moderne communications leveraging virtual worlds for government uses ontario leading the way leigh...

Moderne CommunicationsLeveraging Virtual Worlds for Government Uses

Ontario Leading the Way

Leigh RowanOctober 1, 2008

Ontario Digital Economy ConferenceHuntsville, Ontario

We’re Here to Tell a Story

The Story So Far…

• Personal and Company Introduction

• Overview of Virtual Worlds and Second Life

• Why Virtual Worlds? Why Ontario?

• We Visit Second Life

• Questions, Answers, and the story goes

on…

My Goals Today

• I aim to show how governments – including Ontario – are using virtual worlds:– To engage citizens– To improve services and accessibility– To create new/diverse jobs– To grow economies – digital, economic,

other

• Note: I am a virtual worlds evangelist!

A Brief History…of us

• TheSLAgency / Moderne Interactive:

part of Moderne Communications

– 20+ years experiential marketing programs

• VP of Interactive Marketing

• Client list includes Ontario’s MGS, the

World Bank, Harlequin Books, Nestle,

and others

Virtual Worlds & Second Life• What is Second Life?

– 3D Online Social Network. A “Virtual World” - NOT a game.

– 15+ Million people globally– Canadians are10th biggest SL population– It’s free. Downloadable software. Highly

customizable.

• Other Virtual Worlds include Forterra, There.com, Habbo, Google’s Lively, Hangout.net, and others

• Gartner study: 80% of web users in VWs by 2011

Second Life & Government

• Who’s there?– Ontario, including OPS and “Digital

Ontario” group of MGS, OIC, others– Vancouver Police Department– US States: Idaho and Missouri– US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)– NASA, NOAA, US Congress– The World Bank– Swedish Embassy, Mexico Gov’t

Tourism

What are Gov’ts Doing There?

External Uses:• Job

recruitment• Tourism/

business • Public

Awareness• Constituent

Communications

• Education• More!

Internal Uses:• Virtual

Meetings• Legislative

Voting• Telepresence• 4-day

workweek• Training• Customized

solutions

Who Visits Virtual Government Experiences?

• Thousands of people• Lengthy engagements• Real world results

Isn’t This Just Like the Web?

• EXACTLY - only better!

• This is “Web 3.0” – social, open, customizable, community-oriented, integrates with other networks/web, etc.

• Engage Citizens (many-to-many), Better Access to Services, New Jobs, New Opportunities

Ok, so… Why Ontario?

• Diverse Opportunities at the Cutting Edge– Reach: from Ontarians to Foreign Investors– Interaction: host events, lectures,

meetings– Efficiency: green aspects, easier access

• Because Ontario is a Leader!– Foresight– Innovation

How Ontario Is Using Virtual Worlds

• Digital Ontario Island (Grand Opening!)– Collaboration between MGS, OIC, others– Specialized OIC Pavilion– Includes a conference area and interactive

pavilions for each of the 6 Research Focus Areas

• Ontario Public Service Careers Island– First Ontario ministerial effort in VW– Showcase Ontario Diamond Innovation

Award-Winning! Congrats!– Virtual job recruitment and simulation– 5 of 18 job categories showcased; more soon!

What’s (Immediately) Next for Ontario in Virtual Worlds

• “Grand Opening” of Digital Ontario Island

• Expansion of OPS Careers Island

• Meetings/conferences to take place on Digital Ontario Island

What’s the Future of Virtual Worlds & Digital Economies?

• Improved Technology– Interoperability amongst VWs– Better VW technology

• More Gov’t Focus on Health, Learning, Economy

• Larger Ontarian presence!

Conclusions and Questions

• Where can I find resources?– Web:

www.TheSLAgency.com/govt– MGS: Glen Padassery/Eion

Gomes– Moderne Interactive:

• P: 516.694.1231• E:

info@modernecommunications.com

A Special Thanks To…

• Glen Padassery, MGS/OPS• Peter Yaworski, MGS/OCCS• Barbara Swartzentruber, MGS• Eion Gomes, MGS

• Ministry of Government Services, Ontario

• Most importantly: YOU!

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive!

• We’re here to answer your questions:– Joe Mastrocovi (Managing Partner)

• Joe@ModerneInteractive.com• 516-639-1057 (cell)

– Leigh Rowan (yours truly)• Leigh@ModerneInteractive.com• 831.325.3996 (cell)

– Moderne Interactive: (516) 694.1231

It Has Been a PLEASURE!

Thank you, and again, Congratulations!