[SPEAKER] Arkadium's Daniel Sennet on "Finance for Independent Game Developers"

Name:  Daniel Sennet

Organization: Arkadium: a top game development studio in New York City.  With the world’s largest Flash game library for every imaginable genre, Arkadium reaches over 9 million unique users each month with casual, mobile, social, and Windows 8 games. Distributing to Facebook CNN, MSN, Discovery, HSN, Lifetime, ESPN, and AARP, the company also has offices in Simferopol, Ukraine and Toronto, Canada.

Title: Director of Operations

Bio: Daniel Sennet joined Arkadium in 2006 as the Business Manager responsible for overseeing all administrative, finance, and Human Resource functions.  Daniel has years of experience as a Brand Manager at Capital One Financial, and as an Operations Analyst at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

Website link: www.arkadium.com

TOPIC: Finance for Independent Game Developers

What are the options for financing your game? Is there any venture capital around?  How does the OMDC help? What’s an angle investor? What about SR&ED tax credits? Listen to a panel of successful and experienced independent game developers and service providers as they describe the options for financing a game in the current development climate. Learn about what works and what doesn’t.

Want to hear what Daniel and our other speakers have to say on November 14th? Registration for DIG is now open! Register for the event with Early Bird pricing here.

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The Power of the Pin: Elevate Your Brand Using Shared Images

Trisha Beausaert

Pinterest for business: Two things that only recently have been considered in a sentence together. However, we know with full certainty that the result of such collaboration will be something quite wonderful, and until recently, unexpectedly successful.

For those who have yet to experience and understand Pinterest, transitioning a website based on pictures into a networking and marketing opportunity may not seem as ludicrous as it would to those who already use the site. Originally used for simple picture sharing of “lovely things” between individuals, Pinterest has the quality of something rather trivial and frivolous. The truth is, this “pretty site” is a remarkable, untapped communications resource. Pinterest can be leveraged to be a powerful marketing and advertising machine, if used correctly, for digital interactive and gaming companies, just as Real Simple, Time Magazine, and Mashable have successfully done for their brands via boards on Pinterest.

Launched March 2010, Pinterest is a free, virtual pin board where users around the world connect through the sharing of appealing pictures of DIY projects, recipes, products, inspirational quotes, places to visit, clothing, movies, etc. On Pinterest, stories are told by the sharing of fragments of other stories, represented by images on seemingly never-ending pages to create a personal “board.” The boards join all of the selected fragments to create a representation of the person or brand responsible for the search and pinning of those pictures.

Making up 80% of the site’s user population, with the highest percentage in the 25 to 34 age group, women are the largest audience on the site. Despite the overwhelming representation of female users- the undisputed driving force behind the majority of the country’s consumption patterns- the number of men using the site continues to steadily climb as stats have shown increased traffic for images of expensive import cars and motorbikes, funny videos, and video game paraphernalia . Only 2 years after the site’s launch, Pinterest now gets 21 million unique visitors, and was ranked above Google Plus on Hitwise Social Networking and Forums. Touted as “online, word-of-mouth marketing,” Pinterest is quickly moving away from the personal, and into the professional as marketers and companies begin to realize the value of the image-driven site.

Brand loyalty can be built and recommended to millions of users through the sharing of images, links, blogs, and videos that a web and game company, itself, finds interesting and decides to represent itself with. An entire brand can be easily and inexpensively elevated from the traditional logo and tagline to an experience and representation of a lifestyle the company aligns itself and its products with through the pins added to boards. “Pinning” takes the advertising goals of an entire business to a level that had marketing teams labouring after- with minimal results- only a few years ago.

Recognizing the potential in using Pinterest to leverage the marketing processes of a game and web company is the first step. Creating an account and building boards that will actually appeal to your company’s target audience is the next one. Currently, the only way to sign up for Pinterest is to request an invite. After approximately a week, access will be granted, and the account and its subsequent boards can start to be built up by following “pinners” and beginning the process of pinning images and organizing them by determined categories on the appropriately, and often cleverly, named boards.

