New Irish Industry Association for Digital Media
January 4, 2008 //
I published a post before Christmas expressing my interest to setup a new Industry Association to represent the interests of the digital sector in Ireland.
I was going to propose we call the Association ‘Irish Digital Media Association’ (IDMA). But I quickly realised it wouldn’t work for a very simple, non-technical reason. The acronym would conflict with the Irish Direct Marketing Association (IDMA). So, I’d like to propose the name ‘Irish Interactive Media Association’ (IIMA), similar to the British Interactive Media Association.
I need to reiterate that it’s not my intention to duplicate the efforts of other associations. I want to fill a void without overcharging for it. For example, mobile as a digital medium has little to no representation in Ireland, so this association would cover mobile.
I’d like to thank Blacknight for its sponsorship, with a special thanks to Michele for offering his support.
Venue Jaipur, 1 South Great George’s St, Dublin 2.
Date 29th January 2008
Time 7pm
The good news is that everyone who expressed their interest can come. There’s no reason to ‘invite’ specific people. The not-so good news is that we don’t have any representation from the big agencies or mobile companies. Truth be told, I never mentioned mobile until now, so perhaps that’s my fault for not providing examples of what the association could cover.
Now that we have a confirmed date, please RSVP your place now, even if you previously expressed an interest. I’m sure we can accommodate everyone, but because I’m putting out another call to action, it’s possible we might attract more people. So, the first 33 people to RSVP get in.
This invitation is open to other associations too, as they can add great value to the discussion - we could probably squeeze a few more around the table. I’ll publish an agenda closer to the date.
Below is some of the stuff I published on my initial post.
If you’re interested in helping me improve the ecosystem for the Digital Industry in Ireland, please join me for dinner in January. This is not just about having a conversation over dinner, people will need to contribute in some way, even if only to help open doors.
I intend to setup a new non-profit independent association. I will propose 12 Executive Directors, 1 Chair and up to 5 Advisors. I will not automatically qualify for any of the seats. Everything will be open and transparent. I will of course, put myself forward for the position as Chair, so if you like what I do for BIMA then you’ll give me your vote
The invitation is open to Academia, Government, Investors, Lawyers, Entrepreneurs, Corporations such as Microsoft, Adobe and Google, and anyone else with a vested interest in helping improve the system. This invitation is only extended to Enterprise Ireland if its board commits to taking away action items.
Robin Blandford says 
Elizabeth Varley says 
Robin Blandford says 
Paul -
Look forward to joining the evening!
Best,
Alex
January 4th, 2008
Paul,
Given your encouragement after my post on your other post, I’d like to join in on the night.
Paul
January 4th, 2008
I’d very much like to come along.
January 4th, 2008
I’ll be there (unless something happens, in which case I might have to send my standin
)
January 4th, 2008
OK Count me Inn.
January 4th, 2008
Count me in…
January 4th, 2008
Apologies I won’t be able to attend as I am out of the country on business. Do let me know if there is anything I can do before or after the meeting to support you.
January 4th, 2008
Sounds interesting.
See you there,
Rob
January 4th, 2008
Include me in, should be a really interesting night.
January 4th, 2008
I will be there.
January 4th, 2008
I would be very interested in attending.
January 4th, 2008
Guys,
I agree that we shouldn’t necessarily invite specific people. However only mentioning this on a blog is perhaps limiting our access to key decision makers and stakeholders in the Irish industry?
It may be a case of approaching certain sectors and verticals after the initial meeting on 29th. Surely the likes of Google, major website publishers, blue chip clients (who are now beginning to invest in the space) and the telcos should be represented. I think the major question should be who and what is driving our industry at present? Then the association needs to be 100% representative of this.
Anyway, for now, even talk of a dedicated association is a very interesting development.
Looking forward to meeting you all in a few weeks.
January 4th, 2008
@Rob I agree with everything you say. I’ve spoken to other influencers who kindly agreed to spread the word. We’ve already had most of the stakeholders register their interest, with the exception to the ones I mentioned in this post.
The CEO of the IIA has reached out via email to me, so, the blog is a good starting point as you say. The first dinner is to plan how to move this forward.
Please feel free to pass this invitation on. That said, you’ll need to be quick because we had 30 registered before this post was published. So, they’ll need to RSVP quickly, like everyone else.
