Editorial
The Digital Hub Development Agency recently began a CEO Forum among the cluster – facilitated partly online by their newly established Client Net and also through a series of quarterly meetings. This initiative has given the CEOs in The Digital Hub the opportunity to meet and discuss issues together. Ostensibly, these were issues pertaining to The Digital Hub such as the development plans and facilities. However, quickly it has taken a life of its own with the CEOs obviously relishing the opportunity to meet and discuss more global issues relevant to their own businesses. These include issues of finance, HR, intellectual property, networking etc. As such, a number of sectoral and issue-led spin-offs have occurred with separate steering groups being set up to look at, for example, the animation sector and the issue of raising finance. It is likely more steering groups of this nature will develop as more pertinent issues arise for the cluster.
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What this initiative highlights are perhaps a number of important criteria for successfully developing an enterprise cluster. Crucially, it is the enterprises themselves that must drive the development of any cluster. Yes, it can be facilitated by the public sector but it in the end of the day, enterprise needs to be enterprising. As the digital media sector speedily converges so to must the various enterprises within it. For some this may mean mergers, for others joint ventures. Either way they need to engage with each other if they are going to make sense of this rapidly developing industry and the global opportunity that it offers.
Secondly, the CEO Forum initiative has probably come at an ideal time in the development of the The Digital Hub cluster – which is now nearly three years on since its inception. It is hard to see clearly at this stage if three really is a magic number, but it seems that this is the ideal length of time to let a cluster stew and simmer, so to speak. The companies have become accustomed to each other and the enterprises are suitably well-developed to allow their respective CEOs time to look at more strategic issues in terms of the cluster and the obvious advantages that networking affords. Certainly, the openness and willingness to engage is much more obvious now then it was perhaps this time three years ago. In context though, it must be noted that the sector was coming out of the economic doldrums at the time and many enterprises simply had to keep their heads down and concentrate on the business at hand. However, it seems that the more established companies have weathered the storm and the newer ones are buoyed by the obvious upturn economically. The next three years will be very interesting in regards to how these various networks and joint-ventures proceed, which already include a podcasting venture, an eLearning/animation venture and a number of cross-media television projects. With the internet evolving further, wireless ubiquity growing and the move towards digital broadcast in both the television and radio sector, it would seem that the market for digital content and technologies has a bright future. Will Irish enterprises be at the forefront it? If the sun shine of recent days is anything to go by, then the answer is a resounding yes.
Eurovision 2006 - the death of a medium?
In writing this article, The Hub feels loath to admit something: we watched the Eurovision Song Contest from start to finish. However, in our defence, this was purely for professional reasons. An early press release sent to The Hub indicated that the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 would be broadcast in High Definition. (In fact, it was only produced in High Definition and not ultimately broadcast as the availability of HD TV among viewers was considered to low to be worth the bother.) So out of professional curiosity, we tuned in to see what difference a live HD-produced show would be compared to a live standard definition presentation.
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In reality, considering that the Eurovision is so extraordinarily camp, it was very difficult to tell whether the definition was higher or whether it was just the over-powering brightness of the participants’ garish apparel. But before we could switch channels to avoid blindness, our professional curiosity was further aroused by another phenomenon – Lordi, the Finnish Death Metal entry. So what could this example of profound teenage angst possibly have to do with digital media?
Well, The Hub has an interesting supposition, which goes like this: The success of Lordi in the Eurovision song contest, we believe, signals the death of the traditional broadcast analogue medium and the triumph of the New Medium. Since I’m sure that Lordi would quite enjoy the idea that they have been part of the death of something, we’ll explain ourselves.
The European Broadcasting Union is the television and radio equivalent of the EU. It is the representative body of all European broadcasters and among its many and considerable duties, it is in charge of putting on the Eurovision song contest each year. In many ways, the Eurovision has become its flagship and in its own way, the song contest has pushed the technological boundaries of European broadcasting through the sheer scale of the show. John Bowman, RTE’s Questions and Answers front man, told an amusing anecdote at a Digital Media conference a few years ago recounting how the year after Dana won the Eurovision in 1970, RTE technicians picketed the Gaiety Theatre (where the Eurovision was being held) because RTE has decided to broadcast the song contest in colour! The technicians union felt that there was no need to foist colour television on a consumer audience that were plainly happy with black and white. How quickly things have changed and how little things have changed!
The Eurovision has also made leaps and bounds in other television technologies such as satellite link-ups, multi-point live television coverage and now high definition. The sheer popularity of the show, frightening as that is, means that the EBU can use it as an ideal vehicle to introduce new broadcasting technologies Europe-wide. One such innovation was the replacement of the closed voting of yesteryear (where a selected panel voted on behalf of a nation) to a far more democratic texting and phone voting solution that would empower the general public. Or so you might thing. In reality, this is where the trouble began.
