Village Gamer

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) and the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) have unveiled a white paper which outlines the crucial necessity of global workers in Canada’s Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and digital media industries. The paper details recommended actions and also calls on the federal government to put in place measures to help highly-skilled and well-paying industries access critical competences from abroad that will help fuel growth, employment and drive innovation here in Canada. Read the rest of this entry »

The Hudson’s Bay Company has announced the creation of HBC Digital, a group responsible for digital commerce and marketing across the enterprise that will be led by Michael Burgess, newly appointed President of HBC Digital, reporting to the Office of the Chairman. HBC Digital will drive the digital commerce and marketing strategy and execution across the enterprise, in partnership with each of HBC’s business units, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and HBC Outlets. HBC Digital will leverage talent and best practices across the organization to deliver outstanding digital experiences for its customers. Read the rest of this entry »

Digital sports video agency SendtoNews has signed a strategic partnership with the world’s number one sports video news agency Sports News Television (SNTV), a joint venture of IMG Media and The Associated Press. With this partnership SendtoNews acquires the rights to distribute SNTV digital and broadcast content through its News Partnership Network™ consisting of thousands of top television, radio, print, and online news outlets throughout North America. In December it delivered 15 million digital and broadcast impressions according to Nielsen. Read the rest of this entry »

Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. has announced its continuing production partnership with noted independent production company Blockade Entertainment with the announcement of their second theatrical film together, Sly Cooper. The CG-Stereoscopic animated theatrical feature film is based on the highly successful PlayStation® video game franchise from Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA). Planned for release in early 2016, the film is written and directed by Kevin Munroe and produced by Blockade’s CEO Brad Foxhoven and VP of Development David Wohl along with Rainmaker’s Kim Dent Wilder. Rainmaker President Michael Hefferon is serving as Executive Producer. Read the rest of this entry »

Via Xbox Wire: Microsoft Studios has acquired the rights to the “Gears of War” franchise from Epic Games, including rights to all existing and future games, entertainment experiences and merchandise. In addition, Microsoft announced that Black Tusk Studios in Vancouver will take over development of the “Gears of War” franchise and that Rod Fergusson, former Director of Production at Epic Games on the “Gears of War” franchise, will join Microsoft and play a key studio leadership role at Black Tusk on the development of the franchise going forward. By the way, Black Tusk is hiring. Read the rest of this entry »

Edmodo, a California-based developer of free primary and secondary social learning platform connecting more than 30 million teachers and pupils, has announced the extension of premium educational applications to the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada at BETT 2014, the leading global learning technology event. Available in the Edmodo Store for purchase, these premium apps are offered in addition to free apps, which have been accessible to teachers and pupils internationally since August 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

3M Library Systems has announced the Canadian launch of the 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending System. Highly anticipated, this expansion makes Canada the first country outside of the U.S. to gain access to the service.  Canada’s 3M Cloud Library will offer the same easy-to-use customer interface and back-end tools, and will include content from major publishers including Penguin, Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, and HarperCollins. In addition, the catalog includes hundreds of other publishers, offering readers access to thousands of titles. 3M is also currently working with House of Anansi Press, Dundern Press, ECW Press and others to bring readers content from uniquely Canadian voices. Read the rest of this entry »

Social relationship platform HootSuite achieved key milestones in the fourth quarter of 2013. More than 75% of Fortune 1000 companies now use HootSuite for social media management, social marketing, social customer service, and social selling. Customers include PepsiCo, Virgin, FOX, Sony Music, and WWF. Roots Canada, Avis Budget Group, Inc., and Allianz Insurance PLC became customers this past quarter. Read the rest of this entry »

DigiBC will be hosting another town hall meeting at the BC Showcase in Robson Square on the evening of Thursday, February 6th. Introduced in 2010, the IDMTC legislation is set to phase out in 2015 pending a review by the BC government in 2014. Your DigiBC Committee on Public Policy is actively discussing and working to ensure the program not only continues, but is expanded to meet the current and long-term needs of our evolving industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Moving to the top of my “yes, I would love to own this” list – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has unveiled the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets, setting a new standard of mobile excellence, equipped with innovative and meaningful technology. Sporting four powerful devices in the lineup – the Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch), TabPRO (12.2, 10.1, 8.4-inch)*, Samsung’s Galaxy tablet portfolio redefines how we can Play More, Do More, Share More. Read the rest of this entry »