We help those working in the creative industries grow, plan, and show their value
Impact analytics and market intelligence that deliver recognition and results
65+ Years Of Collective Experience Showcasing And Providing Solutions For Entertainment, Fashion, Publishing, Design, And Creative Industries Nationwide
Who We Are
Based in Los Angeles, California, Beacon Economics is an independent,
data consulting and research firm, specializing in insightful and objective
economic and policy analysis. Led by Ph.D. economists, our experts have
65+ years of collective industry experience and wide-ranging expertise
conducting economic development analyses, industry profiles, industry
cluster analyses, employment analyses, economic impact analyses, and
economic and revenue forecasting for clients across the nation.
Beacon Economics’ team of talented researchers work for private industry and businesses, cities, counties, states, public agencies, public/private partnerships, and nonprofits across the nation. While paying close attention to public narratives, our work is guided by a deep understanding of an industry’s or economy’s long-term growth prospects and business cycles. Using vast data sets and sophisticated modeling, our analyses provide our clients with the information and awareness they need to understand the economic mechanisms and drivers affecting their businesses and geographic areas.
We Deliver Vital Tools To Our Creative Industry Clients Across The Nation
Cities
- Alameda
- Anaheim
- Brentwood
- Encinitas
- Las Vegas
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Reno
- Richmond
- Riverside
- San Francisco
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Cruz
Counties
- Los Angeles
- Lyon
- Montery
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Sonoma
- Tulare
Other Clients
National Conference of State Legislatures Western Association of Chamber Executives Washington State Association of Counties National Development Council
East Bay Economic Development Agency
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
State Of The Film And Digital Media Industry
CLIENT: Los Angeles County, Chief Executive Office
Film and television production has long been at the core of the Los Angeles regional economy. The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office engaged Beacon Economics to undertake an analysis of the Film and Digital Media industry with a focus on the County and strategies for inclusive growth.
Beacon Economics was tasked with examining the implications of disruptions to the industry such as the rise of digital distribution and emerging online platforms. Key goals in commissioning this study included identifying priority issues for the Film and Digital Media industry, receiving specific action items to enhance the industry’s regional competitiveness as it evolves, and recommendations to facilitate the industry’s inclusive growth in Los Angeles County.
The final, highly publicized, report successfully addressed the County’s goals, delivering a comprehensive industry analysis, a path for inclusionary growth, a growth landscape that included a cluster analysis and a detailed assessment of LA’s competitive advantage, and a framework for government action that helps support the industry and its workers.
Services For The Creative Industries
Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impact Analysis
We analyze and showcase the economic, fiscal, and social benefits and impacts of public and private projects, events, and pending or existing legislation in the context of job creation, economic output, tax revenue, and other key variables. We specialize in illustrating the economic value of creative industries such as music, performing arts, film, digital media, fashion, and design. Often viewed as amenities, these sectors deliver powerful economic returns to their communities and markets. Our analyses have illustrated the contributions and impacts of clients as varied as Live Nation, Blizzard Entertainment, the University of California, the 2024 Olympic Bid Committee, the World Ag Expo, LAX, the Electric Daisy Carnival, and the Santa Monica Pier. Learn More.
Creative Economy Analysis
Beacon Economics has examined the specific industries, trends, and drivers within the ‘creative economy’ of California and its regions for both public and private sector clients. These analyses include pinpointing emerging opportunities and disruptions within creative industries, identifying strategies for inclusive, long term growth, and developing recommendations to enhance regional competitiveness.
Public Policy Analysis
Our team of experienced public policy review experts are highly attune to the complexities of working within the legislative space. We specialize in evaluating existing and proposed legislation that affect the creative and hospitality industry and its clients through an economic lens. Beacon Economics’ assessments always include practical, hands-on recommendations for addressing and navigating policy related issues.
Industry Employment and Occupational Analysis
Beacon Economics specializes in identifying economic and employment trends, impacts, and workforce needs across the creative industries in order to help our clients seize new growth opportunities by informing their policy, planning, and investment decisions.
Speaking Engagements
Beacon Economics is a top-tier resource for keynote and business speakers. The firm’s engaging experts are in high demand across North America delivering current economic and policy insights to audiences with varying levels of economic and financial knowledge. Presentations are designed to meet clients’ needs, geography, industry – and are always based on the most recent data available. Learn More.
Our Experts
Meet our team of dedicated industry specialists. Each team member brings a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and passion to their respective fields, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of service and the most optimal outcomes.
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Christopher Thornberg
Founding PartnerChristopher Thornberg Ph.D. has been called many things throughout his career, but his favorite...
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Stafford Nichols
Research ManagerStafford Nichols is a Research Manager at Beacon Economics. He oversees and guides projects and...
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2021 Otis College Report On The Creative Economy
CLIENT: Otis College of Art and Design
From 2018 through 2021, Beacon Economics produced the high profile Otis Report on the Creative Economy, a research project dedicated to better understanding the size, growth, structure, and character of the creative economies of California and Los Angeles. Each year, the analyses were presented at a public event and widely disseminated across the creative, business, and policy worlds.
The reports included deep-dive analyses of the creative industries of California and Los Angeles, including Architecture and Related Services, Creative Goods and Products, Entertainment and Digital Media, Fashion, and Fine Arts and Performing Arts. The reports also examined arts nonprofits, which are essential to California’s creative ecosystem and support the state’s overall Creative Economy .
Additionally, as part of this research, Beacon Economics performed both economic impact and occupational analyses of the overall Creative Economy in California and Los Angeles and delivered regional snapshots of creative economy industries and trends in areas across the state.
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Information
To connect with us or ask a question about any of Beacon Economics’ practice areas, please contact:
Business Development Team at 424-666-2165 or [email protected]
News & Events
With actors and screenwriters on strike, Hollywood is shut down for the foreseeable future. Beacon’s Founding Partner Christopher Thornberg talks to the New York Times about what it means for the Los Angeles economy.
Beacon’s Christopher Thornberg weighs in on a study measuring the confidence levels of small and medium sized businesses towards today’s economic condidtions.
Amid a $31.5 billion budget deficit, Beacon’s Founding Partner Christopher Thornberg discusses California’s economic outlook with Inside California Politics.
For Speeches
Strategic Partnerships Manager Kristen Lovell
at 424-372-1061 or [email protected]