Despite road closures and bad traffic, Newcastle has still proven to be a positive place for entrepreneurs and business owners working in creative industries.

The developmentof new creative spaces for small businesses throughout town show signs of a community that is still growing, despite the challenges faced by brick and mortar stores.

The recent growth of Civic Web Media based out of one of these creative spaces is testament to that.

Working out of The Roost Creative in Newcastle’s East End, Oliver Gaywood and partner Shana Lysaght have been running their content marketing company full-time for the last couple of years. Prior to this, Chief Editor, Oliver worked for industry-leading digital agencies in Australia and the UK.

Since graduating from journalism in 2006, Oliver has written his way across various countries and continents, striving to make businesses better through the power of written word. Oliver specialises in blogging, web copy, newsletters and more.

Civic Web Media has clients all over the APAC region and, after several years as a successful small business, started 2018 positively by bringing in a new employee, Beth Nelson. A proud Novocastrian and recent TAFE graduate, Beth is working for Civic Web Media as an Editor.

Beth said she is excited to be a part of the Civic Web Media team.

“I’ve enjoyed a few different gigs in the creative industries,” Beth said.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to work regularly in a creative environment. It will be so interesting to learn more about the work Oliver does and also to observe the processes of entrepreneurs and business owners operating out of The Roost.”

Oliver recently became a first-time parent, so Beth’s employment is a welcome relief as he juggles the tasks of being a loving father and an organised business owner.

“So much has been going on both in my professional and personal life in the past year,” Oliver said.

“Beth joining my team will allow me to be a better businessman and family man. Her addition will make both my clients and my wife and daughter happier.”

Oliver believes hiring Beth is a strong sign that the creative and digital industries are showing positive growth in Newcastle, and that this inclusion in the Civic Web Media team won’t be the only addition he makes this year.

“Beth has been part of our freelance network for a good few months now. In that time, she’s proven herself to be a great worker and someone who’ll be a huge asset to Civic Web Media. I’m delighted that she’s agreed to work with us in a more official capacity,” Oliver said.

Many have observed Newcastle shifting its reputation from a city of industry to a city of creatives. Civic Web Media’s growth isn’t the first in the city’s digital sphere, and it likely won’t be the last.

IMAGE |Beth Nelson and Oliver Gaywood of Civic Web Media.