Montreal International Game Summit - call for Speakers
March 31, 2010
Are you looking to share your expertise from the trenches with other video game industry professionals from all over the world? MIGS is the opportunity that you've been looking for. Returning in 2010 for its 7th edition, the Montreal International Game Summit is the biggest developer-focused event in Canada and on the East Coast!
Two Solitudes Launches Match-Making Service for Canada Media Fund Projects
March 30, 2010
Toronto, March 30, 2010 - Coinciding with this week's launch of the new Canada Media Fund (the CMF), Two Solitudes Consulting is launching a new service to help producers and broadcasters find the right interactive media partners for their projects.
CMF DOUBLES INTERACTIVE FUNDING TO $27M

As you may have heard, the Canada Media Fund was launched on Friday March 26 and officially begins this week on April 1st. Since the intention to combine the Canada New Media Fund with the Canadian Television Fund was officially announced last spring, Interactive Ontario (IO) and the Canadian Interactive Alliance (CIAIC) have been very busy working with the CMF team to ensure that the final result would achieve its goals for producers and developers of Interactive Digital Media content and services.
March 30, 2010
An Open Letter from Interactive Ontario's President & CEO, Ian Kelso
As you may have heard, the Canada Media Fund was launched on Friday March 26 and officially begins this week on April 1st. Since the intention to combine the Canada New Media Fund with the Canadian Television Fund was officially announced last spring, Interactive Ontario (IO) and the Canadian Interactive Alliance (CIAIC) have been very busy working with the CMF team to ensure that the final result would achieve its goals for producers and developers of Interactive Digital Media content and services.
Coming to Toronto's libraries: video games
Make room, Holden Caulfield and Huck Finn, Sonic the Hedgehog is moving in. The Toronto Public Library is searching for close to $300,000 to start a circulating video game collection, as well as to set up gaming programs at eight branches across the city.
Full Story
March 24, 2010
From The Toronto StarMake room, Holden Caulfield and Huck Finn, Sonic the Hedgehog is moving in. The Toronto Public Library is searching for close to $300,000 to start a circulating video game collection, as well as to set up gaming programs at eight branches across the city.
Full Story
Interactive Ontario's Upcoming Events!
INplay 2010 (May 18 & 19) is a brand new conference IO is launching this May. This two-day conference will be held at the Liberty Grand in Toronto on May 18 and 19 and focus on kids interactivity. INplay features Keynote speakers Jon Berrett, Executive Producer and Christian Jacobs, Co-creator, Director and Writer of the hit kids TV show, Yo Gabba Gabba.
The conference will feature 3 major streams each covering a different dimension of working with properties for kids aged 2-12:
IN: The INteractive Exchange is a unique cross-platform interactive media event that features two action-packed days of inspiration, insight and interaction between top creative and business minds from across Canada and around the world.
March 24, 2010
Interactive Ontario is working hard to bring you two great conferences this Spring and Fall!INplay 2010 (May 18 & 19) is a brand new conference IO is launching this May. This two-day conference will be held at the Liberty Grand in Toronto on May 18 and 19 and focus on kids interactivity. INplay features Keynote speakers Jon Berrett, Executive Producer and Christian Jacobs, Co-creator, Director and Writer of the hit kids TV show, Yo Gabba Gabba.
The conference will feature 3 major streams each covering a different dimension of working with properties for kids aged 2-12:
- Inspiration - creativity and content stream
- Investment - business stream
- Insights - research stream
IN: The INteractive Exchange is a unique cross-platform interactive media event that features two action-packed days of inspiration, insight and interaction between top creative and business minds from across Canada and around the world.
Canada Media Fund Ready to Support TV, Digital Media Projects
March 23, 2010
From Mediacaster Magazine
The new Canada Media Fund (CMF) will officially open for business on April 1, 2010. It will be the source of federal government funding for media projects, which are expected to be developed for multiple delivery platforms, such as TV and the Internet.
The CMF comes as a result of combining and rebranding the former Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. Its mandate is to both ensure the production of quality content, and to make it available on multiple platforms, not solely television. Full Story at Mediacaster
Early Bird Rates for INplay Extended until April 8!
Over the course of two days, INplay will feature:
March 22, 2010
Join us in Toronto, Canada, on May 18 and 19 for this brand new conference about kids interactivity! Recently announced: Yo Gabba Gabba's Jon Berrett and Christian Jacobs will be Keynote speakers at INplay 2010. Read the full story at www.inplay2010.comOver the course of two days, INplay will feature:
- 3 major streams, each covering a different dimension of working with properties for kids aged 2-12:
- Inspiration - creativity and content stream
- Investment - business stream
- Insights - research stream
- 80+ Industry speakers
- 30+ program sessions
- 7+ hours of networking/receptions
Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance Sells Toronto Region as the Gaming Hotbed of Ontario
March 19, 2010
Toronto-Ontario, March 15, 2010 - The largest gaming development conference in North America with leading animation developers and designers was the backdrop to the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance's recent business sales trip. The 5-day business mission focused on targeting U.S. studios and video game developers and selling them on Greater Toronto Area's value proposition for investing in our region.
University of Waterloo and Sheridan Institute win $4.9 million in research funding for innovation in Ontario's 2D and stereoscopic 3D production
Ontario's film, television, gaming and interactive media producers to get a competitive boost from University of Waterloo and Sheridan Institute research partnership
Toronto, March 9, 2010: Waterloo's Institute for Computer Research and Sheridan's new Toronto-based digital media research and training centre has been awarded $4.9 million in research funding from Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation. Total funding including contributions from both educational institutions and private industry partners is $14.7 million over five years.
March 16, 2010
Research partnership aims include making "Avatar" movie-making technologies available to the mainstream production industryOntario's film, television, gaming and interactive media producers to get a competitive boost from University of Waterloo and Sheridan Institute research partnership
Toronto, March 9, 2010: Waterloo's Institute for Computer Research and Sheridan's new Toronto-based digital media research and training centre has been awarded $4.9 million in research funding from Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation. Total funding including contributions from both educational institutions and private industry partners is $14.7 million over five years.
Telefilm names new executive director
Carolle Brabant, a Montrealer, succeeds Torontonian Wayne Clarkson as the day-to-day head of Telefilm which, with an annual budget of about $107-million, is a major investor in Canada’s film, television and new media industries. Brabant is the first female executive director of Telefilm, established by the Liberal government of Lester Pearson under the then-moniker the Canadian Film Development Corp..
March 16, 2010
A Telefilm Canada veteran with a strong background in accounting has been named the new executive director of the Crown corporation by Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore. The announcement was made Tuesday in Ottawa.Carolle Brabant, a Montrealer, succeeds Torontonian Wayne Clarkson as the day-to-day head of Telefilm which, with an annual budget of about $107-million, is a major investor in Canada’s film, television and new media industries. Brabant is the first female executive director of Telefilm, established by the Liberal government of Lester Pearson under the then-moniker the Canadian Film Development Corp..
IO Member, InComm, Announces Acquisition of Zeevex, Virtual Currency Partner
Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 11, 2010 -- InComm, the leader in sales and marketing of prepaid products and innovator of transaction processing, has acquired Zeevex, an open virtual currency provider and digital content microtransaction thought leader. An integral component of InComm's digital content strategy, the Zeevex acquisition will enable InComm to leverage the strength of its prepaid gaming vertical with Zeevex's virtual currency platform creating a powerful tool for consumers of all ages to discover and purchase their favorite digital content.
March 15, 2010
Zeevex Business Model to Expand Sales of Prepaid Digital Content and Speed Consumer Adoption of Open Virtual CurrencyAtlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 11, 2010 -- InComm, the leader in sales and marketing of prepaid products and innovator of transaction processing, has acquired Zeevex, an open virtual currency provider and digital content microtransaction thought leader. An integral component of InComm's digital content strategy, the Zeevex acquisition will enable InComm to leverage the strength of its prepaid gaming vertical with Zeevex's virtual currency platform creating a powerful tool for consumers of all ages to discover and purchase their favorite digital content.
IO Member, BlackCherry Digital Media, Reconnects Aboriginal Youths through Game-Based Learning
March 12, 2010
BlackCherry Digital Media's upcoming launch of PathOfTheElders.com marks a turning point in using new media to reconnect Aboriginal youths with their past. Elevating game-based learning to a new level, this free online resource combines an elaborate role-playing game (RPG) with rich historical resources, including rare archival photographs and historic audio recordings of Cree narratives. PathOfTheElders.com goes live Wednesday, March 24th, 2010.
Yo Gabba Gabba to Keynote INplay 2010
(Toronto - March 11, 2010) - Interactive Ontario today announced the first keynote speakers for INplay 2010; a conference about the art and business of kids interactivity. Jon Berrett, Executive Producer and Christian Jacobs, Co-creator, Director and Writer of the hit kids TV show, Yo Gabba Gabba, will be keynote speakers at the conference, taking place on May 18 & 19, 2010, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, Canada.

