Media Convergence Focus for New Institute

Two leading US media analysts have this week announced the formation of a new non-profit institute, iFOCOS, the Institute for the Connected Society. iFOCOS aims to bring thought leaders together to better 'understand and use the new expanding media and to create better-informed global citizens'.

The goal is to drive innovation around a new definition of 'media' which includes traditional and new forms such as social media. Founders Andrew Nachison and Dale Peskin say the new Institute is establishing partnerships with individuals and organizations around the globe, and has gathered together a board of advisors from some of the world's most influential digital media companies to advise and support it. These include leaders from QUALCOMM, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, FastCompany magazine, The Associated Press and Reuters, along with the Founder of craigslist.org and senior figures from the likes of Yahoo! and the BBC.

Prior to founding Reston, Virginia-based iFOCOS, Nachison and Peskin directed The Media Center at the American Press Institute. The two founders will also now be affiliated with the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, while iFOCOS itself will be affiliated with the Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC) at the University of Southern California, which works on interdisciplinary research in digital technologies and models across media. Cross-sector collaborations with institutions, businesses, foundations, research centers, public policy and individuals will be announced in the coming weeks.

Nachison explains: 'As conveners and as facilitators of innovation, we will continue to bring productive groups together to address complex issues impacting audiences, communities and a society defined by media. Partners will contribute to an exciting dialogue and also walk away with ideas they can apply to their business and organization today.' iFOCOS also includes a practice which will work with organizations and individuals on media strategies, projects and funding.

The Institute is online at www.ifocos.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.