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Your Country Your Call

Date: 29 Jun 2010

UCD Smurfit School is delighted to announce that the Proposal led by Prof Mary Lambkin is one of 20 semi-finalists shortlisted in the prestigious Your Country Your Call Competition. The competition attracted over 9000 entries. The Proposal entitled “District of Communications and Knowledge – The DOCK has landed” was undertaken in conjunction with collaborators from the advertising industry, including Sen McCrave, CEO of IAPI, and John MCGee of Mount Media.

Professor Mary Lambkin

The proposal was inspired by commercial villages such as Silicon Valley, Wall Street, Fashion District (LA), The City (London), the IFSC and the Dubai Media City, and it advocates the creation of a District of Communications and Knowledge (The DOCK) in Dublin.

The Vision. To become recognised as a world centre for creative media communications, attracting a large community of individuals and corporations engaged in creative activities both cultural and commercial, in all kinds of media. Unleashing a Creative Economy which in turn stimulates value and wealth, generates jobs, innovates new technologies and fosters new industries by tapping into Ireland’s innovative capabilities.

The Justification. Due to its heritage and success in the world of arts, literature, music and film, coupled with its proven ability to attract and sustain international investment from the communications and technology sectors, Ireland has the profile and credibility to enable it to lay claim to a position as a global media communications centre.

The Location. The DOCK will be located on the south side of the river Liffey in the Dublin Docklands to mirror the International Financial Services Centre on the north side of the river. Ideally, the U2 Tower would act as a highly visible flagship (should it arrive) but it would also be enhanced by the presence of neighbours Windmill Lane Studios, the new Grand Canal Theatre, Google and Facebook amongst others.
The Key to Success. Intensive marketing together with a package of new tax incentives building upon existing schemes (the artist’s tax exemption and Section 481) will be essential to attract international firms and new start-ups.

The Benefits. The media and entertainment industries currently employ 5,377 people in Ireland, 95% in local firms working in the traditional media. It is anticipated that the successful creation of The DOCK would result in at least a doubling in the number of direct jobs in this sector, from 5,377 in 2009 to more than 10,000 by 2015, and that most of these jobs would be generated by international firms generating export earnings. There would be another 10,000 indirect jobs generated as well as substantial wider benefits to the economy.

For further information on Your County Your Call visit http://www.yourcountryyourcall.ie/