INFOCOM partnered ASSOCHAM, India’s premier industry association to introduce the first edition of the INFOCOM-ASSOCHAM Media & Entertainment Forum at the last edition of INFOCOM Calcutta. This year's theme is 'Convergence towards Inclusive Growth' and it will focus on key drivers of the Media & Entertainment industry which will propel the developmental and growth potential of this segment, namely technology, expectations of consumers, content, regulatory challenges besides others.

Like last year when celebrities and eminent personalities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Selvaggia Velo, S M Khan, graced the event, this year the who’s who from the world of media and entertainment will be invited.

Target Audience: Media and Entertainment Industry Be a part of this one-of-a-kind event that brings together the Indian Media & Entertainment Industry right here in Calcutta.

Date: December 10, 2011
Venue: INFOCOM 2011 Conference @ ITC Sonar, Calcutta
Event Format: Conference with focus sessions/discussions
Focus Areas: Animation, Gaming & VFX in India; Social Networking for global peering; Entertainment bridging the digital divide; Role of Telecom in the Media & Entertainment industry etc.

Download the INFOCOM Assocham
M & E forum programme

Sponsorship options
a) Brand Sponsorship
b) Associate Sponsorship (3 nos)
c) Session Sponsorships and Co-Sponsorships

List of Speakers @ INFOCOM – ASSOCHAM Media & Entertainment Forum (Dec 10th, 2011)

• Amit Mitra, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of West Bengal
• C M Jatua, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting
• Uday Kumar Verma, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India
• Dilip Modi, President, ASSOCHAM and Managing Director Spice Mobility Ltd.
• D S Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM
• Michael “Mike” Young, CEO Moonscoop LLC
• T R Anand, CEO, T R Anand Consultants (Invited)
• Max Howard, Global Consultant – Animation Industry and Founder, Max Howard Consulting Group
• Tim Mostert, Creator, Speedy
• Merzin Tavaria, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Director, Prime Focus
• Ashish Kulkarni, CEO, Reliance Animation
• Nishith Takia, Co-Founder & Director, Krayon Pictures
• Derek O'Brien, Rajyasabha MP & Columnist
• Sabeer Bhatia, Co-Founder of Hotmail.com
• Rajan Anandan, MD, Google India (Invited)
• Andrew Hughes, Vice President-Press Database and Licensing Network
• Mohammed Hayath C, Director – Contact Center Sales (India and SAARC), Avaya India
• Mickael Marin, Head of Economic Development & MIFA at CITIA
• Liuyi Wang, Founder - Chairman, APACA (Asia Pacific Association of Comics & Animation), Organiser and General Secretary, AYACC (Asian Youth Animation and Comics Convention)
• Keisuke Sasaki, Special Assistant to Director General; Director, Design Policy Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Creative Industries Division, Tokyo, Japan
• Hasnul Nadzrin Shah, Head - Industry Strategy and Policy, Creative Multimedia Division, Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd
• Sujata Dev, Co-Chairperson, ASSOCHAM – Entertainment & Media Committee
• Dr. Sumit D Chowdhury, Vice President & Partner, IBM Global Business Services
• Nishith M Desai, Founder, Nishith Desai Associates
• Sekhar Kapur, Film Director & Producer
• Umesh Shukla, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Auryn Inc.

ABOUT THE SESSIONS

Theme: Convergence towards Inclusive Growth

Convergence of rural and urban India has been the dream of the father of our nation.

'Growth' in its true sense can only be appreciated when it includes all sections of its population and the economy as a whole. Digitally today is bridging the gap between rural and urban India through its inherent inclusiveness. With 850+ Mobile phones, each screen on hand is turning into a personal ICT device.

India is also enroute to all digital cable homes by the end of 2014.

Undoubtedly, India is poised to be the leading nation benefiting out of convergence. Which will lead to a boost in the consumption of Media & Entertainment (M&E), using innovative technologies.

On this platform there would be deliberations on different aspects of convergence taking place in Media & Entertainment, its eco-system and challenges; from a global perspective.

Our endeavour is to see the rural-urban divide fade, by creating a convergent platform for industrialists, decision makers, creative community and the government policy makers.

A32 1130 hrs – 1300 hrs

Global Forum: Animation, Gaming & VFX: Creating Global Icons & Content

The session will address the following points:

• Do we have an icon or a character that is of Indian origin and globally accepted
• India's positioning as a servicing destination for international market, through high end facilities and studios
• Where are we in the value curve? Does our Industry capture sizeable market share in terms of money spent on production, post-production?
• As far as domestic consumption of animation and VFX is concerned...where are we?
• What it takes to make India a destination for Animation and VFX...

B31 1130 hrs – 1300 hrs

Social Networking – A Channel for Distribution

The session will address the following points:

• Do we have a matured Social networking system?
• Are the users aware of the potentials of the social Networking system?
• Are they mere virtual chatting platforms or there are possibilities of business generation through these platforms?
• How are they different: Linked in, Facebook & Twitter
• How dangerous are social networks? We have seen many a wicket fall over sweets...

A33 1400 hrs – 1530 hrs

Super Session: Policy Incentives Positioning & Trade Festivals Panel Discussion - Point of View from Government Agencies

The session will address the following points:

• The role of policy in creating a growth oriented M&E Industry
• Challenges of policy making in a world of 'disruptive technology' and 'quick redundancy’
• Are Indian policies geared to attract FDI in M&E?
• How effective are the trade fairs?
• Need to create forums between nations as business platforms through bilateral Exhibitions & Trade fairs.

A34 1545 hrs – 1630 hrs

Spotlight Session: Monetizing Digital Opportunities – Trends and Challenges

The session will address the following points:

• Seamless transition of content to different screens can only happen in a total digital environ ... content, platform & devices
• Is an log going to co-exist with digital
• Is digital a solution to piracy?
• Are our regulations ready to face the digital challenge, in a world of convergence
• What about copyright?

A35 1630 hrs - 1715 hrs

Spotlight Session: Content creation in the digital era – What it takes?

The session will address the following points:

• Has content creation changed in this age, driven by technology?
• How important is story telling in this digital era?
• How has consumption of content changed?
• Where is India in the global scene of content creation and revenue earning from global sell?
• What we need to create globally acceptable, Indian origin content?