 Lordi in full flight at 2006 Eurovision. |
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You see the Eurovision is a phenomenon of the state public service broadcast model where the state once decided what should and shouldn’t be called “entertainment” for the people. It is the kind of show that DeValera would have approved of in its early incarnation as a celebration of culture and diversity. The Eurovision was the collective brainchild of public servants drawn from across Europe who lacked taste but promoted decency.
The fact that their brainchild would develop an almost cultish devotion from a largely homosexual fan base, further underlines the sheer absurdity of the whole endeavour. But an enjoyable absurdity it is too and one that remains remarkably popular. But is it popular because everyone gets the joke accept perhaps the people who stage the event? One need only listen to the venerable Terry Wogan’s commentary on BBC to realise that the Eurovision works on many levels.
Unfortunately, what electronic voting has done has made the joke obvious. This is how a young, free and technically savvy audience mocks the tyranny of the broadcast service model (albeit that they don’t get that the viewers were mocking it quietly from the start!). They vote for the worst and make them the best. So as Lordi strutted on to stage to accept flowers it was hard to tell who was the real loser… was it the Eurovision whose absurdity had finally been revealed? Or was it Death metal which has finally gone main stream? Will teenagers now be dressing in garish Eurovision costume and hanging outside the Central bank?
It’s hard to tell. But what is obvious is that with a generation brought up on the a new medium where they are used to getting what they want when they want it, the European Broadcasting Union is really going to have to re-assess its role lest it become rapidly obsolete. A new generation with a new medium will no longer be dictated to through the traditional broadcast model and by attempting to marry elements of the new medium, such as text voting, without addressing the core deficiencies of the medium, will simply open the door to…well, Lordi.
News
Supernatural crime thriller will represent Ireland in ‘Dare to be Digital’ games competition
A team made up from students of Ballyfermot Senior College and Trinity were selected to represent Ireland at the ‘Dare to be Digital’ games development competition that will be hosted in Scotland over the summer months.
Dare to be Digital is run by the University of Abertay in Dundee to encourage students from around the globe to develop new gaming prototypes.
Announcing the details of the successful team, Michael Hallissy, who heads up the learning initiatives at The Digital Hub, said he was confident that the Irish entry to the Dare to be Digital finals would feature very strongly this year. “Since The Digital Hub began facilitating the Irish ‘heats’ of this competition three years ago, the standard and quality of the entrants has radically improved. The winners of today’s heat presented a fantastic and innovative prototype ‘The Eventful After Life of Inspector Browning’ which is a supernatural crime thriller where the player is the ghost of a dead detective.”
The winning team will now travel to the University of Abertay in Scotland for ten weeks, where they will be given the support and facilities to enable them to build their prototype. At the end of the ten weeks, the game will be judged in a final alongside six others including ones from entries from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Canada.
According to Michael Hallissy, “the Dare to be Digital competition is an excellent initiative which not only offers students the opportunity to apply their technical skills in the area of games development, but it also builds their capacity to collaborate, be creative and consider game development as a real career option.
“The Digital Hub is very keen to support the development of the gaming industry in Ireland. At present, the project houses three gaming companies – Havoc, Pop-cap Games and Eirplay - all of which are making a very significant impact in the international games development market.
Liberties children sketch the future of Irish animation
Ireland will have a prime opportunity to become a world leader in the development and delivery of digital animation over the coming decade, according to Philip Flynn, CEO of Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA).
Speaking at the Premiere of the Liberties Claymation Festival in the Digital Hub, Mr Flynn said that The Digital Hub was keen to attract more domestic and international animation companies. Apart from the obvious world-class broadband infrastructure and the prospect of a new digital media research centre at The Digital Hub by the end of this year, animation companies could look forward to tapping into a highly skilled workforce with experience of producing digital animations since primary school.
The Liberties Claymation Festival will run over three days and featured over 30 animation films. All of the films were produced and directed by children from schools based in the Liberties. The children who are participating in the festival range in age from 8 – 16years. The Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan, officiated at today’s Premiere at The Digital Hub, during which six short films were showcased.
Each animation is based on a storyline developed by the children, and incorporates clay-characters in custom developed sets. Digital media is used to bring the stories to life. The films were developed over the course of the school year through the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative, which is an initiative of The Digital Hub.
Philip Flynn said that, subject to funding and sponsorship, The Digital Hub was keen to roll out its digital media education programmes to other schools outside of the Liberties area. “This Claymation festival is a demonstration of what can be achieved through digital media learning. Over the past four years, the Diageo Liberties Learning initiative has made such a positive impact on the lives of local children and we feel that their peers in other parts of the city and country could benefit too.”
Events
June 8th: IT@CORK Web2.0 Conference
Location: Radisson Hotel, Little Island, Cork.
