Creative industries are defined as those that focus on creating and exploiting the products of intellectual property, such as music, books, films, and games, or providing business-to-business creative services, such as advertising, public relations and direct marketing. They sometimes overlap with aspects of tourism and sports (for instance, where live performances are included) and retail - for instance, businesses focussing on designing, making and selling items or pieces of art such as jewellery, haute couture, poetry books and other creative writing, or fine art since the value of such objects derives from a high degree of aesthetic originality.

The creative economy that springs from the creative industries has potential not only to generate income and create new jobs but also to promote social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development, and therefore improve the quality of life for all, not just those that work in the creative industries. This is why it has been recognised, and promoted as one of the most significant growth sectors for the European economy not just in terms of GDP, but also added value.

Standing at the crossroads of arts, culture, business and technology through traditional, technology-intensive and service-oriented sub sectors. creative industries comprise the cycle of creation, production and distribution of goods and services that use the products of individuals’ imaginations as their main input. 

CI definition for CITIES partnership