Digital Mission Blog
The Digital Mission series is run by Chinwag to support UK-based digital companies expand into new markets and attract overseas investment.
Help Build Megalist of British Panels Submitted to SXSW
Can it really be that time of year already? The PanelPicker for South by South West Interactive (SXSW), the annual mass-gathering of digital types in Austin, Texas is open for votes and we're building a list of all the panels submitted from the UK.
The lengthy journey to Austin hasn't deterred an increasing numbers of Brits from making the trek, with initiatives like the Digital Mission to SXSW organised by Chinwag, which involved nearly 100 companies this year mixing with over 14,000 delegates from the US and beyond.
There's hot competition to speak at SXSW with thousands of panels submitted to the infamous semi-democratic PanelPicker process which allows the public to vote and comment on submissions. Whilst votes don't guarantee a panel will be selected, it does contribute towards the decision, with the advisory board and the SXSW team making the final call.
Still, with 450 panel sessions over the four day event provides plenty of opportunity, so for those lucky enough to get through, it's time to garner the public vote and start pimping those panels.
Last year over 60 panels were submitted from the UK, which we gathered together into one big easy referenced list. And we're planning to do the same again. To make sure no-one gets missed out, we've put together a simple form to fill out.
If you're from the UK and one of your panels has made it through, let us know and we'll publish it in a few days:
// Submit a Brit Panel on the SXSW Interactive PanelPicker
N.B. This is for Interactive panels only.
To keep up-to-date with news about the Digital Mission to SXSW and other overseas trade opportunities, sign-up to the Digital Mission newsletter, or follow the shenanigans via Twitter.
Photo (cc) Sam Michel.
UKTI Tokyo Games Mission Application Deadline Extended to Friday
After lots of requests, we've managed to get The deadline for the UKTI mission to the Tokyo Games Show extended until this Friday, the 6th August.
The trip which includes industry briefings and round table sessions with experts from the Japanese games industry including leading games magazine publisher, Enterbrain also features a reception at the British Embassy.
The invite list reads like a who's who of the games world including: Bandai Namco, Konami, Sony Computer Entertainment, Capcom, Koei, Sharp, Softbank, Toei Animation, Genius Sonority, G-mode, International Games Developers Association (IGDA), Kodansha amongst many others.
The application form is pretty painless, providing the chance to think about what your company wants from the mission to Japan, and to get feedback from the UKTI team in Tokyo.
Although the deadline has been moved back, this is also the deadline for inclusion in the Tokyo Games Show printed material, so if you're planning to go, it's best to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure this coverage.
Click on the subtle 'Apply Button' to complete the form. To get an idea of what the form looks like there's also a PDF version to peruse.
The deadline is Friday, 6th August 2010.
Photo (cc) VideogameVisionary.com.
Win Stand Space at Mobile World Congress 2011
It's like a never-ending stream of free stuff round here at the moment. First the Hubbub competition, next up Shell LiveWIRE for young entrepreneurs and now the chance for a mobile SME to score some high-profile stand space at Mobile World Congress.
The Digital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network (DCKTN) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) are running a competition for lucky UK-based SMEs with an innovative new mobile or wireless solution or product to showcase their wares.
The UKTI stand will be located on the Avenida at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona from 14 - 17 Feb 2011 and offers amazing chance to target more than 60,000 key industry decision makers that are expected to attend.
Entering the competition is very simple, just summarise in no more than 500 words:
- the nature of your new solution or product
- its value proposition and benefit to the customer
- and why you believe your company should be awarded a place to showcase it at next year’s Mobile World Congress.
Summaries should be sent to info
dcktn [dot] org [dot] uk and arrive no later than 5:00pm on Friday, 3 Sep 2010.
Photo (cc) James Nash.
Japanese Games Mag Publisher, Enterbrain Joins Japan Games Mission
There's still time to get an application in for the UKTI Mission to Tokyo Games Show designed specifically for UK-based games companies targeting the Japanese market with a detailed insight into the challenges of working in Japan, and highlighting the opportunities available.
The team in Tokyo have confirmed that Enterbrain (Wikipedia entry) who publish Weekly Famitsu, Famitsu Xbox360, Famitsu PSP+PS3, Famitsu DS+Wii as well as compiling retail games charts will be attending the roundtable session and the British Embassy reception.
This invite list for the event includes Bandai Namco, Konami, Sony Computer Entertainment, Capcom, Koei, Sharp, Softbank, Toei Animation, Genius Sonority, G-mode, International Games Developers Association (IGDA), Kodansha amongst many others.
For more information about the trip, check out the information on the website. The application process includes a conference call with the team in Japan with the deadline looming (Fri, 30th July - although the form will be open over the weekend), make sure to complete your application quick smart.
Photo (cc) kanegen.
UKTI Announces Tokyo Games Show Mission
Organised by UK Trade & Investment's Japan experts, the mission to the Tokyo Games Show (TGS) will include expert briefings, company visits, British Embassy reception, networking events as well as the stand space, meeting room access and delegate access to the Tokyo Games Show.
The Tokyo Games Show is Japan’s main annual computer games convention, which last year saw 185,000 visitors and over 180 exhibitors (including 92 from overseas). TGS 2010 is expected to have more visitors this year with an even more international focus.
The mission is focused on the broad spectrum of ganes companies including those involved traditional games development companies as well as social gaming, mobile gaming and serious games.
The programme is designed to help companies who are new or have limited experience of the Japanese games market providing a detailed insight into the challenges of working in Japan, and highlighting the opportunities available.
The application process includes a call with the team in Tokyo, which in itself will provide insight into the market. There are a limited number of spaces, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline is next Fri (30th July).
Picture (cc) kanegen.
