Northern Ireland Promotes Creative Digital Hub Convergence

The first stage of a major campaign aimed at promoting Northern Ireland as a Creative Digital Hub has got underway with an invitation to register at the central blog site www.crea8ivity.com
Over the coming months the campaign will build interactive communities at the leading edge of digital content and will also include market intelligence gathering; development of a buyers database; participation in key overseas trade missions and exhibitions; and a local showcase event for creative success stories. All activities have been planned to encourage local entrepreneurs, investors, creative and IT professionals to exploit the vast and emerging commercial opportunities that broadband presents as a delivery channel and secondly to bring NI talent in this sector to the attention of key decisions makers in the investment and commissioning of digital content.
Campaign Director, PR Smith, of PR Smith Marketing Communications said: “With nearly half of all UK households on-line for three or more hours a day now, digital technology is revolutionising the way businesses access a global marketplace. The convergence of media channels is also stimulating a global demand for content from the big players in telecommunications and television."
The campaign is part of DETI’s Broadband Content Initiative that saw 81 companies throughout Northern Ireland compete last year to be selected as exemplar projects that would demonstrate the creative and technical talent available in Northern Ireland. 6 projects were selected by an evaluation panel that included DETI partners in the initiative – BBC NI, BT, Bytel, Cable & Wireless and Northern Ireland Screen.
“The projects are now at various stages of development and the first, which is from Wild Rover Productions, is due to launch very soon," added PR Smith: “Wild Rover has a great concept, and it’s the first of its kind in the world. All 6 projects will be accessible via www.crea8ivity.com and the content will be introduced on a free-trial basis for the duration of the campaign. In addition to these, we will also be showcasing lots more free content from Northern Ireland’s creative digital industry. Throughout the campaign we’ll be engaging with DETI’s partners and working closely with key industry stakeholders such as Invest NI, Momentum and in particular their creative industry working group.”
(DS)