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Source: Advantage West Midlands

The West Midlands' growing reputation for excellence in digital media is going global with the help of UK Trade & Investment embassy staff from the USA, Canada, India and Brazil and from London.

An influential 12-strong UKT&I delegation went to see the work of cutting-edge digital media businesses operating in the region during a special one-day visit arranged by the Inward Investment team at Advantage West Midlands.

The West Midlands is the hub of a vibrant digital media sector which influences everybody's lives, from leisure and lifestyle to business and communication. It includes television, animation, radio and digital imaging, with particular strengths in games production and serious games.

The tour itinerary included visits to:

Blitz Games, a company in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, which is particularly strong in developing serious games such as its Trauma Trainer, an interactive medical programme.

The Birmingham film set of BBC TV drama series "Hustle", to meet senior executives from Kudos Film and Television. The programme was relocated to the region with the help of investment by Screen WM through the Advantage Media Production Fund supported by Advantage West Midlands.

The Fazeley Studios, in Digbeth, to meet with Tom Loosemore, head of 4iP, to learn about the business opportunities for regional companies offered by 4iP, a £10 million creative pilot fund supported by Channel 4, Advantage West Midlands through the Digital media cluster and Screen WM. In addition Toby Barnes from Mudlark presented some of their cutting edge games ideas. Mudlark have recently relocated to Fazeley Studios in the West Midlands so they could join the strong digital community. Mudlark have also received 4IP funding from Screen West Midlands and Channel 4.

The delegation also met Professor Bob Stone, from the University of Birmingham, one of the world's leading experts on serious games, who demonstrated some of his team's digital media developments for the Ministry of Defence, the National Marine Aquarium and English Heritage.

Richard Butler, Head of Inward Investment at Advantage West Midlands, said: "We're committed to being at the forefront of the digital media sector - and it is vital that in such tough times for the global economy, we promote our region's capabilities and expertise in international markets.

"For companies looking to invest in digital media, the West Midlands is the place to be. The collaboration between the region's universities, science and technology parks and companies of all sizes combined with regional support and funding for digital media is paying dividends.

"We now have a track record of attracting world-class digital companies to a region which is also rich with 'home-grown' talent. There's a real buzz to this business sector - and we hope that creativity, innovation and support will attract investors from overseas."

Professor Stone said: "If you're looking for innovation and talent in digital media, look no further than the West Midlands.

"Where else can you find such a range of relevant skills - computing, psychology, digital art, games design, not to mention applications in defence, medicine, education, heritage and commerce all within a single region."