Royal Television Society Yorkshire Awards 2010 - CALL FOR ENTRIES

RTS Yorkshire has announced details of the sixth annual awards to be held at The Queens, Leeds on Monday 14 June 2010. These Awards aim to recognise and promote high quality television and related digital media production in the Yorkshire Centre region and celebrate excellence amongst its production and technical crew. The Society is now calling for entries from broadcast, independent and new media companies working in the region.

This year's awards will continue to acknowledge the region as a major supplier of programmes to the international television industry and celebrate the past year as a great year for production in Yorkshire. The Society is calling for entries from broadcast, independent and new media companies working in the region. To qualify for entry, all submissions must have been broadcast or launched between 24 February 2009 and 1 March 2010. *Deadline for entries: 12 noon on Friday 16 April 2010.

For clarity, the Yorkshire Centre region is defined as the aggregated transmission areas of ITV Yorkshire and BBC Yorkshire and BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

For full details and conditions of entry, go to the RTS Website. All enquiries should be directed to Sue Pagdin: suep@rts.org.uk

THE STATE OF INDEPENDENCE - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS TODAY!

Codeworks GameHorizon and Game Republic in partnership with Screen Yorkshire present a unique one-day conference focusing on independent video games developer self-publishing, to take place at York Racecourse.

Guest speakers already confirmed include Charles Cecil, Managing Director of Revolution Software (who will be chairing the event), Ben Board, European Developer Account Manager Xbox, Ed Vaizey MP, Conservative Shadow Culture and Creative Industries Minister, Paul Farley, Managing Director, Tag Games, Joe Wee, Joint MD of Chillingo, Patrick O'Luanaigh , CEO of nDreams - with more big names to follow.

There has been a resurgence of the independent video games developer over the last two years with developers looking to self-publish via digital distribution routes to break from the traditional console value chain to gain more control of their IP and finances. Indies are asking how can they fund their own content, how to promote and market new content effectively on a small budget, and what are the best business models to maximise revenue.

Key areas to be covered at State of Independence will be:
• Different routes to market and new business models
• Funding your game - including access to investors
• Learning from current success stories
• Marketing your own games - including PR, viral marketing and customer service
• Networking with other games industry professionals

As well as giving developers a greater understanding of the brave new world of digital self-publishing and advice on how to succeed, State of Independence will be an ideal opportunity to network with other independents, investors and buyers, as well as unwind at the industry party.

Date: Thurs 8th April 2010
Location: York, Race course Gymcrack Suite (Ebor stand)
Start of Conference: 09.30am Thursday 8 April 2010
Finish of Conference: 5.30pm Thursday 8 April 2010
After Party: 6.30 - until late

A Super Early Bird discount starting at £75 is available until 16 March 2010 (today!!), with bigger discounts available to GameHorizon and Game Republic members.

Register online.

Creative Networks event - An audience with Sir John Hegarty

Another fab speaker is lined up for this months Creative Networks event on 25th March 2010:

Creative Networks is honoured that advertising legend, Sir John Hegarty, has agreed to speak at our March event, here in Yorkshire.

As Chairman & Worldwide Creative Director of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), where he presides over one of the most successful and creatively acclaimed agencies of all time, Sir John has been responsible for some of the most celebrated ad campaign’s – from the 1982 Levi's advert featuring the infamous Nick Kamen stripping off in the laundrette through to the more recent and blockbusting Lynx effect campaigns.

Hegarty who started out in advertising as a Junior Art Director at Benton and Bowles in 1965 and went on to develop an incredibly rich and illustrious career, was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award in the 2005 International Clio Awards and was knighted in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours.

An incredibly warm and generous speaker, Sir John, who was named "the Master of Creative Rebellion" by the Independent, will put forward ‘10 reasons why now is the best time to be in advertising’.

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Venue:
Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
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18.00 – 19.00 Hot food and registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 – 20.30 Sir John Hegarty
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

BBC Survey - Internet access is 'a fundamental right'

I thought this survey was pretty interesting due to the diverse countries included in the survey:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8548190.stm

The full PDF findings show some interesting stats not described in the article, for example 90% agree that the Internet is a good place to learn - showing that the market place is very ready for e-learning. Also 78% believe that the Internet gives them greater freedom - I wonder if this is a higher percentage than something like public transport would gain?

It is certainly easy to see why a survey like this highlights the importance of online communication and offers comparisons with other infrastructures such as roads and water.