From October 4-7, 2010, the Georgia Institute of Technology will host the first FutureMedia Fest, an interactive “mash-up” to explore and enable new paradigms in how content is created, distributed and consumed in a converging media world. FutureMedia Fest 2010 (www.futuremediaglobal.com) will bring together executives and investors, innovators and entrepreneurs, academics and researchers to discuss the transformational impact of next generation digital, social and mobile media across industries, societies and our daily lives. The four-day event will feature compelling keynote addresses, panel discussions, birds-of-a-feather workshops, demonstrations of the latest new media technologies, and presentations by startup companies, researchers and academics driving innovation. Platinum sponsors for FutureMedia Fest 2010 are The Coca-Cola Company and HP.

“Digital, social, mobile and multimedia are fundamentally changing business models and transforming how we communicate,” said Renu Kulkarni, executive director of FutureMedia at Georgia Tech. “We are in the middle of a revolution – some will fail, some will survive, and some will thrive. FutureMedia Fest is an incredible opportunity to challenge the norm, experience future possibilities and understand how new media platforms will affect organizational change and growth.”

Michael Jones, chief technology advocate at Google, is scheduled to deliver one of the event’s keynote addresses. In addition, FutureMedia Fest 2010 will feature presentations, speaking panels and startup demos from more than 75 world class experts in emerging media creation, distribution and consumption fields. Alongside research and academic experts from Georgia Tech, event speakers include:

• Clyde Tuggle, senior vice president, Global Public Affairs & Communications, The Coca-Cola Company
• Russ Daniels, vice president and chief technology officer, HP
• Glenn Lurie, president, Emerging Devices, National Resale and Partnerships, AT&T
• Michael Kelly, CEO and president, The Weather Channel Companies
• Richard Boly, director, Office of eDiplomacy, US Department of State
• Wonya Lucas, executive vice president and COO, Discovery Channel
• Jon Fasman, southeast correspondent, The Economist
• Teya Ryan, president and executive director, GPB Media

In addition, event attendees will have ample opportunities to touch, feel and play with the coolest technologies and products via a music mix, gaming lounge, research demos and the launch of the annual student Convergence Innovation Competition at Georgia Tech.

The annual FutureMedia Fest will serve as the seminal event for Georgia Tech’s FutureMedia Initiative, a global, collaborative initiative that explores new paradigms on how content is created, distributed and consumed. Backed by the technological expertise of Georgia Tech, a global top-ten technology university, and bolstered by its location in Atlanta, a well-known and growing media industry center, FutureMedia will connect universities, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and industry to create a robust, open innovation environment and drive the growth of a new media ecosystem.

“Great universities, like Georgia Tech, shape the world rather than being shaped by it,” said Steve Cross, executive vice president for research, Georgia Tech. “We view FutureMedia as a timely event that includes all of Georgia Tech to help us do just that – by creating living laboratories and test beds that enable our ecosystem of partners to practically discover and create what’s next. This must-attend event will compel new thinking, foster new partnerships, generate new business opportunities and position Georgia Tech and the state of Georgia as media innovators and economic powerhouses.”

"As the home of top media, marketing and technology organizations, Georgia is naturally positioned to grow as an economic and research hub for the future of media," said Clyde Tuggle, SVP Global Public Affairs & Communications, The Coca-Cola Company. "The Coca-Cola Company is proud to participate in this timely and important discussion as a sponsor of FutureMedia Fest 2010."

“Social media is a force that has the power to transform bits-and-bytes technology into a dynamic, exciting medium for societal interaction," said Russ Daniels, vice president and chief technology officer, HP. “In addition to pioneering research in social media through our Social Computing Lab, HP is proud to support initiatives such as FutureMedia Fest, which foster innovation and discussion in the field.”

FutureMedia Fest 2010 will be held at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional speakers will be added over the coming months. For all conference information, including registration, visit www.futuremediaglobal.com.