Bizstartup.ie - NewsInnovate Media conference: is Ireland ready for a ‘smart economy’?

According to Martin Hogan, manager of IADT’s digital media incubation facility, Media Cube: “Exactly a year ago, the Taoiseach met with the social partners to reinforce the Government’s view that the path to Ireland’s economic renewal rested with the smart economy.

“Ireland has the potential to be a leader in the field of digital technology, but only if a well-defined national plan designed to encourage digital entrepreneurs is implemented. To date, I haven’t seen this.”

He says that while the Government is focusing on areas that it has identified as contributing to the development of this sector in Ireland such as progressing the building of an International Creative Services Centre, the Innovate Media conference will examine a range of industry views on what can assist Ireland in fast-tracking the growth of its digital industries.

Speakers at the Innovate Media conference will include dotcom entrepreneur and ‘Dragons’ Den’ host Sarah Newman; Paul Rellis, managing director of Microsoft Ireland; Joan Mulvihill, the new CEO of the Irish Internet Association; David Harvey, founder of City Channel; and Martin Curley, global director of Intel Labs Europe.

“There is a lot of creative business talent in Ireland that forms the basis of a vibrant and expanding digital media sector. If we get the support and incentivisation structure right, the future for Ireland is very positive,” adds Hogan.

The Innovate Media ’09 conference is free to attend. For further information and to register, click here.