Multimedia Victoria - South Melbourne firm proves it's game for Export Award
South Melbourne firm proves it's game for Export Award |
| News, Wednesday, 21 October 2009 |
| South Melbourne company Tantalus Media has been named Information and Communication Technology Exporter of the Year at the prestigious 2009 Governor of Victoria Export Awards. The Minister for Industry and Trade, Martin Pakula, presented the company with its award at a gala celebration at Government House last night. An independent video-game developer with more than 15 years in the business, Tantalus has a portfolio of more than 30 games sold worldwide on most video-game systems. “This award recognises that Tantalus Media is a world leader, and particularly renowned for its development of hand-held consoles, such as the Nintendo DS,” Mr Pakula said. “As one of the world’s top independent development studios, Tantalus Media continues to blend cutting-edge software design with art and a creative narrative. “It has successfully overcome the so-called brain-drain to attract some of the best overses talent to Australia. “And with its Melbourne studio employing more than 50 staff, a new studio branch has recently opened in Brisbane, bringing total staff to around 80,” he said. The commendee in the ICT Award category was The Adweb Agency, one of Australia’s first web development companies, founded in Hawthorn in 1995. “Now in their 30th year, these Awards celebrate Victoria’s export achievers across 13 categories from arts and entertainment, education and training, to small business, manufacturing and agribusiness” Mr Pakula said. “The 2009 Award winners are to be congratulated for overcoming difficult economic conditions to demonstrate the range of achievements still possible in global markets,” he said Mr Pakula said the Brumby Government’s sponsorship of the Awards formed part of its broad-ranging strategy to boost exports and promote a global focus. “Exports of Victorian goods over the 2009 financial year totalled $20.4 billion – only slightly down from the previous year’s $20.5 billion,” Mr Pakula said. “This impressive export result - in light of the global economic downturn - underlines the value of the Victorian Government’s strong focus on helping local industry to increase exports. “We have committed $4.8m over four years to continue the Opening Doors to Export Plan, a further $4.8 million over four years to establish the Export Connections initiative and $1 million over four years for the Victorians Abroad program,” he said. All category winners will now progress to represent Victoria at the national 2009 Australian Export Awards.  |
