Remarkable things happen when you bring together a diverse group of talented leaders and organizations around the power of media.

Collaboration stirs the imagination. Good ideas get real.

We Media connects individuals and organizations from across industries who believe the power of media, communication and human ingenuity should be applied to innovate in business AND to make the world better through media.

Leaders from all sectors, fields and disciplines join enterprising citizens in participatory programs, unscripted dialogue, workshops, demos and networking events aimed at using the power of our media to strengthen communities geographic and virtual.

We Media functions as a marketplace of ideas and actions. It’s a meeting ground for the global We Media Community – an eclectic and ambitious network of media innovators, entrepreneurs, creators, investors, funders, community activists and executives. Together we seek new collaborations, new relationships and new ways of thinking.

We Media itself is an idea: it’s a counterpoint to “The” media. In a world connected by digital information networks and devices, the power to produce and distribute media and communications services is now in everyone’s hands. That includes grass roots groups, bloggers and independent media creators, as well as institutions large and small that share space, time and attention with everyone else in the connected society. A new creative class of technology entrepreneurs, dreamers, inventors, story-tellers and digital media producers is fueling a relentless cycle of innovation in communications.

In 2005, Al Gore used We Media to launch his agenda of civic engagement through media. Since then, nearly 1000 innovators have attended We Media events to fuel ideas, initiatives and investments in media through the power of us. Some of the most dynamic projects in digital media have emerged from the event, its ongoing programs and the expanding We Media Community.

We Media is organized by iFOCOS, a non-profit media think tank and futures lab. Proceeds fund activities and programs that foster a better-informed society, including research, support and activities of the global We Media Community, and an educational agenda to make the world better, for more people, through the enlightened use of media and communications technologies.

In order keep activities personal and participatory, attendance is limited to about 300 leaders.

OK, But What Is It, Really?

We Media is about different things to different people. Above all, it’s about the power of everyone to connect and communicate through technology. For some, it’s about the business opportunities – and challenges – of adjusting to life in the connected culture. For others, it’s about meeting interesting people, sparking the imagination and bumping into new ideas. We hope you’ll learn a few things, meet people, occasionally step out of your comfort zone, and partake in the festival vibe.

The program includes a series of forums and town hall conversations and a variety of participatory activities involving communities, individuals and organizations to help participants understand and address the challenges of a changing multi-media world, and to stimulate innovation and investment in new projects and services.

Activities in 08 will include:

• Unconference in the Grove
• Pitch It – Entrepreneurs and startups pitch new ventures to a panel of experts
• Demos and Workshops on Tools,Techniques, Issues and Insights
• Co-located side events and meetings
• We Media Working Groups: Members of the We Media Community will take the lead in planning key portions of the program, and in various workshops and demos

To inquire about availability or to book space for your organization’s co-located side events and meetings, or to discuss sponsor options, contact: info AT ifocos.org.