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Articles and field notes on creative value, storytelling, audience engagement, media formats, AI-supported workflows and the changing digital landscape for cultural organisations.
Articles and field notes
Creative strategy, comment & opinion
Search commentary, practical observations and working notes on creative strategy, digital media, audience development, AI-supported workflows and the value hidden inside cultural work.
AI Podcast Production, Now What? Smarter Tools, Better Stories; Real Audience Impact
AI is changing podcasting faster than most cultural orgs can book a studio. (You don't even need a studio anymore.)The winners won’t be the ones with shinier gear.They’ll…
AI podcast production podcasting
Less Admin. More Impact. Better World.
If you had no admin left to do, what would you do with your time?That’s the provocation at the heart of our first episode in a new Inner…
AI Constructively Critical energy
We Need Disruption, But Make It Human
Inner Ear exists at the intersection of creativity and technology. We welcome change, thrive on innovation and push boundaries. But in his latest piece, Dougal Perman raises an…
AI creative industries disruption
Adventures in Marketing 2025: Lessons, Insights and Challenges
Marketing events can be hit or miss. They can be all show, superficial or even vacuous. They can drag, overwhelm or (greatly) overpromise. I was optimistic about Adventures In Marketing 2024 in Edinburgh because of the way it was described and the quality of the lineup but it surpassed my expectations.
events marketing
A Culture of Promise: Reflecting on Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2025–26
And breathe. Those of us engaged in creative economy policy activism have held our collective breath recently. The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2025–26 brings long-awaited good news…
cultural policy
What If You Could Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap by Inspiring Next Generation Talent?
Reflecting recently on his experience as a senior member of the Creative Industries Leadership Group, Inner Ear Director, Dougal Perman, starts a new series exploring how creative solutions…
Manufacturing
How Can We Save Scotland’s Creative Economy?
Over the past few months, I’ve shared my thoughts on the state of Scotland’s cultural sector through two articles for Sceptical Scot. As a group of cultural practitioners…
Why Learn Live Streaming? To Help You Communicate Your Message
Live streaming is an essential digital communication tool, largely due to its immediacy and authenticity. If you learn live streaming, you can elevate your brand messaging. Unlike traditional…
learn live streaming
This is Live Streaming Production: Make Superior Interactive Virtual Experiences
Interactive virtual experiences have exploded since lockdown. The most engaging ones stand out. Live streaming has become an increasingly popular way to connect with your audience and create…