Banff Spark issues special industry report: The Next Normal

Report finds women-owned media companies can be pivotal to reinvigorating global economies; authentic, diverse storytelling and original local IP in demand; collaboration and virtual production key drivers for competitive advantage

The BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media (BANFF Spark) today releases The Next Normal – a special report assessing how the past 18 months have impacted the entertainment sector and outlining new opportunities for the screen-based industries worldwide.

In speaking with more than 50 industry experts from across Canada and around the world, an editorial team of 18 reporters and editors offer a survey of the changing market dynamic around content creation and acquisition. The 45-page report offers a particular snapshot of the Canadian experience where broadcasters are investing in engaging the increasingly fragmented audience – looking to producers to help build out their portfolio of original content and forge new partnerships to help them compete for audiences and advance business objectives.

The report also profiles how BANFF Spark participants - 100 of Canada’s most exciting women-owned media companies - have been disproportionately impacted by the global health crisis – but are willing and able to lead out of lockdown.

“This special report is in support of the current BANFF Spark participant’s need to ‘cut through the noise to find the way forward in an industry facing accelerated change,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director BANFF World Media Festival and Publisher of Playback. “It offers a snapshot of the disruption faced by our industry more than a year after the first pandemic-induced lockdown with a focus on how the film and TV production worlds are adapting to keep pace with technological advancement and evolving consumer behavior, including the imperative to address inequities regarding diversity, representation, and inclusion of racialized professionals at all levels of the industry. The report also emphasizes that at a time of ongoing uncertainty, but also a great opportunity, it’s essential to tap into the potential of women-owned media companies.”

Read The Report Here:---click here

KEY FINDINGS: ● Streaming swept up traditional media: The pandemic accelerated the digital-first transformation and broadcasters are recalibrating to focus on streaming ambitions. ● The pandemic upended content production and distribution channels: New models are emerging from PVOD for movies to the adoption of virtual production processes to fastrack pipelines. ● Diversity and inclusion are top of mind: new initiatives, investments, and employment standards abound, as the industry seeks to hold itself to account as well as tap into the financial benefits of previously marginalized audiences. ● ‘She-cession’ needs to be addressed: women-led businesses, historically undercapitalized and struggling to find financing, are seeing pressure on funding agencies. ● A ‘firehose of opportunity: as production resumes, there is a bounce-back in commissions – particularly for international productions – as well as new models of co-production and co-financing. It’s the roaring ‘20s for feel-good, family-friendly, formatted content. RESULTS: ● Eight takeaways: insights to help guide the production community. ● Two breakout sections identifying nascent opportunities in edutainment and gaming apps. ● Seven chapters including interviews with international media leaders in the broadcasting and streaming landscape identifying both pain points and insights to help the screen industry advance projects and capitalize on alternative revenue streams. ● Directory of 100 BANFF Spark Canadian women-owned media companies looking to expand internationally, as well as their personal experiences developing innovative content and platforms. This report is supported by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Additional BANFF Spark supporting partners include Super Channel, BANFF World Media Festival, Schulich School of Business at York University, CIX Canadian Innovation Exchange and strategy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Next Normal – A Special Report Prepared in Support of BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media was written by the editorial team at Brunico Communications, publisher of Playback, strategy, Kidscreen, and Realscreen, and organizer of multiple international conferences for the screen industry including Agency of the Year, Shopper Marketing Awards, BANFF World Media Festival, Kidscreen Summit, Realscreen Summit, Asian Animation Summit, as well as Realscreen West.

VIEW PROFESSIONAL BIOS FEATURING THE CURRENT 100 BANFF SPARK PARTICIPANTS-(click here)

About the BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media The BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media is designed to address the systemic gap in gender equality and representation by providing essential opportunities and resources to help build significantly more women-owned businesses that excel both domestically and across the global media industry. Over the course of three years, BANFF Spark will support up to 200 entrepreneurs with the goal of advancing gender equality and bolstering the economic success of all women. With a strong mandate to champion diversity at its core, the program is especially designed to empower women of colour, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ women, and non-binary individuals.