European Audiovisual Observatory Commissions Olsberg•SPI to Assess European Production Incentives

Olsberg•SPI is conducting a major economic impact analysis of Europe’s fiscal incentives for the European Audiovisual Observatory. A key aspect of the study will be assessing the impact of incentives on foreign investment, both from Europe and the rest of the world, as well as impacts on areas such as state budget, effects on the national audiovisual industry, employment and other related benefits. SPI will also explore how these schemes tie into wider economic and social policy and look at the comparative effectiveness of different types of incentive schemes across Europe. Commissioned in response to a rising interest in incentives and their effects on attracting high-value film and television production, the study is due to be completed in late 2014. The SPI team includes the UK’s Landman Economics.

Read the full press release: European Audiovisual Observatory commissions major economic study of the impact of fiscal incentives in Europe for film and audiovisual production. 04/02/2014  

• Significant new research project will assess the economic impact of fiscal incentives for film and audiovisual production in Europe.

• The study will also evaluate the comparative effectiveness of different models of incentive schemes across Europe.

The European Audiovisual Observatory (Observatory) has commissioned creative industries strategy consultancy Olsberg•SPI to undertake an economic impact analysis of the European fiscal incentives landscape. This project has been made possible by extra funding provided by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. This organisation represents Finland in the Observatory's Executive Council which brings together its 40 member countries plus the European Commission.Olsberg•SPI will take charge of this report, leading a team including the UK's Landman Economics, and will assess the range of economic impacts created by a select number of European schemes, as well as assessing the advantages and disadvantages of different types of incentive structures.An important aspect of the work will be evaluating the impact of fiscal incentives on attracting foreign investment, both from Europe and the rest of the world, as well as impacts on areas such as state budget, effects on the national audiovisual industry, employment and so on. It will also look at how schemes tie into wider economic and film policy.The Observatory decided to launch the study in response to significant interest in the issue of production incentives from a range of parties. Due to be published in late 2014, the study comes at a time of increasing global competition for production, with incentive schemes created to help attract film and television shoots and the range of economic and other benefits they can bring.A part of the Council of Europe and hence a public service organisation, the Observatory collects and distributes information about Europe's audiovisual industries, aiming at promoting greater transparency and a clearer understanding of the ways in which the audiovisual industries in Europe function, both from an economic and legal point of view."With this assessment the European Audiovisual Observatory is aiming to deepen the understanding across Europe of the use of incentives and the impact they can have on both inward investment and indigenous production," said Observatory Executive Director Susanne Nikoltchev.Olsberg•SPI Chairman Jonathan Olsberg commented: "We have worked extensively in the fiscal incentives arena before but this study aims to provide a new depth of knowledge about how European incentives can be most impactful. We look forward to consulting closely with the industry and policy-makers for this evaluation, and invite those interested in providing input to contact our team."Members of the Olsberg•SPI team, including Chairman Jonathan Olsberg, Associate Director Andrew Barnes and Research Associate Leon Forde will be attending the forthcoming Berlin Film Festival from February 6-12 to conduct consultations.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The European Audiovisual Observatory is part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. It is a public service organisation. The Observatory was created in 1992 in order to collect and distribute information about the audiovisual industries in Europe. By making this information available, the Observatory aims at promoting greater transparency and a clearer understanding of the ways in which the audiovisual industries in Europe function, both from an economic and legal point of view.The Observatory provides information on the various audiovisual markets in Europe and their financing. It also analyses and reports on the legal issues affecting the different sectors of the audiovisual industry.The activities of the European Audiovisual Observatory are funded by direct contributions from its 40 member states and the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and partly through revenues from the sale of its products and services.

Olsberg•SPI is a creative industries strategy consultancy that provides high-level advice to public and private sector clients, specialising in the worlds of film, television and digital media. Formed in 1992, it has become one of the leading international consultancies in these fields. The company's expert advice, trusted vision and proven track record create high levels of new and repeat business from a diverse group of companies and organisations, including supra-national public authorities, national government bodies, regional development agencies for the creative industries, independent companies involved in all aspects of the screen business value chain, national and international broadcasters, trade associations and guilds, training and skills development organisations and publishers and conference organisers.

With expertise in all areas of the fast-moving global creative sector, Olsberg•SPI offers a wide range of strategic services, with clients in recent months including The Council of Europe, The Government of Hong Kong, Ingenious Media, the Mauritius Board of Investment, BBC Worldwide, the Motion Picture Association of America, Another Park Film, the British Film Institute, Screen Yorkshire, Film i Väst, Film City Studios and Screen Australia.

CONTACTS

European Audiovisual Observatory

Press questions

Alison Hindhaugh, Information, Press and PR Officer alison.hindhaugh@coe.int Tel: + 33 390 21 60 10

Content questions

Martin Kanzler, Film Industry Analyst martin.kanzler@coe.int Tel : + 33 3 90 21 60 22

Olsberg • SPI, www.o-spi.com Jonathan Olsberg, Chairman jonathan@o-spi.com + 44 20 3176 4844 (direct)/ + 44 7770 328 879 (mobile)
Andrew Barnes, Associate Director andrew@o-spi.com + 44 20 3176 4845 (direct) / + 44 7977 280 515 (mobile)
Leon Forde, Research Associate leon@o-spi.com + 44 20 3176 4871 (direct) / + 44 7867 782 170 (mobile)