21 March 2006 (Hong Kong) – Hong Kong Cyberport hosted the third annual Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2006 at Broadway Easy Cinema today. The one-day event featured visionary speakers to share their insights on the theme of the Forum: “Challenges and Opportunities in the Next Digital Entertainment Wave: Broadband, Content and Mobility”.
DELF 2006 attracted over 350 local and international attendees from all walks of the industry including government officials, academicians, creative artists, entrepreneurs, and IT professionals, to congregate at Hong Kong Cyberport and learn what will drive the next wave of the rapidly evolving and fast growing global digital content and digital entertainment industries.
DELF 2006 was jointly organized by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation Limited, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre and School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with Office of the Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSAR Government as the key sponsor. DELF 2006 continued to be an important annual international platform for the Hong Kong’s digital entertainment industry and also a part of the mega event, Entertainment Expo Hong Kong (http://www.eexpohk.com)
Mr. Francis Ho, JP, Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology), HKSAR Government, said in his opening address, “Digital technology has brought about the many innovative and creative forms that the entertainment industry has produced in recent years. Promotion of digital entertainment is a main pillar of the Government's Digital 21 Strategy.”
“Digital Entertainment is a dynamic industry which breeds both creativity and wealth“ said Mr. Nicholas Yang, CEO, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited. “DELF 2006 provides the industry professionals a great opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge, forge collaboration and most importantly work together to take digital entertainment to the next level.”
DELF 2006 featured 14 elite speakers who are experts, visionaries, pioneers and foremost leaders from the digital entertainment and related industry. Three distinguished keynote speakers including Dr. Michael B Johnson, Lead, Tools Moving Pictures Group of Pixar Animation Studios and a recognized pioneer in many renowned animation films such as Top Story 2 & The Incredibles, Mr. James Ding, Chairman of UIM Holdings, Inc., and Mr. Todd Miller, Managing Director, Asia of Sony Pictures Television International, shared their insights and visions on the opportunities and challenges in the development of animation films, evolution of broadband-based IPTV digital entertainment and proliferation of mobile TV broadcasting.
Other prominent speakers included (in order of their surnames):
- Mr. Ricky Chong, General Manager, Product Strategy of Hong Kong CSL Limited
- Mr. Robert Hayes, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific and Vice President, Corporate Development, Asia Pacific of Glu Mobile
- Dr. Robin King, President and CEO of Imagina Corporation
- Mr. Alan Leung, COO of Optisp
- Mr. Ken Lo, Vice President, Business Development, Asia of Sony Pictures Television International
- Mr. Terry Mak, Executive Vice President – Distribution and Television Networks, Celestial Pictures
- Mr. Jonathon Marshall, Technical Strategist of Scott Gronmark Associates
- Mr. Chris Reitermann, Managing Director of Ogilvy & Mather Advertising; Managing Director/ North China of OgilvyOne Worldwide
- Mr. Mark Resch, Fellow of Banff New Media Institute
- Mr. Simon Smith, Creative Partner of Weapon7
- Mr. Michael Tong, COO of NetEase
DELF Showcase Junior, a complementary event of DELF 2006, kicked off today to inspire the young generation about digital entertainment. This event will be held at the Ocean View Court of the Arcade at Cyberport until 26 March, featuring exciting and marvelous events such as PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) Treasure Hunt, RTHK 17th International Pop Poll Awards, Interact, YRock live concert and Wise-Kids & Xbox 360 exhibition, and showcasing the latest development in video game, pop music and interactive entertainment. Both DELF 2006 & DELF Showcase Junior are aimed to facilitate and propel the growth of digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong.