by Lisa Devaney | 4 Mar, 2023 | Announcement
We are thrilled to announce a new collaboration between our Founder & Director Lisa Devaney – and Elsa Cristina Gailor – a talented established fine art artist. Elsa has kindly offered permission for a sample of her oil paintings to be featured here on the haimediagroup.com website – and to be shared on our social media platforms.
Elsa and Lisa met a couple of years ago in the Blue Ridge Mountains area near Charlottesville, of America’s Virginia, where Hai Media Group (HMG) is now based. To to read more about these colleagues meeting please see here.
by Lisa Devaney | 28 Nov, 2017 | Announcement
Our Founder and Director of Hai Media Group, Lisa Devaney, will be back at TechHub this week on Thursday, 30 November, to counsel and mentor tech startups with public relations and social media strategy, and tactics. She’s been a guest mentor for TechHub for a few years now, and is pleased to be welcomed back.
TechHub is the global community for tech entrepreneurs and startups. They support the growth of over 750 companies across the world, whether they’re founders getting started, or fast-scaling 50 to 100-person teams.
Devaney’s mentoring sessions this week will be one-on-one and open only to members of TechHub. Topics of building a communication’s strategy across media and social media platforms, executing and establishing thought leadership in a sector, and how to use social media to build a brand and engage with valuable audiences online, will all be covered, among other discussion.
With more than two decades of communications experience, Devaney has helped dozens of tech startups navigate the often confusing, and complicated, world of the modern media landscape. Some tech startups she has worked with have gone on to experience great success, winning awards, securing customers, and even selling on to larger companies for significant figures.
If you are interested in a free, one hour counsel session – Devaney is happy to provide this service. Just get in touch to: lisa@haimediagroup.com
by Lisa Devaney | 10 Oct, 2016 | Announcement
A conference or event is an important place for any up-and-coming tech startup to meet and greet with potential customers, partners and to showcase your thought leadership to an audience, if you can get a speaking opportunity. Among our network there are a few top conferences that tech startups we know are talking about and heading to soon. We thought you’d like to know where and when these happenings are taking place, here in London, and beyond.
Technology: The Innovators
November 2, 2016 (6 PM – 10 PM)
5 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4BX, UK
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/technology-the-innovators-tickets-27022598319
Huxley is bringing together a group of passionate technology founders, Investors/VCs and tech start-up enthusiasts for a showcase of the most innovative home grown technology. This will be a true evening of innovation giving you up close and personal access to the next tech unicorn to come out of the UK.
*Sign up on the Eventbrite link to get on the waiting list for this fully booked event, or, watch remotely through a live stream.
Web Summit
November 7-10, 2016
Lisbon, Portugal
HOME
The biggest gathering of tech startups and large companies is happening soon, and it isn’t to late to book a ticket at a discount rate. You’ll get to engage with 50,000+ attendees, 7,000+ CEOs and 15,000 companies from 150+ countries. Described by CNBC as being the “Biggest Event of Its Kind in Europe” and by Bloomberg as being “Davos for Geeks” you’ll not want to miss this business extravaganza.
TechCrunch’s Disrupt London
December 5-6, 2016
London, UK
https://techcrunch.com/event-info/disrupt-london-2016/
With a Startup Battlefield competition, a 24-hour Hackathon, Startup Alley, Hardware Alley and After Parties planned for this conference, it is sure to be a lot of fun and productive.
Dublin Tech Summit
February 15-16, 2017
Dublin, Ireland
http://startupeuropeclub.eu/event/dublin-tech-summit-2/
Leaders, Founder & Influencers shaping technology across the globe will come together for this conference, held across Dublin’s iconic Silicon Docks and in the Convention Centre Dublin, and the two-day event will showcase everything Dublin has to offer to tech startups. Expected are 10,000+ attendants, 50+ world media outlets and 200+ speakers & global investors.
