The Short-Form Multi-Platform Content Pitching Competition $10,000 in Development Funding Up For Grabs

Toronto, Ontario (Canada) - May 3, 2006 - nextMEDIA (http://www.nextmedia2006.com) announced today the launch of nextPITCH: the short-form multi-platform content pitching competition. With $10,000 in development deals to be won, nextPITCH aligns with nextMEDIA's mandate to facilitate new digital content creation initiatives and to encourage the rising popularity of short-form multi-platform content.

Ten finalists selected from eligible entries received by the May 23, 2006 deadline will have five minutes each to pitch their short-form interactive multi-platform content idea to an international panel of industry experts. The $10,000 in funding generously provided by SUN TV (http://suntv.canoe.ca) will then be awarded to the top three pitches: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third. Pitching and judging will take place at nextMEDIA 2006 in Banff, Canada on the second day of the event, June 10th.

"We are thrilled to be creating a new venue for independent producers," explains Kim Gertler, Executive Producer of nextMEDIA. "nextPITCH motivates content creators of all kinds to innovate across multiple platforms using the 30-second content bite as inspiration."

Entrants must be registered delegates of nextMEDIA to enter nextPITCH. A complete list of rules and regulations can be found at www.nextMEDIA2006.com.

nextMEDIA is scheduled for June 9-11, 2006, at the Fairmont Banff Springs in the stunning Canadian Rockies. The intimate three-day event will present the brightest and most promising industry leaders in the evolving new media sector. nextMEDIA is scheduled just prior to the Banff World Television Festival (www.banff2006.com), taking place June 11-14. The two events are dedicated to the innovative content creation and will feature synergized programs and linked schedules to capitalize on the harmonies between the traditional and advanced media sectors. For more information, or to register, please visit http://www.nextmedia2006.com.

About nextMEDIA

nextMEDIA is owned and produced by Achilles Media Ltd. with the support of an international advisory board from the interactive media industry. Achilles Media is a media events management organization that also produces the Banff World Television Festival (June 11-14) and the World Congress of History Producers (November 16-19).

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Website: http://www.nextmedia2006.com