nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content is where the world’s content creators, broadcasters, financiers, carriers, digital publishers, technology solution-providers, and advertisers meet to extend their knowledge and nurture key business relationships. The conference is set in spectacular Banff, Alberta, nextMEDIA is the sister event to the world renowned Banff World Television Festival. The event takes advantage of the synergies connecting the television and new media industries by facilitating a high-value networking environment.

Attendees at nextMEDIA gain an expert understanding of the most important areas of development in the interactive media industry and learn how to create and execute profitable digital media strategies.

AAA caught up with Biren Ghose, CEO of Kahani World Inc. who is one of the prominent speakers at the digital content show in Banff, Alberta, Canada from the 6th to 8th June 2008, where India is featured as the “emerging market” for discussion. Biren Ghose will be presenting his thesis on “Storytelling 2.0″ which will explore how storytelling will change in a world where the viewer will influence its course.

There is a panel on emerging markets where key decision makers from major media companies network in a retreat based environment. Key participants featured here include:

Jim Louderback, CEO, Revision3
Leader of one of the world’s most successful Internet TV platforms.

Joseph Ferreira, GM & SVP of CBS Audience Network, CBS Interactive, CBS
Senior executive who oversee programming and syndication decisions for the newly-created and recently-launched CBS Audience Network.

Biren Ghose, President and CEO, Kahani World Inc.
Team leader at Kahani Word Inc. and principal innovator of “Indian/Asian-themed” animated movies with the strong potential for computer and mobile games, licensing and merchandising.

James Cooper, Creative Director, Another Anomaly
Award-winning creative director responsible for developing the agency’s products and non-traditional partnerships.

Jeff Barr, Senior Web Services Evangelist, Amazon.com
Responsible for furthering awareness of web services and inspiring developers to create innovative applications using Amazon Web Services.

Claude Galipeau, VP Interactive, Astral Media Inc.
Executive responsible for the digital strategy of Astral’s three business lines: radio, TV, and outdoor display advertising.

Jeremy Wright, CEO & President, b5media
Serial entrepreneur and head of one of North America’s leading blog networks.

Stephan Argent, VP, Digital Media, CTV
Executive responsible for CTV’s digital media strategy and initiatives across all digital platforms.

David U.K., Managing Director, Heavy.com (Canada)
14-year media veteran responsible for Heavy’s Canadian operations, including revenue, ad sales, programming, content licensing and distribution.

Dominique-Sebastien Forest, General Manager, Digital Media and E-commerce, Quebecor Media Inc.
Senior executive responsible for Canoe’s digital content and wireless distribution strategy; also in charge of building and operating a new e-commerce global environment for Quebecor Media online activities.

Kevin Bartus, VP of Digital Media, Rogers Media
Executive responsible for the digital and on-line assets of Rogers Media Inc.

Maria Hale, VP Content, Product & Services, TELUS
Executive responsible for acquiring and managing content featured across TELUS TV, broadband and mobile

The India panel gives a chance for the entire conference to meet the players who are leading the digital media industry in India. They will present the opportunities that are emerging and how to access India across media platforms both traditional and emerging from the perpspective of entertainment, publishing and mobile. The panel is comprised of:

* Neeraj Roy, Managing Director & CEO, Hungama Mobile
* Parmesh Shahani, Head of Vision and Opportunities, Mahindra & Mahindra
* Gaurav Dhillon, CEO, Jaman
* Gotham Chopra, Chief Creative Officer, Virgin Comics
* Ajit Balakrishnan, Chairman & CEO, Rediff.com
* Biren Ghose, CEO & President, Kahani World Inc.

“It’s one thing to talk about 360 degree content, but quite another to be able to successfully create and adapt stories and yet make them compelling across the convergence media chain of platforms! My session on Storytelling 2.0 will be a sharing of the paradigm with other experts that spend their waking hours trying to find formats and attention as storytelling moves to the iPods, PDAs, screens in malls and of course the web! Of course my accent will be on the youth and on animation! The age of user generated storied and collaborative themes all add to the complexity and fun in being a content player in this future space!” said Biren Ghose and went on to add, “As regards the emerging markets panel with old friends like Neeraj Roy, partners like Gotham Chopra and stalwarts like Ajit on the India panel I think the Indian flag will flap strong over this most delightful of venues at Banff!”

The Fairmont Banff Springs is one of the world’s finest heritage resorts. Modeled after a Scottish baronial castle and set amid the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, “The Springs” is a grand and gracious edifice, combining timeless elegance and 38,000 sqaure foot spa facilities! “If this bunch of folks did not think digital content was fun, they would not have come to such a beautiful place to work!” concluded Biren.