South By Southwest (SXSW)
Austin, Texas, USA
March 10-19, 2017
Home
Famous for being where Twitter launched, among other exciting startup success stories, the tech startup injection at this world famous music and technology conference includes a Startup Village and plenty for the tech-savvy to be informed and entertained by.
Collision
May 2-4, 2017
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
https://collisionconf.com/
USA Today bills this conference as “The anti-CES” and it takes place at the time of Jazz Fest in New Orleans, so you can stay in town for that happening. Jazz fest goes on the weekend before, and after the Collision conference. With 20,000+ attendants, 4,000+ CEOs and 4,500+ companies from more than 50 countries participating, this is a true collision opportunity for building your business.
StartupGrind
February 21-22, 2017
Redwood City, California, USA
https://www.startupgrind.com/conference/
Google for Entrepreneurs’ StartupGrind says it connects 400,000 founders in more than 200 cities in 85 countries. The annual meet up is a culmination of ongoing monthly events, of which there have been 2,000+ fireside chats since it’s founding in 2010. The event promises to educate, inspire and connect and help entrepreneurs find mentorship, connect to partners and hires, pursue funding and reach new users.
TIPS
For keeping up with startup conferences and events, here’s a few places to visit and to subscribe to newsletters:
Startup Europe
http://startupeuropeclub.eu/events/
F6S
https://www.f6s.com/
TechLondon
http://www.tech.london/events
Startups
http://www.startups.co.uk
Startup Digest
https://www.startupdigest.com/digests
Tech City News
http://techcitynews.com/events/
Lanyard
http://lanyrd.com/
Moonbar
http://www.moonbar.org
Event Hunt
http://eventhunt.io/
Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/
Attending
https://attending.io/
Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/
KweekWeek
https://www.kweekweek.com/
Pickevent
http://blog.pickevent.com/
The Fetch
http://www.thefetch.com
Launch 22
http://www.launch22.co.uk/london-events-calendar
Do you want help positioning your tech startup to win speaking opportunities at conferences worldwide? Get in touch with Lisa Devaney, the founder and director of Hai Media Group, today to discuss a plan of action for your 2017 thought leadership strategy. Email: lisa@haimediagroup.com
by Lisa Devaney | 19 Sep, 2016 | Announcement
In 30 years time, the very essence of who we are may shift in directions we can only imagine right now – every visceral emotion and human need from what we eat to how we express love for each other and how we interact with machines is all changing. These far-reaching ideas, and many more, which aren’t just science fiction fantasies, were demonstrated and explored over two days (September 17-18) for innovation foundation Nesta’s FutureFest 2016.
The third year of FutureFest attracted 4,000 people to Tobacco Dock in London and turned the venue into a playground of possibility. Talks from Brian Eno, DJ Spooky, Will Self, Sherry Coutu CBE, Mustafa Suleyman, Ghislaine Boddington (also a curator of Future Love happenings), Ruth Amos, Claire Lomas, Laurie Penny, Anjali Ramachandran, Kate Russell, Pat Kane (who curated the Futre Play programme), Cindy Gallop, Es Devlin, Bill Burnett, Dr. Trudy Barber, Rhyannon Styles and many, many more fascinating speakers, took place, along with a mix of digital art and performances.
What was most striking is the exploration of the absolute most basic of human existence with discussions on how we will all love, play, work and thrive taking centre stage in conversations. While big questions of politics (Caroline Lucas MP with the Green Party participated in this discussion about where things are headed politically), how we’ll use data, combat disease, consider gender identity, and more, were bantered about among the guest experts, their on-stage conversations inspired attendants to tackle monstrous ideas, and debate between themselves about the positive and negative consequences future life may bring.
Some may have found these beyond-the-now explorations a little bit creepy, such as taking a visit to the Love After Death exhibit, where 15 minute conversations with counsellors helped people chart a course for extending your presence, digitally, after you die and discussing how you want your body to be treated post-death. Also for thought exploration was a fertility exhibit about the pros and cons, and questions and concerns, of egg freezing. These topics may make some squeamish or uncomfortable, but are all good for thought provocation, and important, for thinking about future scenarios.
