iPad challenge could pay off for North

Jan 29 2010 by Jez Davison, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE creatives are being challenged to come up with money-making ideas for the latest gadget unveiled this week by IT giant Apple.

The iPad ‘tablet’ is a touch-screen device which looks like a giant iPhone and can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web.

North-east-based sector body Northern Film and Media (NFM) said it could revolutionise the art, gaming and publishing industries and will invest up to £40,000 in ideas that could be turned into applications - known as Apps - for the device.

Companies have to apply by February 24 and demonstrate that at least 70% of their staff are based in the North-east.

NFM said it wanted to help North-east firms “get their products developed, made, distributed and bought on whatever new platforms come along.”

Ewan McIntosh of NFM said: “We are trying to inspire the sector to come up with an impact idea that hasn’t been done before.

“Companies have to respond quickly to new platforms like the iPad. You need to move fast in this industry - or not at all.”

He is expecting a rush of applications from Teesside’s creative and digital firms – a major contributor to a £1.2bn industry in the North-east.