Today, the finalists for the "Cultural and Creative Industries Company of the Year" were announced during a live broadcast from Facit bar. Out of a total of one hundred nominations, Storspoven, Turborilla and Underbaraclara still have a chance to win the new award. The final winner will be announced at the Umeågalan on 24 March.
Coming up with three finalists from all these great companies has been incredibly difficult. Umeå has such a rich business community and the cultural and creative industries are no exception. We should be proud of all these strong industries that mean so much to our region," says Barbro Renkel, jury chairman and CEO of eXpression Umeå.
The new award will recognise companies in the Umeå region that use cultural creation or other creative processes as a business idea or as their raw material - the so-called cultural and creative industries (CCIs).
Seven members of the jury have worked during the autumn to select three candidates from a total of one hundred nominations. Three important aspects have been taken into account in the process: how innovative the company is, how well they contribute to strengthening Umeå's position as an attractive place for entrepreneurship and to what extent the company contributes to sustainable social development.
It has been incredibly interesting and enriching to learn about all the talented entrepreneurs and their journeys. We in the jury have really had a tough task and it has been an intense and rewarding autumn. We feel confident in the result and are happy that Umeå's creative sector is visible with a new award, says Margareta Eriksson Lif, co-organiser, jury member and chairman of Umeå Fabriks- och Hantverksförening.
The new prize "Company of the Year in the cultural and creative industries" is instituted by Umeågalan in collaboration with eXpression Umeå and Umeå Fabriks- och Hantverksförening.
The jury will now select a final winner, which will be announced during the gala on 24 March.
Here are the three finalists for "KKN Company of the Year 2022" with the jury's motivation:
Random Bastards/Storspoven
Random Bastards is one of Sweden's foremost artistic collectives that has managed to preserve its creative integrity while developing a sustainable commercial business, centered on unwavering values that uphold democracy and a do-it-yourself spirit. Random Bastards has shown that it is possible to shake up a conservative music industry through innovative and norm-breaking business models that give artists greater power over their art. In the same spirit, for almost two decades, it has stood up for equality and equity, with results that few can match.
Turborilla
In its first month, Mad Skills had 3.7 million downloads - Turborilla has gone from being an underdog to having established itself as a global player in its niche. By involving its users in the design process, the company has become an integral part of many action sports enthusiasts' lives around the world. With Umeå as a starting point, they have built a stable and sustainable organisation in a fast-paced industry. By being a driving force in the local industry network, they help others succeed and contribute to the development of Umeå as a game development region.
Wonderfulclara
In a tough media industry, Clara Lidström has managed to maintain her profile and brand while renewing her platforms and strengthening her position. With a local team behind her, she has challenged the big media houses by staying relevant, never giving up and standing up for her core issues - in particular gender equality, a vibrant countryside and the importance of northern Sweden. With creative height, she has shown an alternative life that is sustainable and modern. Clara has been instrumental in the development of influencer marketing and has inspired other women to follow their own path.
This year's jury:
- Barbro Renkel, CEO, eXpression Umeå (Chair)
- Emil Hägglund, business developer and strategic communicator, eXpression Umeå
- Margareta Ericsson Lif, chairman of Umeå Factory and Crafts Association
- Frida Nilsson, member, Umeå Fabriks- och Hantverksförening
- Stina Sjöström, owner, Gamla Salteriet
- Joakim Sandberg, Regional Culture Manager, Region Västerbotten
- Olle Salmonsson, architect SIR/MSA, Galleri Oss
