What is it like to work in the media? Are media jobs more 'creative' than those in other sectors? To answer these questions, this book explores the creative industries, using a combination of original research and a synthesis of existing studies.

Through its close analysis of key issues - such as tensions between commerce and creativity, the conditions and experiences of workers, alienation, autonomy, self-realisation, emotional and affective labour, self-exploitation, and how possible it might be to produce 'good work' - Creative Labour makes a major contribution to our understanding of the media, of work, and of social and cultural change. In addition, the book undertakes an extensive exploration of the creative industries, spanning numerous sectors including television, music and journalism.

This book provides a comprehensive and accessible account of life in the creative industries in the 21st century. It is a major piece of research and a valuable study aid for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of subjects including business and management studies, sociology of work, sociology of culture, and media and communications.

About the Author

David Hesmondhalgh teaches in the Institute of Communications Studies at the University of Leeds, where he is Professor of Media and Music Industries, Director of Research, and Head of the Media Industries Research Centre (MIRC). His publications include The Cultural Industries (2nd edition, 2007).

Sarah Baker is Lecturer in Cultural Sociology at Griffith University, Australia. She has previously held research fellowships at The Open University and University of Leeds, UK, and the University of South Australia. She is the author of numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters.

Reviews

'A major new study of creative labour. This is an important book that will become a classic in the field. Required reading for anyone interested in the nature, experience and quality of work in the media and cultural industries.' - Rosalind Gill, Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis, King's College London, UK

'This will be a model for others to emulate, in its clarity of thought and expression, thoroughness of analysis, and respect for the particularities of the lives it explores. I can only hope that it receives ample flattery of imitation by inspiring others to follow in its footsteps.' - Larry Gross, Professor and Director, The Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California

'Anyone interested in the so-called creative or cultural industries will find this book essential reading.' - Peter Golding, Professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Northumbria University, UK

'Hesmondhalgh and Baker's thorough and intelligent analysis of the nature and experience of work in television, magazine publishing and music, draws-out the characteristic features and the ambiguities of work inherent in these segments of the economy. Their close examination of the meaning of "good" and "bad" work takes the discussion onto another plane and makes the book of wide contemporary relevance across the economy as a whole.' - John Storey, Professor of Human Resource Management at The Open University Business School, UK

"Creative Labour is ambitious in scope and depth, rewarding the careful reader with a dazzling range of accounts of the daily working lives of 'creatives'. Most compelling are the authors' political commitments, commitments they re-state as the book ends. Hesmondhalgh and Baker ponder the possibilities of the spreading of the rewards of 'good' creative labour far beyond the cultural industries, noting that their investigation is as much about social justice as it is about individual experience and satisfaction at work." - Cultural Sociology

Book Information
ISBN 9780415677738
Author David Hesmondhalgh
Format Paperback
Page Count 268
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 510g