When using Pinterest to market your company, there is more to it than just uploading your catalogue to boards. Pinners- your audience- are turned off by such blatant self-promotion. Rather, the goal is to attract followers through images that speak of your company’s culture, hobbies, interests, and lifestyle. Focusing on relatable and appealing pins, instead of just pictures of your finished projects, will generate more interest, as well as a kind of relationship with your customers that is often overlooked; you’re getting friendly. Much the same way an “outside-of-work-activity” does wonders to build bonds and loyalty while networking with new clients or partners, pinning pictures and links that build interest beyond the company’s explicit activities pulls in a more understanding and devoted base. 

 Think outside the box when deciding what to pin. Pin links to your company’s blog, or to blogs that your co-workers find interesting, or even to sites that mention and support your brand; Pinterest also allows for simultaneous cross-promotion. A company can also upload pictures of the workspace with a “day in the life” theme, and show a side of the business that very few customers ever get to see. Snap teaser pictures of projects in the works to generate buzz, or dig up vintage products from the company’s earlier years. Find recipes that your team enjoys, or create a board based entirely on pictures that inspire the next campaign and the company’s goals, Oprah-style. Allow followers to pin to your boards, engage casual conversations via the comments under pictures, and add a “Pin It” tab to your company’s site right beside the Twitter and Facebook ones. As well, building on communications-awareness, it has been shown (via “marketing pins” on Pinterest, ironically enough) that one of the best times to pin during the work week are between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Thursdays. However, be sure to allow team members access during off-hours to pin more non-work-related things to build up the open and friendly image that is being constructed by the brand.

It seems that we are constantly chasing “the next big thing” when it comes to internet trends, but if Twitter and Facebook have taught us anything, it is that to overlook and dismiss up and coming social media that proves to have exceptional potential- with the stats to back it up- would be a big, professional mistake. Every day, Pinterest is proving itself to be a marketing expert’s dream come true as more and more international brands acknowledge the power of the pin. It’s time to request that Pinterest invite.

Happy Pinning!

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[KEYNOTE] Don Daglow, Daglow Entertainment

 

Name: Don Daglow

Organization: Daglow Entertainment 

Title: President and Creative Director 

Bio: Don Daglow's career in game design began in 1971 (before Pong), and he has been designing online titles since 1987 (before the Internet). He is the only executive in the history of the games industry to lead development teams on every generation of video game consoles.  His work was selected for an Emmy® Award for Technology and Engineering in 2008 for his creation of Neverwinter Nights, the first graphical MMORPG. He also received the CGE Award in 2003 for "groundbreaking achievements that shaped the Video Game Industry."

Website: http://www.daglowentertainment.com/

Want to hear what Don and our other speakers have to say on November 14th? Registration for DIG is now open! Register for the event with Early Bird pricing here.

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The DIG Logo Through the Years [Infographic]

DIG London started off as an idea with the objective to seize an existing opportunity to build capacity for the continued growth and long-term success of the digital media industry in the London region.

5 years later, DIG has grown to not only encapsulate our gaming cluster but to also include our flourishing web development industry.

The attendee list has grown, our speaker selection has improved and so has our logo. 

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Katie Wilhelm is a Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the London Economic Development Corporation. She enjoys singing and can play the piano, trombone, clarinet and the alto saxophone. Follow her on twitter today: @KatieWilhelm

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[KEYNOTE] Jonathan Snook and Brian Garside, DIG Web Stream

                                             

Introducing Keynote Speakers for DIG! 

Name: Jonathan Snook

Organization: Shopify

Title: Designer

Bio: Jonathan Snook writes about tips, tricks and bookmarks on his blog. He has also written for A List Apart, 24ways, and .net magazine, and co-authored two books, The Art and Science of CSS and Accelerated DOM Scripting. Most recently, Snook has written the book, Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS, sharing his experience and best practices on CSS architecture. Jonathan currently works as a Design Lead at Shopify.

Twitter handle: @snookca

Website: http://snook.ca

Name: Brian Garside

Organization: Info-Tech Research Group

Bio: Brian Garside has more than 15 years in web design, user experience, and video production.

