Digital Media – Innovation Action Plan
Overview of innovation plans, subject to approval by the Innovation Technology Council. These plans will be delivered by the digital media policy lead at AWM, in conjunction with the Screen Image and Sound Cluster Plans.
Digital Media Strengths in the Region Games Production, Serious Games, Film, TV, Interactive Media, Music we will also be considering innovation in radio, animation and digital imaging
Priority Areas for Digital Media Immersive learning [games based learning and training] to meet the Skills and development needs of major public and private organisations Innovative content for current and future digital media platforms New applications of existing and emerging technologies
Digital Media – plan summary
We are currently seeking Innovation Technology Board approval for the following actions. If agreed then all digital media activity from the digital media innovation pillar will be measured against these over the next three years. DM1: Capacity Building within Digital Media Companies This action Includes creating projects that: Develop New production methods for digital media firms Increase R&D and the ability to innovate in smaller firms Develop the Skills of the existing workforce Encourage more new entrants of the right quality into the industry. Connect with actions in the Screen Image & Sound [SIS] cluster plan on profile building, business transformation and skills development. Connect with UKTI, Technology Strategy Board and other relevant plans DM2: Building Strong Digital Media Industry People Within HEIs This action includes creating projects that: Drive the private sector to invest in true industry expertise within HE. Build on good practice examples such as Birmingham University’s integrated professor Model [e.g., Prof Bob Stone has a commercial position on Serious Games in Military Applications]. Get HEIs to recognise that having a business facing person isn’t enough – true industry understanding and links to markets are essential. It is intended to fund this through private and HE monies rather than AWM monies. Connect with the SIS cluster plan, Technology Strategy Board Plans and others.
Prepared by davidfurmage@advantagewm.co.uk
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20Nov08
DM3: Building Commercial and Public Sector Technology Supply Chains This action includes creating projects that: Build commercial/public sector understanding of what Digital Media can offer and how new platform developments can benefit their operations, products and services. Identify key markets and applications that can be expanded and revolutionised through the application of Digital Media technologies, techniques and content. Identify key technology applications in local and national government, including disaster & urban planning, healthcare, education, military, construction, smart building technologies, culture and heritage etc. Encourage HEIs to work alongside commercial partners, industry and other funding streams to build cross-sectoral technology development that will generate actual sales. Link project activities into wider showcasing, marketing and UKTI activities Connect with new SIS cluster activities including ‘Digital Media Investment Readiness’, ‘Music Central’ and the ‘Music & Radio Innovation Centre’. Connect with Technology Strategy Board Plans and others.
DM4: Horizon Scanning, Expertise & Database Building This action includes creating projects that: Benchmark regional expertise and innovation against best in class/world Find specific regional USP’s, e.g., what is our USP in serious games/immersive learning? Map the emerging technologies and ‘hot spots’ on which the region should be focussing. Establish strategic technology partnerships and collaborations. Identify new markets and supply chains. Ensure that Hit Lab, Think & Do Tank, Channel 4 4IP and other projects play their part in building this knowledge base. Connect with the SIS cluster plan, Technology Strategy Board Plans and others.
Digital Media-update for ITC – actions so far
The actions currently taken against the innovation strategy are as follows: DM1: Capacity Building within Digital Media Companies Resources have been contracted by AWM to support the development of projects to deliver this action. Projects developed will connect with existing actions in the Screen Image & Sound [SIS] cluster plan on profile building, business transformation and skills development. DM2: Building Strong Digital Media Industry People Within HEIs Resources have been contracted by AWM to support the development of projects to deliver this action. Our solution will be based in part on the integrated professor model example of good practice at Birmingham University [e.g., Prof Bob Stone has a commercial position on Serious Games in Military Applications].
Prepared by davidfurmage@advantagewm.co.uk
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20Nov08
DM3: Building Commercial and Public Sector Technology Supply Chains Existing Projects include: Advantage Digital Media Fund. This £5m fund run by Screen WM will match to Channel 4’s 4IP Fund, ring fencing £10m for innovation within the region. We are actively seeking other major partners too. The Interactive Digital Media [IDM] Project is currently being redeveloped for a potential extension to September 2009. This will expand the range of proof of concept/demonstrators in the immersive learning/serious games space. Warwick Manufacturing Group’s Digital Laboratory is carrying out research in several areas related to digital media, including real-time virtual reality modelling and ‘soundscape’ engineering. New resources contracted by AWM will help develop the industry facing side of this project. Warwick Science Park’s Proof of Concept Fund and AWM’s Research & Development Grant Scheme are also relevant for delivering digital media innovation
Projects in development with additional AWM resources include: ‘Think & Do Tank’. This is a potential inter-disciplinary spin-off from Digital Lab, aimed at creating and exploiting new opportunities for digital media in areas such as transport, advanced materials and healthcare. Warwick University have just hired Lucy Hooberman [x Head of BBC Media Futures] to develop this further. Hit Lab. We are in discussions to secure the UK National Centre of this multidisciplinary research and development lab in the West Midlands. It will be industry led through blue chip subscriptions. ESPRC and TSB aware. The above two projects may yet morph into one.
These innovation activities connect with new SIS cluster projects including ‘Digital Media Investment Readiness’, ‘Screen Media A-Team Activities’, ‘Music Central’ ‘Music & Radio Innovation Centre’ and ‘Business Futures’. DM4: Horizon Scanning, Expertise & Database Building Resources have been contracted by AWM to support the development of projects to deliver this action. The following existing projects or actions are also relevant: IDM, Digital Media Fund, Channel 4 4IP, Think & Do Tank, Hit Lab, Digital laboratory, Screen WM’s Quarterly Industry Newsletter, all connect with this action. The National KTN for Creative Industries has just launched. The issue of regional hubs for this is being resolved at present.
Prepared by David Furmage 20 Nov 2008
Prepared by davidfurmage@advantagewm.co.uk
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20Nov08