In fact, it is letting your brain tackle sometimes unnerving concepts that leads to amazing innovation, such as was demonstrated in the Cybathlon exhibit where examples of assistive technology and robotics showed how futuristic technology is helping people with disabilities become mobile again. Or, when cyber-athlete Claire Lomas walked onto the stage in a fully robotic exoskeleton. Bravo! This is where the future gets so exciting, and promising.
Cyber-athlete Claire Lomas walks on stage at FutureFest 2016 in exoskeleton. *Photo courtesy of FutureFest
Kicking things off at FutureFest on the Saturday morning, in the mission to push your thinking into new boundaries, was Hannes Sjoblad (a biohacking and human augmentation activist) who led a “Implant Party” on stage by having two volunteers get computer chips inserted into their hands. The chips allow them to interact with digital devices, such as finding lost keys or activating other technologies.
Among the high energy speaker presentations were appearances by Cindy Gallop (an influential woman in the advertising business and founder of IfWeRanTheWorld and MakeLoveNotPorn) who challenged work place structures and gender roles with commentary in sessions that set the room on fire, such as proclaiming “You will never own the future if you care what other people think!” and living up to her reputation of blowing things up, as “the Michael Bay of business”.
Cindy Gallop on the Debate stage at FutureFest 2016
Headlining FutureFest was Brian Eno who discussed the importance of play in learning, and criticized traditional education for turning the process into something that becomes un-fun, when A-Level exams take place. Also a popular speaker was super smart DJ Spooky who offered some interesting insight into how music and technology wrap around the theme of love.
When the futuristic ideas all filled your head to overload, there were plenty of calming places to retreat to, especially the beautiful Collective Reality (an installation by body>data>space), where you could dance and move with others in a space of swirling visuals, or perch on a comfortable bean bag chair and watch professional dancers perform. Or, relax outside the venue and enjoy street food while looking at an old ship docked in the canal.
Dancer Eliza DeLite in Collective Reality at FutureFest 2016
So what does 2030 hold? It is fantastic that Nesta and all the involved partners and organizers and curators provided a place to unleash what is a smorgasbord of inspiring ideas for the future. Much discussed is so far ahead from our known existence today, that it is difficult to visualize the reality, but unless we all think about it, and act toward positive, well-calibrated, outcomes –progress will never happen.
Like they say in Star Trek, FutureFest encourages us “to boldly go where no man (or woman!) has gone before.”
FutureFest 2016 was supported by innovation partner Nissan and the University of Greenwich, Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, D3 Technologies and EUNIC London.
The two-day event takes place every 18 months and details can be found at: futurefest.org
by Lisa Devaney | 12 Sep, 2016 | Announcement
Twenty years into the future, how we love, work, play and thrive may change drastically, and be enhanced and entwined with technology,
Pat Kane, FutureFest 2016 curator
future thinkers and leaders will discuss at the annual FutureFest, brought to London by Nesta. The event takes place this weekend (September 17-18) and promises to deliver a mind-opening collection of talks, debates and immersive experiences that will get you contemplating far ahead to what’s in store for humanity, and how individuals can alter and influence the course of things to come.
The line-up this year includes music pioneers Brian Eno and DJ Spooky, writing pioneer Will Self, and AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman – the co-founder of Google DeepMind. Attendants will also hear from must-see radicals like Cindy Gallop, the entrepreneur actively shaking up the workplace gender debate, and Claire Lomas, the cyber-athlete who completed the London Marathon in an exoskeleton. Others on the bill include the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas, MP, and journalists Kate Russell and Bill Thompson and body technologist Ghislaine Boddington.
