About Reel GDP

A wider lens.
An economic perspective.

An independent publication and research practice connecting South Africa’s creative industries with the wider economy.

ECONOMIST & RESEARCHER

LINDA STONESOUTH AFRICA

Linda Stone.

I’m Linda Stone, an economist and researcher focused on cultural economics, international trade and economic change. Through Reel GDP, I connect research with the questions facing creative industries and the people working in them.

My experience spans economics teaching, literature reviews, evidence synthesis and academic research. My work includes an empirical Google Trends study of South African film visibility and stakeholder interviews for research on festivals and live music.

I hold an MCom in Economics and am completing a PhD in Economics at Rhodes University. My doctoral research examines cultural distance, international trade and the performance of South African audiovisual products.

Cultural economicsInternational tradeResearch & communication

Why Reel GDP?

More than
what’s on screen.

Reel GDP combines an open industry publication with a research and consulting practice. The journal offers context for artists, actors, producers and creative businesses; commissioned projects address specific questions for organisations.

Film and audiovisual trade are a research focus, within a wider view of creative markets, technology and economic change. The aim is to make the industry easier to understand, locally and across borders.

Room to grow

Notes today. Conversations to come.

The journal is the starting point. Future talks, video essays and learning resources can join it without changing the purpose.

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