moderne communications leveraging virtual worlds for government uses ontario leading the way leigh...
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Moderne CommunicationsLeveraging Virtual Worlds for Government Uses
Ontario Leading the Way
Leigh RowanOctober 1, 2008
Ontario Digital Economy ConferenceHuntsville, Ontario
We’re Here to Tell a Story
The Story So Far…
• Personal and Company Introduction
• Overview of Virtual Worlds and Second Life
• Why Virtual Worlds? Why Ontario?
• We Visit Second Life
• Questions, Answers, and the story goes
on…
My Goals Today
• I aim to show how governments – including Ontario – are using virtual worlds:– To engage citizens– To improve services and accessibility– To create new/diverse jobs– To grow economies – digital, economic,
other
• Note: I am a virtual worlds evangelist!
A Brief History…of us
• TheSLAgency / Moderne Interactive:
part of Moderne Communications
– 20+ years experiential marketing programs
• VP of Interactive Marketing
• Client list includes Ontario’s MGS, the
World Bank, Harlequin Books, Nestle,
and others
Virtual Worlds & Second Life• What is Second Life?
– 3D Online Social Network. A “Virtual World” - NOT a game.
– 15+ Million people globally– Canadians are10th biggest SL population– It’s free. Downloadable software. Highly
customizable.
• Other Virtual Worlds include Forterra, There.com, Habbo, Google’s Lively, Hangout.net, and others
• Gartner study: 80% of web users in VWs by 2011
Second Life & Government
• Who’s there?– Ontario, including OPS and “Digital
Ontario” group of MGS, OIC, others– Vancouver Police Department– US States: Idaho and Missouri– US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)– NASA, NOAA, US Congress– The World Bank– Swedish Embassy, Mexico Gov’t
Tourism
What are Gov’ts Doing There?
External Uses:• Job
recruitment• Tourism/
business • Public
Awareness• Constituent
Communications
• Education• More!
Internal Uses:• Virtual
Meetings• Legislative
Voting• Telepresence• 4-day
workweek• Training• Customized
solutions
Who Visits Virtual Government Experiences?
• Thousands of people• Lengthy engagements• Real world results
Isn’t This Just Like the Web?
• EXACTLY - only better!
• This is “Web 3.0” – social, open, customizable, community-oriented, integrates with other networks/web, etc.
• Engage Citizens (many-to-many), Better Access to Services, New Jobs, New Opportunities
Ok, so… Why Ontario?
• Diverse Opportunities at the Cutting Edge– Reach: from Ontarians to Foreign Investors– Interaction: host events, lectures,
meetings– Efficiency: green aspects, easier access
• Because Ontario is a Leader!– Foresight– Innovation
How Ontario Is Using Virtual Worlds
• Digital Ontario Island (Grand Opening!)– Collaboration between MGS, OIC, others– Specialized OIC Pavilion– Includes a conference area and interactive
pavilions for each of the 6 Research Focus Areas
• Ontario Public Service Careers Island– First Ontario ministerial effort in VW– Showcase Ontario Diamond Innovation
Award-Winning! Congrats!– Virtual job recruitment and simulation– 5 of 18 job categories showcased; more soon!
What’s (Immediately) Next for Ontario in Virtual Worlds
• “Grand Opening” of Digital Ontario Island
• Expansion of OPS Careers Island
• Meetings/conferences to take place on Digital Ontario Island
What’s the Future of Virtual Worlds & Digital Economies?
• Improved Technology– Interoperability amongst VWs– Better VW technology
• More Gov’t Focus on Health, Learning, Economy
• Larger Ontarian presence!
Conclusions and Questions
• Where can I find resources?– Web:
www.TheSLAgency.com/govt– MGS: Glen Padassery/Eion
Gomes– Moderne Interactive:
• P: 516.694.1231• E:
A Special Thanks To…
• Glen Padassery, MGS/OPS• Peter Yaworski, MGS/OCCS• Barbara Swartzentruber, MGS• Eion Gomes, MGS
• Ministry of Government Services, Ontario
• Most importantly: YOU!
Ask, and Ye Shall Receive!
• We’re here to answer your questions:– Joe Mastrocovi (Managing Partner)
• [email protected]• 516-639-1057 (cell)
– Leigh Rowan (yours truly)• [email protected]• 831.325.3996 (cell)
– Moderne Interactive: (516) 694.1231
It Has Been a PLEASURE!
Thank you, and again, Congratulations!