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Lionsgate, Google, YouTube, Al Jazeera and Amazon will be among hundreds of conventional and digital media organizations from across North America that will come together at Merging Media 2011 in Vancouver, Canada in October 27 and 28, to discuss and explore the future of cross-media entertainment.

Hosted by Merging Media Productions Inc. and the Canadian Media Production Association – BC Producers’ Branch, this two day Conference and Masterclass is the premier showcase for Cross-Media in Canada. Merging Media is the place where media professionals converge to collaborate and capitalize on the media revolution that’s underway; it provides a high level platform for cross-disciplines to showcase their latest work, strategize, network with key business contacts and learn from each other.

Executive Director Christine Lim-Labossière observes, “There’s an intense demand from audiences for deeper levels of engagement with their entertainment. In conceiving Merging Media, my desire has been to bring the best and brightest talent in cross-media to a world class stage, to showcase and inspire our community through a series of “best in class” presentations and forward thinking industry discussions”. She explains, “Merging Media 2011’s theme is “X-Engage”, as we aim to encourage the cross-pollination of new ideas, business models and creative strategies to engage audiences on multiple platforms.“

Says John Dippong, Telefilm Canada’s Regional Director of Business Development, “Telefilm Canada is thrilled to be one of the official partners of this event. With the fantastic roster of guest speakers, Merging Media represents an exceptional opportunity for the members of our film, television and digital communities to come together at the same time and really expand the collective knowledge and experience of our whole audio-visual ecosystem.” Other key partners include the Canada Media Fund, BC Film and the Western Economic Diversification Canada.

“We are pleased to again be co-presenting this event for our members and the industry at large,” says Liz Shorten, Managing Vice-President, Operations and Member Services, Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) – BC, “Merging Media provides new and innovative tools to assist content creators navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape”.

2011 Conference Highlights

• Merging Media 2011 will feature noted experts in the Transmedia and multi-platform space, including YouTube’s Brian Glick, Google’s Jeremy Butteris, Amazon.com’s Jon Fine, Starlight Runner Entertainment’s Caitlin Burns and Simon Pulman, Workbook Project’s Lance Weiler, named by Wired magazine as “one of 25 people helping to reinvent entertainment and change the face of Hollywood” and the great Henry Jenkins, world-renowned Convergence Guru.
• The Keynote is Curt Marvis, President of Digital Media at Lionsgate Studios who was named “The most senior veteran of digital media in Hollywood” by Variety. Marvis will speak about the ground breaking digital tactics being developed by Lionsgate in its productions including Emmy Award-winning drama series like “Mad Men”, “Weeds,” and “Nurse Jackie.”
• Amjad Atallah, Bureau Chief of the Americas for Al Jazeera-English, will discuss the award-winning strategies used when breaking the stories about Osama bin Laden’s death and the Arab Spring incidents on multiple media channels, on air and online.
• Merging Media highlights valuable partnering, mentoring and funding opportunities including Pitch 360, an opportunity to win the $10,000 BC Film Development Award to develop your next multiplatform project.

Early Bird ends September 30, 2011 so register today.