Media capital Hilversum and international. creative digitalindustry andmedia:national city.offutureshape the Wecontinue the to broadcasting history beganright here, inour musicians anddigitalcreatives. Dutch web designers,podcasters,showrunners, designers, architects, graphic designers, Creating is what we do: we are set created, andaired here. digital applications are allconceived, websites, games, virtualevents and creativity. The latest news, hottest and fuelledbydigitalinnovation and sophisticated technologies around today, embracing someofthemost remains apowerhouse inour city for many years. The mediaindustry media capitaloftheNetherlands economy. Our cityhasbeenthe Hilversum isacreative digital Welcome in Hilversum a creative vibe opttv prices competitive international schools aiy accessible easily Hilversum is located in the centre of the Media Valley: an exceptional concentration of digital media companies that runs from Amsterdam to Utrecht. The media industry is concentrated in our city, where technology, production, entertainment, and broadcasting have been part of the city’s infrastructure for over a century. A unique and inviting setting for creative entrepreneurs in virtually any field – that’s Hilversum’s strength.
AMSTERDAM Mediavalley HILVERSUM
Institute for Sound Media Perspectives Dutch Media Week and Vision An innovation platform Annual festival for A leading international for media companies media creators and expertise centre for and professionals. media consumers: media culture and Guides media from knowledge- audio-visual archiving, companies, media sharing on media ranging from digitisation, professionals and innovations to a look conservation, young talents (talent behind the scenes at metadata through to development program) the Open Studio Days. experimentation with the through this digital latest technologies. transformation. UTRECHT Born and raised in Hilversum (and, for the record, still residing in the southern part of that city), Rik Oostenbroek finds it tricky to describe himself, being a man of many talents. His bread and butter is digital creation, and the elements he tends to look for are colour, composition and a certain level of abstraction. His work ranges from print to animation, from 2D to 3D and from portraiture to typography. ‘Do I consider myself an artist or a designer? As far as I’m concerned, I’m simply Rik.’ Rik Oostenbroek I would just mess I started doing this around on the work as a hobby, computer and make and becoming a random things, just to professional designer entertain myself. is quite a different thing altogether.
Having worked all over the world – Los Secret Showcase Although Rik did not really set goals But after a while I felt that I’d been Angeles being his favourite destination for himself, his reputation grew and there, done that. Creatively, it was – Rik has been based in Hilversum’s Rik was content simply doing his he began to attract business from somewhat restrictive, as you’re always Stookplaats enterprise centre for own thing, until one day he started larger companies and brands. He working with some product or other. the past few years. It’s a relaxed and publishing his work on his own also developed a bit of a fan base Someone will hand you a Hero Shot, creative space where he rents an website: Secret Showcase, a name he online: people who liked his work and you’re supposed to create your office from which he sends his work came up with one night when he was and encouraged him to keep doing design around that. The fact that to clients worldwide. When we go to messing around with Photoshop. When his thing. everything always revolves around the meet Rik for our interview, he is waiting he discovered at one point that he product does get tired after a while. outside a warehouse. ‘This is a really had racked up 120,000 page views, he ‘For whatever reason, people started So there’s always going to be a bit of wonderful space, and the fact that the knew there was an audience out there noticing my work. But it was never creative sacrifice in that sense. But people who work here are pretty great for his work, mostly online. intentional – it simply happened,’ Rik those commercial jobs also give me too makes it very special.’ says. He lived in Montreal for a spell freedom: financial independence to do ‘This was kind of before social media and would sometimes spend a month what I want in the end!’ became a “thing,” although there were in New Jersey, New York City, or Los From Windows Paint to a few blogs devoted to the type of Angeles. However, in the end he Photoshop work I was doing. One of those sites would always return to his hometown What makes him proud? was called Deviant Art. I would post of Hilversum. ‘I started doing this work as a hobby, ‘Yes, that’s how it all started. I’m my work there and meet like-minded not sure why, but I simply started and becoming a professional designer people who were also into that style. I is quite a different thing altogether. “painting” when I would come home was very happy to discover an online Designer or artist? in the afternoons, during my lunch community where I could really let my ‘I’m not really sure I can answer that Ever since that first assignment breaks at school. I would just mess creativity run wild. Then, one day, I question. I simply make things. You from Volkswagen, the work has been around on the computer and make received a call from Volkswagen. They might describe me as a creator of pouring in. He has been able to work random things, just to entertain asked me to do a job for them and said images, but one who has his own his magic for some major global myself. It was only later, when a good they’d pay me 1,200 euros. That’s a distinct style. Some agencies didn’t brands, something that makes him friend showed him designs online lot of money for an 18-year-old! That’s really know what to make of me, as I quite proud. Rik: ‘One thing I am proud produced by an Austrian designer, that when things began to really take off didn’t fit into a neat box. They would of is my global ambassadorship for HP. Rik became truly inspired. It prompted and I started getting more work.’ simply hire me and allow me to do my I’m one of the six people featured in him to start experimenting, initially by thing. The projects I worked on ranged the advertising campaign for their new creating things in Photoshop. from the National Postcode Lottery line of creative equipment, including to scenic landscapes for Mazda ads. monitors, printers and desktop Rik Oostenbroek Rstenbroek Rik ek People take me seriously for something I started on a lark in my bedroom.
computers. My work and I both appear know, Hilversum is really not such in the campaign. It’s a lot of fun to be a bad place to live. Amsterdam and part of such a major project. The fact Utrecht are right around the corner, Here, I’m surrounded by that they picked me out of millions although they’re both a bit too touristy of designers and other creatives is for my taste. Here, I’m surrounded just such a thrill. It means I’m doing by people with whom I can sit down people with whom I can something right and that my work and have a beer, and who’ll distract stands out. People take me seriously me from my work from time to time. I sit down and have a beer, for something I started on a lark in my also still see some of my friends from bedroom. Makes for a pretty good story secondary school. That’s something I so far, wouldn’t you agree?’ wouldn’t trade for anything.’ and who’ll distract me
Hilversum and beyond? from my work from time ‘The first time I came here, to the Stookplaats, I didn’t expect I’d come to to time. feel so at home – it didn’t really seem like my kind of place at first. I used to work from home, from my kitchen table, but sometimes I felt I needed to step away from it all. Also, I couldn’t possibly do everything. I’ve managed to find people here I can collaborate with: people who inspire me and whom I can just sit around with and chat with from time to time. It’s helped me to become a little less obsessive about my work, and more balanced. I’m very content right now, here in my small workspace. I sometimes fantasise about living in a fancy penthouse in Rik OostenbroekLA, but how realistic is that? And you
Rik Oostenbroek Creative makers
Hilversum is a creative hotspot right in the heart of the Netherlands. Whether you’re talking media giants, music entertainers, gifted designers, or young entrepreneurs. Hilversum creates with 6.000 mediaprofessionals and 12.000 creative talents.
Companies that are located here are NIKE, NEP The Netherlands, Red Bee Media, MediaMonks, Universal Music Group, Warner Music, United and national broadcasters such as TALPA and RTL and many more. 4 Media
1 5 2 6
8 3 Sound 7
Digital 9 11 10
Mixed
Inspiring 12 workspaces Design
Whether you’re a start-up, scale-up, or multinational, Hilversum welcomes you and your business. With beautiful corporate villas, 90 hectares of business premises, iconic media buildings and creative working spaces, there truly is something for everyone.
