For Immediate Release:

Date:                January 14, 2010
Contact:            Kristina Hudson, Director, Washington Interactive Network
Email:               Khudson@enterpriseSeattle.org
Phone:              206.914.9056 

2010 Interactive Media Competitiveness Study Released Today  

Seattle, WA -- Washington Interactive Network released today the 2010 Interactive Media Competitiveness Study which was conducted by Community Attributes and funded by enterpriseSeattle and a grant provided by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle and King County. The goal of this study was to determine what regions were the top game development regions in the United States, and which one, if any, was the dominant leader. The twelve competing regions analyzed include: Seattle, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose.

It was found that three cities rank in the top tier of the world’s leading regions in Interactive Media: Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose. Of these top tier regions, this study finds the Seattle area the most competitive in the United States and the world for growth in the Interactive Media sector. These findings are based on industry-selected indicators of competitiveness: Number of firms, Computer and engineering talent, Multimedia and animation talent, Educational institutions, Cost of living, and Cost of business.

“Today, there is no stand-alone, national leader in this industry - which means the 'title" of global leader can still be claimed”, said Kristina Hudson, Director of the Washington Interactive Network. “If our region is mindful of our incentives and taxes by keeping it fiscally friendly to individuals and businesses, we have a good shot at being THE global center of game development.” 

“Incentives that support growth in the Interactive Media sector are an important component of economic competitiveness, and are addressed in this study” said Chris Mefford, Founder and President of Community Attributes. A total of seventeen US states currently have incentive programs targeted towards the Interactive Media sector. Most state incentive programs for Interactive Media are extensions of existing incentive programs directed at the film and media industries. Canada also has a number of strong incentive programs, referenced by many local industry leaders as quality models that emphasize a strategic investment in Interactive Media start-up and development activities. It is imperative that Washington remain competitive as other regions are racing away to try and capture this clean, green, high-skill, high-wage industry.

In 2007, enterpriseSeattle conducted an economic impact study to accurately count the jobs and companies in the region. It was found the Seattle region has largest concentration of game developers than anywhere else in the country with 150 companies in the interactive media industry and 15,000 jobs. 

Seattle ranks among the top tier regions in the nation in overall competitiveness in the Interactive Media sector, along with the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and international leaders such as Vancouver, Tokyo and Seoul. Factors that will continue to push the Seattle region ahead of its competitors are the historic strength in wireless talent and technologies which are continuing to converge with the interactive media industry, and the lower cost of doing business for technology companies. The region’s strong breadth and depth in multiple areas of game development, distribution, and the wireless sector makes it one of the most attractive and robust regions for interactive media development in the nation.

About Washington Interactive Network

The Washington Interactive Network is an economic development program currently funded by enterpriseSeattle. The purpose of WIN is to promote, nuture, and grow the Interactive Media industry in Washington State. 

www.WashingtonInteractiveNetwork.org
www.GameStartUp101.com 

About enterpriseSeattle

For over 35 years, enterpriseSeattle has provided client-based economic development services to businesses throughout King County. enterpriseSeattle's mission is to be a "difference-maker" in the community by growing the jobs and tax base in King County, its 39 cities and the greater Puget Sound region. It accomplishes its mission through a customized client services program focused on business retention, expansion and recruitment. It's objective is to become the premier economic development organization in the US.

www.enterpriseSeattle.org 

About Community Attributes: 

Community Attributes provides research and analysis to increase awareness, inform decisions and improve results. We specialize in community and economic development, strategic planning and philanthropic and non-profit advisory services. We help our clients improve the lives of the individuals and communities they serve.

www.communityattributes.com