Call for Submissions: How can Canada lead the digital economy?

Canada's Digital Compass asks Canadians to help define our role in the future of digital transformation: PwC

TORONTO, March 23 /CNW/ - All signs point to a digital transformation in the way we do business, our lifestyles and the global economy. As Canada tries to find its footing in the digital industry, today PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) has launched Canada's Digital Compass - a 'crowdsourcing' competition that will ask Canadians to help define the nation's role in the future digital economy.

Canada's Digital Compass will draw a community of Canadians who are passionate about digital transformation to submit and vote on ideas that could help position Canada to lead the digital economy. Weekly competitions will take place on five topic areas and winners from each competition will participate in a final showdown on May 4, 2010 where the top three ideas will be chosen. The three winners will be awarded tickets to the Canada 3.0 conference at the University of Waterloo on May 10-11, 2010 where their submissions could be presented to attendees.

"The best ideas are developed by collaborating with others and Canada's Digital Compass is a crowdsourcing initiative which is built on this principle," says Tracey Riley, partner and national leader of the Technology, Information, Communication and Entertainment (TICE) practice of PwC. "Canada is home to some of the brightest minds in the digital space and this program will allow a community of digital enthusiasts to contribute, critique and build upon ideas that will help Canada lead in the digital realm."

In addition to community involvement, a panel of digital experts will also weigh in on the submissions and will assist in selecting the top three winners. Their decisions will be based on the ideas with the most community votes and how well each submission aligns with the three measures of success - 1) economic potential, 2) fits Canada's capabilities and 3) reflects Canada's values. The panel of judges includes:

    
    -  Mike Kirkup, Director of Developer Relations, Research In Motion (RIM)

    -  Jacob Glick, Policy Counsel, Google

    -  Barbara Bailie, Director of Interactive, Astral Television Networks

    -  Olivier Vincent, President and CEO, Canpages

    -  Jerry Brown, Associate Partner, Consulting and Deals,
       PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
    

"The panel is comprised of experts from a wide range of industry backgrounds and will play an important part in the campaign," says Riley. "Along with feedback from the community, the panelists will inject valuable insights on the submissions based on their expertise."

Weekly Competitions and Subjects:

    
    -  Technology - March 16 - 29, 2010

    -  Education - March 30 - April 5, 2010

    -  Media Production - April 6 - 12, 2010

    -  Connectivity - April 13 - 19, 2010

    -  Policy Development - April 20 - 26, 2010
    

For more information, please visit: www.pwc.com/ca/compass.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. In Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www.pwc.com/ca) and its related entities have more than 5,300 partners and staff in offices across the country.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate legal entity.

For further information: Jessica Draker, [phone], [email protected]; Kiran Chauhan, [phone], [email protected]