Digital pioneers build unlimited app’etite for Australian innovation
Austrade media release
Monday, 19 November 2012
From Google Australia’s Hurricane Sandy Crisis Response Team to start-ups like online shoe retailer Shoes of Prey, and music-based social network, Swarm.Fm, Australia’s digital pioneers are celebrated in a new iPhone app launched by the Australian Government today.
Austrade’s AU (Australia Unlimited) app showcases 38 Australians who are shaping our digital future.
"Google’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Nick Leeder wrote recently in an op-ed that the kind of talent on display in the app could help Australia become a "Silicon Beach" – a local version of Silicon Valley like New York's Silicon Alley or London's Tech City.
"Australia has a flourishing community of technology entrepreneurs creating new global businesses that will benefit the broader economy," Mr Leeder said.
"We have many examples of tech start-ups who are succeeding like Shoes of Prey. This online store allows customers to design their own shoes, have them custom-made in China and delivered anywhere in the world.
"We should set out to build the Silicon Beach, and use the capabilities and thinking it creates, to accelerate the absorption of digital throughout the economy. If we get this right, digital will be a critical source of economic growth for many years to come," he said.
Two of Google's Australian staff, software engineers Alan Noble and Anthony Baxter are profiled alongside the Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and other inventors, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers and bloggers.
Austrade's Executive Director of Australian Operations, Tim Beresford said the profiles showcased a new generation of original thinkers.
"Our innovators are not only bright, they are also adventurous, which means they have a knack for developing new ideas," Mr Beresford said.
"Australia's digital pioneers are establishing new channels across business, entertainment and scientific research, reflecting our culture of experimentation and ingenuity. This will go a long way in building Australia's reputation as a truly innovative nation," he said.
Acclaimed technology journalist Brad Howarth agreed to guest edit the special edition after witnessing the growing influence of Australians contributing to the global digital revolution.
"From building massive virtual communities to telling old stories in new ways and creating advanced methods for machine communication, the influence of Australia’s digital leaders is staggering," Mr Howarth said.
Mr Beresford invited readers to get behind Australia Unlimited by sharing their own stories of innovation.
"AU is all about showcasing the work of Australia’s world class entrepreneurs, researchers, exporters, educators, designers, artists, administrators and humanitarians at home and around the world. If you’ve got a great story to tell, we want to hear about it," he said.
The Australia Unlimited app is now available for iPhone (weekly) as well as iPad (monthly), and both formats can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
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Australian Digital Influencers featured in the current issue of Australia Unlimited
Senator Stephen Conroy (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy), Alan Noble & Anthony Baxter (Google), Colin Griffith (Centre for Broadband Innovation), Danny Kennedy (Sungevity), Darren Rowse (ProBlogger), David Thodey (Telstra), Ehon Chan (Spur Projects), Gabby & Hezi Leibovich (CatchOfTheDay), Gary Hayes (ABC), Dr Ian Opperman (CSIRO), Iain McDonald (Amnesia), Jamieson & Matt Fayle (The Loop), Professor Jane Burns (Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre), Jennifer Wilson & Guy Gadney (The Project Factory), Jon Dee (Do Something!), Joseph Glanville, Alexander Sharp & Sheng Yeo (Orion VM), Jodie Fox (Shoes of Prey), Kate Kendall (TheFetch.com), Laurel Papworth (The Community Crew), Liesl Capper (MyCyberTwin), Marcus Schappi (Ninja Blocks), Mark Harbottle (Flippa), Mia Freedman (Mamamia), Mike Cannon-Brookes & Scott Farquhar (Atlassian), Natalie Tran (The Community Channel), Peter Williams (Delloite), Stefan Gillard (EngineRoom.io), Jackie Taranto (CeBIT), Niki Scevak (Startmate), Peter Watts (Swarm.fm), Phil Morle & Mick Liubinskas (Pollenizer), Ryan Junee (Inporia), Robert Murray (Firemint), Ruslan Kogan (Kogan), Simon Goodrich & Andrew Apostola (Portable), Tyson Mowarin (iCampfire.tv), Zareh Nalbandian (Animal Logic)
Media Contacts
Jonathon Moore I jonathon.moore@statecraft.com.au
T: (02) 8080 0060 I M: 0405 167 675
Purnima Ganapathy | purnima.ganapathy@austrade.gov.au
T: (02) 9392 2319 I M: 0419 127 577
About Australia Unlimited
Building Brand Australia is the Australian Government’s nation brand program represented by Australia Unlimited. The campaign aims to build on the reputation held by Australia’s people, lifestyle and natural resources, and to promote its creative, economic and commercial credentials to a global audience.
The Australia Unlimited magazine apps and website tell the story of contemporary Australia through the achievements of its people in creative arts, business, science and humanitarian endeavours. To explore a different side of Australia, visit www.australiaunlimited.com, download the free iPad/ iPhone magazine from the App Store, like Australia Unlimited on Facebook, or follow @AusUnlimited on Twitter.
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.
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