A delegation from Greater Manchester led by Mayor Andy Burnham will participate in one of the world鈥檚 largest creative events in March 2025.
Five creative businesses from Greater Manchester will join Burnham and senior officials from local authorities at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.
SXSW offers a platform to explore groundbreaking concepts and connect with like-minded professionals. The event presents an opportunity for businesses to make industry connections worldwide, meet potential investors and collaborators, and represent Greater Manchester鈥檚 thriving creative industries on a global stage.
For the third year, GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub is helping creative businesses to fly the flag for Greater Manchester in Texas. Joining this year’s delegation are Scoop PR and Opulence Pictures from Manchester, Play XD and Gas Music from Salford, as well as NALA Creative from Rochdale.聽
鈥淥ur growing relationship with Texas, particularly in the technology and advanced manufacturing sector, has already created significant opportunities for both regions,鈥� said Burnham.
鈥淎t SXSW, we’re not just showcasing Greater Manchester’s success – we’re presenting the collective strength of a city-region that’s rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting business destinations.聽聽聽聽
鈥淭his delegation represents our largest and most ambitious presence at SXSW to date, reflecting the scale of opportunity we see in strengthening ties between Greater Manchester and Texas.鈥�
Next phase of Manchester鈥檚 拢1.7bn Sister innovation district revealed
Becki Coen, digital, creative and technology (DCT) programme manager at GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub: 鈥淎ttending SXSW is a wonderful opportunity for creative businesses in our region.
鈥淪XSW is a vibrant hub of innovation and creativity, where thousands of brilliant minds come together to forge new connections and explore international markets.聽
鈥淩eturning to SXSW for a third consecutive year gives us a platform to showcase Greater Manchester as a leader in the creative industries, as well as providing the opportunity for our cohort of businesses to develop new relationships in the US and ignite fresh ideas, massively boosting their growth both regionally and on a global scale.鈥澛�
Scoop PR, a brand communication agency based in Manchester, is targeting the lucrative US market. Managing director Pippa Nixon said: 鈥淢anchester has become a real launchpad for successful global businesses.
鈥淪howcasing the vibrancy of brands established here on a global stage will demonstrate to those eager to enter the UK market that they do not have to solely look to the capital for success. Choosing a partner in the north can bring significant value to their growth plans.
鈥淪XSW offers an unparalleled opportunity for networking, creativity, and innovation. We鈥檝e been launching and growing some brilliant brands in the UK, and I hope that by attending the conference, we will gain fresh perspectives and energy to help drive them forward even further.聽
鈥淎dditionally, we aim to expand our network of US-based creatives, collaborators, and decision-makers while making new friends from around the world.鈥澛�
Gary Hilton, CEO of GAS Music, said: 鈥淧articipating in SXSW has always been a calling for me. It鈥檚 the epicentre of music and creativity, which resonates deeply with both my personal and business passions.鈥澛�
鈥淔lying the flag of GAS Music and being part of the UK/Manchester delegation is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Manchester as a significant hub of music and creativity. I look forward to the experience, the networking, and most importantly, raising brand awareness for GAS Music on an international stage.鈥�
NALA Creative, an independent creative studio from Rochdale that focuses on providing branding, social media management, and web design services on a global level, will join this year鈥檚 SXSW GM delegation.聽聽
Issy McGlashen, founder of NALA Creative, said, 鈥淪XSW is a hub for creativity and cultural impact, making it the perfect space for NALA Creative to connect with like-minded thinkers in the wellness industry.聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to be rubbing shoulders with trailblazers in tech and design – learning from their insights and sharing our unique approach to crafting wellness brands that truly connect with audiences. The energy of SXSW is unmatched, and we can鈥檛 wait to be part of the conversations that drive innovation and transformation in the wellness space.鈥