Commercialising Ideas, X|Media|Lab, Wellington, 2008

I have been happily riding the knowledge wave for the past decade, and have learned a few things along the way. I know that when you share knowledge it comes back with interest, and that Big Ideas often come from small groups of people. The X|Media|Lab is an international series of think tanks that have been running since 2003, and is coming to New Zealand for the first time on 30th May.

The Wellington event is one of a series of Labs running across eight countries in 2008, and is on the theme of 'Commercialising Ideas'. The Lab will be held at Te Papa for three days, with a lineup of seventeen international mentors, one of which is in fact me. It all kicks off with a Keynote Conference Day with the mentors speaking about Looking for Ideas, Designing Ideas, Building Business from Ideas and Celebrating Success. This will be followed by an intense two days of Lab sessions, where local projects get the chance to get feedback from a world class team of mentors.

The 'X' in X|Media|Lab stands for 'cross platform', 'cross disciplinary', and 'cross cultural'. Sixteen projects will be chosen from over fifty already submitted, to spend two days with the mentors, which include Tom Duterme from Google (US), Sam Morgan from Trade Me (NZ), Meg Pickard from the Guardian (UK), and Suresh Seetharaman of Virgin Comics (India / US).

It is a stellar list from across the globe, that I am humbled to find myself joining. However mentor or participant, once the Lab doors shut we are all going to be in one giant brainstorm together. I expect to leave buzzing with ideas, and hopefully with a few new friends.

I had a chance to speak to two of the mentors this week, to ask them what they planned on bringing to the Wellington X|Media|Lab. Hugh Mason is based in the UK, and his firm Pembridge Partners provides finance & support to the creative industries. He plans to bring "Enthusiasm, ideas and experience, that comes from growing and investing in exciting businesses". What excites him most right now is "Business models that make money, not just ones that are technically or creatively brilliant." I agree with Hugh, as good ideas alone won't pay the bills, but a good business model will.

Brian Seth Hurst runs the Opportunity Management Company in Los Angeles, and is a Board member of the Producers Guild of America. He has been an X|Media|Lab Mentor before, and says, "I am always inspired by the ideas and the creativity of the participants and I was raised to give back and contribute, so I always find the Xmedia Lab terrifically rewarding."

It's interesting to hear how the mentors view Kiwi creativity overseas. Hugh makes a good point that the current jewel in our creative crown, the Kiwi Film industry is not going to sustain us. "Feature film is great but it's a 20th Century medium. It doesn't have the scaleable potential of some of the digital propositions that could really build sustainable businesses in NZ, and which could allow the country to compete despite its small size and geographical distance from many of the world's major markets.

I think we more than have what it takes, with our creative minds and pioneering attitude in New Zealand. Brian also gives us a vote of confidence, "The overall reputation of New Zealanders is that they are industrious, versatile, fast learners, dependable, reliable and more than anything get the job done."

We will be running a series of Q & A interviews with some of the X|Media|Lab Mentors here at the Big Idea over the next couple of weeks, and if you are heading along for the Conference Keynote Day at Te Papa on the 30th May then keep an eye out for the Big Idea team. For more on X|Media|Lab: http://www.xmedialab.com

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As well as being TBI's strategist, Helen Baxter a.k.a. MsBehaviour runs dance-music label TMet Recordings, 3D animation company Mohawk Media and has a fortnightly slot on National Radio called 'Virtual World'.

X|Media|Lab Keynote Conference Day
Friday 30th May
9.00am - 5.30pm, followed by Drinks and Networking
Soundings Theatre, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa

Email: The editor@thebigidea.co.nz with the subject line XMediaLab ticket
Include: Your TBI username, your full name and contact details
Eligibility:To be eligible you must be a member of The Big Idea. You must be able to attend the conference and tickets are non-transferable.
Entries:Need to be received by midnight Thursday May 22.
Winners: Will be contacted by email on May 23.

15/05/08