IMDA partners with Audible and KC Global Media SG to boost local media sector

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has unveiled two new partnerships with audiobook entertainment creator Audible and multimedia company KC Global Media Singapore. These partnerships come as IMDA look to roll out a series of new initiatives and capability development programmes aimed to develop innovative content, nurture local media talent, and cultivate fresh opportunities for international collaborations. The programmes are said to further strengthen the competitiveness of Singapore’s media ecosystem.

IMDA’s partnership with Audible will help the local media scene to develop original audio content. Aiming to benefit over 70 media professionals and at least 10 Singapore media companies, the companies will launch “Audible Accelerator”, which provides participants with training in audio development and production, and identify original stories for distribution on Audible’s services around the world. As part of the programme, ten scripts developed by “Audible Accelerator” participants will also be selected to be produced into an audio pilot, which will be tested on Audible’s services to an international audience.

Meanwhile, IMDA’s partnership with KC Global Media Singapore will see the multimedia company working with local media companies to conceptualise and co-develop original scripts with a regional appeal. KC Global Media has a strong presence in markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines and Taiwan.

IMDA will also be tapping on its existing partner ViacomCBS, to partner home-grown production studios to explore new market opportunities for animation productions. Under the mentorship of media veterans at ViacomCBS, Singapore companies and talent will have the chance to develop an original animation series for each of ViacomCBS’ flagship brands, MTV Asia and Nickelodeon Asia. The collaboration is expected to benefit 19 creative media professionals in roles including writers, producers, and animation artists.

Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of IMDA, said: “I am heartened to see our companies and talent forging ahead to find new ways to share our Asian stories. Thank you for bringing us respite with these amazing stories, reimagined for an unprecedented time. The resilience and ingenuity demonstrated by the media industry throughout this period is a story waiting to be told, to inspire future generations of storytellers.”

Over the past few months, IMDA has introduced a series of measures to support the local media sector. It launched a SG$8 million public service content fund earlier this year in partnership with Mediacorp, Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Viddsee. The fund aims to catalyse production projects through commissions of short-form content for their digital platforms.

Following a call for proposals, the fund was awarded to 78 new commissions, benefitting 67 local media companies such as August Pictures, Verite Productions and Butterworks. Of which, 22 new titles were released on meWATCH, Viddsee, and SPH’s digital platforms in November. According to IMDA, more titles will be released progressively by September 2021. To continue supporting these “Made with Singapore” projects, a second call for proposals was launched earlier in August 2020.

The media sector is not the only sector IMDA is looking to develop talent in. Earlier in October, IMDA partnered with Internet company Sea, to launch a new programme to hire and train Singaporeans to take up tech-related jobs. The programme will benefit 500 Singaporeans, comprising 400 entry-level and 100 mid-career (those with more than three years of working experience) jobseekers.

Trainees who complete the programme will be equipped in the eCommerce and tech industry, and will be ready to take on roles such as data/business analysts, product managers, software engineers and user interface/user experience designers. All suitable trainees that complete the training will also be employed by the business entities under Sea, which include Shopee Singapore and Garena Online.

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(Photo courtesy: 123RF)

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