January 4th, 2008
Count me in as well!
January 4th, 2008
Paul, please add my name to the list. Thank you.
January 4th, 2008
Paul,
Count me in.
As a suggestion: Allow for some tweaking of the people who RSVP to get a good cross section - or could you squeeze the likes of the mobile telco’s in later if they were interested?
Paul B.
January 4th, 2008
@Paul, I’m confident we can squeeze more in.
January 4th, 2008
Hi Paul,
As i said in my previous post, ill be along on the night. Shaping up very nicely, looking forward to it.
jimmy
January 4th, 2008
Paul,
I’m still in…
Regards,
Brian
January 4th, 2008
Great.
Count me in.
Shaping up nicely.
January 4th, 2008
Paul, I’d been interested in coming along. Count me in.
January 4th, 2008
I’ll be there too.
January 5th, 2008
I’d love to come along Paul. It sounds very interesting.
January 5th, 2008
Sorry Paul didn’t have full name in comment above.
January 5th, 2008
Only heard about this yesterday, so if there’s still space I’d like to pop along.
January 6th, 2008
Count me in too.
January 6th, 2008
Count me in also! This looks like a great initiative and I’ll support in any way I can.
January 6th, 2008
Hi Paul,
I’m still on for coming - see you on the 29th.
Steve
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul,
Interesting initiative - please count me in for the 29th.
Rory MacHale
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul,
Thanks for organising. See you on the 29th.
Frederic
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul,
count me in too
Lar
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul,
I will be in Dublin that day so would like to come along.
Ina
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul
I would like to attend if places still permit.
Thanks
Fergal
IIA
January 7th, 2008
Hi Paul,
I’m definitely interested in getting involved with the new IIMA.
I think that I am 34th though… maybe I can squeeze in somewhere?!!;)
Thanks
Lisa
January 7th, 2008
I was thinking that a dinner might not be the best format for something like this. Other than limiting the numbers, the number of no-shows at these events is incredibly difficult to foresee - something that could be problematic when booking a table for 33 and then 40 or 20 turn up. Additionally, sitting at a dinner table can result in people not really mixing, which is also important for such events.
So, while no doubt I’ll be damned for this given a venue has already been chosen, might I suggest an alternative format, such as a reception with buffet?
January 7th, 2008
Me too. I think it’s a great idea. I’ll be there.
January 7th, 2008
Happy to come if you can fit me in (might need a bigger table)……
January 7th, 2008
@Gaddo - only those who RSVP here are permitted to attend - you can’t just turn up on the night.
The evening is to kick start the conversation and get some action items down based on people’s opinions. I’m hoping the same people will help to raise awareness for this further so we can get it off the ground.
I plucked the figure of 33ish from the air based on my last Curry 2.0 dinner. We used the upstairs of Jaipur and positioned the tables in such a way that everyone could see each other.
A buffet is a good idea but walking around isn’t the best way for each person to ‘take the floor’ with their thoughts. It would probably work if we could move the tables out but unfortunately there is nowhere to store them.
I only chose the venue because my business partner and I own Jaipur and as such, we can do any of the above and change stuff around on the last minute, including numbers.
http://segala.com/blog/pitch-to-a-chef-not-a-waiter/
… which reminds me to send a cheque to smartnote.
January 8th, 2008
Hi Paul, still interested if there is still room - thanks!
January 8th, 2008
Hi Paul,
Any room left.
Best,
Johnny
January 8th, 2008
Hi Paul,
If there’s any room left, I would love to come along.
Regards,
Mary
January 8th, 2008
I’ll be there
January 9th, 2008
Hi Paul, I’d like to attend if you can squeeze me in.
Conn
January 9th, 2008
In the diary for 29th thanks Paul
damian
January 13th, 2008
I can’t make this now unfortunately, I managed to double book myself for Tuesday.
January 26th, 2008
Paul,
What time are you planning to kick off on Tuesday night?
Regards,
Brian
January 26th, 2008
Too late…7 p.m. I see now…
January 26th, 2008
Late to the party, but I’d love to attend if you’ve still got room available.
January 27th, 2008
Details of dinner and who’s attending. Please let me know if you’re on the list and unable to make it. http://paulfwalsh.com/irish-digital-industry-association-inaugural-dinner/
January 29th, 2008