BNMI - nextMEDIA 2007 Panels

Location: The Banff Springs Hotel
Program Dates: June 9 – 10, 2007

In partnership with nextMEDIA and the Digital Media Association of Alberta, the Banff New Media Institute is presenting two content sessions designed to inform members of digital media, film, television, and direct media distribution industries. We will present an introduction to the latest report regarding new media financing as well as a highly informative gaming and social networking panel at nextMEDIA 2007 in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

Research Report - New Media Business Exploration Study
Saturday, June 9, 2007
9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Be among the first to learn the results of our comprehensive New Media Business Exploration Study. With hundreds of new media companies and nearly $1 billion in annual sales projected for 2007, Canada is a global player in the new media industry. Yet, our study demonstrates that Canadian new media companies are faced with a number of financial barriers and challenges to start-up, growth, and expansion. The results of this study examine the real availability of funding, the actual eligibility requirements and the required application procedures for these sources — both public and private, at the provincial and federal levels. The results of this study will have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole and will contribute to a re-think of how new media is supported in Canada.

Speaker: Vaughn Smith, Research Associate — kisquared

Panel: Interactive Games and Social Networks
Sunday, June 10, 2007
1:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

The Banff New Media Institute presents this informative panel on games (video/online/console/mobile) focusing on social networking, websites, and services that enable group interaction. Learn how multiplayer online role-playing games, community network-based gaming, and community-based forums are helping to build sustainable business models and enable collaborative and competitive game play. We will also analyze the success of businesses that base their products around community building initiatives.

Presenters will discuss development cycles, designing the experience, distribution models, defining audiences, continuing customer/buyer relationships, and how gamers and game companies benefit from integrated communication.

Moderator: Adam Jevne, Managing Director — Balance Media

Speakers

Steve Bocska, Joint CEO — Hothead Games
Gene Endrody, CEO and Founder — Maid Marian Entertainment Inc.
Tim Lambertus, Director, Social Media and BlogTV - Digital Media — Alliance Atlantis
Ron Martin, Computer Graphics Designer — Stage3Media

To register for nextMEDIA visit futureofdigitalcontent.com