NEW MEDIA BC ANNOUNCES DATES FOR VANCOUVER DIGITAL WEEK 2009

A POWERFUL LINEUP OF EVENTS DESIGNED TO TAKE DIGITAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, September 25, 2008 - New Media BC announced today new partnerships and enhanced programming for the second annual Vancouver Digital Week to run May 11-15, 2009 on Granville Island in Vancouver.

Vancouver Digital Week 2009 includes the following events:

• Vancouver International Digital Festival (VIDFEST)
• Game Developers Conference Canada (GDC Canada)
• Convergence 2009 Digital Marketing & Communications Forum
• The International Partnering Forum
• New Media BC’s Digital Media Awards Show and Gala

Vancouver Digital Week is an immersive week of innovative programming and partnership opportunities for the digital media industry that features top minds and deal makers from around the globe. Participants gain access to international business match-making, 'big picture' conference sessions on the latest trends and markets in digital media, high-level seminars for creators, designers, and producers, and vibrant networking parties.

"British Columbia is a global center for digital media and has attracted top level companies, talent, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world." states Kenton Low, President of New Media BC. "We are delighted to bring together an outstanding group of partners to provide a comprehensive week of best in class events. New Media BC is joining forces again with Reboot Communications and the Cossette Communication Group and we are thrilled that Think Services is bringing their world renown Game Developers Conference to Vancouver."

"We are excited to be part of Vancouver Digital Week 2009," Kathy Schoback, Executive Vice President of Global Events, Think Services, said. "Bringing GDC Canada to Vancouver makes a lot of sense for us given the city’s position as a world class interactive entertainment center, and the region's contributions to international game development."

"Vancouver Digital Week 2009 is the ideal platform for Cossette's Convergence 2009 digital marketing forum," says Sandy Fleischer, Vice President and General Manager of Fjord Interactive (Cossette's digital marketing group). "The quality and scope of the week makes this the 'must-attend' event of the year for anyone interested in digital media, and we are proud to be a part of it."

"Our partnership with New Media BC and Digital Week has contributed greatly to the growth of the Vancouver International Game Summit" says Greg Spievak, CEO of Reboot Communications. "We look forward to building on that momentum with the addition of GDC Canada to Vancouver Digital Week 2009."

Vancouver has the perfect ecosystem for a thriving digital media industry: post-secondary institutions providing outstanding digital media, facilities, training and research, a favorable business environment and a strong base of creative and business professionals working in top companies that include Electronic Arts, THQ, Nexon, Activision, Disney, Rainmaker, Nintendo, and Microsoft.


About New Media BC – http://www.newmediabc.com

New Media BC is British Columbia’s not-for-profit digital media industry association representing over 1,100 digital media companies employing 16,000+ individuals working in sectors including games, visual effects, interactive marketing & design, eLearning, animation, Web 2.0 and mobile content & applications. New Media BC helps these businesses to grow via professional development, networking and advocacy services.

About the Think Services Game Group – http://www.tsgamegroup.com

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz, GameSetWatch.com, GamesOnDeck.com, SeriousGamesSource.com, the Game Developers Conference, the Austin Game Developers Conference, the Paris Game Developers Conference, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.

About Cossette Communication Group – http://www.cossette.com

Cossette Communication Group Inc. offers a full range of leading-edge communication services to clients of all sizes, including some of the most prestigious brands in the world. A customer-driven organization built around highly specialized business units, Cossette also offers Convergent CommunicationsTM, a unique working method that brings added value to the client by integrating various services offered by the Group, including strategic planning and research, advertising, media planning and buying, sales promotion, CRM, database and direct marketing, interactive marketing and technology solutions, public relations and alliance marketing, branding and design, ethnic marketing, sports marketing, branded content and product placement and business-to-business communications (B2B practices). Cossette has approximately 1,650 employees and offices in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, New York, Irvine, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Shanghai.

About Reboot Communications – http://www.rebootconference.com

Reboot Communications Ltd. is a Canadian company based in British Columbia, that specializes in organizing and implementing national and international conferences focused on information technology, public safety, privacy and security, health, electronic gaming and counterterrorism. Over the past twelve years, Reboot has provided a full spectrum of conference management services to the private and public sector, including: marketing and communications, logistics, agenda development, sponsorship sales, research and intergovernmental expertise.