This year, more then any other, has been the year of the digital media executive, and nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content, held June 8-10, in Banff was the place to be, scoring record delegate attendance from leading digital media executives from around the world. The sold-out, three-day event, which wrapped on Sunday with a fascinating question and answer session with BBC Director General Mark Thompson, attracted close to 350 attendees.
nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content included a tightly-run, comprehensive program of keynotes, panel discussions and briefing sessions. The event hosted back to back presentations from the world's leading organizations responsible for creating innovative solutions and distributing digital content. Speakers included: Joanna Drake Earl, President, New Media, Current TV; Stacey Seltzer, Senior Vice President, Content Strategy, Acquisition & Operations, Joost; Sean Love, Business Development Manager, Media and Entertainment Group, Microsoft (Xbox Live); Benjamin White, CCO, Sling Entertainment Group (Slingbox); and Peter Bradley, VP of Business Development, Azureus.
"nextMEDIA 2007 has brought the digital community closer to uncovering the recipe it takes to effectively launch and profit from digital media initiatives," said Mark Greenspan, Director of Digital Media, Achilles Media Inc. "The amount of learning and networking that took place this year is a testament to how hot the digital media industry is right now. We are thrilled to have captured a global piece of it amidst the beautiful mountains of Banff."
Not only were seasoned professionals in attendance at nextMEDIA but also emerging content creators and web entrepreneurs, whose digital media careers were launched at the event. Fem.tv won $10,000 in development funding for their winning pitch at the inaugural Telefilm Launch Pad pitching event. Vancouver-based Catherine Pudue and Jessica Dunphy walked away with $10,000 in development funding from Telefilm Canada for their sexy and satirical show Miss Kitty.
