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Industry Specialists help Scotland go Interactive
19/02/2010

A team of leading industry experts has been appointed to deliver the specialist business growth and advisory support services that will drive the new ambitious Interactive Scotland initiative.

The newly launched project, which supports the industry strategy to double the growth of Scotland's £3.6 billion digital media sector, will be led by Innovation Centres Scotland (ICS) in partnership with New Media Partners (nmp).

Appointed by Scottish Enterprise, the ICS - nmp partnership has a proven track record of delivering novel business growth support for innovative technology and digital media companies.

ICS, who will take the lead delivery role, successfully managed Wireless Innovation the Scotland's national initiative to support the growth of Wireless and Mobile Technologies, supporting some of Scotland's most successful young technology businesses.

Strong industry links developed as part of the Wireless Innovation project with global companies in the mobile and digital market place, including Nokia, STV, BBC, Channel 4, Orange, Google, Microsoft and Qualcomm will be leveraged by ICS to ensure the success of Interactive Scotland.

ICS also manages Hillington Park Innovation Centre and Alba Innovation Centre, two of Scotland's leading technology business incubation hubs, both of which were awarded UKBI's Inspire Best Practice Accreditation last year, earning it the reputation of Scotland's premier business growth and advisory organisation.

nmp, with offices in Glasgow, London and Manchester is a UK leader in the field of strategic research and analysis, skills development and mentoring for the creative and digital media sector.

The company has an unrivalled reputation for championing change, maximising growth and enhancing return on investment bringing business leaders, technologists and creative people together to build success. It includes Sony, Nokia, BBC and Channel 4 amongst its clients.

nmp's experience spans feasibility studies for the BBC's Salford project, Pacific Quay's Digital Media Quarter, Sonys Digital Media Asset Management Centre, Digital City in the North East, and many more. In addition, nmp has helped several independent companies to attract and raise investment.

The three year Interactive Scotland programme has been created in response to 'Digital Inspiration', the recently published ambitious and comprehensive nine point strategy setting out what is required to deliver a step change in the development Scotland's digital media industry.

The ICS- nmp partnership will provide:

  • tailored, in-depth marketing research and intelligence based on industry contacts and latest market sources

  • expertise in the areas of concept, feasibility, validation and development to take ideas to market

  • expert advice to shape business models and appropriate routes to market

  • access to an unrivalled network of international partner contacts for commercial sales opportunities, specialist funding, technical diligence, product development and market intelligence.

Tom Ogilvie, CEO, of ICS said:"This is the age of digital media which is transforming the way we work and live at a phenomenal pace. Interactive Scotland is an exciting initiative and I am delighted we have been given this tremendous opportunity to build upon what we achieved in delivering the national Wireless Innovation project. Together with nmp we will make our considerable expertise in market knowledge and practical business support available to the sector across Scotland to help it achieve its growth potential. The initiative is a key plank in the Scottish Government's strategy for sustainable economic growth, an aim we share and are committed to helping deliver."

Scotland currently has 500 digital media companies and 800 ICT businesses operating in a global entertainment and media industry worth $1.6 trillion in 2007 and predicted to grow at a rate of 7% until 2012.



Url: www.interactivescotland.com