Responding to the Future Screens NI Rewriting the Narrative call, Smidj completed a research project investigating how creative professionals were engaging with lockdown restrictions through their use of Zoom Video Conferencing services. The resulting report is titled The Cultural Economy of Zoom: An Analysis of Creative Praxis, Data Rights & Service Contracts - Exploring the Phenomenon of Online Collaboration During Lockdown.
Noting the profound effect of lockdown on the creative sector, Smidj consciously sought small to medium enterprises and free-lance professionals who had adopted Zoom during the period. The researchers then set out to evaluate the impact of the sudden shift to Computer Mediated Communication (CMD) as a result of the global pandemic through a short qualitative research project.
Some key factors noted from the preliminary planning of the research project was the lack of preparedness on the part of communities, government bodies and individuals facing down the societal impact of COVID-19. The research team thus sought to address the pressing issues like fatigue, security and copyright. The results of the trial were a document Practical Advice for Meeting Users and avenues for further research.
Smidj, Ltd is a LegalTech solution addressing business model innovation in the creative industries through attribution data models and data services innovation. They aim to create an efficient and accessible ID registration system for the creators of digital content that supports attribution and payment.
Project Team:
CEO - Paul O’Hagan: A highly skilled researcher who has worked with Peter Jenner on the Music 2025 project as part of a multi-disciplinary team of academics. His background as a technology entrepreneur and as a commercial studio owner and record producer before this make him uniquely placed. Currently studying a PHD at Ulster University, within Contextual Studies in Popular Music & Culture with a thesis titled Attribution: Intellectual Properties & Popular Music.
CFO/COO - Miceál O’Kane: Serial Entrepreneur and business growth consultant. With over 20 years’ experience starting, operating, and exiting business Miceál specialises in business model innovation. Currently studying a master’s degree in social innovation at Cambridge University, Judge Business School with a research focus on The Creative Industry Economy in the Digital Age.
NED - Peter Jenner: A veteran of the music business, manager of Pink Floyd, Marc Bolan, Ian Dury, The Clash, and Eddie Reader, he is also responsible, with Martin Goldschmidt of Cooking Vinyl Records, for instigating the first label services deal for Billy Bragg.
Co-investigator: Professor Frank Lyons, Associate Dean of Research and Impact in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Ulster University.
This project was funded by a Future Screen NI Rewriting the Narrative award.
