MDC Partners Announces Boulder Digital Works
19 Jun 2009
PRESS RELEASE
June 2009
MDC Partners, together with the University of Colorado at Boulder, have announced a partnership to create Boulder Digital Works, a new kind of school focused on the digital arts and sciences.
The new school will offer a multi-disciplinary, project-based learning program designed to provide the skills needed by future digital leaders and entrepreneurs. It is based in Boulder and is a part of the University of Colorado Extension Division.
The faculty of Boulder Digital Works will provide a unique array of expertise, including educators from the University's School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the College of Engineering, as well as acclaimed practitioners from leading digital companies throughout the U.S. and the world. Sweden's Hyper Island, one of the most highly regarded digital learning programs in Europe, will also be a partner in the program providing exchange programs for teachers and students.
"Boulder Digital Works was created to provide real world skills and capabilities for people who want to be a part of the digital revolution," said Chuck Porter, Co-Chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Chief Strategist of MDC Partners.
"The most effective digital leaders are collaborative with a broad base of skills. It's not easy to create a traditional curriculum that addresses this, but at the University of Colorado we met people with the vision and flexibility to make it happen. The Boulder Digital Works learning model is adaptive, integrated and practical, and it covers the spectrum of digital disciplines and media. Students learn to be multi-disciplinary thinkers and problem solvers, and they learn to change the world."
"Even in this economy there's a critical shortage of digital talent," said Miles Nadal, CEO and Chairman of MDC Partners.
"Virtually every enterprise needs digital thinkers who are versatile, smart, and connected, and who can move comfortably and intelligently across the disciplines of technology, creative and business. At MDC Partners, our fundamental philosophy centers on the importance of talent and creativity. We can think of no better investment than the future digital talent of our industry."
Initially, Boulder Digital Works will offer a 60-week Certificate Program in Digital Arts and Sciences. The Certificate program will begin this Fall with applications due by August 15. Beginning in late July, the school will also offer 36-hour, intensive immersion Executive Programs in digital fluency for working professionals.
"We knew that if we wanted to have a true impact on the world through digital education, we needed to do more than offer courses in digital. We needed to fundamentally rethink the learning environment as well as the content offered in higher education," said David Slayden, Professor of Advertising at the University of Colorado and the Executive Director of Boulder Digital Works.
"Our research has surprised us and challenged our assumptions about education, including the insight that most people interested in digital work don't care about a graduate degree. What they care about is being digitally savvy and connected to the best work out there and the best people doing it. Students graduating from this program will leave prepared to make an impact in the fastest growing medium in the world."
June 2009
MDC Partners, together with the University of Colorado at Boulder, have announced a partnership to create Boulder Digital Works, a new kind of school focused on the digital arts and sciences.
The new school will offer a multi-disciplinary, project-based learning program designed to provide the skills needed by future digital leaders and entrepreneurs. It is based in Boulder and is a part of the University of Colorado Extension Division.
The faculty of Boulder Digital Works will provide a unique array of expertise, including educators from the University's School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the College of Engineering, as well as acclaimed practitioners from leading digital companies throughout the U.S. and the world. Sweden's Hyper Island, one of the most highly regarded digital learning programs in Europe, will also be a partner in the program providing exchange programs for teachers and students.
"Boulder Digital Works was created to provide real world skills and capabilities for people who want to be a part of the digital revolution," said Chuck Porter, Co-Chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Chief Strategist of MDC Partners.
"The most effective digital leaders are collaborative with a broad base of skills. It's not easy to create a traditional curriculum that addresses this, but at the University of Colorado we met people with the vision and flexibility to make it happen. The Boulder Digital Works learning model is adaptive, integrated and practical, and it covers the spectrum of digital disciplines and media. Students learn to be multi-disciplinary thinkers and problem solvers, and they learn to change the world."
"Even in this economy there's a critical shortage of digital talent," said Miles Nadal, CEO and Chairman of MDC Partners.
"Virtually every enterprise needs digital thinkers who are versatile, smart, and connected, and who can move comfortably and intelligently across the disciplines of technology, creative and business. At MDC Partners, our fundamental philosophy centers on the importance of talent and creativity. We can think of no better investment than the future digital talent of our industry."
Initially, Boulder Digital Works will offer a 60-week Certificate Program in Digital Arts and Sciences. The Certificate program will begin this Fall with applications due by August 15. Beginning in late July, the school will also offer 36-hour, intensive immersion Executive Programs in digital fluency for working professionals.
"We knew that if we wanted to have a true impact on the world through digital education, we needed to do more than offer courses in digital. We needed to fundamentally rethink the learning environment as well as the content offered in higher education," said David Slayden, Professor of Advertising at the University of Colorado and the Executive Director of Boulder Digital Works.
"Our research has surprised us and challenged our assumptions about education, including the insight that most people interested in digital work don't care about a graduate degree. What they care about is being digitally savvy and connected to the best work out there and the best people doing it. Students graduating from this program will leave prepared to make an impact in the fastest growing medium in the world."
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Reader’s Digest Announces Transformation Into Multi-Platform Leader
19 Jun 2009
PRESS RELEASE
June 2009
To satisfy consumers' changed media appetite for easily digestible content, on demand and in flexible formats, Reader's Digest has announced a transformation of its iconic brand into multiple media platforms, including a suite of products under the ‘Reader's Digest Version’ banner.
In addition, Peggy Northrop, the U.S. Editor-in-Chief of Reader's Digest magazine, has been named Global Editor-in-Chief and will assume the additional responsibilities for directing the brand's 50 international editions as well as content for all Reader's Digest platforms, print and digital.
"Reader's Digest is a $1 billion-plus global brand," said Reader's Digest Community President Eva Dillon, "with 50 editions worldwide reaching 70 million readers and more than 40 million branded books, music, and videos sold annually. As one of the world's largest producers of original content, we will continue our transformation into an innovative multimedia brand by delivering content to users whenever and by whatever means they want, through expanded digital and print investments and the development of new mobile, video, and multimedia applications."
A full suite of products will be launched over the next year, many of them branded ‘Reader's Digest Version’ to capitalize on the title's iconic heritage and unparalleled expertise in producing condensed, accessible, and useful information.
"To people everywhere, the 'Reader's Digest Version' is a concept that means getting to the point," Dillon said.
"We will now turn that concept into an explicit brand–'Reader's Digest Version'–delivering essential content the way in which consumers expect from Reader's Digest."
Demonstrating that interest and demand for the Reader's Digest brand already exists in new mediums, readersdigest.com was completely redesigned and relaunched in June 2008 in the United States, resulting in double-digit increases in traffic and advertising revenue. The site will expand to incorporate ‘Reader's Digest Version’ programming, providing users with original content on a range of need-to-know subjects–both topical and evergreen. This summer, Reader's Digest will roll out a global web platform, localized by market, in 21 languages.
As the brand moves to new platforms, the U.S. magazine will reallocate its resources and adjust its rate base from 8 to 5.5 million over an 18-month period, beginning with the February 2010 issue, and reduce its frequency from 12 to 10 times a year. Total global circulation will be 14.5 million, the largest paid circulation magazine in the world.
"Over the past year, we have focused our resources on modernizing the flagship magazine, resulting in positive feedback from readers and advertisers around the world and our first-ever ASME Award for General Excellence, the highest honor that can be earned from the magazine industry," Dillon said.
"Now we will extend our brand with multiple print and digital platforms that will deliver a broad range of content in the medium that best suits our customers' needs."
Peggy Northrop recently accepted the National Magazine Award for General Excellence after guiding the magazine through a major redesign and modernization. Northrop will be responsible for editorial for all 50 editions, which are printed in 21 languages and sold in more than 60 countries.
June 2009
To satisfy consumers' changed media appetite for easily digestible content, on demand and in flexible formats, Reader's Digest has announced a transformation of its iconic brand into multiple media platforms, including a suite of products under the ‘Reader's Digest Version’ banner.
In addition, Peggy Northrop, the U.S. Editor-in-Chief of Reader's Digest magazine, has been named Global Editor-in-Chief and will assume the additional responsibilities for directing the brand's 50 international editions as well as content for all Reader's Digest platforms, print and digital.
"Reader's Digest is a $1 billion-plus global brand," said Reader's Digest Community President Eva Dillon, "with 50 editions worldwide reaching 70 million readers and more than 40 million branded books, music, and videos sold annually. As one of the world's largest producers of original content, we will continue our transformation into an innovative multimedia brand by delivering content to users whenever and by whatever means they want, through expanded digital and print investments and the development of new mobile, video, and multimedia applications."
A full suite of products will be launched over the next year, many of them branded ‘Reader's Digest Version’ to capitalize on the title's iconic heritage and unparalleled expertise in producing condensed, accessible, and useful information.
"To people everywhere, the 'Reader's Digest Version' is a concept that means getting to the point," Dillon said.
"We will now turn that concept into an explicit brand–'Reader's Digest Version'–delivering essential content the way in which consumers expect from Reader's Digest."
Demonstrating that interest and demand for the Reader's Digest brand already exists in new mediums, readersdigest.com was completely redesigned and relaunched in June 2008 in the United States, resulting in double-digit increases in traffic and advertising revenue. The site will expand to incorporate ‘Reader's Digest Version’ programming, providing users with original content on a range of need-to-know subjects–both topical and evergreen. This summer, Reader's Digest will roll out a global web platform, localized by market, in 21 languages.
As the brand moves to new platforms, the U.S. magazine will reallocate its resources and adjust its rate base from 8 to 5.5 million over an 18-month period, beginning with the February 2010 issue, and reduce its frequency from 12 to 10 times a year. Total global circulation will be 14.5 million, the largest paid circulation magazine in the world.
"Over the past year, we have focused our resources on modernizing the flagship magazine, resulting in positive feedback from readers and advertisers around the world and our first-ever ASME Award for General Excellence, the highest honor that can be earned from the magazine industry," Dillon said.
"Now we will extend our brand with multiple print and digital platforms that will deliver a broad range of content in the medium that best suits our customers' needs."
Peggy Northrop recently accepted the National Magazine Award for General Excellence after guiding the magazine through a major redesign and modernization. Northrop will be responsible for editorial for all 50 editions, which are printed in 21 languages and sold in more than 60 countries.
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