Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

So, the kick off meeting is to be had over a curry and a few beers. I don’t intend to provide an exhaustive insight to what I have in mind with this post. Instead I’d like to provide a very high level overview to provide attendees with a little insight, so they can collect their thoughts before sitting down to dinner. Naturally, if you’re not attending but have an interest in this conversation, please feel free to leave a comment and possibly get involved in the future.

Who will the association represent?

I intend to setup a new non-profit independent association to represent the interests of each stakeholder within the Digital Industry. Stakeholders include students, graduates, academia, brands, technology providers, agencies, freelancers and government. Membership fees for each stakeholder will be based on their ability to pay.

The association will focus on the digital mediums that provide enabling technologies and applications so content can be delivered to the consumer. Such mediums include mobile, desktop computer and TV. You could argue that kiosk is another type of medium but that level of detail should be left for another time/post.

What will it deliver?

Take mobile for example, it has yet to have an association to help represent the players in that field, better understand and overcome the technical challenges that face them whilst helping each one to collaborate and possibly lobby government on important issues that impact them. Academia would also benefit from being better informed about the skills and knowledge required by the mobile industry to help ensure Ireland plays an integral role on the global stage.

How will the association be managed?

I propose 12 Executive Directors, 1 Chair and up to 5 Advisors. I will not automatically qualify for any of the seats. Although Fergal O’Byrne, CEO of the Irish Internet Association (IIA) says that I should automatically qualify as the first Chair on the basis that it’s my idea and importantly (his words), it would help get the entire initiative moving. Unfortunately Fergal is unable to make the dinner, but he has kindly offered lots of support moving forward.

It’s important that I’m not perceived as making assumptions whilst at the same time, being in a position to deliver stuff quickly. So please let me know what you think about Fergal’s suggestion.

The evening

I’m not covering the cost of this one. So I’d like to say a big thank you to our sponsors Blacknight and Microsoft. These guys aren’t just lending their support, which adds value; they’re actually paying for the evening and putting enough into the pot to help get the legal entity off the ground.

Sponsored by Blacknight and Microsoft

What I’d like to cover

1. The current landscape regarding other associations. This will help us better understand what a new digital association should and shouldn’t try to cover
2. Who to engage to help get the association off the ground – potential partners such as solicitors and accountants
3. Who to approach first to join as founding patrons and members
4. Discuss how to raise money from government and associated agencies to help support the association
5. Discuss which associations we should collaborate with. For example, IIA is an obvious one
6. Discuss and potentially agree on pricing structure. I will propose prices based on a similar model to BIMA’s
7. Discuss reasonable timescales
8. Anything else before we get sloshed on wine?

Attendee list

Below is a list of the people interested in helping to improve the ecosystem for the Digital Industry in Ireland. This is not just about having a kick-off conversation over dinner, people will need to contribute in some way, even if only to help open doors. If you’re on the list and I’ve got something wrong, or forgot to include detail which you left on my last post, please get in touch and I’ll amend it.

1. Paul Walsh, Segala
2. Dennis Deery, Irish Rose Consulting
3. Brian Caulfield, PutPlace
4. Damian Ryan
5. Conn O Muineachain, edgecast
6. Aido, Segala
7. Johnny Beirne, downloadmusic.ie
8. Martha Rotter, Microsoft
9. Tim Seager, McConnells.ie
10. Maryrose Lyons, Brightspark Consulting
11. Gaddo F Benedetti, GADDO.NET
12. Lisa Ferguson
13. Ina O’Murchu
14. Frederic Herrera, Institute of Art, Design & Technology
15. Rory MacHale, Ammeon
16. Steve Flinter
17. Sorcha Moore
18. Qamir Hussain, QHC consulting
19. Piaras Kelly
20. Anton Mannering, bench’d
21. Eoghan McCabe, CONTRAST
22. Niall Larkin
23. Jimmy Cotello, grasp
24. Marcus Mac Innes, pix.ie
25. Eddie Callaghan, PUCA
26. Rob Reid, cybercom
27. Alan O’Rourke, spoiltchild
28. Krishna De, oneocean
29. Evert Bopp, AIRAPPZ
30. Paul Sweeney, VoiceSage
31. Michele Neylon, Blackknight
32. Ana Nelson
33. Paul Campbell
34. Joe Drumgoole, Put Place
35. Alex Boothroyd, clearwire
36. John Breslin
37. Paddy O’Hanlo, Segala
38. Max Kelly, Tribune
39. John Collins, Irish Times
40. Mark Tighe, Sunday Times
41. Asheesh Dewan, Segala
42. Michael Geraghty, HP

Venue

Jaipur
1 South Great George’s St, Dublin 2. Map

When

29th February January 2008
7pm till late