Time: 2pm
Price: Members: Free, Non-members: EUR50
IT@Cork - the not-for-profit networking organisation for IT professionals - is holding a half-day conference on Web 2.0. The conference features international speakers Salim Ismail, co-founder of PubSub and Shel Israel, co-author with Robert Scoble of Naked Conversations, currently writing a book on Web 2.0. Irish speakers include Fergus Burns, founder and CEO of Nooked and local Web 2.0 developer Walter Higgins of pxn8.com. Microsoft, who are main sponsors for the event, are represented by Rob Burke. Maximum number of places available is 100 so early booking is advised.
More info: admin@itcork.ie or Tel: +353 21 2307011 Fax +353 21 2307046
http://www.itcork.ie/index.cfm?page=events&eventId=68
June 12th- 13th: Call Centre and Customer Services Forum
Location: Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin 7.
The Call Centre and Customer Services Forum offers managers of call centres and customer service centres a time-saving, effective and stress-free way to see what's new in the industry. The event is organised by The Sunday Business Post and event partner iQuest in association with Forum Events Ltd.
More info: f.lee@forumevents.co.uk 0044 1920 444202
http://www.forumevents.co.uk/forums/cc/index_ire.htm
June 13th: Wicklow IIA/CEB - Maximising your internet presence
Location: TBC
The IIA is teaming up with the County Enterprise Board to present a seminar relating to the latest developments in maximising your internet presence. For further details visit the IIA website.
More info: edel@iia.ie or http://www.iia.ie
June 13th: Trade EXPO 06
Location: Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
Time: 8:00
Price: STG100 or EUR145 per stand
The largest cross-border trade exhibition to be held in the East Border region, Trade EXPO 06 will promote and foster cross-border business opportunities by providing businesses with the chance to network, explore links and build contacts. Each year the exhibition attracts substantial numbers of exhibitors and visitors, as companies from all sectors seize the opportunity to promote their goods and services to an all-Ireland audience.
More info: paulmccormack@dial.pipex.com
Tel: (048) 028 30267011
June 13th: SunLIVE06 Technology Roadshow
Location: Croke Park, Dublin.
Time: 9:30am - 4pm
Price: Free
Sun Microsystems & Horizon Open Systems are holding a one day Technology Roadshow for business and IT decision makers. We will demonstrate how Sun can help you grow your business or service, improve operational efficiencies, contain cost or mitigate risk and manage the information explosion with agile, economical and efficient new technologies. The Sunlive06 Roadshow will provide the opportunity to sign up for a wide range of FREE Sun OFFERS including workshops, consultancy, assessments, Try & Buy and solution demonstrations. Don't miss out, sign up now!
More info: 01 805 5675 or http://tinyurl.com/s9zno
June 14th: Digital Content: Changing Consumer Demands
Location: IMI Conference Hall, Sandyford, Co. Dublin
Time: 13:00
Price: Free
Aimed at senior business, marketing, and sales professionals, the event is designed to provide attendees with the information they need to understand the changes in online digital activities that directly impact consumer buying patterns, business performance, organisational issues, and sales strategies. Presentations from Vodafone, Smart Telecom, RTE, Colt Telecom, Motorola and Jupiter Research will help attendees understand how new content types require new marketing and sales strategies to touch the consumer. The objective of this event is to showcase Digital Content and other emerging technologies including multimedia and entertainment platforms.
More info: enda.kelly@ireach.ie Tel: 01 4386 407
http://www.ireach.ie/digitalcontent
June 15th: Preparing for the Knowledge Economy - Intellectual Property Briefing
Location: Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2.
Time: 8:00
This event will feature speakers from industry, government and the legal profession.
More info: info@dubchamber.ie Tel: 01 644 7200
http://www.dublinchamber.ie
June 22nd: Leitrim IIA/CEB - Maximising your internet presence
Location: TBC
The IIA is teaming up with the County Enterprise Board to present a seminar relating to the latest developments in maximising your internet presence. For further details visit the IIA website.
More info: edel@iia.ie
http://www.iia.ie
June 27th: BEA Systems - 'The New Role of Portals'
Location: Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Time: 9:00 to 13:00
Price: Free
BEA Systems presents a synthesis of up-to-date research on the portal market from analyst reports, technology reviews, customer case studies, and BEA experts. BEA will outline the secret to making disparate data silos, platforms, and services work together and the key drivers for next-generation deployments; how portal architecture can make your organisation more agile - and profitable - by letting IT, business and customers collaborate; and why it is now far easier and faster to leverage old systems and create the new applications your business is demanding; among other topics.
More info: sbotting@bea.com Tel: 01 684 0404
http://www.bea.com/portalseminars/index.jsp?PC=40TU1GXXEVBE