A large-scale Finnish research programme Next Media has received an additional funding of EUR 5 million for 2011 from Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. Sanoma leads and co-ordinates the research programme, which aims at enhancing digital media R&D activity in Finland and developing future concepts for business models. All Sanoma's divisions are in the programme.
"We are satisfied with the confidence the expanded Tekes funding shows. Next Media research programme involves Finland's best experts in media both from companies and research organisations, so we can expect useful results", Next Media research programme leader Eskoensio Pipatti from Sanoma Entertainment says.
Next Media research programme consists of ten projects, the most extensive being eReading project of The Federation of the Finnish Media Industry, Finnmedia. The project studies and develops media experience gained from eReaders, content based business models and publishing strategies developed for eReader platform.
"The pace of development and the growing significance of networking means that it is increasingly important for the Finnish media to together find internationally competitive business models and practices for digital publishing. One of the new subjects of research next year are game-based features in media contents. Additionally, the study on media experience expands to cover the whole research programme", says Helene Juhola, Director R&D from Tekes.
The total scope of the Next Media research programme, initiated in 2010 by the Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Field of ICT, is now EUR 9 million. It is one of the six programmes, which now cover the whole area of ICT from gadgets to content and consumers.
Additional information:
Chief of R&D Eskoensio Pipatti, Sanoma Entertainment, tel. +358 10 707 7035, eskoensio.pipatti@sanomaentertainment.com
Sanoma inspires, informs and connects. As a diversified media group, we bring information, experiences, education and entertainment to millions of people every day. We make sure that quality content and interesting products and services are easily available and meet the demands of our readers, viewers and listeners. We offer a challenging and interesting working environment for 20,000 people in over 20 countries throughout Europe. In 2009, the Group's net sales totalled EUR 2.8 billion.