JUST A THOUGHT

Bull & Wolf MD, Joe Turnbull, explains how youthful energy is leading a creative revolution in Cornwall.

Creating a bright future

At the start of 2020 I had put together an ambitious plan for Bull & Wolf Film Co; to create Cornwall’s leading video agency, working across the UK and beyond with a young team of creative filmmakers who would push boundaries and deliver real results for our clients.

Even though I was only 26 myself, I believe that key to this was utilising the amazing young talent we have here in Cornwall, graduating from local institutions like Truro & Penwith College and Falmouth University. I passionately believed that we could build a business that worked with the same type of clients as a London agency, while making the most of the Cornish way of life and all that comes with it. I didn’t want to settle for a one-man band operation that ticked along; I wanted to build something that I, and Cornwall, could be proud of.

Of course, we all know what followed, as the hopes of a new decade faded into a pandemic filled world. All our plans were put on hold and for a while I didn’t even know if Bull & Wolf would be around six months later. Fast forward to the start of 2022 and that outlook couldn’t have been further from reality. One team member (me) has turned into six, we have worked with some amazing clients, and we are increasingly recognised across Cornwall and beyond for the work that we are doing.

That success is by and large down to the amazing work of our young and exciting team, testament to that belief in young, creative talent that had been at the heart of my plans two years ago. Our team’s average age is just over 24 and these are the people who live and breathe social content, so who better than them to create social videos for our clients? Not just that, but they are some of the very best young talent coming out of Cornwall. Our editor, Will, won Best Director at the BFI Future Film Festival for his student film, Heart Failure, I am lucky enough to have been in Insider Media’s 42 Under 42 for the South West and our creative director, Chris, is working with one of his all-time dream clients as I write this.

These are not just our content creators, colleagues and collaborators, they are young people building the foundation of vibrant careers right here in Cornwall. They are also not standing in isolation. As I look at our friends across the creative industries here in Cornwall there are some outstanding creatives who are making their mark on the industry in the UK and beyond. They are helping to build and create well paid creative jobs that will grow the Cornish economy, as well as showing that Cornwall can be home to both a vibrant business community and a work/life balance that treats people better. This leaves me really excited for the future of Cornwall’s creative industries.

That is not to say that Cornwall doesn’t have its challenges ahead. Far too often we see amazing young talent come here to study but leave for a lack of visible or viable opportunities. Indeed, I still speak to businesses outside Cornwall who are surprised to learn that we have been as successful as we have down here, a stereotype that does nothing to attract talent. Nor does the ongoing housing crisis in all parts of our county. It is punishing both local people and those wanting to come here to work or study, all of whom have a vital part to play in growing our economy. However, these are challenges I believe we can overcome.

As I look forward to the years ahead, and despite much uncertainty still hanging around the world, I see a really bright future for Cornwall and its young creatives. I hope that we remain part of that at Bull & Wolf for a long time to come, and that we can work together with other businesses to make sure the creative industry in Cornwall gets the recognition it deserves.

Helping to build and create well paid creative jobs that will grow the Cornish economy