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The digital media cluster in Metro Orlando is steadily growing
as the technology fueling the industry is cross applied to other
established sectors in the region including:
- Modeling, simulation and training (MS&T)
- Film and television production
- Theme park/ride and show
- Interactive and immersive entertainment
Industry leaders predict that this cross application will lead
to increased collaboration among these fields through shared
research and technology breakthroughs.
Today, close to 400 production companies are based in Metro
Orlando. Companies in the region incorporate elements of digital
media technology in a host of professional offerings:
- Training
- Instructional design
- Website development
- Special effects
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- Interactive video
- Entertainment
- Marketing
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The sector has evolved over the years as an outgrowth of the
prominent MS&T cluster, as well as the film and video
production industry, which arrived here in the 1980s. With a strong
U.S. military presence in the region, digital media companies have
been able to take advantage of government contracts to lend their
expertise to projects like experiential training exercises.
Opportunities in theme park ride development, and film production
bolstered by the presence of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal
Orlando Resort, also abound.
Metro Orlando features sound infrastructure supporting digital
media businesses:
- Film soundstages
- Post production houses
- Television broadcast studios — The Golf Channel headquartered
in the region
Additionally, Florida ranks sixth in the nation for broadband
penetration and Metro Orlando is the second largest market for
Bright House Networks in the U.S.
Demonstrating its dedication to advancing the digital media
industry in the region, the Metro Orlando EDC commissioned a
comprehensive independent study to assess the current environment
and determine strategic direction for the future. The study was
conducted with the input of more than 90 professionals representing
business, government and academia interests in digital media.
The Central Florida Digital Media Initiative, produced by
PwC Consulting, found that digital media in Metro Orlando is
already a vibrant sector and made six key recommendations to
promote continued growth of the industry. Action plans are being
made to implement a majority of PwC’s recommendations:
- Emphasizing a digital media focus on content creation and
technological developments with special concentration on leveraging
core strengths across industry sectors and increasing growth of
core clusters
- Underscoring the attractiveness of investing in the region to
help stimulate financial growth in digital media
- Integrating education as a catalyst to the region's digital
media initiative
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