Editorial Articles

For 25 years, the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) has represented the diverse interests of the British interactive and digital industry. On 6th May, after eight months of discussions with agencies, government, students and our members, we set out our vision for how BIMA will put the digital sector at the heart of Britain’s new economy and position digital Britain at the centre of the world.

According to the Digital Britain report, our sector accounts for nearly £1 in every £10 that the whole economy produces each year and the turnover of the agencies in New Media Age’s Top 100 accounts for over £500 million revenue alone. BIMA is proud to represent such a vital part of the British economy.

To ensure we are as accessible as possible, BIMA has announced the opening of new offices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as partnering with agencies and regional bodies throughout Britain to broaden our reach. From an international perspective, we have joined forces with the British Council and Department for Business Innovation & Skills to showcase digital Britain around the world, and our support of the Digital Mission to China and India and sponsorship of this year’s SXSW festival is just the beginning of this international initiative.

In an industry of almost constant change, standards and best practice are our bedrock. BIMA has partnered with leading technology law firm, Kemp Little, to create a set of industry standard legal documents. We are publishing an annual rate card and salary survey and partnering with conference and media publishers, including Figaro Digital, on a nationwide programme of educational, inspirational and networking events.

To help you find the people you need or develop your career, we have also launched the biggest digital job site in Britain, which carries over 1,000 jobs from Chinwag, New Media Age, Brand Republic and Econsultancy, and providing unlimited job postings for our members.

To bridge the education and vocation gap we have launched a nationwide Schools Digital Challenge in association with Channel 4, Microsoft, Sky and the IAB, where 11-18 year olds can undertake a digital project that benefits their community. We have also begun an educational programme working with Colleges and Universities such as Middlesex and Manchester Metropolitan University to develop and accredit relevant course modules – equipping the next generation with relevant skills identified by our members, as well as working with Skillset on a new set of guidelines for work placement in the creative sector.

BIMA has a heritage of celebrating and showcasing excellence. The BIMA Awards, which will be unveiled on 25 November, promise to be even bigger and better than last year’s record event. Our announcement of the launch of the British Digital Hall of Fame, backed by Google, Microsoft, BT and Adobe, to honour the greatest Briton’s in digital is another testament to our commitment to rewarding great work and encouraging the next generation.

It is also imperative that we do not forget about the 10 million people in the UK who are yet to gain access to the internet. Our partnership with Race Online plans to bring the support of the entire industry behind its aim of bringing everyone in the UK online by 2012.

This is your industry and BIMA is your association.

Justin Cooke
BIMA Chair and CEO of Fortune Cookie
Twitter: BIMA
Blog: http://blog.bima.co.uk/