1 4 7 10 The Media park accommodates a large collection of media and Wisseloord Media Park Kantoorvilla H-Park broadcasting companies and Arenapark is the homebase of 2 MCO 5 Beeld en Geluid 8 De Melkfabriek 11 Werf35 international companies such as Nike’s European Headquarters. 3 Bergweg 6 M Mediagebouw 9 De Grossierderij 12 Arenapark Hilversum is located just 20 minutes from Amsterdam and Utrecht by car and by train. Owing to its central accessibility in the Netherlands, Hilversum is an excellent location for companies with a domestic or international focus. You can be at Schiphol International Airport in just 30 minutes. Eindhoven and Rotterdam Airport can also be reached within one hour. Hilversum’s train station is just a one-minute walk from the city centre. The Media Park and Arenapark have their own railway station. Cycling is one of the easiest ways to get around the city of Hilversum.
Perfect location HILVERSUM 20 minutes Utrecht SCHIPHOL AIRPORT 20 minutes Amsterdam AMSTERDAM 60 minutes Rotterdam
30 minutes Schiphol Airport 60 minutes Rotterdam The Hague Airport 60 minutes Eindhoven Airport
UTRECHT
ROTTERDAM ROTTERDAMTHEAIRPORT HAGUE Martin Jessurun’s father always wanted him to be a doctor, but he was drawn more to the music industry. After working part time as a DJ (with his own drive-in show, no less) and a stint working at record store Kareltje in Utrecht, he knew he’d found his niche, and ever since then Martin has been all about the music. As president of Warner Music Benelux, he oversees an impressive roster of Dutch and international recording artists. Martin Jessurun Music Benelux Warner Back in the old days, We’re located in the simply having a best spot in town. catchy tune would be What more do you enough. If a song was want? infectious and had a good beat, you knew it would turn out to be a hit.
liaison between our recording artists But our business hasn’t changed you need to be willing to take risks ‘I don’t need to do and their audiences. We operate fundamentally: we continue to and listen to your gut feeling when anything’ worldwide and promote our artists and discover and develop our artists, help deciding whether to sign and support their music to millions of people.’ increase their fan base and making a particular act.’ ‘I think I’ve always decided myself what sure their music is available on all the to do and how to do it, and have never Warner’s head office – an elegant main platforms, including traditional felt forced in that sense. It started at villa in a leafy neighbourhood – is record shops, online retailers and What makes him proud? a young age, when my father told me in Hilversum. Martin knew what streaming services.’ ‘The entertainment industry is highly he wanted me to be a doctor when I he was doing when he picked the dynamic and changing rapidly. Looking grew up. I dislike the idea of having to building, preferring this warm, homely ‘Back in the old days, simply having back on the past year, I’m very proud do anything. I started making money, residential property with its lovely a catchy tune would be enough. If a of our alliance with the 9292 travel and getting involved in music, at a garden to a modern office building, song was infectious and had a good app. Consumers who use this app to young age. I’ve always had an interest which he thinks of as “ice boxes.” beat, you knew it would turn out to be check timetables are offered custom- in music as long as I can remember. a hit. It takes a lot more than that these made playlists, tailored to the length ‘I wanted a place where people would Being able to make my own decisions days – every performer needs a story, of the journey and the passenger’s know what sort of company we are as was always more important to me than and that story needs to be unique to Spotify play history. We will be soon soon as they walk in the door: a record anything, and I ended up moving to boot. Storytelling in all its facets has start working with them even more company brimming with positive Hilversum to find work in the music become important. Social media has closely. Another fun project was the energy. Instead of cold, minimalistic industry.’ opened up possibilities for artists to Ed Sheeran pop-up store, which sold and sterile spaces, we offer a warm show people more of their lives. The exclusive merchandise. It’s a fine and friendly environment where people flip side is that they’re also expected to example of how you can mobilise Warner – whether they’re artists, employees or show a lot more: what food and drink people even when the artist himself is visitors – feel right at home.’ ‘I joined Warner – which was then still they consume, how they spend their not available for promotional duties.’ known as Warner-Elektra-Atlantic days, and so on. All this calls for a lot (WEA) – when I was 23 years old. My Creativity always more creativity than before. You should first job was as a press promoter, but try to make the most of the resources since that wasn’t really my thing, I comes first available to us today, such as data. switched to radio promoter one year ‘The whole digital revolution has R&A (Research & Analysis) plays a later. After 10 years, I was offered the changed the way we operate over the huge role, but only after an artist has job of marketing director, and in 2007 past two decades: in what format we released their music – it can’t predict I took over as president. As a record release our music, who we market whether this or that performer will be label, Warner Music Benelux acts as a it to and how people listen to it... successful. Every artist is unique, so Martin Jessurun essurun M run Every artist is unique, so you need to be willing to take risks and listen to your gut feeling when deciding whether to sign and support a particular act.