While visions of the future may be utopian or dystopian, many attending FutureFest will enjoy using their imaginations to explore both scenarios, along with the science that can offer concrete insights of how we are progressing. Research released ahead of FutureFest by Nesta reports that 60% of people in the UK think that technology will improve their future wellbeing. European neighbours, however, revealed more pessimism toward future tech, with French people believing it will lead to unemployment and Spaniards expressing concern it will lead to a breakdown of trust. More details about the research findings are here.
One topic sure to be of interest is how we will love in the future, with Ghislaine Boddington (see her thoughts on this topic here) sharing how we can think toward the most universal of all emotions, exploring what happens to romance, dating, identity and even skin when we move beyond the physical and merge with the virtual, by inviting pioneers, innovators and future thinkers to share their visions. More about the Future Love programme schedule for FutureFest can be found here.
FutureFest happens at The Dock, Tobacco Quay, London. Social media fans can follow the discussion with the hashtag #FutureFest16. Tickets are available from £25 (students) up to £80 for the weekend.
Hai Media Group will be in attendance, live tweeting as talks and debates happen from our Twitter (@HaiMediaGroup) and Instagram (@HaiMediaGroup) channels.
FutureFest 2016: Food for your brain
by Lisa Devaney | 6 Jul, 2016 | Announcement
On our radar this week is a new exhibition opening for Summer 2016. Check out:
The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH
The Stephen Lawrence Gallery at the University of Greenwich
7 July – 26 August 2016
Marco Donnarumma (Italy)
Here’s more more about the exhibition from the press release:
Exploring our body from its hidden micro bacteria to its digital incarnations, The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH takes a playful look at how digital technologies are helping us to heal but can also disturb our wellbeing. Presenting the works of interactive artists and game makers from the UK and continental Europe, the show envisions how we will inhabit and take care of our virtual and physical bodies in the future.
Join us this summer in Greenwich to meet A.I. (artificially insane) avatars, enter the whole genome sequenc-ing of bacteria in virtual reality and rebalance yourself through play.
Go on a journey where your body, mind and senses will be guided and confounded. Are you ready to explore the uncanny valley?
With: Anna Dumitriu with Alex May (UK), Ivor Diosi (Czech Republic), Marco Donnarumma (Italy), Blast The-ory (UK), Designwarm (UK) and Grendel Games (Netherlands)
In ‘Molding the Signifier’ by Ivor Diosi you’ll meet 3 chatty avatars who get infected by a mysterious bacteria slowly disrupting their conversation and behaviour. Anna Dumitriu with Alex May turn Staphylococcus aureus bacteria collected on her body into an installation and a virtual reality experience. Marco Donnarumma uses his heart beats, blood stream and muscle contractions to create digital music and media. The beautiful Good Night Lamp by Designwarm uses the Internet of Things technology to tell a loved one ‘I’m thinking of you’ at a distance. Blast Theory’s app Karen (UK) is a life coach who gets a little bit too friendly and intrusive. If you feel a bit disturbed after all these experiences, Dutch game ‘Songs of Elstryn’ will invite to rebalance yourself physically and mentally.
The exhibition is the second in a series of three shows initiated by EUNIC London and curated by body tech-nologist and digital expert Ghislaine Boddington (Creative Director, body>data>space / Reader CPDA Uni-versity of Greenwich). They bring to the UK the best independent and innovative games and digital experi-ences made in Europe with a strong emphasis on design, virtual interactivity and physical engagement.
‘BODY<>TECH engages in a debate in Europe around gaming and interactive works that represent our bod-ies and minds. Showing projects both with social purpose and artistic intents the works in this exhibition dis-play a way of being in a new world – where the inside moves outside, the digital helps the physical, virtual and physical intimacies merge. The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH reflects on potential digital physical “bodies” of the future’ Ghislaine Boddington.
The Games Europe Plays is a EUNIC London project, produced by the Finnish Institute and body>data>space. Initiated by the Czech Centre, the project is supported by British Council and Arts Council England. It is presented at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery and supported by the University of Greenwich (Department of Creative Professions & Digital Art), in association with Nesta’s FutureFest and London Games Festival. With additional support from the Czech Centre, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Em-bassy of the Netherlands.
