Canadian Digital Media Network Welcomes MaRS As New Node on Cross-Canada
Network

TORONTO and WATERLOO, ON, May 20 /CNW/ - MaRS, a Toronto-based not-for-profit innovation centre, is the newest addition to the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN). The collaboration will enhance levels of technology commercialization and help develop successful companies in the digital media sector. The announcement follows on the Canada 3.0 2010 digital media forum in Stratford held May 10-11 where Industry Minister Tony Clement emphasized the importance of digital media to Canada's economy.

"Bringing together MaRS and the collaboration network of the CDMN will enable powerful progress for digital media in Canada," said Kevin Tuer, Managing Director of the CDMN. "Helping more start-up digital companies bring products to market and creating opportunities for growth in the Information and Communications Technology field is critical both for Ontario and all of Canada."

MaRS advisors have been helping tech companies with advice, education, market insight and access to capital since 2006.

"At MaRS we are dedicated to furthering growth in the ICT sector by enabling the success of emerging technology companies," said advisor Krista Jones, ICT Practice Lead. "We're located in the heart of Toronto and have worked with hundreds of early-stage companies across Ontario to help them build their ventures into global successes."

Together MaRS and the CDMN, which is headquartered in Waterloo Region and now connects nodes throughout Canada, will share and develop knowledge through surveys, data-mining and reports; develop programs to enhance entrepreneurial skills; promote the capabilities of digital media industries in Canada; and more. The CDMN was the organizer, with the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, of the Canada 3.0 2010 forum. (See Canada 3.0 summary at http://cdmn.ca/blog/?p=163).

About The Canadian Digital Media Network:

The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) www.cdmn.ca, a federal Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, is dedicated to establishing Canada as a world leader in Digital Media by enabling connections and collaboration of people across the country - entrepreneurs, companies, research institutes and government - and bringing more digital solutions to market. The CDMN comprises Canada's largest concentration of business-driven digital media research, technology development, and digital commercialization expertise; it connects digital media expertise and capability from coast-to-coast, creating a digital convergence corridor. Digital Media covers a broad spectrum of technology and services, and includes any information created and shared virtually.

About MaRS

MaRS (www.marsdd.com) is a mission-driven innovation centre focused on building Canada's next generation of high-growth technology and social-purpose businesses.

For further information: Media Contacts: Shelley Grandy, Sr. PR Advisor, Communitech, [phone] or [email protected]; Linda Quattrin, Director of Communications, MaRS: [phone] or [email protected]