Innovation networks: A report on creating a specialist professional social network, offline and online, to foster innovation in the new media sector

Abstract

This paper is a report on the building of an online professional social network (http://nm-x.com) supported by a programme of live events, focused on innovation in the digital media content-design and development sector in London, late 2006-present. Starting with a summary of the state of the digital media design and development sector in this period, the Creative London strategy and the development team, the Report then focuses on the interface design issues, the creation of nm-x, and the supporting programme of live events. A reflective conclusion summarises the development and poses some questions and feedback that may be useful for others developing similar projects. A new contribution, a 'Connections Module' (allowing semantic links between nodes) is made to Drupal. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.