- Press View: Wednesday 6 July at 4pm, please rsvp to Marie Proffit: marie@bodydataspace.net
- Opening: Wednesday 6 July at 6.30pm, please rsvp to a.e.craft@gre.ac.uk
- Colloquium: Join us on Thursday 7 July from 11am to 4pm at the University of Greenwich (SE10 9BD) for a day of colloquium with curator Ghislaine Boddington and Digital Arts Lead Ian Thompson, associated art-ists and experts.
The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH
The Stephen Lawrence Gallery / University of Greenwich / 10 Stockwell St, London SE10 9BD
The exhibition is open to the public from 7 July – 26 August 2016: Tuesday-Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-4pm. Tweet us at #GamesEU
http://europe.org.uk/event/the-games-europe-plays-body-tech/
Note to editors
The Games Europe Plays
In 2016 ‘The Games Europe Plays’ brings to the UK audience a selection of independent and innovative games and interactive experiences made in Europe. Kicking off at the Finnish Institute in London April 2016 as part of London Games Festival, it will now show at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery at the Uni-versity of Greenwich in July/August and culminate in September 2016 as an exhibition as part of FutureFest (Nesta). ‘The Games Europe Plays’ is a series of exhibitions and events inviting developers and experts from continental Europe and the UK to meet and debate with UK audience and professionals. http://europe.org.uk/project/the-games-europe-play/
EUNIC London
EUNIC London (European Union National Institutes for Culture) is the network of the cultural institutes and embassies from the member states of the European Union in London. A branch of EUNIC Global, the Lon-don network was established in 2007 and has at present 32 members who share knowledge and re-sources in order to promote greater cooperation and develop partnerships between European nations and UK organisations. EUNIC London is a proud initiator, organiser and supporter of creative projects highlight-ing Europe’s fantastic diversity in arts, culture and language. The Finnish Institute, British Council, Czech Centre and all involved institutes in TGEP are members of ENIC London. http://europe.org.uk
Finnish Institute in London
The Finnish Institute in London is a private, non-profit trust bringing together individuals, communities and organisations. Our mission is to identify emerging issues important to contemporary society in Finland, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. We encourage cross-disciplinary and cross-border collaboration by creating networks and building new partnerships. We work with artists, creatives, academics and policy-makers. http://www.finnish-institute.org.uk
Ghislaine Boddington
Co-founder and Creative Director of body>data>space and Women Shift Digital, is a curator, presenter and thought leader specialising in body responsive technologies, Ghislaine is recognised as an international pio-neer advocating the use of the entire body as a digital interaction canvas for over 25 years. A co-creator and director of many art works exploring the hyper enhancement of our human senses through the digital and a lead director of international multi-partner projects, she is co-curator of FutureFest 2016 – a festival of ideas hosted by Nesta, innovation foundation – and is a Reader in the Department of Creative Professions and Digital Art at the University of Greenwich. http://www.bodydataspace.net
The British Council
British Council is the UK’s international cultural relations organisation. Arts is a cornerstone of the British Council’s mission to create a friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and the wider world. We find new ways of connecting with and understanding each other through the arts, to develop stronger creative sectors around the world that are better connected with the UK. https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts
Stephen Lawrence Gallery / The University of Greenwich
University of Greenwich Galleries was set up in 2013 to manage the expansion in gallery provision resulting from the development of the new academic building in Stockwell Street. The Stephen Lawrence Gallery was founded in 2000 on the initiative of the then Dean, Paul Stigant, working in close partnership with Stephen’s mother, Doreen Lawrence, who had been a student at the University in 1993 when her son was murdered in a racist attack. The gallery aims to promote diversity in the representation of visual cultures through mainly curated group exhibitions featuring the work of young contemporary visual practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, including artists, designers, and architects. http://www.greenwichunigalleries.co.uk
Blast Theory’s app Karen
Grendel Games