March 12, 2010
International Kids Entertainment Sensation to appear in Toronto 
(Toronto - March 11, 2010) - Interactive Ontario today announced the first keynote speakers for INplay 2010; a conference about the art and business of kids interactivity. Jon Berrett, Executive Producer and Christian Jacobs, Co-creator, Director and Writer of the hit kids TV show, Yo Gabba Gabba, will be keynote speakers at the conference, taking place on May 18 & 19, 2010, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, Canada.

Meet with Digital companies from France on the 24th of March!
March 2, 2010
We are pleased to inform you that a delegation from FRANCE, led by the French Trade Commission, will be in Toronto on March the 24th to meet with potential partners in Ontario. This delegation is composed of 12 innovative companies and clusters working mainly in digital content and digital animation. Those companies are keen to build partnerships in Canada and are wishing to build opportunities for Ontario and French businesses.
IO member, ecentricarts Celebrates 10 years!
As we head into our 11th year of business this winter, we wanted to take the time to thank all of you - clients, partners, supporters and friends - we've had a great first decade! No, it hasn't always been easy - we started at the height of the dot.com implosion. And yes, it hasn't always been pretty - the death throes of traditional media have been painful to watch. But it has always been interesting.
March 2, 2010
10 YEARS YOUNG!As we head into our 11th year of business this winter, we wanted to take the time to thank all of you - clients, partners, supporters and friends - we've had a great first decade! No, it hasn't always been easy - we started at the height of the dot.com implosion. And yes, it hasn't always been pretty - the death throes of traditional media have been painful to watch. But it has always been interesting.
IO's Image Sponsor for 2010