Mexican creativity is renowned around the world. Aware of its potential and the strategic role of creative industries, the Mexican government is determined to position Mexico as one of the world’s leading players.

Market overview

The government intends to turn Mexico into the centre, par excellence, for the production of audiovisual and interactive content in Latin America

Mexico has world-class audiovisual production facilities, such as the Baja Studios, the largest water set in the world, or the Churubusco Studios, which have a renowned trajectory in the film industry.

Mexico has a huge pool of skilled talent with experience in international renowned audiovisual projects.

According to ANUIES (National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions), every year close to 111 thousand students graduate from engineering, technology and humanities programs in Mexico.

Audiovisual production and development costs are very competitive, and the Mexican State offers attractive funding mechanisms. According to KPMG, Mexico offers the best competitive advantage for Software Development, Web Content and Multimedia.

The country has a broad spectrum of government support and incentives, such as:

Digital Creative Community, which involves the development of clusters with infrastructure and cutting-edge technology capable of developing the industry’s biggest creative projects and with the capacity to lodge more than 10,000 creative professionals.

• EFICINE

• FIDECINE

• FONDO PRO AUDIOVISUAL

• PROSOFT

• FONDO INNOVACION

• CONACYT

The media industry in Mexico covers advertising, open television, cable television, marketing and film. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in 2010 Mexico reported sales close to 14 billion dollars. PwC estimates that between 2004 and 2010, the industry experienced a compound growth rate of 7.0%, which is the highest growth rate in North America. Furthermore, the Mexican film market is the largest among Latin America’s three major economies.

In terms of video games, PwC states that the industry experienced a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% from 2004-2010. In 2010, Mexico’s domestic market reached 757 million dollars, placing the country among the top 15 video game markets in the world and leading in Latin America.

Key opportunities

The creative industries sector in Mexico embraces a wide range of activities related to: printing, publishing and multimedia, audiovisual, phonographic and cinematographic productions, as well as crafts and design. It can also embrace architecture, visual and performing arts, manufacturing of musical instruments, advertising and cultural tourism.

• Advertising: Consumer research & insights, management of client marketing activity/communications plans, targeting consumers, creation of ads, promotions, PR campaigns, media planning, buying and evaluation.

• Architecture: Building design, planning approval, production information.

• Crafts: Unique textiles, ceramics, jewellery (especially silver), metal, glass.

• Designer Fashion: According to the National Clothing Industry Association (CANAIVE), consumers look for brands that stand out on the basis of quality and design and the domestic textile industry looks for quality, rather than price.

• Film: Screenwriting, feature film distribution, exhibition. Film-lovers in Mexico continue visiting cinemas despite the economic crisis. The film industry reported a MXN $7 billion income and a total annual audience of 182 million.

• Social media and internet: Media development, publishing, distribution, retail and internet.

Video Games: Mexico is seen as “the fastest growing retail video game market in the world,” as about half of the population is under age 26 and video game sales in Mexico doubled in just four years. Moreover, according to Business Monitor International estimates, the video games industry is expected to increase by a CAGR of 8% in constant value terms in 2012.

Latest export opportunities in the Creative & Media sector

Latest export opportunities in Mexico

Getting into the market

Recently, President Calderón launched a digital media cluster in the state of Jalisco, specifically in the city of Guadalajara, called Ciudad Creativa Digital (CCD) that is planned to be the largest digital cluster in Latin America. This could be an important gateway for UK companies to successfully enter the creative industry in Mexico.

Research is critical when considering any new markets, especially Mexico. For UK companies interested in doing business in Mexico UKTI provides market research services including:

• Validated lists of agents/distributors.

• Key market players or potential customers in the Mexican market.

• Establishment of interest of such contacts in working with you.

• Arranging appointments.

• Organisation of seminars or other events for you to meet contacts and promote your company in the Mexican market

Organisation of seminars or other events for you to meet contacts and promote your company in the Mexican market. More about doing business in Mexico

Contacts

Market intelligence is critical when doing business overseas, and UKTI can provide bespoke market research and support during overseas visits though our chargeable Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

To commission research or for general advice about the market, get in touch with our specialists in country – or contact your local international trade team.

• Jose Luis Rodriguez, UKTI Office Guadalajara. Tel: +52 (33)3630.4357 or email: [email protected] , [email protected]

• Irma Gloria Saldaña, UKTI Office Guadalajara. Tel: +52 (33)3630.4357 or email: [email protected]

Contact your local international trade team

UKTI Events

UKTI runs a range of events for exporters, including seminars in the UK, trade missions to overseas markets and support for attendance at overseas trade shows.

Latest events in the Creative & Media sector

Latest events in Mexico

Useful links

More about OMIS and other UKTI services for exporters