MDeC, Google join forces to boost M’sia’s creative industry
KUCHING: The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Google recently hosted a ‘ Made For YouTube’ gathering in Kuala Lumpur to nurture and highlight Malaysian YouTube content creators.
With more Malaysians turning to ‘new media’ for entertainment, the Internet has become a launching platform for uprising stars to breakthrough in the online content industry, ranging from YouTubers, creative content creators and online publishers.
“Our collaboration with Google aims to increase the reach, capability and competency of Malaysia’s creative industry by helping home- grown content creators to produce, monetise and commercialise world- class content on the YouTube platform.
“At present, MDeC is on a gamechanging mission to spur the creative content landscape for Malaysia, especially focusing on content for games. This partnership is very much aligned with our aim of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for creative content,” said Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, chief executive officer of MDeC.
“Under our Digital Malaysia national agenda, we aim to move Malaysians from consumption to production- centric - creating new income generation opportunities via new digital business models.
“The creative content industry is estimated to be worth RM7 billion but at this moment only 15 per cent are local content. We had some successes such as Les’ Copaque’s phenomenal Upin and Ipin series, and we aim to build on the momentum with various initiatives for the creative multimedia industry,” Yasmin added.
Content creators for ‘ Made for YouTube’ have been part of a yearlong programme organised by both MDeC and Google to develop homegrown talents in line with Malaysia’s goal to be a creative technology content hub of Asia.
Over 20 MSC Malaysia status companies and new start-ups participated in this programme, receiving support in the form of production facilities, development funding, dedicated manpower, growth strategies and strategic advice from both MDeC and Google.
‘Made For YouTube’ showcases the high quality content that Malaysian YouTube creators have developed for the flourishing local scene. Among them, The Grim Film’s “The Long Distance Relationship” with 2 million views, and DiDi & Friend’s “Kalau Rasa Gembira” with 5.6 million views are some examples who have made it big.
“Google highly encourages content creators and businesses to embrace digital as a platform. We would love nothing more than to help bring more Malaysian content onto the open Web and have Malaysian digital creators to connect directly with their fans.” said Sajith Sivanandan, managing director of Google Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and New Emerging Markets.
“The Internet has and will continue to enable YouTubers, creative creators and online publishers become successful. And Google is committed to helping our Malaysian content creators attain that success through our tools and platforms.” he added.
Our collaboration with Google aims to increase the reach, capability and competency of Malaysia’s creative industry by helping home-grown content creators to produce, monetise and commercialise world-class content on the YouTube platform.
Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, MDeC CEO