At the Info-Tech Research Group, he is responsible for user experience on the web, and manages the New Initiatives team, ensuring that all new web development adheres to the standards, principles, and processes his team has created.

Prior to Info-Tech, Brian helped build the early web presences of many of Canada's largest media companies including TSN, The Food Network, HGTV, Showcase, and Life Network.

In 2007, he moved from Toronto back to his home town of London, Ont., and is involved in the small business and technology communities there. Today, Brian is part of the team that runs the online small business invoicing system BalanceDo. He is also a co-founder of Canada's online comics superstore All New Comics.

Twitter handle: @briangarside

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5 Networking Events to Prep You for DIG on November 14, 2012

The Countdown Begins Until the Fun Starts at DIG 2012

To further prepare you for the awesomeness that you will experience at the Digital Interactive and Gaming Conference, we at the DIG headquarters have put together a short list of 5 networking events to attend before November 14, 2012.

This year’s DIG Conference is just under 3 months away and we are getting excited. Registration for this year’s conference is open! Early bird passes are available before October 14, 2012 and you know what they say, the early bid gets the discount.

Here are some local events to tide you over and help you to meet some new friends to bring with you to DIG 2012!

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London Creative Network – Quarterly Meet-up
LONDON – Various Venues

If I told you that there is a large group of people who are creative, like you, and gather quarterly to eat, drink and network would you come with me? Get social the old way!  The London Creative Network is an organization of London's creative industry including graphic designers, web developers, photographers, writers, marketers, printers, account managers and everyone else in the creative industry.  The LCN hosts a quarterly event where all are welcome to "hang-out, catch-up with friends and meet new people, all without agenda leaving attitudes at the door for a great night out."

Find a friend to accompany you to DIG? LondonCreative.net

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Geek Dinner – Monthy Meet-up
LONDON – Various Venues

If you have a blog, podcast or anything else involved with the Internets then Geek Dinner is for you. If you are interested in getting engaged with the social media community in London, Ontario then Geek Dinner is for you too. The monthly event’s motto “No seminars, no keynotes, no speakers, just people of similar interests getting together for some food, drinks, and conversation.” Geek Dinners are hosted in various Downtown restaurants and always have free wi-fi, so netbooks, laptops, and gadgets are welcome. *YES!*

Want to get in on the next meet up? Meetup.com/LondonSocialMedia

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Project Play – September 16, 2012
LONDON – Fanshawe College Student Centre

Have you always wanted to attend E3 but never got your chance? On September 16, 2012 unite with local video gamers, magic and RPG players, cosplayers and enthusiasts at Southwestern Ontario’s largest hands-on gaming event: Project Play!

This is your chance to get ready for DIGX at the networked gaming competitions, put on your costume skills in the cosplay competition or show off your creative flair in the digital art gallery.

Project Play is also a fundraiser, with every dollar raised being used to purchase gaming bundles for community organizations in London and the surrounding area. That’s a gaming event that we can stand behind!

PSST! We hear that Sony is bringing their promotional tractor trailer to ProjectPlay, filled with your favourite titles for the Play Station 3 and Play Station Vita!

Learn more at ProjectPlay.ca

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Fluxible – September 22-23, 2012
KITCHENER - Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts & The Tannery and Communitech Hub

Fluxible is the User Experience event to go to before DIG! Get warmed up with 2 days with some of the world’s top User Experience pros in a format that mixes hands-on workshops with informative presentations and plenty of chances to make new friends over great food and drinks. Register today using the code DIGLONDON to receive $200 off your ticket! Is that a great deal or what!?

Learn more and register at Fluxible.ca

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Digi Fest  – October 18-20, 2012
TORONTO – Corus Quay

Digifest is Toronto’s international festival celebrating innovation and digital creativity. Similar to DIG, emerging and seasoned designers, technicians and artists come together to experience firsthand what the digital industry in Canada has to offer. Digifest educates attendees on the latest interactive & mobile media, gaming, art and design, architecture, simulation and more!

