Sponsorship elevates support for Detroit as global digital media hub

Marketing professionals to gather at Digital Summit Detroit at the Max M. Fisher Music Center

LANSING, Mich. – Amid an atmosphere of cutting-edge marketing technologies and best-practice techniques for the fast-changing digital space, many of the region’s marketing professionals will gather at Digital Summit Detroit, Sept. 22-23, to discuss the latest trends and trajectory of arguably the most transformative field of business. The summit will be held at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office is a headlining sponsor among more than two dozen local sponsors of the first conference in the region dedicated to the quickly unfolding possibilities of digital media. The more than 40 sessions at the two-day conference include digital strategies, content marketing, startups, design/UX, analytics, search, emerging technologies, social media, email marketing and innovation.

“Michigan is positioned to be a global leader for its aggregation of digital-media thought leaders and as the preeminent Midwest digital media hub,” said Jenell Leonard, commissioner, Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, which changed its name to reflect a broader focus on attracting filmmakers, digital media artists, producers and a range of talent in the state’s creative industries.

Digital Summit Detroit showcases the diverse range of professionals working in digital media, marshalling projects from design to the marketplace.

Leading digital-thought leaders scheduled to give presentations include: Timothy Mahoney, chief marketing officer at Global Chevrolet and Global GM Marketing; Beverly Jackson, vice president of social media marketing and content strategy at MGM Resorts International; Carmen Bryant, director, Content Innovation Agency, NBC Universal; Geoffrey Colon, communications designer, social data expert, Microsoft; and Peter Corbett, CEO, iStrategy Labs.

College students from around the state will attend the summit as guests of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office.

“The digital media summit is a great opportunity for students to learn first-hand about the emerging opportunities as they connect with some of the most prominent digital media businesses participating in the summit,” said Leonard. “It’s worth noting that amid the emerging technologies and up-and-coming digital marketing trends, there remains great opportunities in face-to-face networking.”

Below is an overview of the current job profile and projected trends in the industries with a concentration of digital-media related occupations, including film/video production, advertising, publishing/printing, design, architecture, cultural/heritage, audio/visual engineering, news syndicates, cultural-related sites/museums, among others.

• Michigan employed nearly 270,000 people in 2014 across digital-media industries.
• Michigan ranks second among the Midwest states (MI, IL, IN, OH, WI), and 11th in the U.S. in terms of employment in these industries.
• During the next five years (through 2019) Michigan is expected to see employment growth of 10.5% across these industries. (NOTE: This is on par with U.S. growth of 11.1%.)
• The average earnings for those employed in digital-media related industries in Michigan is nearly $89,000.
• Oakland County ranks second (after Cook County, IL) among Midwest counties in terms of employment across these industries. Wayne County ranks fourth.

Information and statistics above gathered by Michigan Economic Development Corporation Research Dept., September, 2015.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

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