The Original Sims

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Starting today, I’m doing some voluntary work for the Digital Content Industries Group in Northern Ireland.  The Facilitator’s job has been advertised and until we make an appointment, I’m doing some of the donkey work which is great.  Shortly we will be re-named Digital Circle and launch the web site.  It’s more a manifesto published online rather than a full interactive web site.  But once we get going properly, I can see fantastic potential.

The best thing about it being voluntary is that when the sun comes out, I can escape to the garden in good conscience!

I don’t normally write about the BBC - it is my employer and it’s best to keep comments in-house in any organisation. But I’ll make an exception on this occasion.  There was never any doubt that iPlayer would be taken to the nation’s heart in quick time. I expect there is plenty of research predicting the take up in the Corporation (we BBC people tend to call it that - 4 syllables rather than 3 - that’s the way we are).  But did we expect it to be taken up so quickly?  Possibly. I don’t know.

I’m on both sides on iPlayer.  I use it – frequently – and more often the streaming rather than  download.  I don’t think I’ve downloaded anything since the streaming system started.  I’m also involved (in a very minor way) in putting programme onto iPlayer and getting feedback from the audience.  What has surprised me is the speed and number of emails I get when a programme is not almost immediately available.  (It does take time, people.  It’s mainly automated, but it still takes time.)

Now the ISPs are complaining. There is a very interesting article here. 

But this is only the beginning.  iPlayer will be joined by Kangaroo.  You already have Joost, Bablegum and others on the horizon.  There is no question that better connections will attract richer (bigger) content which should drive even better connections.

I’ve written a couple of times about the Re-branding Belfast exercise.  It’s a most pleasant affair. People from Belfast City Council work really hard at developing the new Belfast Brand then a group of us (apparently I’m an “opinion leader” these days) get together, eat excellent food and give our opinion on the branding/ logo etc.

This morning we agreed on the new proposed logo for Belfast.  Once – and let’s face it not so long ago - the Belfast Brand was destruction, terrorism, vandalism and violence.  The new slightly cuddly and “edgy” heart on the side shaped “b” is very different and does need some getting used to.  However as one person on my table pointed out, this is the only time you see the logo in isolation; the logo is part of the total branding.

So the slogan isn’t quite "b there or b square" but it’s a big improvement on anything in the past and an improvement on the past.

At the final meeting of the “Reference Group” three possible Brands or Logos were put out for discussion and final decisions.  While I’ve never been told that the Reference Group were bound by Chatham House Rules or by a confidentially agreement, I think it would be wrong to be indiscreet. So I won’t be (even though on my Mobile I have a photo of the likely new logo).

The Reference Group is a sort of well informed (and very well fed) focus group.  It is composed of people from Business, Politics, Media and so on.  We were given three tested logos to review and asked to come up with some ideas about launching the new Belfast Brand.  One was rather futuristic (that was the one that I liked), one was a block typeface mess and the final one was warm and cuddly.  That was the most popular among “Locals” and “Potential Visitors”.

I made a quick presentation on behalf of “The Media” – it amazing how quiet mejia people become when asked to present.  So it was a quick commitment of sorts from us and off to get the train home.  Did suggest loudly to the Lord Mayor that he could give me a lift and drop me off on his way home in his chauffer driven car (he lives a five minute walk from me).  But he didn’t take the hint.

Anyway – I have what is likely to be the basis of the final version of the new Brand for Belfast on my mobile.  Stop me and ask and I’ll show you.

At the beginning of the 20th century - 108 years and 30 days ago - Belfast was a world economic power. It was a century of unparalleled growth, of technology, of invention. And Belfast was a leading player at the beginning of a technological century.

On this day 100 years ago, in this city, almost on this very spot was the

• world’s biggest dry dock.
• Belfast had the world’s biggest Rope Works, (just half a mile from where we are now)
• It built the biggest ships,
• it had the worlds biggest cigarette factory within walking distance from this room
• and the biggest fizzy drinks producer.

Belfast was a glorious example of the industrial revolution - and it’s products were distributed across the world.

• But the world’s biggest passenger liner sank - on her maiden voyage.
• Ship building moved from the Lagan - and the Clyde - to the Far East where even bigger ships costing less could be built.
• The demand for rope declined as the need for rigging disappeared.
• The Cantrell and Cochrane label was replaced by Pepsi and Coke in the world of fizzy drinks.
• And in the mid 1950s it was discovered that cigarettes were not the health giving cure-all that people had been led to believe.

In the closing days of the 20th century Belfast was known less for industry and more for civil unrest.
Yet new and emerging businesses here have Titanic ambitions for our Titanic Quarter.

100 years ago Belfast’s industry was based on gathering and manipulating Atoms and exporting them around the world. Today is indented to be no less than a turning point where we look to the future and begin to build industry based on the manipulation of Digits - not Atoms.
And not just Belfast, but all of Northern Ireland. Already much work has been done in this city and out side. One of the exhibitors this evening Dark Water is from Derry. Dermot Cavana is from the Moy. Did you ever think that the Moy would be at the beginning of Northern Ireland’s digital revolution. Today is about digital Progress for all of Northern Ireland.

This evening we will hear from leading thinkers and practitioners. You can see the work carried out through the Digital Content Initiative. And there is the important opportunity to begin to create your own networks.

We can’t foretell the future, but we can guess one thing at least; Future success will be based on co-operation collaboration and partnerships.

Digital Media

The buzz at the end of the evening was fantastic as several dozen hung back for a drink.  The climax was a 45 minute speech/talk/conversation with Doug Richard.  After the final Q&A with the other speakers Tom Loosemore, Emma Somerville and PR Smyth there was a palpable enthusiasm. 

My job was mainly to keep the show rolling as MC and chief time keeper.  This was probably the biggest gathering of people involved in digital media in Northern Ireland.  We are certin it will not be the last.

Next steps - following the publication of the Invest Northern Ireland Digital Content Strategy and the formation of the Digital Industries Group

The long awaited Digital Content Strategy for Northern Ireland was launched yesterday by Invest Northern Ireland.  They have been leading the development for over a year.  I came onboard more recently as a member of the Industry Advisory Panel under the chairmanship of Adrian Lennon.

There is a real feeling of progress now.  Ministerial backing from Nigel Dodds and Invest Northern Ireland is bringing a ring of reality to much of the talking and planning of the last year. 

The launch of the strategy morphed into a planning meeting for the Broadband Content Opportunity event on 30 January at the Science Park which I am MCing.  This is a good start to a new year where we will be looking forward hopefully and expectantly rather than backwards.

Belfast Telegraph report

Irish News report

Independent Media

Who Dares Wins? TV’s indies did. But now they’ve met their Waterloo (Road). As the big fish eat the small fry, the pool of independent production companies is shrinking.

Media Guardian

BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch is to take charge of the News Corp operation on two continents as part of major management changes.