exciting, very professional and has helped to transform a positive thought into action, which will benefit children and students in the future.”
Matt, 26, and David, 29, who met on a MA Media Production course, have also completed work for the University of Sunderland and a limousine company in North Yorkshire.
The pair received a grant and help in setting up the business from Creativitiworks, which acts as a support mechanism for the nurturing and developing of a creative business.
Matt said: “We are really pleased with the way things have gone so far. We have a lot of experience in broadcast media. I worked in advertising and film production and David spent time with ITV in Birmingham.
“The MA course was great and made us realise we could set up a company. One module in particular was very helpful. New Venture Creation really helped us with our business idea and made us realise that setting up a company didn’t cost a fortune. Being at Sunderland also raised our awareness of Creativitiworks.”
Creativitiworks has helped many new companies set up business since it was set up two years ago. If you would like more information call 0191 5153751.