Upcoming io projects and exciting news:
OUR GROWING MEMBERSHIP
We are very excited to say that io's membership keeps growing substantially. Since last fall, our membership has grown by 67%, to over 200 companies! We’ve also seen growth in our committees: mobile, e-Learning, games, and talent.
NEW! IO’S INTERACTIVE INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
Recently we launched a new online industry directory – a new professional and social network that connects companies and individuals involved in the creation, development and distribution of interactive digital media. This directory is updateable by the companies listed and is fast becoming the most comprehensive guide to Interactive Media in Ontario.
If you have not already done so make sure to to add your company listing on the top right where it says "Register Now". From there you can edit your profile, and start building your directory community.
Outreach to International and Domestic Markets
UK ROADSHOW
From September 29 - October 2, 2008, Interactive Ontario completed a Trade Mission to the UK. Our partner, the UK Trade and Investment recognized a need to better educate the Interactive sector in the UK about the Ontario and Canadian industry. IO's president Ian Kelso, through a variety of meetings and discussions with stake holders in the UK, was successful in this educaitonal process to make UK companies more aware of what the Ontario Interactive community has to offer!
This programme was sposored by Telefilm Canada. We'd like to thank them for their financial support.
This marketing initiative is part of a global marketing startegy with our GameON Programme. Please check it out by clicking here - GameON Events
And of course, we are planning to continue our iNTERACT networking events!
RESEARCH
CANADIAN INTERACTIVE INDUSTRY PROFILE
This spring io released the results of the CIAIC-organized 2006 Canadian Interactive Industry Profile (CIIP), the first initiative to provide a statistical compilation and analysis of the interactive media industry in Canada. The final report is available here:
The next iteration of the CIIP is expected to ramp up over the coming Fall/Winter season.
AMCAT
We are working with Seneca College and Fast Motion Studios to launch Ontario’s first fully independent large-scale motion capture production facility this fall, along with the AMCAT Program, a two-year project to develop motion capture business capacity and training, sponsored by the OMDC, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture.
PARTNERING WITH OTHER INDUSTRIES
As part of the OMDC Creative Cluster initiative, io is currently working on PODS: Partnerships Ontario: Digital Synergies. Partnering with 9 other trade associations and industry stakeholders ranging from our lead partner FilmOntario to the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, the PODS project will be the hub for Ontario cultural and technology industries involved in Interactive Media. Examples of the services being developed from this project for our membership include: a newly expanded newsletter with company showcases, feature news stories, press release roundup, committee reports and blog posts. You’ll be seeing some of these new services coming this fall!