Ethos Public Relations Manchester

“Mass market model of music in crisis” – co-operatives may be the answer

by Ethos public relations

Peter Jenner, a key figure on the British music scene for over 40 years - best known for managing bands including Pink Floyd and T Rex and currently Billy Bragg - is calling for more creative co-operatives in the UK.

Peter Jenner, who has been actively involved in the Music Managers Forum from the outset and now on the advisory board of the Featured Artists Coalition, which campaigns for the protection of performers’ and musicians’ rights and greater transparency in the music industry.

“I believe the mass market model for music is in crisis and I think a co-operative
approach could provide ways to rebuild a community of musicians but also fans who are interested in people actually making music,” Peter Jenner said.

“New inspirations will come from individual creative musicians and new people and structures that develop to support them. I think co-operatives could help to build some bottom-up structures, because the top-down ones aren’t working.”

Peter Jenner’s appeal for more creative co-operatives coincides with the launch of a new guide, ‘Creative co-operatives – A guide to starting a co-operative in the creative industries’ by Co-operatives UK which sets out advice for freelancers, newly self-employed people and recent graduates on setting up creative co-operatives.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “Co-operation, collaboration and co-working, whether within formal co-operatives or informal networks and ad hoc structures, have much to offer workers in the creative industries.”

The launch of the new guide and website from the national trade body that campaigns for co-operation is part of the first-ever Co-operatives Fortnight (19 June – 3 July 2010), celebrating that There is an alternative…

With a turnover of almost £34 billion and 12.9 million members, co-operatives are the largest membership movement in the country, and now want their voice for a more ethical economy heard.

Peter Jenner said: “There is a declining amount of traditional investment for the creative industries and the investment of time and experience is as important as the investment of money in the new music business paradigm.

“I believe co-operatives could well be a solution to the problems creatives are facing in this challenging economic and technological climate.”

If you are interested in finding out more about how to set up a creative co-operative, please visit the website or download a copy of ‘Creative Co-operatives – A guide to starting a co-operative in the creative industries’.

Posted at 8^th July 2010