Scottish digital media companies encouraged to innovate and grow with Interactive Scotland
- 16 February 2010
Interactive Scotland, a new service from Scottish Enterprise designed to stimulate growth and innovation in Scotland’s digital media sector, launches today. Scottish digital media companies now have access to a unique support network, helping them develop new business models and innovative content, applications, products and services.
Interactive Scotland also encourages companies to work together and share ideas through building active communities and collaborative networks. Developing skills within the industry is also part of the service, keeping companies informed of the opportunities that exist on new technology platforms, in the UK and internationally, and helping them find untapped markets overseas and secure fresh sources of investment.
Scottish companies working in design/advertising, mobile, interactive software, internet, gaming, broadcast services, film, video production, exhibition services, next generation learning, music and publishing can benefit from the Interactive Scotland service, offering access to market intelligence and research; product and technology support; sector-specific business development; and partner connections.
Terry Hurley, director of Digital Markets and Enabling Technologies at Scottish Enterprise, commented, “I’d encourage companies to make contact with Interactive Scotland if they have an ambition to grow their business. Technology is radically changing the market for digital media content in an unprecedented manner, with Scotland well placed to exploit these opportunities. The proliferation of new technology devices has created exciting opportunities for new content and software services that can be accessed through new delivery channels.
Smaller businesses are often at the forefront in developing innovative content, but don’t necessarily have relationships with the larger companies and consumers hungry for this new content. We want to ensure that our companies are able to exploit these opportunities and maintain Scotland’s reputation for rapid, commercially successful innovation in global digital media markets.
One of the Scottish businesses already working with Interactive Scotland is Kiltr, a next-generation niche business social networking platform operating in the same Professional Networking (PNS) space as LinkedIn. Targeted at professionals, entrepreneurs, companies, organisations and associations who are Scottish, or have an affinity for Scotland, across the globe, its unique appeal is that it leverages Scotland’s cultural heritage to help such users accelerate their success by tapping into the wealth of knowledge, experience and potential opportunity that exists in this network.
Interactive Scotland has helped Kiltr gain a better understanding of the market dynamics and the potential global opportunities for its network, using market research and intelligence. Kiltr is also working with Interactive Scotland to explore different business models suitable for its market place and future overseas expansion plans.
Brian Halferty, CEO of Kiltr, said:
We’re still in the very early stages of our development, but we know there is massive potential for our business. The support from Interactive Scotland has been invaluable and we plan to launch our public beta in spring 2010 and hope to attract a large part of the professional Scottish diaspora.
Interactive Scotland has a dedicated team of expert advisors able to provide:
- tailored, in-depth marketing research and intelligence based on advisors’ industry contacts and latest market sources
- expertise in the areas of concept, feasibility, validation and development to take ideas to market
- expert advice to shape business models and appropriate routes to market
- access to an unrivalled network of international partner contacts for commercial sales opportunities, specialist funding, technical diligence, product development and market intelligence.
The Interactive Scotland service has been developed in response to industry demand for business growth support for the sector. The service contributes to the industry strategy for Scotland’s digital media sector, which aims to double the value of Scotland’s digital media sector to £6.3 billion by 2012.
Businesses can contact Interactive Scotland by telephoning 0845 607 8787, emailing info@interactivescotland.com and visiting www.interactivescotland.com. The service is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise by Innovation Centres Scotland and New Media Partners (nmp).