Nordicity chosen to help develop an R&D and commercialization strategy for the Greater Toronto Area’s entertainment and creative industry sector

Toronto – May 9, 2007– Nordicity has been selected by the Consortium on New Media, Creative, and Entertainment R&D in the Toronto Region (CONCERT) to work with its partners to develop a regional innovation strategy that will help fuel the economic development of the GTA's creative and entertainment industries. Nordicity will undertake an extensive environmental scan and SWOT analysis, and help to develop a strategic plan to assist CONCERT in fulfilling its goal of positioning the GTA as a global leader in research, development (R&D) and commercialization in the creative sectors.

The project will build on Nordicity’s expertise in the creative, entertainment, and ICT industries as well its experience in R&D and commercialization for public-private consortia. Nordicity is also drawing on its network of partners with experience in these areas, including Kathleen Webb of CRS Technology and Rick Clayton of RH Clayton. The Nordicity team will work with the CONCERT consortium for a period of 8 months to develop initiatives which will strengthen and promote pervasive and sustainable R&D, commercialization and economic activities across the region. The project will also seek to create increased capacity at the convergence of new media, ICT and screen-based R&D, and increased alignment between public and private institutions.

CONCERT is an industry-led public-private initiative originally founded by the Ontario College of Art and Design, Ryerson University, and York University, and now consists of more than 25 organizations from industry, academia, government, and 4th pillar organizations. Partners include Apple Canada, Xenophile Media, Motorola as well as the City of Toronto and the Canadian Film Centre.

CONCERT was recently awarded funding from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture as part of the Ontario government’s inaugural $7.5 million Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund designed to stimulate growth in Ontario's entertainment and creative industries by promoting capacity building, marketing innovation and skills development.

Nordicity Group Ltd. (http://www.nordicity.com) is one of Canada’s leading strategy-consulting firms for clients in the media/entertainment, culture/content, and telecommunications sectors. Our consultants work with clients in both the private and public sectors to make business and policy decisions, and to understand the impacts of policy and regulatory developments.