The government will be establishing a technology fund to help new media entrepreneurs to finance some of their ideas according to Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green.
Minister Green who was speaking at the launch of Digital Media Week 2016 at Courtyard by Marriott in New Kingston yesterday evening said that he believes social media provides that space for us (Jamaicans) to create brands and applications that the world all over will clamour to be a part of, that are as relevant here (Jamaica) as they are abroad.
The government definitely needs more of you (new media entrepreneurs) to look at some of the problems we have in Government and find new media ways for us to solve those problems,Minister Floyd Green
Digital Media Week, the brainchild of Social Media Day will be held over four days (June 27-30) and will bring together Bloggers, Vloggers, Content creators, Social media managers, journalists, politicians, marketing experts and so on. These social media bugs will converge in physical spaces across Kingston to discuss social and digital media issues as it relates to Jamaica, the need for an understanding of the digital space and global business opportunities that exist.
Minister Green in his presentation highlighted the success of Jamaica’s Kenia Mattis who won the Spark the Fire Startup Award at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, held last week in Silicon Valley, California. Williams, the CEO of ListenMi Caribbean, a company that produces digital media content such as audio books, music, and apps was selected from a pool of 5,000 applicants from all around the world.
I believe Jamaica can be the Silicon Valley of the Caribbean. Things like this Digital Week will set us apart from the rest and will ensure that we take our early gains and we really develop on them and have our niche just as we’ve done with culture.Minister Floyd Green
Speaking at the launch, Organiser, Corve DaCosta said that last year they did something very unique by adding some panel discussions that brought industry professionals together and everyone appreciated the vibrant exchange of information and knowledge.
This year, the organisers have build upon that idea to include “Digital StartUps” to watch. These Tech companies got a chance to pitch their apps to members of audience. Among them were AppWax, ClickPaye, Dippso, Wah Dat?, BookthatSpot, The Vine List.Com, Mobile Construct.com and Edufocal.
Digital Media Week, is being held under the theme “Digital 876: Building Brands For Global Impact”. The event continues at 6 this evening at the ATL VW Showroom and will feature panelists such as Patrice White, Kamila McDonald, Romone Robinson and Nicole McLaren Campbell discussing “The New Rules of Social Stardom”.
Social media users are invited to begin sharing their experiences about local brands using the hashtag #DMWJamaica.
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