IT heavies arrive for digital forum

The annual Seoul Digital Forum, a summit of global information technology moguls and mavens, kicks off today with discussions on how to sustain growth in the industry amid the changes in the media environment.
This year’s theme, “Media Big Bang ― Impact on Business and Society,” marks the fourth year for the event, which draws a variety of internationally known guests as speakers, this year including Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Associated Press President Tom Curley and Disney Media Network Co-Chairwoman Anne Sweeney.
Chris Anderson, editor of Wired Magazine and author of the much discussed book “The Long Tail,” will also be at the event.
“Witnessing the emergence of new players and the challenges that existing industries face, a media big bang is certainly taking place,” said the forum’s organizing committee in a statement.
Starting with a discussion on the impact of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement on the media market on the first day, a series of seminars will discuss the influence of media on today’s politics, the role of new media in education and other topics during the three-day event.
Google’s Schmidt, on his first visit to Korea, is scheduled to give a special lecture on the changes that Internet technologies will bring to existing media. The venue is the same as last year, the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in eastern Seoul.
Aside from the lecture, Schmidt is also expected to have several private meetings with Korean IT firms, according to industry sources, possibly to hash out some deals. Today he will meet with Kim Shin-bae, president of SK Telecom, Korea’s largest mobile service provider, and later in the day with Seok Jong-hoon, president of Daum Communications, the nation’s second-place portal site operator. Daum and Google already have an online advertising arrangement.

By Seo Ji-eun Staff Writer [spring@joongang.co.kr]