Village Gamer

Hitachi ID Systems, a Calgary-based provider of identity, access and compliance management solutions, continues to experience rapid growth. In order to accommodate its global customer base, the company is implementing an aggressive recruitment strategy in the Canadian, American and European technology and business sectors. The initiative garners candidate exposure through on-site participation at targeted career forums. The Canadian events include:

• University of Calgary, Science & Engineering Career Fair on September 20^th, 2011
• McGill University, Technology Career Fair on September 28^th , 2011
• University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business on October 13^th, 2011 Read the rest of this entry »

Video games have a reputation for being frivolous time-wasters that prevent young adults from doing better in school or at work. Summer in Smallywood, a series of video games developed by Untold Entertainment and  The Centre for Skills Development & Training, is helping to dispel this negative reputation by leading the way in game-based learning.

Summer in Smallywood is a free-to-play, online Flash game funded by the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills. It is designed to help young adults (ages 15 – 30) enhance their ability to succeed at work. Users play the game as employees of “Smallywood,” an amusement park home to the world’s tiniest rides. The retiring owner, Mr. Small E. Wood, is looking for a replacement who can master three Essential Skills. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) has launched the first-ever comprehensive program to formally recognize public relations and communications management education programs in Canada. The guidelines for curriculum development, published recently, will allow educational institutions in Canada to produce highly skilled public relations practitioners that are prepared for the current and future demands of the changing workforce.

Pathways to the Profession: An Outcomes Based Approach Towards Excellence in Canadian Public Relations and Communications Management Education was developed by the CPRS National Council on Education over the past three years in co-ordination with the academic and professional public relations communities across Canada. Pathways outlines recommendations for curriculum and program design in five pathways to the profession: technical, career, management, leadership and scholar. Read the rest of this entry »

The second annual ShesConnected Conference, taking place September 29 to 30, 2011 at Toronto’s Sheraton Centre, is expected to include digitally-savvy and influential Canadian women, as well as representatives from top national and international brands and agencies.

“The goal of the ShesConnected Conference is to bring digital women together with brands for networking, educational seminars and interactive forums,” says Donna Marie Antoniadis, co-founder of ShesConnected Multimedia. “The hope is that it’s a start for a long-term working relationship that benefits both the brand and the digital woman.” Read the rest of this entry »

Merging Media Productions Inc. and the Canadian Media Production Association-BC are delighted to announce the top Vancouver companies that have been selected to exhibit their innovative products and technology at the first VEDC Innovation Gallery presented during the Merging Media Conference + Masterclass on October 27th and 28th.

Exhibiting Companies:

1. Atimi Software 
2. Invoke Media 
3. Magnify Digital
4. Pug Pharm
5. OverInteractive
6. Scan2 Mobile 
7. Xomo Digital Inc.

“Merging Media is a great event that merges thought leadership with innovators, and connects them to Vancouver’s business ecosystem” observed Lee Malleau, CEO of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission, key sponsor of the Gallery. “It’s a catalyst event during an exciting time for the creative economy in Vancouver.”

The VEDC Innovation Gallery presented at the W2 Media Café on October 28th will showcase a selection of cutting edge platforms, software and technology produced by some of our city’s top innovators to introduce media producers to the latest tools in gamification, social media and multi-platform development.

In addition to the Innovation Gallery, there are 45 world class speakers presenting at Merging Media and a terrific program that is full of inspiration and ideas for attendees.

If you don’t yet have a pass for Merging Media, or know someone who would like to attend, enter the Merging Media Sweepstakes.  Until September 23rd, we will be providing two chances to win a pass to Merging Media 2011. Entering is easy, all you have to do is “Like”  Merging Media on Facebook and fill out the sweepstakes entry form. If you prefer Twitter, you can enter over there as well.

You have just two weeks left to take advantage of the Early Bird Rate and to submit your Pitch 360 cross media project. Be one of eight participants to present at M+M2011’s Masterclass and Pitch 360 sessions and have a chance to win the $10,000 BC FILM development award.

If you are interested in meeting YouTube and Google representatives along with other VIP guest delegates when you attend Merging Media 2011,  the M+M2011 International B2B Sessions will match US business delegates with local companies attending the conference on October 28th from 9 am to 5 pm at W2 Media Café, as part of the Business activities during the event.

Young women in the Moncton area will have the opportunity to learn about careers and educational possibilities in the trades and technology sector thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Mr. Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton–Riverview–Dieppe, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. Read the rest of this entry »

Business Guru, a company whose mantra is “great events for great entrepreneurs” has chosen to kick off a cross-Canada tour in Hamilton Ontario with a free networking, breakfast and social media seminar: From Conversation to Conversion: Using Social Media to Drive Sales. Read the rest of this entry »

On September 1, 2011, the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) granted national accreditation to four of the Information Technology programs at Centennial College’s School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science. This brings the total number of CTAB accredited programs offered by Centennial to 21, putting the College in the number one slot for nationally accredited Engineering Technology and Applied Science course offerings.

“Centennial College applies quality standards through rigorous program evaluation tools and continues to earn the highest number of external accreditations for our programs,” says President Ann Buller. “We are committed to preparing people for the new world that awaits by offering students programs with national accreditation that is portable across the country and internationally. Accreditation makes it easier for students to complete their certification and to gain employment in these disciplines.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Public Relations Society, Calgary chapter and the Communications + Public Relations Foundation have signed an agreement to partner in the establishment of the $1,000 Calgary Legacy Scholarship to be awarded annually to a student studying public relations/communications in a recognized program at one of Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, or SAIT Polytechnic.

Eligible students from those educational institutes will have completed year one of their studies and be entering second year, demonstrated overall understanding of public relations and communications, its theoretical and practical elements, values and principles. They must hold a student membership in CPRS Calgary. Read the rest of this entry »

Last year’s Merging Media Conference+Masterclass marked the first time that the $10,000 BC Film Development Award was awarded to the best cross-media project presented at the annual event. Merging Media will once again offer this wonderful opportunity to cross-platform content creators at its Merging Media Pitch 360 sessions during the upcoming 2011 event on October 27th and 28th.

Andrew Williamson of Off Island Films and Audrey Mehler of Paperny Films each won $5,000 last year to develop their projects. Andrew came to Merging Media with the Spiral, a web based interactive drama series that went on to become a part of another local media initiative called Melting Silos. Audrey pitched Eat St. Tweet, an innovative way to bring a Food Network show about food carts to life online as well as in a mobile app. The series and app launched earlier this year and more goodies are in store with their fall season that premiered on September 2nd. Audrey’s team offers viewers an unparalleled culinary experience by revealing new culinary carts around cities in North America, with access to information across three media platforms.

Now here’s your chance to take your project to the stage and win this year’s award! If you have an innovative transmedia or cross-media project in the works, apply before September 30 to be one of 8 participants to present at Merging Media’s Masterclass and Pitch 360 sessions and you could be the next one to win that $10,000 award! For more information, contact: coordinator@mergingmedia.ca. If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late to take advantage of Early Bird rates.