In its third year the DiG Festival will be focussing on what has been identified as essential information for modern organisations when it returns to Newcastle City Hall on 12 & 13 October 2015.
Following significant market research and liaison with attendees, industry groups as well as local, national and international businesses, regarding what they want to see; 2015 will see DiG Festival roll out with a new theme and format entitled Digital Disruption and Transformation – How to survive and thrive.
Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Sticky Ads and DiG Festival cofounder, says that the relentless cycle of innovation we are experiencing has led to an unprecedented era of change, where new technology and business models are emerging daily to threaten our once dominant and secure industries and organisations.
“The problem for organisations is that they are not evolving their business models quite as rapidly as technology,” Craig said. “Most are still in the relatively early stages of transitioning from industrially driven to digitally driven strategies and operational models.”
A major study by Forrester Research called ‘The Future of Business is Digital’ found;
- In 17 industry sectors from insurance bracket [86%] to industrial products [60 %] executives agree that digital technologies will disrupt their business in the next 12 months.
- 76% of executives believe they have a digital strategy: but only 16% have the skills to execute the strategy.
“The 2015 DiG Festival will highlight leaders in digital disruption and transformation and provide attendees with a framework to navigate change, not only to survive, but to thrive in the new economy,” Craig continued.
A series of Presenters will detail their “war-stories”, inspirational successes and cautionary failures, while structured Workshops will introduce attendees to the tools, systems and knowledge, organisations need to survive and thrive. Workshop topics will cover themes such as:
- Brand and Positioning – the need for clarity and specialisation
- 21st Century Marketing – how to attract, nurture and convert new customers
- Systems and Software – improved delivery, automation and operation for efficiency and profit
- Partnerships and Collaboration – rapid gains and leadership from strategic relationships
The co-creators of the DiG Festival Craig Wilson, Stephanie Hinds and Tracy McKelligott; who personally continue to believe in and strive to make the DiG Festival something very special for Newcastle and the Hunter, recently attended the world’s largest and most innovative digital festival – SXSW ‚Äì in Austin, Texas.
DiG Festival Key Dates:
- 15 April – Presenter applications close
- 1 May – First round of Presenters announced
- 30 June – Workshops applications close
- 1 July – Earlybird tickets available
- 1 September – Standard tickets available
- 12 & 13 October – DiG Festival
