The impact of the UK’s digital creative industries reaches far beyond the economic. In an era of public sector cuts and greater emphasis on local engagement, what happens when a city opens out its public infrastructure, technologies, data and buildings to digital media content developers?

A bigger society…This is an approach that is increasingly gaining traction in the world’s most forward thinking and innovative cities and Birmingham is no exception. The results have the potential to totally transform the way in which citizens and communities shape and interact with the machine that is the city.

Driving industrial growth…This approach also has a significant impact
on the local digital and creative industry SME’s, opening up new markets and
opportunities, stimulating innovation and fostering new partnerships across the
private and public sectors.

This event will explore these issues and opportunities, with case studies including
Maverick Digital’s groundbreaking NHS Local project and the Screen WM/ Channel 4 supported ChromaRoma, which uses the London Underground Oyster Card system as a playing piece in a city-wide social game. The panelists will explore the contours of these emerging ‘urban operating systems’ and consider the implications for society and the built environment.

Introduction by Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jon Kingsbury - Head of External Supply, Future Media & Technology at the BBC

PANEL
Neil Crockett - MD Public Sector, Cisco
Toby Barnes - Mudlark / ChromaRoma
Matt Walsh - Maverick / NHS Local
Robert Annable - Axis / BE2Camp
Philip Colligan - Executive Director - NESTA’s public service innovation lab

The event will be followed by lunch and networking