‘But what I’m especially proud of is our company’s growth in recent years, the people who work here, and the I wanted a place new acts we’ve signed. That takes creativity, gut feeling, and making the right decisions. Of course, I’m where people would well aware of the targets set by the company, but an environment where know what sort of people are given the opportunity to develop, fail from time to time and create their own identities ultimately company we are as contributes the most to our success as a company.’ soon as they walk in Hilversum and beyond the door: a record Warner Music Benelux has been based in Hilversum from the very start, and their current location feels like a company brimming second home both to employees and to the artists who pop in regularly. ‘This place embodies what we’re about as with positive energy. a company. The company has grown in size. We established a local division for Dutch acts in 2013 and continue to expand. We’re located in the best spot Martinin town. What more doJessurun you want?’
Martin Jessurun Wonderful (expat) life
Hilversum is a city of surprises, right in the middle of the lush green Gooi region. Discover the city’s concept stores and artisan bakeries, renowned museums, the Metropole Orchestra, and architectural highlights, surrounded by forest and heathland.
The high-quality facilities include: educational institutions including excellent international schools, the Tergooi hospital and many sports clubs and societies. It is a sought-after city with different activities every weekend. Hilversum is a dynamic city that’s truly alive.
Expat Centre IN Amsterdam Haven’t got your bearings yet in the city? The experts at the expat centre will support you with information about housing, education, opportunities for development, and more. Former gaming industry professional Gerben Pasjes joined TV tech company NEP The Netherlands a year ago. Whereas many have predicted the demise of traditional media, Gerben sees a world of opportunities in this field. Gerben and his team are using augmented reality to develop entire digital studios and sets for TV formats worldwide. Gerben Pasjes NEP Augmented reality We have access is not just a solution; to a lot of well- it’s also increasingly trained technical used as the basis for professionals in the TV productions. Netherlands, but we need more and more of that talent every year.
Gaming roots NEP ask us to develop an overall concept, Gaming vs including the branding. This means designing solutions ‘In the digital world, when you design ‘A lot of my job involves talking to not just implementing ideas, but being and build something, you can easily clients, many of whom are national there right at the start of a project, ‘I always really enjoyed working in have it tested and tweaked where and international broadcasters. I which includes designing the look and the gaming industry, which is not needed. I really like that part of the basically act as a liaison between our feel of the channel and the new studio surprising as I do have a degree job: the fact that you can come up clients and our team. Clients tells us settings. We are seeing an increase in in game design. But after working with an idea on the spot, test it, and what they want, what they’ve got in these types of projects. Technology is in the industry for about three see if it works. At some point I learned mind, and I eventually work those also changing faster than ever before, years, I knew I was ready for a that NEP were looking for people with ideas into a solution. I then brief the so there’s a lot more we’re capable change. You see, my real passion knowledge of augmented reality, which team on this solution, and we work out of doing in terms of technology and was and is drawing – I think it’s happens to be my area of expertise! the design together. It’s an intense, design. With all the advances that have just the coolest thing ever. But It’s about launching and using new but also very rewarding process, in been made, augmented reality takes then I went on to do some more technologies that are still largely which concept, technology and design place research, specifically into effective unknown to the public in the world all come together.’ virtually in real time. Soon enough, design. I found that, although I liked of television. You can do just about we won’t even need a green room creating beautiful images, it’s not anything with augmented reality, but anymore: you’ll simply be able to as interesting as designing the right it’s people’s budgets and needs that Augmented reality walk outside with a camera in a solution – I think that’s where the ultimately determine the stuff we ‘The possibilities of augmented reality location, and the technology will then added value comes in. I discovered design. Game technology serves as combined with TV are endless, of enhance your setting with augmented that what really interested me was the basis for the solutions we design course – and we’re one of the few reality in real time. I think it will concept development. It involves here. What we basically do is design companies that have truly mastered take another three years or so for talking to people, discussing the digital studios and environments and the art. We also spend a lot of time us to get there, but there’s no problem together, listening to a subsequently project these in a green together as a team, doing much doubt it will happen.’ client’s needs and then designing box or green room. We work with a more than just creating augmented a solution that meets those needs. whole team of 3D artists to create all reality environments. We are finding I really get to use my drawing these amazing solutions, and I have that we’re playing the dual role of skills – or rather my 3D design skills the privilege of managing that team. technical partner and creative partner. – to solve problems. My job now It’s been a thrill all the way!’ Augmented reality is not just a involves so much more than simply solution; it’s also increasingly used as producing attractive illustrations.’ the basis for TV productions. So it’s becoming more common for clients to Gerben Pasjes Pasjes Gerben Pasjes With all the advances that have been made, augmented reality takes place virtually in real time.
Hilversum and beyond? ‘Most of our clients are broadcasters, Soon enough, we won’t so it makes sense for us to be based in the Media Park. We have access to a lot of well-trained technical professionals even need a green room in the Netherlands, but we need more and more of that talent every year. I anymore: you’ll simply be feel Hilversum is a good city when it comes to attracting talented people. GerbenFortunately, Pasjes we’re not tied to any able to walk outside with specific location at NEP, since our company operates worldwide. My team and I take on projects from all over the a camera in a location, world, so our location will become less relevant in the future. There just needs to be an airport nearby, and fortunately and the technology will Schiphol is not too far away.’ then enhance your setting Pasjes with augmented reality in Gerben Pasjesreal time. Hilversum supports you
MBO College Hilversum Hilversum welcomes new businesses with open School for post-secondary vocational education with courses arms. We are happy to provide advice and share in 15 sectors, such as Media & IT with 1700 students as one of recommendations. Our city offers a unique the highlights. Working closely with companies around the city business climate due to its strong concentration is a second nature for this school. of creative, technology, and media companies. You will find a valuable network literally around Make IT Work the corner. There are also many organisations Academy of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences that advise businesses in the city and at regional that retrains highly educated people without a specific level and good educational institutions. Hilversum IT background to bachelor level IT-positions in software offers all ingredients for human capital to grow development, cyber security and data analytics. and innovate.
Education hub Media Park The Media Park is a landing place for tech and media students from all over the country (and beyond). Year-round thousands of students do their internship here or collaborate in one of the hackathons and challenges that are organized by Media EducationPerspectives. Here you can also find the executive master Media Innovation (Breda University of Applied Sciences), the Media & Business honours project (Erasmus University) and the Media Technology training (NEP, MBO College Hilversum and XR Lab, a high end student training company for AR/VR and other new technologies). Contact Do you have specific questions Universities of Amsterdam and Utrecht about doing business in With Amsterdam and Utrecht only 20 minutes away, there is Hilversum or are you looking a strong collaboration between Hilversum based companies for a sparring partner? Then and the excellent universities of Amsterdam and Utrecht. They contact the municipality of offer any bachelor and master you can think of. Especially Hilversum and they will help you interesting are their bachelors for Communication, Multimedia get started. and Design, Audiovisual Media, Interaction Design and the Call 14035 or e-mail to master Data Driven Design and the master Digital Design. [email protected]. cation business.livehilversum.com business.livehilversum.com Powered by Hilversum Marketing business. livehilvers um.com