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The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Google today hosted a ‘Made For YouTube’ gathering in Kuala Lumpur to nurture and highlight Malaysian YouTube content creators. These content creators were part of a year-long programme organized by both MDeC and Google to develop homegrown talents in line with Malaysia’s goal to be a creative technology content hub of Asia.
The ‘Made For YouTube’ programme was introduced earlier this year to nurture, elevate and expand the influence of Malaysian YouTube channels. Over 20 MSC Malaysia status companies and new start-ups participated in this programme, receiving support in the form of production facilities, development funding, dedicated manpower, growth strategies and strategic advice from both MDeC and Google.
With more Malaysians turning to ‘new media’ for entertainment, the Internet has become a launching platform for uprising stars to breakthrough in the online content industry, ranging from YouTubers, creative content creators and online publishers. ‘Made For YouTube’ showcases the high quality content that Malaysian YouTube creators have developed for the flourishing local scene. Among them, The Grim Film’s “The Long Distance Relationship” with 2 million views, and DiDi & Friend’s “Kalau Rasa Gembira” with 5.6 million views are some examples who have made it big.
“Our collaboration with Google aims to increase the reach, capability and competency of Malaysia’s creative industry by helping home-grown content creators to produce, monetise and commercialise world-class content on the YouTube platform. At present, MDeC is on a game-changing mission to spur the creative content landscape for Malaysia, especially focusing on content for games. This partnership is very much aligned with our aim of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for creative content”, said Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of MDeC.
“Under our Digital Malaysia national agenda, we aim to move Malaysians from consumption to production-centric – creating new income generation opportunities via new digital business models. The creative content industry is estimated to be worth RM 7 billion but at this moment only 15% are local content. We had some successes such as Les’ Copaque’s phenomenal Upin and Ipin series, and we aim to build on the momentum with various initiatives for the creative multimedia industry,” Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood added.
“Google highly encourages content creators and businesses to embrace digital as a platform. We would love nothing more than to help bring more Malaysian content onto the open Web and have Malaysian digital creators to connect directly with their fans.” said Sajith Sivanandan, Managing Director of Google Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and New Emerging Markets.
“The Internet has and will continue to enable YouTubers, creative creators and online publishers become successful. And Google is committed to helping our Malaysian content creators attain that success through our tools and platforms.” he added.
Success story
An MSC status company, Les’ Copaque Production, renowned for its 3D animated series – Upin & Ipin – has been producing high quality 3D animation for television serials as well bringing Malaysian stories to the world. In 2012, Les’ Copaque became a YouTube Partner and since then have uploaded more than 488 videos, gaining 195,000 subscribers with 135 million total views. Currently Les’ Copaque has more than 500,000 subscribers with more than 400 million total views and 3 new videos every week.
MSC Malaysia status companies in the creative multimedia cluster accounted for RM 7.1 billion in revenue in 2014, 18% of MSC Malaysia’s total revenue. To date, there are over 470 MSC status companies in the creative multimedia cluster, with over 10,515 creative jobs.
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About Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), MSC Malaysia and Digital Malaysia
The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) was incorporated in 1996 to strategically advise the Malaysian Government on legislation, policies and standards for ICT and multimedia operations as well as to oversee the development of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (now MSC Malaysia), the platform to nurture the growth of Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the IT industry whilst attracting participation from global ICT companies to invest in and develop cutting edge digital and creative solutions in Malaysia.
In 2011, MDeC’s mandate was broadened by the Prime Minister to include driving Malaysia’s transition towards a developed digital economy by 2020 through Digital Malaysia. In 2012, Digital Malaysia was officially unveiled as the nation’s transformational programme to achieve this aim. Digital Malaysia is the national agenda towards a sustainable digital economy built upon a vibrant domestic ICT industry, transformative use of digital solutions by government, businesses and citizens, as well as a robust enabling ecosystem.
Today, both MSC Malaysia and Digital Malaysia run concurrently to spur Malaysia’s ICT industry development and digital transformation, under the purview of MDeC.
Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top Internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.
Cat Yong is Editor-in-Chief of Enterprise IT News, a regional news website which began in Malaysia circa 2011. A common theme in all of her work - opinions, analysis, features and more - is how technology and innovation drives business and outcomes.
A career tech journalist for 22 years, her work has evolved to also encompass narratives of tech powering human potential.
