In March 2025, a delegation from Greater Manchester, led by Mayor Andy Burnham, will participate in one of the world’s largest creative events, South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Alongside senior officials from local authorities, five creative businesses from Greater Manchester will also be part of the delegation. 

As the premier destination for all major players in the creative community, SXSW offers a platform to explore groundbreaking concepts, uncover fresh passions, and connect with like-minded professionals. This event presents a unique opportunity for businesses to make industry connections worldwide, meet potential investors and collaborators, and represent Greater Manchester’s thriving creative industries on a global stage.  

For the third year, GM Business Growth Hub is helping creative businesses in Greater Manchester participate in this prestigious event—flying the flag for Greater Manchester. Joining this year's delegation are Scoop PR and Opulence Pictures from Manchester, Play XD and Gas Music from Salford, and NALA Creative from Rochdale.

“Attending SXSW is a wonderful opportunity for creative businesses in our region,” asserts Becki Coen, Digital, Creative and Technology (DCT) Programme Manager at GM Business Growth Hub. 

“SXSW is a vibrant hub of innovation and creativity, where thousands of brilliant minds come together to forge new connections and explore international markets. Returning to SXSW for a third consecutive year gives us a platform to showcase Greater Manchester as 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.” 

Scoop PR, an award-winning brand communication agency based in Manchester, is targeting the lucrative US market. Pippa Nixon, Managing Director of Scoop PR, stated, “Manchester has become a real launchpad for successful global businesses. Showcasing 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.” 

“SXSW offers an unparalleled opportunity for networking, creativity, and innovation. We’ve 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. Additionally, we aim to expand our network of US-based creatives, collaborators, and decision-makers while making new friends from around the world.” 

Opulence Pictures, a Manchester-based film and video production company, aims to be the leading provider of Hollywood-grade services in Northern England. Nika Finch, the President and Film Producer of Opulence Pictures, is excited to attend SXSW to connect with filmmakers and industry leaders. She stated, “Attending SXSW presents a great opportunity for us to showcase the UK as an ideal destination for film and TV production. With world-class locations, top-tier crews, and new tax incentives, international productions can significantly reduce their costs.” 

 “We look forward to building partnerships that will bring more US film and TV projects to the UK. Having lived and worked in the US, we understand the needs of the industry and are prepared to deliver seamless, high-quality production solutions.” 

Play XD, an independent game studio and software developer from Salford, who is now tirelessly working on their new and original IP, Primal Rumble, built for Meta Quest and due to launch in 2026, will join the SXSW 2025 as part of the delegation.  

“For Play XD, I hope our experience will strengthen our existing relationships and help us build new ones, particularly with the broader GM delegation. We aim to establish ourselves as a company to watch in the coming years, proudly representing our roots in Manchester,” said Phil Goddard, Founder & Creative Director of PlayXD. 

 “There has been significant technology growth in Austin. Attending SXSW was a valuable opportunity for us to experience the city for the first time and to gain insight into whether Play XD would benefit from establishing a location there.” 

GAS Music, an integrated audio agency based in Media City UK, is another business from Salford joining this year’s SXSW GM delegation. Gary Hilton, Chief Executive Officer of GAS Music, said, “Participating in SXSW has always been a calling for me. It’s the epicentre of music and creativity, which resonates deeply with both my personal and business passions.” 

“Flying 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.” 

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’s SXSW GM delegation. 

Issy McGlashen, Founder of NALA Creative, said, “SXSW 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. We’re 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’t wait to be part of the conversations that drive innovation and transformation in the wellness space.” 

For more information on the Create Growth programme and to apply to join the programme, please go to: 

GM Business Growth Hub | Create Growth