Berytech Launches a Media Cluster
The second part, and in an effort to map and collect information on the various projects and initiatives taking place, Mr. Tubiana met individually with representatives of twelve institutions and organizations supporting the creative industries in Lebanon.
He then animated two group sessions for twenty companies where he introduced the notion of clusters and shared the ICONOVAL experience before opening the space for a passionate debate around the needs and concerns of media owners but more importantly about their relentless ambitions and their desire to collaborate collectively within the cluster.
On the final day, Mr. Tubiana presented his findings and recommendations to the Berytech team. A strong core of cluster members has been identified and several stakeholders have offered their support and ties with several European clusters have been created, the strategy that was put in place was validated and several leads and projects started to emerge.
Berytech is strongly committed to innovation and the support of creative-based industry sectors as a foundation for future growth in Lebanon. Today, and with the support of the European Union, Berytech is tackling the challenge of turning Beirut into a regional hub for innovation in the creative industries through the launch of the Beirut Creative Cluster (BCC).
BCC Cluster Definition
Given the far-reaching impact and diverse applications of media, arts and design, setting a concise definition for what is included in the industry can be challenging. Today’s businesses almost universally use digital media to some extent to deliver their service or product.
The technology that makes access to digital content possible virtually anywhere and at any time as well as the tools that facilitate the creation of digital content have become integral to most business offerings.
We have chosen to narrow the definition with the intent of focusing our strategic actions on Screen-Based Media sectors.
Screen-Based Media
We define Screen-Based media as a collection of industries that work in the field of electronic media created and displayed using computer technology. These include digital audio and video, computer games, computer animation, and internet technologies — including web-based tools, applications and services such as e-mail, e-commerce or social networking.
Screen-based content: an essential element of the Cluster
BCC will be anchored by the screen-based sector partly because the kernel of the creative concept – the storyline – very often begins there. Traditional TV program and Feature Film content often spawn the creative concepts that flow into the interactive media – be they interactive games, an associated web site or application, a “mobisode” (content for mobile devices like cell phones), or other digital media application.
Additionally, content and applications are designed specifically for digital media (e.g. a game for an established console platform), and some digital media applications can be turned into a movie or other traditional content product. The key to success is a creative “storyline”.
The central element of the Cluster is the IP that is exploitable to a widening array of platforms. Although the original IP may start as a book or play, most often it is the screen-based sector’s creation of the storyline, format and brand that is the foundry for the wider BCC. As the emerging media platforms develop to distribute the content, the screen-based sector will provide wider access to the creative output of the Cluster.
Value Chain of the Industry
Our strategy is best understood in the context of the value chain for the screen-based media industry.
Content Creators
The value chain for the screen-based media industry begins with the creation of content. Content includes the creation of all digital media such as feature animation, 3D imagery, special effects, and video games. It also includes the creation of digital audio content such as music, voice, and sound effects.
Content Publishers and Content Distributors
Created content is made available to consumers by publishers and distributors. This includes content aggregators, large video game publishers and film and animation distributors.
Content Consumers
Today’s consumers have a wide range of options for accessing digital content. No longer are people simply viewing content on a home computer or in a theater. A vast array of technologies gives consumers a host of alternatives for interacting with screen-based media. Consumers access content in their homes via cable and dish transmission, or more recently over a string of mobile devices. Using mobile smart phones or tablets, consumers can view video content, play electronic games and share digital content.
Enabling Technologies, Tools and Services
The rich media experience is enabled by a set of new technologies and tools that have standardized how digital content is created, which has made it easier and more cost-efficient.
One of the most recent and industry changing enabling services is a part of the emerging concept of “cloud computing.” Enabling services, provided via the internet, through the “cloud” make it possible to deliver digital content to consumers anytime, anywhere over a variety of technical platforms.
There is proven potential for the Creative Cluster, both as a whole and within individual industries, Berytech is offering solutions to unlock this potential but those initiatives will remain incomplete if creative entrepreneurs do not get on board. So look us up, join us and together we have the chance to turn our market into a world class cluster of content, platform and technology providers who are developing and distributing innovative digital contents to global markets.
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