The changing technological landscape has had an immense influence on the way the creative media industries deliver content to audiences. As content continues to shift from physical to digital formats the same evolution is also happening for sales channels, triggering the rise of new platforms and methods of distribution. What are the challenges in getting a market-ready creative work, regardless of the sector it comes from, through the existing and evolving distribution paths and to the...

Adam Caplan, OMDC Board of Directors

Jarrett Martineau, Creative Producer of new global music platform, record label, and artist collective Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and artist Leanne Betasomosake Simpson talk to Jesse Wente about their success breaking new ground connecting with audiences and broadening the reach of contemporary indigenous talent.

Every moment you spend online, you are participating in a massive global experiment. Before digital technology, producers needed to make sure their project was perfect - there was only one broadcast premiere, only one book launch. Today every interaction is an opportunity to learn more about your target market; best approaches to reach your audience, onboard, and engage them. Learn how Stitch Media launched a publishing platform for Together Tales and refined it using big data in their...

Thanks to advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), chatbots are exploding in popularity, and 2017 is the year for critical mass. Russ Ward explains why "talk to our chatbot" is the new "download our app" and how creatives can leverage this uniquely individual engagement experience to the fullest.

In a world where mixed realities are starting to take over entertainment and advertising, where do characters and mascots stand? Why does the audience like to interact with 3D mascots and holographic characters? In this conference, Elodie and Laurent will trace a portrait of the current situation, the innovation Neweb has developed with interactive mascots and holographic characters and the technology behind it.

It’s not enough to merely survive change; growth and evolution are necessities. Despite the rapidity and discontinuity of transitions you can take control to achieve professional excellence: adjust attitudes and behaviors, exceed limits, choose wisely, act on opportunities, and stay current.

Innovative Ontario entrepreneurs show you their wares - in 90 seconds or less.

Find out how equity crowdfunding, available in Ontario since early 2016, can help your company raise capital.

Our fast-evolving digital world creates new opportunities for storytellers and also give rise to new media consumption behaviours. Is storytelling changing in a fundamental way or are there simply more options available to storytellers? Are consumers preferring new forms of story experiences or merely engaging with a greater variety of story formats? What are crucial trends to be aware of? Hear the insights of industry leaders who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

The OMDC Digital Dialogue conference is an annual one-day January event presented by Ontario Media Development Corporation. The event brings together leaders from across six sectors - book publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, magazine publishing, and music - for a day of panels, pitches and conversations about what’s new and emerging in the marketplace and opportunities for collaboration. Throughout the year the conversation continues through the OMDC Digital Dialogue...

Drawing on the findings of his long-term international research study, Dr. Jeffrey Cole discusses how consumers use media, including the scope of user-generated and professionally-produced content, and its effect on traditional media content.

The market for augmented and virtual reality is anticipated to grow by 89%, to $16 billion globally in 2020. Content creators from across the sectors will speak about the challenges and successes they've had experimenting with this emerging form of content from financing and concept definition to development and marketing and distribution.

The market for augmented and virtual reality is anticipated to grow by 89%, to $16 billion globally in 2020. Content creators from across the sectors will speak about the challenges and successes they've had experimenting with this emerging form of content from financing and concept definition to development and marketing and distribution. Moderator: Nigel Newton, Consultant for AR Innovation & Strategy Panelists: Nyla Innuksuk, Owner & Producer, Pinnguaq Productions Inc.; Srinivas...

In a climate where it is becoming increasingly difficult to finance content, creators and producers must explore alternative ways to raise capital. Hear from content creators across the sectors about their successes and challenges engaging with new financing models and learn whether any of these models (which include crowdfunding, venture capital and angel investment) are right for your company. Moderator: Catherine Tait, President, Duoploy Panelists: Alex Jansen, Founder and Producer, Pop...

Data is a vital part of understanding consumer patterns. Creative content producers use data and analytics in vastly different ways to guide their product development, distribution, and marketing strategies. This panel looks at how three Ontario-based companies are using data and analytics to inform their product development, guide their marketing strategies, and ultimately, to understand their audience.

Tout ce que vous pensiez savoir concernant la négociation des droits, des droits d'auteur et des droits de licence a changé lorsque votre contenu a migré des distributeurs conventionnels vers les plates-formes de l'espace numérique. Venez écouter les personnes qui sont passées par là, qui ont effectué cette transition au sein du nouveau marché et qui ont une expérience de la négociation avec les diffuseurs, les sociétés spécialisées dans la technologie, les autres créateurs de contenu et les...

We took the Digital Dialogue Breakfast series on the road, and delivered the Let’s Make A Deal: Negotiating Rights, License Fees and Royalties for New Platforms session to an Ottawa audience. Everything you thought you knew about negotiating rights, royalties and license fees changed when your content moved from the traditional distributors across platforms to the digital space. Learn from those who have been there and done that in the new marketplace, with experience negotiating with...

Everything you thought you knew about negotiating rights, royalties and license fees changed when your content moved from the traditional distributors across platforms to the digital space. Learn from those who have been there and done that in the new marketplace, with experience negotiating with broadcasters, technology companies, other content creators and streaming services for screen-based, music and published content. Explore new revenue sources through collaboration. Moderators: Chris...

It’s 2015: how pervasive is gender bias in the creative media industries – and does it matter? Our panel discusses the issues and the findings of recently released and in-process research examining gender in the film and television, interactive digital media, music and publishing industries. Moderator: Sue Carter, Editor, Quill and Quire Panelists: Rachel Goldstein-Couto, Entertainment and Specialty Television, Bell Media Samantha Slattery, Women in Music Professional Association of...

Join our panelists from three established content creation companies to explore ways to add another layer to the media experience. We’ll be looking at strategies and tools for building additional content into products, the cost and how the marketplace is responding to these innovations. Moderator: Kim Gibson, Program Consultant - Interactive Digital Media, OMDC Panelists: Penny Caldwell, Cottage Life Media; Erin Mallory, House of Anansi; Blair Powers, Sinking Ship Entertainment

Data visualization is the art of visually communicating information - through informative, persuasive or artistic approaches to displaying patterns, relationships and trends in information. Compelling data visualizations can create powerful content experiences and help deliver key messages when communicating with stakeholders about your business. In this session, our presenters give examples from their recent work and offers tips and techniques for crafting effective visual stories with your...

What are your obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act? What do you need to do in providing customer service, the information and communication you provide to the public, and as an employer? A representative from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario explains. Panelists: Richard Cavanagh, CEO/Funding Officer, Broadcasting Accessibility Fund Alfred Spencer, Director, Outreach and Strategic Initiatives, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario

Companies across the creative media industries face common issues: how to attract and retain top talent, recruit for intermediate and junior positions, stay ahead of talent and training gaps, and do effective succession planning. In this Digital Dialogue Breakfast session experts in the field, including Diane Davy, Executive Director of WorkInCulture, discuss the issues and answer audience questions. Panel: Sandy Lee, Toronto International Film Festival; Diane Davy, WorkInCulture; Lisa...

The market for creative media product is global; when trying to reach consumers outside Canada you may encounter different business models and technology as well as cultural differences. What do you need to know when selling in foreign territories? Panellists share their experiences selling to the US and other international markets: strategies for success and lessons learned. Moderator: Kim Gibson, OMDC Panel: Rob Segal, Get Set Games; Ryan St. Peters, Shaftesbury & Smokebomb; Peter...