What to Expect

nextMEDIA – FDC 2008’s Partnership and Programming teams are currently working to develop the following program elements. We are also actively partnering with industry leaders to co-develop the programs listed below. If you are interested in being involved in these programs please contact Hope Baker at hbaker [at] achillesmedia [dot] com

Also to see video from our past events please visit the nextMEDIA Events' Blip.tv page.

International Multi-Platform Content Market

In the rapidly evolving digital media landscape it remains very difficult to connect with the appropriate channels and people in which to distribute digital media content. The International Multi-Platform Content Market offers a way for Canadian producers to access the international marketplace for the commissioning and distribution of multi-platform digital media content. These activities facilitate interaction between digital content executives and producers, providing opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them to learn from and meet key international stakeholders to pitch their projects, broaden their international business contact base, and gain knowledge from key international executives.

The International Multi-Platform Content Market effectively creates an international marketplace within Canada for the sale and distribution of digital media content.

Pitching Competitions

Content creators find development funding and production partners by pitching their projects in front of a slate of national and international digital content executives, who provided immediate feedback about projects. International digital content executives who are guests at the event will be asked to take part on the jury to elicit valuable feedback to the pitchers on their projects. The Pitching Competitions also provide great exposure to pitchers and provides the potential for having their projects move forward to the next level or even establish international collaborations and partnerships.

Keynotes

Keynote speakers provide an opportunity for industry veterans and visionaries to share their view of the marketplace through an analysis of their latest initiatives and ways of thinking. Keynotes are used to recruit the most senior executives to the event as well as set the tone for the day’s discussion.

Executive Downloads

Executive Downloads offer a series of shotgun presentations from key senior digital media executives that highlight emerging digital platforms and services that they provide.

Case Studies

nextMEDIA – FDC 2008 intends to profile case studies of innovative digital media properties from around the world. The Case Studies will allow delegates a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to take a leading digital property to market. Everything from production techniques to financing plans to business development strategy will be discussed in order to effectively dissect an anatomy of a hit.

Digital Delivery Briefings

Digital Delivery Briefings were developed from the highly successful Broadcaster Briefings at the Banff World Television Festival. These briefings are a one-stop show for the acquisition of multi-platform content and present a unique opportunity for delegates to listen to an international line-up of prominent multi-platform content aggregators.

Forty-minute sessions are arranged by emerging distribution platform. In 2008, nextMEDIA – FDC will be focusing on the following distribution platforms and inviting content acquisition and new business executives for each of the following distribution platforms: IPTV, TV, internet, on demand, digital out of home.

Examples of companies who did briefings at the 2007 event include Cineflix Productions, Astral Media, Sundance Channel, Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc, CBC/Radio-Canada, Channel 4 – UK, Corus Entertainment, Divx, Rights stuff BV, Bite Television Inc, Bell Canada, CTV Television, Atom Films, Yahoo! Canada.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussions at nextMEDIA – FDC 2008 will be used to bring a variety of stakeholders to the table to discuss a variety of key issues in the digital media industry. Due to the high degree of fragmentation in the industry, there remains a number of different stakeholders in the creation and deployment of any digital media property. Panel discussions provide an opportunity for these stakeholders to get together and discuss key issues. Potential panel topics Incude:

Interactive Exchange Sessions

Interactive Exchange Sessions offer an opportunity for producers to sit down one-on-one with digital content executives who are on the leading edge of interactive media to pitch ideas, download knowledge and cultivate relationships. They are a key reason why delegates come to nextMEDIA.

Meetings will be facilitated by first-come, first-served, online sign-ups at the nextMEDIA - FDC 2008 website, where delegates have the opportunity to book up to 3 meetings with the digital content executives of their choice. Our online sign-up tool has been extremely effective in leveling the playing field for interested delegates and spots generally fill up well before the start of the event.

Examples of companies represented by their digital media executives in 2007 include: Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc., Astral Media, MyThum Interactive Inc., MoboVivo Inc., Bite Television., Channel 4 UK., Bell Canada, Trapeze Media, Microsoft, The Canadian Press, Yahoo Canada, comScore Media Metrix, WE LUV, Right Stuff BV, Azureus, Inc., Divx, Trapeze Media, Corus Entertainment Inc., CTV, AtomFilms

Boot Camps and Workshops

Boot Camps and Workshops are intended to give nextMEDIA – FDC delegates a different type of learning experience at the conference. Delegates will sign up prior to the workshop and class sizes will be limited to thirty participants per hour-long session. The learning environment will be lead by an expert facilitator. Topics Include

Market Research Presentations

nextMEDIA – FDC 2008 will allow for the world’s leading digital media analysts and research institutions to share information about where the marketplace is heading. This qualitative and quantitative data will be presented in a series of shotgun-style presentations that will complement the program at nextMEDIA – FDC while providing vital market statistics and analysis. Topics Include:

Networking Opportunities
With the intimate atmosphere at the conference coupled with the fantastic location at the Fairmont Banff Springs, informal networking opportunities abound. Delegates will have access to the following networking and reception events: