QLD biz development agency CEA partners with YouTube
PRESS RELEASE:
QUT Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA) has today announced it is partnering with YouTube and the Queensland Government to deliver two new funding programs that support the state’s ever-growing band of YouTube creators –Creator OriginalsandQueensland Originals with YouTube.
The new programs target aspiring and established YouTuber’s, providing them with access to sought-after funding, production resources and support from some of the world’s top YouTube experts and content creators. The programs will assist Queensland’s next generation of video content creators to leverage the global video platform to attract customers at scale and drive revenue.
The programs form part of the Queensland Government’s $900,000Create Queenslandinitiative – a suite of initiatives introduced in late 2015 that fosters the state’s digital and entrepreneurial talent in the creative industries.
CEO of QUT CEA, Anna Rooke, said in the entertainment and marketing landscape, video is fast becoming the most engaging channel to attract and build an audience and convert customers – creating powerful commercial opportunities for creatives.
“There is considerable creative and entrepreneurial talent coming out of Queensland that is ready to be recognised globally. We are delighted to partner with YouTube, the Queensland Government and partners to help talented local creatives to discover how to develop highly engaging digital content that drives traffic and revenue,” says Ms Rooke.
“Create Queensland is an exciting chance for digital creatives to work with some of YouTube’s leading global content creators and be awarded for their work. It’s an opportunity for them to develop engaging content, expand their digital footprint and diversify their business to increase their global competitiveness,” says Ms Rooke.
Significant national support for creative entrepreneurs
Australia’s first and only startup ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the creative industries; CEA is committed to building a nurturing ecosystem that offers funding, mentoring and support. “Australia’s creative industries are estimated to be valued at more than AU$90 billion. Investment into the talent that’s driving our creative workforce presents enormous potential for Australia’s competitiveness in the global digital economy,” says Ms Rooke.
In latest news, CEA has announced its call for entries for this year’sCreative3Pitch–Australia’s only event dedicated to connecting creative industries ventures and entrepreneurs with investors. Investible creatives ready to pitch for seed-stage funding are invited to submit a 90 second video on their investible venture. Shortlisted finalists will then pitch to angel investors at the all-dayCreative3Pitchevent on 22 September 2016.
CEA is one of eight partners involved in Create Queensland. In addition to YouTube and the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland program, other key partners include Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and Screen Queensland. QUT CEA is responsible for the project management of Create Queensland initiatives.
Ms Rooke adds: “With more than one billion unique users each month, YouTube is the premier channel for this engagement.”
About Creator Originals
Creator Originals is an awards program targeting established and emerging Queensland YouTube content creators. YouTubers attracting between 10,000 to 30,000 subscribers are invited to submit a ‘talk-to-camera’ video pitch (up to three minutes) that encapsulates their proposal for an opportunity to win up to $30,000 in funding and support, plus a four-day residency at YouTube Space LA. Submissions are open now and close 17 June 2016 at 5pm.
About Queensland Originals with YouTube
Queensland Originals with YouTube is a joint initiative with Screen Queensland. Expressions of interest are open to Queensland-based production companies and creative teams to pitch ideas to develop and produce a YouTube series valued at $150,000 in award funding.
More information on Create Queensland is available athttp://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/create-qld.aspx.
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