Interested? Check out: torontodigifest.ca

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London, Ontario, Canada is full of professionals just like you who are looking to network, learn, explore and connect with colleagues and new contacts. Our creative cultural city is working together every day in new ways to incubate our industry, as a result a plethora of networking events abound right around the corner from your workplace.

DIG welcomes you and all your new friends to the conference of the year happening right here in a place where we can feel proud to live, learn, work and play. See you on November 14^th!

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Katie Wilhelm is a Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the London Economic Development Corporation. Her favourite game of all time is Shining Force II for the Sega Genesis. Follow her on twitter today: @KatieWilhelm

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Fresh to Death: Matchbox Pictures’ Devil Seed and Content Creation in London, ON

Trisha Beausaert

 Let’s talk creativity. More explicitly, let’s talk content creation. Shall we go even further? Content creation in London, Ontario. Of the significant industries that London boasts, the Content Creation industry (which includes Digital Media/Information & Communications Technology) is one that is gaining global attention. London is making itself known for content creation in many modalities: Film, television and broadcasting, video game production, web development, print media, and art. With the recent release of Devil Seed, a horror film produced and directed by London-based production company, Matchbox Pictures, the quality and world-class products of content creation companies is expanding the reach of London into the global markets. 

Finding itself at the top of itunes Canada downloads, and edging out Hollywood horror blockbuster, Devil Seed’s success is an indication of the quality products London’s creative industries can offer. “The creative industry here is incredible, it’s striving, and it is only getting better,” states Brittany Medeiros, Coordinator of the onEdge (Emerging Digital Gaming Enterprises) Network. “London is starting to make its mark on the creative world, and people are starting to acknowledge it.” With local brands and projects becoming major players on the world stage, London’s creative market is being identified as fresh and accessible.

 

Gary Elmer, in charge of Production and Development at Matchbox Pictures and producer of Devil Seed, explains that the company has shot television and movies locally, nationally, and internationally. Devil Seed was filmed, edited, and produced entirely in London using a team made up exclusively of London talent. According to Elmer, “London excels at providing a company with everything that is needed on a daily basis for a fraction of the combined costs of a larger center, and the things that it does not have, like specialized equipment, can be brought in as needed.” Elmer also reveals the Devil Seed shoot to be “one of the best shoots [they] have ever been on,” and he maintains that “it is a great business decision to produce here.” When asked about why the production company works out of London, Ontario, Elmer responded: “it has always been a pleasure to shoot in London. The paperwork required to do things is one quarter of what it would be in Toronto. The City departments are agile, friendly, and professional. Local businesses have been extraordinary in their support and we have an excellent base of local talent here.” 

The local talent alone is one of the driving forces behind this expanding industry in the city. Two post-secondary institutions, Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario, turn out educated and savvy professionals every year  who support the content creator companies established in the city. The London Economic Development Corporation’s Larry MacKinnon, reasons, “having an engaged community breeds growth- having a great college and university builds exceptional talent.” The mix of new talent and reputable business practices elevates the content creation industry as it grows and becomes more advanced and profitable. MacKinnon also notes that “our creative future looks prosperous as London is being embraced by its populace as a creative, cultural city, with independent business groups constantly being created.” 

The DIG conference is another example of the increasing prevalence of content creators. Representing game and web development companies across the country, content creators gather in downtown London to present and discuss new products, attitudes, and ideas as the industry continues to evolve. As well, the local students who attend the event have access to school representatives and recruiters, which expands and develops the content creation machine in London even further.  Just as Matchbox Picture’s Elmer puts it, “there is freshness . . . here, [in London].”

The low costs associated with producing content here, coupled with sophisticated and innovative talent and access to resources within and just outside the city, all contribute to the high-end nature of the products being generated for global consumption. With studios for every type of content creation imaginable flocking to London, and the success of such companies being recognized internationally, such as Matchbox Pictures' Devil Seed and Digital Extremes' entire game portfolio (see DIG’s profile on Digital Extreme’s office space, here), it is indeed a great business decision to produce creative content in the Forest City. 

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