PRESS RELEASE: Leading Media Analysts Launch New Institute for the Connected Society
iFOCOS with the University of Southern California will Innovate Across a New World of Media
RESTON, VA, October 4, 2006 — Two leading media analysts announced today the formation of a new non-profit institute, iFOCOS, the Institute for the Connected Society. iFOCOS convenes thought leaders across disciplines to understand and use the new expanding media and to create better-informed global citizens. Their goal is to drive innovation around a new definition of “media” – one that includes traditional media and new emergent media, typified by the explosion of social media.
Founded by Andrew Nachison and Dale Peskin, iFOCOS is establishing partnerships with individuals and organizations around the globe to create next-generation media projects that foster an informed society, as well as create new opportunities in the marketplace. A board of advisors has been compiled from the world’s most influential digital media companies to advise and support the institute, including QUALCOMM, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, FastCompany magazine, The Associated Press, Reuters and more.
The institute is Reston, Virginia-based and is affiliated with the Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC) at the University of Southern California, which is conducting interdisciplinary research in digital technologies and models across media. Cross-sector collaborations with institutions, businesses, foundations, research centers, public policy groups and individuals will be announced in coming weeks.
By convening dialogues between thought leaders in different disciplines, iFOCOS plans to reveal intelligence from all corners of media. They will broker productive collaborations that lead to progress. One of iFOCOS’s first actions is conducting the international We Media forum at the University of Miami, February 8-9, 2007, with major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and participation by Grupo de Diarios América, a coalition of Latin America media groups. Previous “We Media” conferences were conducted in New York and London in association with news organizations, including The Associated Press, the BBC and Reuters.
“iFOCOS will lead international collaborations such as ‘We Media’ to understand how we can use media and new information technologies to anticipate changes on the road ahead,” said Andrew Nachison, the institute’s executive director. “As conveners and as facilitators of innovation, we will continue to bring productive groups together to address complex issues impacting audiences, communities and a society defined by media. Partners will contribute to an exciting dialogue and also walk away with ideas they can apply to their business and organization today.”
The affiliation with IMSC uniquely positions iFOCOS at the intersection of media, technology and society. “We’ll be working with one the world’s outstanding media labs to develop and understand a dazzling array of information technologies that will continue to transform media, media businesses and our connected society,” added Nachison.
“We at IMSC are excited by the opportunity to work with iFOCOS,” said Adam Clayton Powell III, IMSC’s director. “We look forward to developing partnerships that will lead to cutting-edge research to produce digital media solutions for news, information, education and entertainment.”
In addition to its event and research agendas, iFOCOS has established a practice to work with organizations and individuals on media strategies, projects and funding. The practice spans traditional channels of private and public media, from broadcasting and publishing to telecommunications and the “long tail” of personal and niche media.
“The rules are changing and so are we,” said Dale Peskin, iFOCOS’s co-founder and director. “We believe that media is a powerful source for innovation and a vital instrument for change in our society. We have a rare opportunity to inform crucial decisions about our future. iFOCOS and its partners will help steer innovation, broker collaborations and stir conversations that make a difference.”
The board of advisors to the institute includes:
• Jeff Belk, SVP, QUALCOMM
• John Bell, Managing Director/Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
• Merrill Brown, Principal, MMB Media
• Carin Dessaur, Principal, mc2
• Jim Kennedy, VP, Strategy, The Associated Press
• Susan Mernit, Product Manager, Personals, Yahoo!
• Craig Newmark, Founder, craigslist.org
• Scott Fox, CEO, Global View Partners
• Adam Clayton Powell III, Director, USC Integrated Media Systems Center
• Scott Rafer, CEO, My Blog Log
• Brian Reich, Senior Strategic Consultant, Mindshare Interactive Campaigns
• Richard Sambrook, Director, Global News Division, BBC
• Karen Stephenson, President, NetForm
• Alan Webber, Founder, FastCompany magazine
• William C. Weiss, Chairman and CEO, The Promar Group
• Dean Wright, SVP and Managing Editor, Consumer Services, Reuters America
Nachison and Peskin will also be affiliated with the USC Annenberg School of Journalism. Prior to founding iFOCOS, both men directed The Media Center at the American Press Institute.
About iFOCOS
The newly launched Institute for the Connected Society convenes thought leaders across disciplines to understand, apply and experiment with technology-enabled media to create better-informed global citizens. More information available at iFOCOS
Contact:
Gloria Pan, Communications Director
gloria@ifocos.org
703.251.4807
