Big Tech and Star Start-Ups Converge at midem 2012

PARIS, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The entire technology ecosystem involved in music and consumer engagement will gather at midem 2012 to be held in Cannes from 28-31 January. Companies from a diverse geographical spread including Australia, Korea, Chile, Israel, Russia, US and across Europe are joining the technology think tank and discovery platform that is midem.

Major technology platforms, digital music and social media players such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Spotify, Youtube, Vevo, Orange, Deezer, Vivendi and Facebook and the most innovative start-ups and fast-developing companies including, The Echo Nest, Topspin, Webdoc, Shazam, Simfy, Gracenote, SoundCloud, Mspot, MXP4, Sonicbids and ReverbNation, will all be part of the 2012 midem community.

midem's Visionary Monday conference will explore and offer deep insight on how to engage with audiences in a world connected by music. Speakers will include thought leaders such as Om Malik from GigaOm, Mikael Hed CEO of Rovio and creator of Angry Birds and Dan Rose from Facebook. Amazon and Google will join an exclusive midem debate entitled, "How to Work with the Fab Four: Lessons for Success."

midemlab, midem's third annual start-up competition, sponsored by Vivendi, continues to bring the most exciting new companies to the global stage. Past winners and finalists including SoundCloud, Root Music, The Echo Nest and The Next Big Sound, have all achieved global commercial success and continue to raise significant funds from top venture capitalists.

midem has also expanded its offer for start-ups through its Vivendi-sponsored Innovation Factory, a zone for discovering the latest cutting-edge technologies. It offers a complete tailor-made learning programme for start-ups including: The Basics of Start-Up Operations run by Microsoft BizSpark; How to Raise Funds for Your Own Startup by LD&A; and How to Pitch to the Media, by The Next Web.

Sandrine Dufour, Executive Vice President Innovation and Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Vivendi, stated: "We at Vivendi are delighted to be closely associated with midem, its Innovation Factory initiative and the midemlab competition. We believe that innovation is a major driver for profitable growth. Start-ups are superb catalysts in the on-going transformation of the music business. I am convinced that they strongly contribute to create a sustainable digital environment for the benefit of artists, the music industry and consumers alike. Creating a Vivendi 'Coup de Cœur' as part of midemlab is a way to acknowledge and recognise the special role played by start-ups in this process."

The second edition of midem Hack Day, sponsored by Bluevia, will bring together 30 developers, designers and hackers from around the globe for 48 hours to conceptualise, collaborate and build a brand-new generation of music-related Apps which will be unveiled exclusively to the midem audience.

Tech media partners including The Next Web, FrenchWeb, Evolver.fm and GigaOm will all cover the event: and unprecedented live coverage will be offered via midemblog, with liveblogging, video reports and live video streaming from midem's Visionary Monday conferences.

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ABOUT MIDEM

midem is the place where music makers, cutting-edge technologies, brands & talent come together to enrich the passionate relationship between people & music, transform audience engagement & form new business connections.

SOURCE Reed MIDEM