As many of you know the last six months has seen BM start to drive forward several new initatives to support and help Bristol creative companies and individuals to meet, network, win work, promote themselves and to share experiences with each other.

In 2009 we hope to build on this and do even more. As well as continuning with our regular string of networking events we plan to grow our list of industry and sector business activities.

So, this is what’s kicking off between January – April 2009.

• Are TV indies immune to the recession? – A dinner discussion with 15 of the city’s leading production companies around the threats and opportunities of running a production company in uncertain times.

• Portfolio night #2 – a re-run of our hugely popular and over subscribed speed networking event that puts Bristol’s freshest, up and coming talent in touch with the city’s leading creative directors from the top creative agencies.

• Breaking into TV – a panel of the city’s leading TV directors, managers and production company owners who will discuss how you can get a foot on the ladder to kick start your career in TV.

• Marketing Forum #2 – 25 companies couldn’t get a place at our first forum last month, so we’ll run it all again with a group of new marketing directors in April 2009.

• Survival of the Fittest – 3 fantastic seminars aimed at helping business owners survive the recession and still build valuable businesses over the long term. How can I grow and develop my creative business in the teeth of a recession? What business strategies should I adopt to survive? Should I downsize or try to win increased market share to maintain revenues; focus on generating cash irrespective of profitability; cut costs and hunker down or invest for the future?

• Following on from the very successful Crossing the Void event last year, Bristol Media is partnering with SWScreen to host a new event looking at the new development in multi platform programming.

• Bristol 150 – A brand new Bristol Media network, in conjunction with Business Link and other partners that aims to get the city’s leading creative and media MD’s, CEO’s and business owners together on a regular basis to share, talk, support and mentor each other.

• Top 100 – The indispensible league table of leading creative companies in the South West.

• Training and Skills survey – This survey will be available to all members in January and will help us identify your training needs.

All of this as well as a whole host of new training seminars and development programmes from our partners, Coaching Creatives, Consultrix, Skillset and Credence UK plus more offers and discounts from our preferred suppliers.

And remember, if we’ve missed anything or you’d like to see us focus on any specific activity or area – then please shout. We’re really keen to hear what we’re not doing well or what we can improve moving forward.

April will also see the introduction of paid membership fees (details to follow later this month), a move towards sustainability and the network ‘growing up’ into a fullly fledged membership organisation.

So here’s to 2009!