This paper considers current and emerging structural and strategic trends within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). It focusses primarily on macro-trends within the global economy and takes consideration of key debates and discourses on the cre
This paper considers current and emerging structural and strategic trends within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). It focusses primarily on macro-trends within the global economy and takes consideration of key debates and discourses on the creative economy in general and the CCIs more specifically. These debates impact the changing perceptions and conceptions of the creative economy. We survey and analyse the following structural and strategic trends: Firstly, we ground the paper by means of a compact intellectual history of the rise and institutionalization of the creative economy discourses and thereafter the CCIs. Subsequently, we consider the interplay between the creative economy and the ‘digital revolution’. Then we examine the relationship between social media in production and consumption terms, and the CCIs and the creative economy more generally. In addition, we explore the effects of four key mega-tech trends namely, (i) virtual reality; (ii) augmented reality; (iii) artificial intelligence; and (iv) blockchain and associated encryption production and value chain options. In addition, the significant growth of CCI involvement in international trade is examined. This is followed by an exploration of key institutional and regulatory developments and issues. A related line of discussion considers the question of the experience of work in the creative economy and the related growth of the ‘precariat’. An exploration of select policy developments closes out the overall analysis.
