Media & Entertainment
the future of Virtual Lifestyle
Much of today's media is dominated by sports - including football, athletics, cricket, volleyball, motocross, horse-racing, snooker and golf. Entire broadcasting, advertising, media and gaming industries rely on it. They feed off the passion it arouses within ordinary people. Players are traded as commodities as part of multi-million deals, while their intimate moments are the subject of popular envy and public press scrutiny. Perhaps, one day, all this and more will feed off the virtual gaming industry too. In the meantime, some musicians are composing songs for first release in computer games and video producers are using gaming technology to design real-world TV sets, interaction scenarios for mobile phones and prepare shotlists before shooting a movie. Are we at risk if these virtual and real-world lifestyles are interacting so closely? Where do social media like blogs fit in? Ultimately, the convergence of gaming and broadcast is not just a new medium but a whole new world.
Session 1, May 3, afternoon
Marc Canter, CEO and visionary, Broadband Mechanics
Lifestyle Leadership
Both the music and film business is having to take on the reality that they can no longer be followers. They must now grasp destiny in their own hands, or give the future away to Apple and Microsoft. For the new breed of publishers, using blogs and podcasts. there are no real risks, only opportunities. Lifestyle will always remain the driver these industries. Canter rejects long-term scenarios - he prefers real world solutions bridging now and the next five years.
Risk: Asia's Winning Card
South Korea hopes to become the gaming capital of the world. Bangalore is becoming a leading software development hub. Goodness knows what exactly China is becoming, but already the mobile market in China is the world's largest. Has this happened because Asia countries are willing to take risks by nature? Or is their business culture fundamentally different from the rest? Yet while some countries are willing to take risks in the IT business, their media remain very closed and conservative - by some "Western" standards. What are some of the scenarios for the preferred futures for media and entertainment in Asia, home to 2/3rds of the world's population? We also know that groups that isolate themselves from the rest of society quickly radicalize. What does media need to do to keep them in the conversation?
Session 2, May 4, morning
Eccky - the world's first virtual child
"Eccky is the world's first virtual child that can be raised by two persons via the MSN Messenger chat and game environment. In the game, which lasts for six days, Eccky grows up from a babbling baby into an eighteen-year-old adult with its own character. Every Eccky is unique and is based on the looks and personal characteristics of both the parents. Parents can chat and play with their virtual child. Parents can purchase food and clothing as well.
Unique in many ways, Eccky combines the need for social networking with new & popular digital channels such as MSN Messenger, state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence and the growing popularity of games."
It's still your audience who decides...
In this world of innovation and technology, there still is only one big boss. Their names are not Larry Page or Steve Jobs but Mr. & Mrs. Average although they probably have different names depending on their appropriate parallel identity. MTV Networks innovates from deduction of what drives the audience(s) of her channels. One of the challenges is growing in a market where the major players are obstructing development. Broadcasters, Music companies and distribution companies are reluctant to take risks. When is the tipping point?
Catalysts
Trend Watcher
University Partners
Philosopher
Psychologist
Knowledge Stream Leader
