In a Class of its Own

Funding initiatives pave the way for media innovations in NRW

To save the world with Daniel Craig, in the role of James Bond, in a fully photo realistic environment – the »Articy« game technology will soon make this possible. This combines 3D images with filmed actors and photo realistic laser scans to form a harmonious virtual world in which you are able to move freely. The development from Bochum-based »Nevigo« is one of twelve projects which have been awarded funding, as part of the funding initiative »Medien.NRW« from the EU and the state of NRW.

It is thanks to such discoveries that the media belong to the federal state’s most promising industries for the future – but also those with the greatest competition. Funding initiatives, whether from the federal or state government, or associations or communes, play a decisive role in strengthening the innovative strength of creative talents and network development.

»The quality of the enterprises in the funding initiative Medien.NRW is impressive. With its creativity and capability, our state’s media industry is in a class of its own.«

Andreas Krautscheid, Minister of Federal, European and Media Affairs of the state of NRW

A prominent example is the funding initiative »Medien.NRW« which was launched in 2008 by the Ministry for Federal Affairs, Europe and the Media of the NRW state government. This promotes the existing potential of the media industry with the aim of creating and developing a capable association and strengthening the position of NRW as a convergence location.

Varied funding

There are also further funding opportunities for creative talents in the region – for example on a communal level with the Cologne media prize. Associations and societies are usually actively represented in the announcement of funding initiatives: the Ernst-Schneider prize of the chambers of commerce and industry, which is organised in Cologne, is one of the highlights. This specifically promotes interesting, well prepared scientific journalism. Outstanding journalistic services in nature and environmental protection in the state of NRW are rewarded by the NRW nature conservation society with its 1,500 euro media prize. The public broadcasters are also making their contribution to the wide range of funding initiatives. These include the ARD-ZDF funding prize »Women and media technology« and the radio broadcasting prize of the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM).

These, as well as other funding initiatives, are both an expression of the media convergence in the region as well as a funding tool to strengthen the media cluster of NRW. The director of the memi-Institute, Prof. Dr. Werner Schwaderlapp, explains: »The state has the best premises for the new media convergence market: good positions in all media part markets as well as an attractive environment for creative talents. So that the full effect of this can develop, we need this potential to network.«

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