VEF Momentum Speaker and Networking Event - November 19

The Vancouver Enterprise Forum (VEF) will be hosting a Momentum Speaker and Networking event on Wednesday, November 19, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Tunnel Multi-Lounge (622 W Pender). VEF Momentum is designed for entrepreneurs in the 20-30 age group and the mentors, service providers and investors who support young entrepreneurs.

The event, entitled Now More than Ever! will focus on how entrepreneurs can persevere and succeed in starting and growing their businesses in the current economic climate. Barry Jinks, Founder, President and CEO of Colligo Networks will speak about the unique skills and energy that young entrepreneurs can bring to spark growth in a troubled economy. The event will include the address and Q&A, as well as ice-breakers, networking and company pitches. Refreshments will also be served.

I've signed up for the event and will be happy to speak to anyone interested in international business and the services DFAIT provides to companies.

India Calling

Blakes law in Vancouver will be offering a morning information and networking session on opportunities and challenges for doing business in India on December 3 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Their panel will include Francis Chang Partner - Business, Communications, IT, IP and China;

Dr. Sunny Handa Partner - IT, Communications, IP, M&A and India; and

Kam Rathee Special Adviser - India.

Blakes also has some great online resources for doing business in various foreign markets, as well as one directed at those wishing to do business in Canada.

I am currently working on organizing a similar session for new media companies interested in the China market, likely to take place in mid to late January. I'll post a note when details are confirmed.

Obama's web 2.0 campaign

Anyone who has followed Barack Obama's campaign online knows how significant a role the web played in disseminating his message. Under the leadership of political consultant David Axelrod of AKP&D Message and Media, Obama’s campaign was a trailblazing example of using web 2.0 and social networking tools for engaging the electorate. I must admit that even I was amazed at how extensive the online campaign was with active participation in over a dozen social networks including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr (many of which are still being updated). Obama’s web page was also built up as a great clearinghouse of information from his position on key issues to a blog updating information on major events, and of course, a key tool in gathering donations from individual supporters. Thanks to this presence online, much of the messaging went viral, providing marketing distribution that no money could buy.

Likely most assumed that the level of engagement would disappear shortly after the campaign was over, but here again Obama’s team is carving a new path. Just last week, the transition team launched change.gov - a site dedicated to outlining the transition to January 20, and presumably will be used to keep his supporters plugged in during Obama's presidency. The site enables submission of public comments and suggestions for policy development and an opportunity to apply for non-career track jobs with the administration. It also boasts a plethora of information resources on federal governance structures including a link to the GSA Transition Directory - becoming a great educational tool to presumably further engage the electorate to become better informed.

Some have reported that young (18-29) voters may have constituted nearly 25% of Obama’s support. Undoubtedly the online campaign would have played a big role in this regard. However, perhaps the biggest payoff is still yet to come, as these young voters will continue to provide their backing to a president and a party that keeps them engaged and connected in a way that is already second nature in all other respects of their lives - once again proving that the medium can be a huge part of the message.

MIGS is almost here

The Montreal International Game Summit is only three weeks away (Nov 18-19) and this year promises to bring another excellent program including streams that will feature art, tech, design, business, production, serious games and mobility sessions.

The following BC companies are confirmed to speak at the event:
Stephane Morichere-Matte, Director of Product Develpment from Threewave Software will speak at the session Making Great Multiplayer on day 1. Others from Threewave will also be at the event and will be taking meetings - see here for more info.

Paul Martin, Technical Director and Dean Giberson, Senior Software Engineer - both from Slant Six Games will speak at the session Data Massage Therapy: Pipelines, SCons and 'SOCOM: Confrontation' on day 1.

Edoardo De Martin, Studio General Manger from Next Level Games will speak at Round Table: Quality of Life session on day 1 and Efficiency through Common Sesne session on day 2.

Leading the citizen journalism movement

Most Vancouverites probably don't know that their city is home to a world leader in citizen journalism. NowPublic, co-founded by Len Brody, Michael Tippett and Michael Meyers in 2005 is a "participatory news network which mobilizes an army of reporters to cover the events that define our world". In addition to running the network, which is said to have over 100,000 contributors world-wide, NowPublic also develops the platform that other news organizations will use as they add citizen journalism to their news reporting.

New Media in Vancouver and beyond

Now that I've taken on the role of trade commissioner for DFAIT in Vancouver, I'll be covering the new media and software scene in the city and beyond (we cover BC and the Yukon). I'll be using this space to feature some of the interesting companies that I learn about, as well as other events of interest. Feel free to send me information that I should know about, and ideas on how the industry can excell internationally.

Free and interactive: the next generation of tv programming

Joost, a free online tv/video service, finally opened beyond its invitation-only version to the general public last week. Joost has over 250 channels of programming, which currently includes a hodge podge of documentaries, independent shorts, 80's cartoons and music videos, just to name a few examples.

The concept of free (legal) programming is not entirely new, with many broadcasters increasingly posting their content online; however, what makes Joost different is the use of the platform for user interaction. Joost enables users to utilize tools such as instant messaging and interactive links, to chat with friends about the shows - even as they are watching them.

The ability to interact and discuss a show as it's being viewed is slowly being tested out in certain markets. nm2, a collaborative research project in Europe has been experimenting with interactive TV for the past few months. It has developed a number of shows (which vary from drama to game show formats) to test out new media projects which utilize broadband networks for its delivery. One of its shows enabled users to sms input on the program as it was being aired, enabling viewers to ultimately decide which direction the story would take.

The take-up of interactive tv (beyond tv on-demand) is fairly slow in North American markets, possibly due to the unique broadcasting rules that govern and the required technical upgrades that will take some time to complete.

Irrespective of the timed roll-out of interactive tv, it's almost certain that future television programming will contain some element of interactivity. What will be most interesting to watch is the impact that such viewer input will have on the programming itself. The ability to determine the next twist of plot will be empowering for some, but the fluctuating quality, determined largely by the whims of viewers, will bring its own challenges and opportunities.